“I’ve got to run, I’ve got a scene to shoot. Go look after our girl, Carter. I will definitely call you another time. Hope you’re enjoying your holiday otherwise.”

Delaney shoots me a heated gaze, and I damn near drop the phone.

“I’m sure the rest will be fantastic,” she says. I suck in a breath as her hand lands in my lap.

“Gotta go, Reece. Bye.” I terminate the call and Delaney giggles when I launch myself at her.

“So, you’ve seen all his movies?”

Delaney nods. “Every one.”

“Do you want to see more of mine?”

She runs her tongue slowly over her bottom lip. “Maybe.”

“I’ll pick something out for tonight.”

With a sigh, she lies back on the pillow. “I like that idea. What are we going to do today seeing as I’m not supposed to get any sun?”

I grin. “Oh, I can think of a few things.”

Delaney captures one of her curls with her index finger and twists. “What kind of things?”

“Let me show you.”

She laughs as I brush my lips over her neck. “Oh, I like the way you think, Mr. Carter.”

“I won’t stop until you tell me you’re still mine.”

“Josh,” she says softly.

I raise my head. “I know you’re struggling, but I want this to work more than anything. I’ll make things better, Delaney. I swear.”

She nods, but the sadness in her eyes tells me she’s not sure if she believes me. “I know you will.”

“You’re my whole world.”

Her lips twitch into a smile again. “I’m yours, Josh. Always was. Always will be.”

I trace my fingers down her cheek.

“Thank you for calling Reece. It was fun.” Her smile widens. “I also met Gabby when I was out.”

It takes me a moment to register what she’s said. “Gabby Reynolds?”

She nods. “She was shopping. Or, rather, Antonio was.”

I laugh. “Those two are joined at the hip.”

“They’re really something. Gabby recognised me from the apparently million photos of me you had in your trailer.”

“I might have gone a bit overboard.”

“Josh, I know you love me. I don’t ever want you to think I doubt that.”

“As long as you remember that whatever happens. Life with me won’t always be easy, but I will always do my best to protect you.”

I mean what I say. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Delaney and Amelia safe.

But it only takes a few days to feel like some of that unravels.

Thirty-Eight

Delaney

My dad was a big fan of Joe Jackson.

It’s one of the few things I know about him.

Mum played his Look Sharp album a million times when I was a kid. Apparently they were both fans. The refrain of “Is She Really Going Out With Him” played throughout so many of my childhood memories.