"Humph!" Dakota huffed, arms still crossed tight over her chest, but she didn't pull away.
Marcus and Elena stood frozen near the couch, stunned into silence. This wasn't the Kade Nightshade they knew—the man carved from cold control and quiet authority. They had never seen him soothe anyone like this, especially not in front of outsiders.
Kade glanced back at the girl and her father, his tone shifting into something smoother, more diplomatic. "All right… all right. If I ever let another woman get that close to me again, you can punish me however you want." He nodded toward the girl. "This is my cousin. And that's my uncle—my father's brother. We're closely related. That's all."
"Cousin?" Dakota repeated slowly, turning to face the girl once more. She studied her—the way she had draped herself against Kade, the way her fingers had lingered on his arm. It didn't feel like family. Not even close.
