A Criminal Kiss [Max Verstappen]

chapter twenty two

The sun warms the wood floors beneath my feet as I wander into Clara's sitting room. She's perched by the window, her embroidery abandoned on the table beside her as she reads over a folded letter. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips pulled into a soft, secretive smile. 

"Franco again?" I ask, leaning against the doorway with a teasing grin. 

Clara startles, looking up as though caught doing something forbidden. "Annalise, don't sneak up on me!" she protests, but her expression betrays her delight. 

"I didn't sneak," I reply, crossing the room to sit beside her. "I knocked. Twice." 

She waves me off, her eyes sparkling as she folds the letter neatly and sets it aside. "It's nothing important." 

"Oh, please," I say, arching a brow. "You've been staring at that letter like forever. What does he say this time?" 

Clara picks up her embroidery, pretending to be nonchalant. "Just... the usual. He's asking how I've been and telling me about his plans to visit town soon." 

"Plans that just happen to coincide with your whereabouts, I'm sure," I say, smirking. 

Her needle stills, and a faint blush colors her cheeks. "It's not like that," she says, but there's no conviction in her voice. 

"Clara," I say gently, leaning closer. "It is like that, and that's not a bad thing. I know you like him, and from what I saw that day by the lake, he likes you too — he seems like a good kid. It's cute." 

She glances at me, her expression softening. "I do," she admits quietly. "And he does look at me very sweetly." 

"Sweetly?"

She reaches out and hits my shoulder before letting a massive smile paint across her rosy face, "Oh shush!"

I reach out and take her hand. "Franco may be charming, but just remember not to do anything stupid. And always, always have a c chauffeur with you—because you're so young, wouldn't want a scandal on our hands," the last part comes out with a chuckle as I look at her again.

Her lips curve into a small smile. "Of course." 

"Also don't let him hurt you Clara," I say firmly. "But also know, if he does hurt you, he'll have to answer to me—and to your guards, no doubt." 

Clara laughs, the sound light and melodic. "Oh, poor Lewis. Can you imagine him intimidating Franco?" 

The image makes me laugh too. "Lewis would probably hand him a carefully worded note and glare at him until he ran away." 

Clara giggles, but her laughter is interrupted by the door creaking open. Lando steps in, followed closely by Lewis, who's as stiff and formal as ever. 

"Lady Annalise. Lady Clara," Lewis says with a nod, his tone clipped. 

"Perfect timing!" Clara exclaims, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "We were just talking about you, Lewis." 

His brow furrows slightly, suspicion evident on his face. "Should I be concerned?" 

"Not at all," I say with a grin. "We were just discussing how terrifying you are when you're protecting Clara's honor." 

Clara snickers, while Lando shakes his head. 

"I am always professional," Lewis replies stiffly, though his ears turn faintly red. 

"Of course you are," I say sweetly, earning a glare from him. 

"Don't mind her," Clara says, patting his arm. "She's in one of her moods."