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She'd played dirty, and she'd won.
And Declan hadn't seen it coming.
Was he really fit to be a cop if his own mother could successfully lie to him, and he didn't notice?
He was going to have to up his game.
He was pissed, but also impressed.Go, Mom.
Because dinner at the club with his mom had been a farce.
It was a damned fundraiser that had three hundred guests, a live band, and money dripping off every word uttered by the attendees.
Declan stood inside the ballroom doors, tension growing fast and dark inside him as he digested the event that his mother had tricked him into attending. He'd been actually looking forward to dinner tonight. Ready to laugh and feel a lightness in his heart that had come to life last night with Piper.
But when he'd said his soul would be a shriveled corpse by the end of the night, he'd vastly overestimated how long that process would take. In reality, the deed had been accomplished in about three seconds after walking in.
If it weren't for Piper, he would turn around and leave.
If she didn't show up soon, he might have to anyway.
Kitty trotted up, beaming at him. "Declan, my darling! You look so dashing! I have so many people who are dying to meet my reclusive son?—"
"Dinner. That's what tonight was."
She beamed at him unapologetically. "We are eating dinner."
He shifted restlessly. "You didn't say it was a fundraiser."
"You didn't ask, did you?" She was clearly feeling sassy and unrepentant, and he wasn't in the mood for it.
"You knew I wouldn't come," he said.
"How would I know that? You haven't been here in years and suddenly you come for Piper. How do you expect me to know the rules about what you will and won't attend?"
He took a breath, trying to remain calm. "Mom. I can't stay."
"Declan!" Piper's hand slid into his, and he closed his eyes, breathing in the relief that her touch gave him. "I'm so sorry I'm late." She squeezed his hand, her thumb rubbing over his palm. "Hi, Kitty."
His mom beamed at her. "Piper! So delighted you're here. I think Declan was about to hightail it out of here!"
He opened his eyes and looked over at Piper. She was leaning into his shoulder, her blue eyes looking up at him with concern. His breath caught when he saw her. Her hair was falling in adorable curls over her shoulders, and her eyes were luminous with her makeup. He generally wasn't into women who wore a lot of makeup, but the way Piper was wearing it was stunning. "Shit, you're beautiful."
She beamed at him. "You're very handsome as well. I didn't think your body knew how to wear a tie."
"It doesn't."
She patted the tie, which meant her hand settled on his chest, easing the tension gripping him so tightly. "It's okay. I'll protect you from the tie."
He was surprised to feel himself smile. "Appreciate that."
"No problem. I got your back, big guy."
"Thanks." His equilibrium back on track, he looked over at his mom, who was watching them intently. "What time is dinner?"
"Seven thirty. We're at table three, down in front." She turned to Piper. "I have some folks I'd like you both to meet. Shall we?"
Piper smiled at his mom before he could answer. "We'll catch up with you in a few minutes, Kitty. I need to run a few things by Declan first."
