Page 63 of Promises in the Dark

I enter the room and Clara’s big eyes find me, her smile growing. “Dada!” She scrambles off Charlotte’s lap and hurries toward me as fast as her little legs can carry her. A smile breaks across my face before I can stop it as I crouch down and scoop her into my arms, and her laughter fills the room. I toss her gently into the air, catch her against my chest, and cover her chubby cheeks with kisses until she’s breathless with giggles.

“Did you have a good day today?” I ask, brushing my nose against hers. She plants her tiny palms on my cheeks and squeals again before twisting around in my arms to point at Charlotte. “Char, Char!”

Charlotte rises from the couch and walks toward us, her eyes softening as she admires Clara. “We made blueberry muffins this morning. Then she played with her blocks, spent some time outside on her playset, and after her nap, Madeleine came by to visit and helped give her a bath before dinner.”

I glance down at Clara. “Sounds like my little girl had a very busy day.” Clara babbles excitedly, looking between the two of us as if trying to tell me every detail herself. But halfway through her little ramble, exhaustion catches up to her. My fingers brush her temple, pushing back her curls. She yawns and blinks a few times. “I think someone’s ready for bed.”

She blinks once more before melting against me, her head settling onto my shoulder as her body goes soft with sleepiness. I rest my palm against her back, rubbing slow circles over the soft fabric of her pajamas.

Lifting my gaze, I look at Charlotte. “How are you feeling today?”

She scratches absentmindedly at her arm. “I’m fine.”

I arch a brow, noticing the way she wraps her arms around herself like she’s trying to hold herself together.

She swallows hard and lifts one shoulder in a weak shrug. “I’ve been better,” she admits quietly. “But it’s not like what happened yesterday is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.”

I tip my head back, dragging in a slow breath as anger and guilt twist inside my chest. “That doesn’t make me feel any better.”

“Sorry,” she whispers, shuffling her foot.

I glance at her, finding her staring at the floor, looking so small. “Can I hug you?”

The question slips out before I can stop it.

Her eyes lift to mine, her bottom lip caught between her teeth before she gives a small nod.

Keeping Clara balanced against one arm, I slip my free hand around Charlotte’s waist and pull her gently against my side. She softens alongside me almost instantly, resting her head on my chest while her fingers curl into my shirt.

I press my lips softly to the top of her head. “No more apologizing,” I murmur. “At least not to me. Okay?”

She nods against my chest.

I exhale slowly and decide there’s no point easing into it. “We’re leaving for Italy tomorrow.”

Her head jerks back, eyes widening. “What… What do you mean?”

“My cousins, the Marchettis, need me to rebuild their security systems while they search for a new lead tech specialist,” I explain. “It’ll only be a few days, but I’m not leaving either of you here without me. So you’re coming with me.”

“But I don’t have a passport,” she points out. “Or a new identity yet…”

“You won’t need them.”

Confusion flickers across her face.

“We’re taking my family’s plane,” I tell her. “There will be no security checks.”

Her brows draw together. “Won’t they check passenger information when we land in Italy?”

I shake my head. “The Marchettis practically own Italy. It won’t be a problem. We’ll land in Naples and then take a boat to their summer house in Capri.”

She falls quiet, mulling it over while her fingers twist in the fabric of my shirt. I can almost see her thoughts spiraling.

“You’ll stay with me the entire time,” I tell her, rubbing slow circles against her back.

The tension in her expression eases almost immediately, relief softening her features.

“Okay,” she whispers, a smile pulling at her lips. “So, we’re really going to Italy?”