Page 13 of Captive Desires

I smile. I can’t help it. When it comes to Cleo, I’ll do anything for her.

“I’m helping her grow up strong like her mother.” I walk over to kiss her, and then, in a move that always delights them both, I kneel down until Naomi can kiss Cleo too. “And with a sweet tooth.”

I straighten and lift Naomi to sit in her chair with an extra deep cushion. Just one of the changes to the castle. It used to be the place I found quiet and respite.

This is still the place I want to be most in the world, but it has been turned upside down by my girls. The most significant alteration is that it’s safe and peaceful. We took the business straight-ish, and Cleo hasn’t needed to use her skills in nefarious ways. Much. My wife is deadly, and can look after herself. I prefer to be the one fixing problems, but we compromised by always working on threats together, and though I wish she’d let me just protect her, that’s not my Cleo. She’s still the best assassin in Scotland and England. It’s a skill she’ll never stop practising, even if it gives me a heart attack every time I have to wait at a discreet distance.

“We need a work meeting for that newinvestment,” I say to Cleo. “Later?” It’s not really a question, and Cleo’s eyes flare.

“Naomi, what about some cartoons after breakfast?”

Our daughter nods happily.

Breakfast continues as usual, but I see Cleo’s expression when our daughter isn’t looking. It’s full of promise.

My wife. Our daughter. This life we made. There’s always time for another investment, and I hope Cleo is willing to negotiate on that. Because there’s a small thing I want from her, that will grow, and grow.

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