“Please,” I choke out, shaking him a little. His expression gentles, turning tender. “This is what love looks like, Alani.” My chin wobbles, tears blurring his face. I dash my arm over my eyes. “But I need you—” I cut off the plaintive wail in my throat. Cronos puts his hands to my face, wiping my hot tears away. “I have always thought of you as a daughter.”
