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“I’m here, Cassie” Soft as velvet, pitched low, Dash answered for himself

Elizabeth turned back in ti from the sink area, his body obviously under control as he paced over to his own bed He sent Cassie a reassuring look before he pulled a T-shirt froed his chest and hard abdo over his powerful arown and robe from the top of the opened tote and passed them over to Elizabeth

Flushing, Elizabeth held the long garhter

Cassie was staring back at Dash, her eyes wide, a in her expression

“Wow, Dash, you’re really big,” she giggled, her lips curving into a bright, pleased grin as he sat down on the side of his bed and looked at her curiously

Elizabeth watched this first trueto rescue theh she admitted that if anyone could save theo of the control she had maintained over the situation to this point

“Do you think I’h worried at the prospect “It would be hard to shrink at this late date, Cassie”

A vivid smile broke across Cassie’s face and before either Elizabeth or Dash could guess what she was about to do, she flew from her bed and jumped into Dash’s arms

Elizabeth gasped at Cassie’s speed and daring She had never been one to trust men, she hadn’t even enjoyed her father’s e herself at Dash

He caught her to his chest in reflex, his gaze going to Elizabeth in shock, his eyes filling with an emotion she couldn’t define as Cassie wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a loud kiss on his hard cheek

“I’ainst his neck “I was so scared So scared you wouldn’t be able to find us That I rong and that you wouldn’t really come and help me and my momma But you did You came, Dash”

Elizabeth’s heart clenched as Dash’s eyes closed, his expression tightening with emotion as he sed hard

“Yes I did, Cassie,” he whispered against her hair, holding her gently, holding her as her father never had Co “I’m here, Cassie Where I intend to stay”

Elizabeth gasped at the stateolden depths hardening with deterht have a chance of surviving the dangers surrounding her with Dash at her side, but kne, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he had no intention of allowing them to escape him He had just made his claim

“Coht to keep her voice even, to still the treh her body