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"And now?"
She looked at Kitty as they began to walk down the driveway. "I told Declan the truth about my past. And then he fell in love with me."
Kitty smiled. "Of course he did."
"And you don't hide your past, and yet all those brides were so excited to work with me when you told them I was great."
Kitty grinned. "This is true. What does that teach you?"
"That it's time to stop hiding." She paused as a big, black pickup truck sped down the quiet street toward them. "Declan's driving very fast."
"He's terrified you're about to die in his arms," Kitty said, waving cheerfully at the truck. "I'm sure this has been a very traumatizing half hour for him. Normally, I would be very upset, but I think maybe this is going to work out exactly the way I want."
Piper's heart tightened, and she waved at the truck as well. "Your son is a good man."
"He is. You love him?"
Piper smiled. "I do."
The truck skidded to a stop beside them, and Declan launched himself out of the truck. "Piper! Mom!"
"Hah! He said your name first. Good boy," Kitty chuckled.
He raced toward them, and Piper saw the expression on his face. Raw, unfiltered emotion that went right to her heart.
This man would never hurt her.
He'd die before he'd hurt her.
"Go get him," Kitty whispered, elbowing her in the back.
Piper broke into a run. "Declan!"
He reached for her, and caught her as she jumped into his arms, locking her legs around his waist. She threw her arms around his neck, holding tightly as he pinned her against his chest. "Fuck, Piper," he whispered. "I was scared shitless."
She pulled back so she could see him. "I love you, Declan. I love you with all my heart, and I'm still scared, but I don't care. I'm not going to run this time. Not from you. Not from us. Not ever."
His face softened, and pure love filled his eyes. "I'm in it as long as you'll have me, Piper. I love you, too."
"I want you for all of it."
He grinned. "You've got it." He kissed her again, then framed her face. "This whole thing with you getting targeted by Dick and then getting kidnapped has showed me that I'm done with any kind of life like that. I'm not going to be a cop. I'm not going to do work for the Harts. I just want to build a life with you."
She smiled, her heart dancing. "I would have loved you no matter what, but I'm thrilled not to have to worry about bad guys in our lives. What are you going to do? Build houses?"
He shook his head. "I think I'm going to start investing in businesses, like my mom does."
"Businesses? Like what?"
"Like a taco truck franchise. I thought I'd start there. We need more tacos in this world, and I like the idea of supportingbusinesses that have trouble getting funding. Helping out where help is needed. Like owners who have been in prison, for example."
She blinked. "Taco trucks? You want to invest in a taco truck franchise owned by an ex-convict?"
Before he could answer, Angel jumped up, knocking against them. They both laughed, and Piper slid down his body to hug the dog. "And you, too, sweetie. You've made me into a dog person!"
"Piper!" Keira came racing up. "What happened? Are you okay?"
"Keira?" Piper stood up, bracing herself as Keira launched herself at her. "Oomph."
