Chapter 466

A few levels below the deck of the cruise ship, the silver-haired assassin and the others craned their necks to look up.

What they had just witnessed was nothing short of terrifying.

They could barely make out the shape of a small baby falling from above, and then, unbelievably, Joshua had launched himself out over the railing to catch her.

Even the most skilled fighters wouldn’t risk something like that. The space beyond the railing hovered six or seven stories above the sea. One wrong move, and it was over. No one could survive that kind of fall.

But Joshua wasn’t like other people.

After catching the baby, he climbed back up with practiced ease, not stopping for a second as he moved toward the stunning woman no one could take their eyes off.

Now, gripping the railing with one hand, Joshua lifted himself up and leaned in to kiss her eyes softly and tenderly.

The moment looked like it had been pulled straight out of a dream.

It made hearts flutter just to witness it.

No one could’ve imagined Joshua could be this gentle. It was a stark contrast to his usual cold and ruthless demeanor.

That was Shermaine.

The silver-haired assassin pulled his gaze away and turned to the others. “Let’s head up and rendezvous with Mr. Reaper,” he said. Judging by the situation, Shermaine might need their help.

Shermaine’s lashes trembled. The corner of her eyes still carried the faint warmth of his lips, and the tender weight of the words he’d just spoken. She reached up and removed the mask from his face, revealing a familiar, strikingly handsome profile. Gracie’s violet eyes looked just like his.

A breeze stirred Joshua’s hair. Shermaine traced her fingers along his jaw, reluctant to let go.

She never showed it, but late at night, or in that first moment of waking, she missed Joshua more than she cared to admit.

“You weren’t late,” she murmured. “You got here just in time.” She leaned in and brushed a kiss against the corner of his eye. Then she slowly brought her lips down to meet his. Their breaths mingled as she whispered against his mouth, “You saved Gracie, our daughter.”

Maybe Gracie had sensed she was safe now. She lay quietly in Joshua’s arms, no longer crying. After all that, she seemed sleepy, her little eyelids drooping as though she could doze off any second.

Joshua looked down at the tiny girl nestled in his hold, thinking, ‘She’s so small.’

His throat tightened. He held her even closer.

“She looks a lot like you,” he said softly, his expression growing even gentler.

Shermaine smiled. “She looks more like you.” She leaned in to kiss him again and then gently repositioned the mask on his face.

There were too many around them. Better to keep him covered, especially since Joshua was still on the wanted list.

Though honestly, his hair alone drew enough attention.

And Joshua clearly didn’t care about being recognized.

Shermaine didn’t exactly care either, but with Gracie to think about, she had to be a little more cautious. Constant interference from outsiders could be exhausting.

Once his mask was back in place, Shermaine took Gracie from him and gently wiped the tear stains from her soft cheeks. She checked her carefully from head to toe. When she was sure the baby was unharmed, she kissed her forehead with visible relief.

That moment had truly shaken her.

If anything had happened to Gracie, she would’ve blamed herself for the rest of her life.

Thankfully, her father had arrived just in time to protect her.

But the more she thought about Gracie falling, the darker Shermaine’s eyes became.

As for Mandy, she wouldn’t hesitate to kill her.

Joshua vaulted fully over the railing and landed lightly beside her, his hand coming to rest on Shermaine’s waist, pulling her close.

To him, the people around them were invisible.

But his gaze did flick toward Simon, who stood not far away.

He recognized him, the same man who had tried to flirt with Shermaine on that live stream. Joshua hadn’t liked the look in his eyes back then, and he didn’t like it now.

Shermaine was his.

He wouldn’t tolerate anyone eyeing her like that.

Joshua gave Simon a brief, unreadable glance, and then looked away without another word.

The crowd in the dining hall had grown thicker. People were whispering, stunned.

Shermaine had just kissed a man openly.

She had always come off as distant and unapproachable, never bothering to engage in small talk, let alone accept any of their invitations.

Simon’s expression darkened.

Shermaine had turned him down more than once. At first, he’d assumed she was just playing hard to get. Later, he realized that she genuinely wasn’t interested.

He had told himself that was fine. He was interested, and that was enough.

When he wanted a woman, he got her by any means necessary.

But now, seeing her kiss another man with such intimacy, standing that close, acting like the rest of the world didn’t exist…

‘Who the hell is that man to her? Is he the baby’s father? And the hair–same color as the child’s…’ Simon wondered.

His eyes turned cold. Something inside him started to shift, tipping out of balance. He had never been given that kind of affection.

Joshua’s presence wasn’t just a nuisance. It was infuriating.