Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

He lurched forward, clearly about to get up...

Both sons stared, eyes wide.

Whitney's face drained of color. She pressed a slender hand to his shoulder. "Don't you move!"

He grinned, "Alright, Ms. Valentine, you're the boss."

Seeing how pissed she was, Ludwik licked his lips, Adam's apple bobbing, his usually gruff voice turning oddly gentle. "I know you're just worried about me. But look, I'm fine.

Seems like whatever I do, it's never right in your eyes.

If I don't visit our daughter, you say I don't care.

If I do visit, you say I'm acting on my own.

Danny, Sammy, your old man's got it rough now. If she keeps bullying me like this, you two better keep your eyes open. Don't take her side every time, or she'll end up bossing me around for life."

a dramatic sigh, dark brows furrowed, looking comically put out. Whitney opened her

out laughing. "Ha! Whitney, finally met your match, huh? If this guy decides to play the victim, you're in for trouble. And doing it

wanted to boot him, if only he hadn't just started showing

bent over, trying to take the baby

her with open admiration as she leaned down

else's

flaming red, and quickly straightened up. His big hand steadied her, voice gentle.

your eyes, you creep," Whitney hissed, biting her

late, already

If I can look and talk, I must be fine. It was just a bullet to the gut. The wound's healing, I'll be out of here in less than a

a doctor in. Then you and the kids

me. So much better than

can't stand another day here,

want the moon, too?" Whitney

was he in

softened, and she hesitated. "If you're worried about helping my mom with that thing-don't. I talked to her just now. She said not to rush, and Bryce's fate isnt even certain yet. She trusts you'll