Catherine was startled by the unmistakable panic on Maximilian's face. The urgency in his expression, the tightness in his jaw, and the way he had grabbed her arm unsettled her more than the news itself. Instead of reassuring her, his agitation irritated her.
"You're forgetting the baby sleeping inside," she reminded him firmly, pulling her arm back. "Go inside."
Her voice deepened, calm but commanding, like a mother steadying a child on the verge of a tantrum. For a brief moment, Maximilian looked caught off guard. Then, unexpectedly, he complied.
They both stepped back into the house, the door closing behind them with a soft thud. Catherine released a slow breath as the warmth of the interior replaced the sharp winter air. Now that the immediate rush had passed, her mind began working through the possibilities.
Why would Gabriel Whitmore summon Alexander?
