Page 120 of Knot a Thief

In an instant, Max is on his feet, two long strides around the table, and closing the distance between us.

His hands find my waist, lifting me effortlessly from my seat. Instinctively, I wrap my legs around his waist, my arms encircling his neck.

Max’s heart races against my chest, matching the rapid beat of my own. Our gazes meet for a moment before our lips slam together in a passionate kiss.

As his tongue slides into my mouth, his intoxicating scent envelops me, and I lose myself in him. Lose myself in my alpha.

Breathless, we finally break apart. Max rests his forehead against mine. His eyes, dark with desire and love, search my face.

“Good,” he says, a smile playing on his lips. “Because Ava Darling, you’ve always been mine. You just never realized it, but I always knew.”

Chapter 36

Seb

The warm Italian sun caresses my skin as I stand on the deck of the boat, watching as it lowers.

Lily's legs are wrapped around Silas' waist, her head resting on his shoulder. Her eyes are dropping, but she’s refusing to sleep after overhearing Ava and Max have landed and are on their way to the boat.

“She won’t want to live on the island,” I add to the conversation I’m having with Silas, because I know Ava better than anyone else.

“It’s the safest place in the world,” Silas pushes before sipping on the whiskey in his free hand.

“I doubt that.”

He glares at me. “Just because Ava did what she did doesn’t make it unsafe.”

I chuckle. “Did you expect her to escape?”

“No,” Silas exaggerates the word, making Lily laugh.

“No ... no,” Lily repeats.

“You realize once Ava is in her life, your daughter will be full of sass.”

Silas laughs. “I expect it.”

“What’s sass, Daddy?”

Silas groans.

“It’s another word for funny,” I lie, knowing I shouldn’t, but it’s for the best.

“I am funny. Hahahahaha.” Lily chuckles to herself as she pushes out of Silas’ arms, turns on her knees and stares out of the window of the boat.

“Come here.” Silas holds his hands out for his daughter.

I’m sure I hear Ava calling for Lily. I glance around.

The Amalfi Coast stretches out before us, a breathtaking canvas of colorful houses clinging to the cliffs, the azure Mediterranean sparkling below.

“Lily,” I hear Ava’s voice again, and my heart skips a beat.

“It’s Mommy,” Lily exclaims, pushing out of her chair. I follow as she rushes to the deck, my protective instincts kicking in.

“Be careful,” I say, taking her small hand in mine. The wood of the deck is warm beneath our feet. “It’s dangerous up here.”

“But my mommy’s here,” Lily insists, her voice trembling with excitement.

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