The Moonlit Heiress

ow her up whole with words suspended in the air from this stranger that churne

ted, the keenness in his voice

man, the breadth of his frame shi

der. "I'm not looking for trouble," he said, h

"By popping out of nowhere an

were taken as a child. The Hayes family has bee

ere," Alex cut in, hi

ble to protect her?" he asked, the challenge dripping fr

x snapped, "now leav

een something in Alex's eyes that

g. "If you want answers, go to the inn at t

ket and pulled out a card and

eyond the door, that bell

leaves, and took the card. Detective Harris. That name

from her, his face impassive. "You don'

lara whispered, her voice barely au

re Clara James," he said firmly. "The person you've been your

rst time he caught the terror peeking back at him from behind the b

k as the unspoken thoughts before Alex lifted his

ing on, we'll

here was a churning ocean of d

ed to pace right along. The moon cast its silver across the churning waves down below. Clara wrapped her arms around herself and shiver

d never given a second thought to. Now, it felt like a missing piece

She turned; her heart leapt into her throat.

u might come

ed in little mor

the faintest smile. "The kind of look people get when

ow who I am

firmly. "Whatever this is, you'll face it. An

e pinched her chest. "Why would you ca

der if you ever will find a place for yourself. His jaw clamped, hi

d toward the sea, the waves churning beneat

t a chill racing down Clara's spine. She glanced at Alex, expecting

ner," he said, his

asked, her he

scanning the dark forest beyon