Page 43 of Alien Assassin's Heir

My heart leaps into my throat.

She hasn’t seen him yet.

I rise fast. “Hey, baby, what’re you doing up? You should be in?—”

Then she sees him.

Her little face lights up like a solar flare.

“Oh!” she exclaims, skipping forward without hesitation. “Hi, mister!”

My breath stops. Every nerve in my body goes taut.

Kraj stiffens visibly but doesn’t move. He just looks at her. Really looks. His eyes take in every inch of her—her golden eyes,her high cheekbones, her unruly curls. For a split second, I swear the whole world tilts.

Solie toddles to my side, wraps her arms around my leg, and peeks up at him. “You have funny eyes,” she declares with a toothy grin. “Like fire.”

I pray. Silently. Desperately. That he won’t see what’s right in front of him.

He crouches low, his big body moving with slow, deliberate grace, claws retracted so as not to scare her.

“Hi there, little firefly,” he says, voice softer than I’ve ever heard it. He offers her one clawed hand, palm up.

Solie giggles, placing her tiny fingers in his. “You’re warm,” she says.

“So are you,” he replies, smiling.

I want to cry.

I want to scream.

I want to kiss him until I forget all the reasons I should stay away.

Solie yawns and leans into my side again. “I’m sleepy.”

“Let’s get you to bed,” I whisper, scooping her up. Her head drops to my shoulder, breath evening out.

Kraj stands as I do, stepping back like he knows his time is up.

“She’s sweet,” he says, low.

“Yeah.”

“Her father...?”

“Not in the picture,” I answer before he can finish the question, voice sharper than I mean it to be.

He nods, lips tight, jaw working.

I wish I didn’t want to explain.

I wish I didn’t feel like maybe I owe him something.

But I can’t. Not yet.

“I should go,” he murmurs.

“Yeah.”

He lingers just a second longer, gaze flicking between me and Solie like he’s trying to piece together a puzzle without the corner pieces.

“Thanks,” I say softly, nodding to the fruit.

He doesn’t respond. Just turns and disappears into the night.

I stand there, holding my daughter close, heart a battlefield of lies and longing.