Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

"No, I was talking about Ashton Fuller..."

Ludwik wanted to bring up Ashton and his ex-wife-he'd heard from Parker it was a real mess.

Wasn't Ashton's ex-wife supposed to be Whitney's best friend?

But he thought better of it, worried Whitney had enough on her plate. He hesitated, then muttered, "Never mind. Just hurry back and keep me company, I miss you."

Whitney paused for a second, his voice slipping right into her ear.

Her cheeks warmed, a little flutter of heat rising up. She bit her lip and said, "You'll have to wait."

"What else could possibly be up?" Ludwik grumbled.

"My parents, obviously!"

Ludwik frowned, but didn't argue. He sighed, sounding bored, "Ms. Valentine, you sure keep yourself busy-except when it comes to your own little family."

"Excuse me? I care plenty! I'm just about to check in on our daughter."

His tone softened, a quiet laugh rumbling in his chest. "That's more like it. If I wasn't still recovering, I could take care of her myself. I've got tons of experience, you know."

he was half bragging, half playing

he'd been both

dragging Sammy out of the freezing Atlantic, both of them barely making it

why you looked after Danny so well he was always skinny, sick every other

Danny's just as healthy

five pounds

over his brow, exasperated. "You women and your

dropped in

a big difference-did

She cut him off, cool as ice. "No point in talking if you don't get it, Mr. Lippert. Bye." Click,

at his phone, scowled, and tossed it onto the

his spot, indignant. "She hangs up on you, and I'm the one who gets your bad mood? You've been on the phone for almost twenty minutes, man I've been sitting here

don't you just leave?" Ludwik didn't even

must've done something terrible in a past life to end

ass, running

your mother. And Whitney-what, she saved the galaxy last time around? You should see your face when you're

the mirror next time you call Tiana Melford," Ludwik replied,

and mentally cursed him for