Page 116 of Chris

Cara gave him a smile. “Still in that mood, hmm?”

“I didn’t like the plan.”

“He’s headstrong.”

Alessio made a noise under his breath but said nothing.

Cara’s gaze turned back on Valeria in an instant. “You must be exhausted.”

“Very. And … still in shock.”

“I bet.”

“I want Chris, and the rest, to get back safely.”

At that statement, all eyes turned back on her. It was only them in the small sitting room at the Waldorf that connected to a larger bedroom, sure, but it still seemed like she suddenly had a huge audience that became enraptured with whatever she might say or do next.

Gian gave Alessio a glance. “Something we should be told … on that?”

Alessio arched a brow. “I’d say so, but we’ll wait for him to say it.”

“What did I miss?” Valeria asked.

Cara reached out, taking her hands with a warm smile that reminded her of the mother she lost years ago. “Nothing—it means nothing. We’re so thrilled to meet you, Valeria. I would love to spend time with your daughter if that’s okay with you?”

Valeria was quick to nod. “Sure, she loves people. Always wants to make them smile.”

“I bet she’s an angel.”

“She’s certainly been mine.”

One of several, Valeria realized.

Her daughter was one of many angels in her life.

“Thank you.”

Haven smiled as Valeria took the mug of tea. “You really should try for more than an hour-long nap, Val. Being tired will not make him get here any fast—”

“There they are! There’s the cars! Mamá, look!”

Valeria peered around Haven’s side to see Maria standing on the edge of a chaise at the window, her hands gesturing at whatever was down below. “Maria, it could just be guests coming to the hotel.”

“No, it’s Chris. It is!”

Maria hopped down from the window, the dress Valeria packed for her daughter flying wide around her legs as she darted for the doorway.

At the window, Andino who entertained Maria, smirked back at them. “She’s not wrong—they’re coming in now.”

What?

Valeria no longer cared about her tea, or the fact she was exhausted. She didn’t bother to glance at the people milling between the rooms as she followed her shouting, excited daughter as the girl headed out of their room, and down the hall of the hotel. She caught up with Maria before she pressed the button on the elevator for it to open.

She grabbed Maria around her waist, pulling her back as she kneeled to say, “Just wait … let them come up, okay?”

Sure, she said that.

Didn’t mean she meant it.