Chapter 173

Dinner was uneventful, not in the sense of the word, for my heart still pounded, thoughts went wild, and every forkful shoved in my mouth felt like ash, all in anticipation of what he was here for and what he was about to do.

Alessia had gone to get Dario from the alleged restroom, and now that they were here, it was hard not to notice Dario watching Adler closely as he exchanged with Claudine.

So far, it seemed they were the only ones having fun, them and an ignorant Cade who laughed at their jokes, warmth on his face for a man about to do what he did best on their first meeting.

Adler.

"You're good with kids," Cade spoke up, breaking the silence in the room, "Claudine could be a golden retriever, but only to a handful of people, and that's all I need to know."

Alessia laughed nervously, sending our gaze to her, "Oh, it's not that serious."

"I grew up around that attribute as a kid." Cade swallowed his food and finished, "Claudine is a mini version of you, Alessia."

"I was calm." Sh