Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

The baby was so small, but to Ludwik, she felt heavy-almost burning hot in his arms.

Just then, Whitney glanced up, dark eyes swirling, and looked at him. She spoke gently to their daughter, "Your daddy wants to hold you, sweetheart. He's missed you. But even though you know him so well, you can't let him hold you for too long. He's still recovering."

Ludwik listened to her soft voice, feeling a wave of emotion crash over him.

She handed the baby to him herself, her slender arms lingering, brushing against his strong shoulder, soft and warm. She was so clever, always understanding what he needed, even when he couldn't say it.

His heart melted—this tenderness was hers, a gift just for him.

He gazed down at the tiny baby girl, cradled in his big, protective arms. She looked so fragile, but he could hold all the love in the world for her.

Her little lips twitched.

Those big, bright eyes, strikingly dark on her tiny face, stared at her mom, as if she was answering Whitney with her gaze.

And then-she smiled.

"She's smiling! Mom, I think she's really smiling!" Danny blurted out excitedly.

Sammy, always the wise one, nodded. "She only smiles when she sees Mom. Our mom must be the prettiest ever! And now she's got Dad holding her and Mom beside her of course she's happy. Right, Danny?"

feel so lucky!" Danny replied,

approving look; it was rare for Danny to catch on so

He lowered his thick lashes to hide the sudden redness at the corners

didn't look up, but even sitting down,

asked, "She

but her answer was practical. "Hard

Then she noticed how

his posture was-her brow furrowed, and she didn't hold back. You just had to rush

yourself paralyzed? Don't be

get to see who she takes after because you wind up

was on a rollercoaster. "I

with that?

sense knows you shouldn't

glanced at Parker, who stood

helpless look, as if to say, 'You

now, he looked unfairly handsome She sighed, exasperated, "Hold her for a moment and then go. Internal bleeding is

kandsome,

my own body? I'm not exactly