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"Don't ever get kidnapped again. Do you understand?"
"I won't. It's a one-time thing." Piper laughed and hugged her friend, her heart contracting as she watched Declan walk over to his mom and envelop her in a huge, long hug.Yes."I?—"
She stopped, frozen, as she saw her brother get out of the truck. "Roman?"
Declan turned and walked over. "You want me to make him leave?"
She shook her head silently as tears filled her eyes. It had been so long. Roman had been a scrawny, dangerous criminal when she'd left, and now he was tall, muscular, and presentable. He looked so non-criminal. It almost made her miss who he had been, but then he smiled, and it was the same cocky, mischievous unapologetic smile he'd always had.
He paused, looking hesitant. "I barged in on the rescue mission," he said. "I had to come see you. I missed you, sis, and I wanted to tell you that I love you, and I've got your back?—"
His voice was so familiar. He was home to her, the good home. Her mom. Belonging. Family. Being accepted. "Roman!" She held out her arms, and he grinned.
They both broke into a run, meeting each other halfway. She buried herself in the arms of her brother, no longer the little sister who made herself small to survive, but as a strong, powerfulwoman ready and able to stand on her own…but she didn't need to.
She held out one arm to Keira, Declan, and Kitty. "Family hug," she said. "Everyone in."
And then, like the old days with her mom and her brothers, before everything had gotten so bad, she was squished in the middle of a love sandwich with the family she'd chosen: friends, lover, bonus mom, a great dog, and her big brother.
She met Declan's gaze and he smiled. A special, warm smile just for her.
Yes.
Her days of running were over.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
"Paris!" Tori jumped through the doorway onto the Hart's jet and put her arms in the air. "You're getting married in Paris! What the heck?"
Piper burst out laughing, unable to contain her joy. "I know, right? Freaking Paris!"
"In six days!" Tori ran into the plane and swept up Piper in a hug. "I'm so happy for you, Piper! You're glowing!"
"I know!" Piper hugged her back. "I was worried I would feel panic as the day got closer, but it's been only happiness. I'm so excited."
"Then you know it's right." Tori set her bag on the floor and looked around. "Holy crap, girl. This plane is fantastic. I'm so happy that Maddie married into this family and that makes us honorary members."
"I know. It's amazing."
Tori danced across the floor and dove onto one of the gorgeous, leather couches. "Remember when we were going to steal a private jet? This is so much better than having a quick joyride and then spending years in prison."
"It was still a good Plan B." Piper peered out the window, and her heart leapt when she saw the rest of her friends getting theirbags out of the SUV that Declan had hired to pick them up. "How did you get inside so fast?"
"Sexy Myles said he'd get my stuff."
"Sexy Myles?"
"Yes!" Tori rolled her eyes. "You remember the bartender from the party who bodyguarded us briefly? Remember how he mentioned he knew the Stocktons and the Harts?"
Piper raised her brows. "I do."
"Well, he's the one who picked us up. He looks even better in the daytime out in the wild. He's clearly dangerous and capable, and I have no time for that. But I do have time for him to get my bags."
Kitty appeared in the doorway. "The party can begin now." She was decked out in diamonds, black rhinestone leggings, platform shoes, and pink sunglasses.
Piper burst out laughing. "You look fantastic."
"I know." She sashayed onto the plane, followed by Maddie and Keira.
