Page 266 of Inferno

“We made you lunch, Mommy!” Isabella giggles, her voice bubbling with excitement.

“Careful with the plate, baby,” Declan says gently, and Isabella watches her steps as she approaches, making sure not to spill a thing.

“Thank you, princess.” I kiss the top of her head, and Declan leans in to steal a kiss from me.

“Hi, Momma. Get a lot of words done?” He sets the tray down in front of me—a feast of pancakes, chocolate sauce, and a milkshake.

“I did. The inspiration you gave me last night helped more than you know.” I raise my brows playfully, and Declan grins in that way that makes my heart skip.

“I’ll help you later.” He winks, and I blush, my cheeks heating up.

“We thought we could join you for lunch,” Declan says, his tone full of that quiet affection I’ve come to adore. I close my laptop.

“I’d love that. Lunch with my two favorite people in the world? How could I possibly say no?” I jump up, scooping Isabella into my arms and showering her with kisses until she bursts into giggles.

“Daddy! Tell her to stop!”

Declan leans in, brushing my hair off my shoulder, his lips grazing my ear.

“You heard her, sweetheart. Or I might have to spank you later for being naughty.”

“Declan.” The heat in my cheeks spikes.

“What? It’s the truth, heartbreaker. Don’t make me take you to Inferno again.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, still feeling the ache from last night, but with Declan? I trust him completely.

He shakes his head, a mischievous glint lighting up his eyes.

“What do you have planned?”

“Not telling.” He presses a soft, teasing kiss to the tip of my nose.

Chapter 105

DECLAN

Song- Love, Touch, Thrill, ORGAVSM

“And then the Queen got married to the Prince and made him the King. And they lived happily ever after with their little princess in the chocolate factory. And the King finally gets to live in a world of color again, rather than darkness.”

Isabella's bottom lip trembles, and I brush my fingers through her curls, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“What's making you sad, baby girl?”

Seeing my little girl sad makes my chest ache.

“I’m not sad, I’m happy. I like that version of Mommy's story.”

“So do I, baby. So do I. Now get some sleep and we can have a super fun day tomorrow with Uncle Conan and Finn.”

“Yay!” she squeals.

It hasn't taken her long at all to warm to my brothers, and they love her, too.

Seeing Finn play doctor with her is a particular highlight for us all.

Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, her eyes flutter closed.

---