Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

She couldn't quite figure out what was wrong with her daughter, but seeing Tina

looking so pale and listless, Sandy wasn't about to take any chances. She gently

took her daughter's hand and didn't let go.

She turned around and found three nosy faces gawking at her-Danny and

Sammy with their jaws practically on the floor, while Shane shot them a secret

thumbs-up behind Sandy's back.

Whitney rolled her eyes and muttered, "Great, teaching the kids all the wrong

things."

Sandy blinked, confused, and walked over. "Sis?"

Whitney shook her head with a wry smile. "Nothing. We're all packed up. The

Lippert family sent four or five SUVs to pick us up. Sandy, let's get going."

She turned to Shane. "You're picking up Ludwik, right? He can't walk yet. Didn't

you say you'd take him home? That brotherly love, huh?"

She teased, and Shane shot her a glare, scratched his nose, and shoved his

hands in his pockets. "Tina, let your mom take care of you."

Sandy couldn't help but feel relieved-she'd much rather spend time with her

daughter than be stuck alone with Shane anyway.

But just as they were leaving the pediatric wing, Sandy's phone buzzed. It was

Shane, and he didn't sound happy: "Whitney, get over to the surgical ward."

Whitney grumbled as she loaded the baby's

the line, sullen and put-upon.

What's that

discharged."

Ludwik...

cheerfully whacked

getting discharged, not a royal parade.

Who spoils

don't want anything fancy. I just want you

hurt. "I have to look after your daughter

ridiculous. Everyone, just get in the car so we can

early."

to mollify him a

was sick and

in peak attention-seeking mode,

with Shane

like he

sitcom.

wouldn't let it go. "Sandy's there, there are tons of bodyguards, the cars

want you

need for ceremony at

no-nonsense guy turn into such a

making him scared for his

hung up and headed

still holding Tina's hand, looked puzzled.

being a drama king and insists

blinked, then snorted. "Ludwik's really something. Talk about

look. She wanted to say, 'Your Shane isn't

you're still laughing?'

raised an eyebrow, "did something

and Shane? You two

her lip and shook

ever the little