Page 14 of Shiver

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“Shhh, Gia, please,mia bambina, stop crying,” I plead with her for what feels like the hundredth time tonight.

Her face is beet red, tears streaming down her cheeks as she wails so loudly I think my eardrums must be permanently damaged from it. My heart feels like it’s shattering as she cries.

I don’t know what the hell to do.

I’ve tried everything, andnothingis working.

My pulse speeds up as I dial Dante’s number, continuing to bounce on the balls of my feet as I wait for him tohopefully answermy call.

On the eighth ring, he finally picks up. “What is it?” he grunts into the phone. Before I can answer, a new voice comes over the line.

“What he meansis, good morning, Luca. How can we help you and that screaming baby?” Arielle’s chipper voice singsongs.

“Thank god.” I sigh. “She won’t stop crying, and I’ve tried all the usual things, and nothing has put her to sleep.”

“Have you tried skin-to-skin?”

“Yes, she’s currently wearing nothing but a diaper while I hope to god she doesn’t vomit on my bare chest.” I groan.

Her light laughter trickles over the line. “Okay, well, if nothing else is working, she may be teething.”

“Teething?Already?”

“Yep, maybe try one of the frozen teething rings I put in your freezer the other day,” she suggests.

“You mean to tell me that some people breastfeed for over a fuckingyear,and these little gremlins can haveteethat three months old!”

“Having a baby with razor sharp teeth latch onto your nipple isn't all it's cracked up to be, unless we're talking about literal cracked nipples. This is why I'd knee you in the balls if you ever judge someone for formula feeding their kid. Now go get the teething ring so yourgremlinstops screaming,” she teases.

I walk her over to the freezer and grab a dark-blue ring, offering it to Gia. She tries gripping it loosely in her fist, but I hold onto it for her as she mushes her gums over the cold silicone.

She continues suckling on it, and like magic, the screaming stops a few moments later.

“I don’t hear any crying. Does that mean I can go back to bed?” Arielle asks.

“Yes, thank you.” I blow out a relieved breath. “Sorry to wake you.” I look at the clock over the oven. “Shit, at nearly four in the morning.”

“It’s okay, Luca. Call anytime. Goodnight,” she tells me, ending the call.

Gia’s eyes are puffy and red as she peers up at me. Her fine dark curls are a wild mess, not long enough to comb into a Pebbles-style ponytail.

My chest clenches. I barely even know her, and I’m already in love with this tiny girl in my arms.

I missed out on so much of her life; I’ll be damned if I miss out on any more.

Chapter twelve

Samara

Friday, July 10, 2026

Itap my foot, impatience coiling through me as I wait for Luca to grace me with his presence. He isn’t late, but he’s also not early, and that rubs me the wrong way. Thougheverythingabout him rubs me the wrong way, so I shouldn’t be surprised.

When I finally see him flying through the parking lot toward the doors of my law firm, I square my shoulders, ready to get this over with.

“Good morning, Samara,” he tells me, wiping his palms down his shirt to smooth them over his muscled chest.

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