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As expected, Roman's eyes narrowed. "You're sleeping with my sister?"
Declan took a breath. "I'm fake-engaged to her to help her rebuild her business, but in the process, I fell in love with her. I don't know if she loves me back yet, though." Damn. That first part felt good to admit out loud. Really good. Second part? Not so good, but that was on him, for walking away without giving her a chance to respond.
Roman stared at him. "That's a lot to take in."
"I know." Declan held out his hand. "Declan Jones. Your sister's fake fiancé, bodyguard, and landlord."
Roman finally grinned and shook his hand. "Roman Townsend. You're all right, Jones."
"Thanks. You, too." Declan glanced back at the house as he let go of Roman's hand. "I'm going to have to ask you to wait outside, though. Let me check with Piper and make sure it's all right if I invite you in." The fact she hadn't come out to see her brother could have been because Kitty had corralled her. Or it could mean she didn't want to see him.
Declan was going to make sure she had the chance to turn her brother away if she needed to. But he liked the guy.
Sadness streaked across Roman's face, but he nodded. "I understand."
At that moment, yet another car came hurtling down the driveway. Both men spun to face the visitor as the Jeep skidded toa stop. Keira jumped out. "Declan! Is Piper home? I found another possible client for her, but Piper's not answering her phone."
He nodded. "She's inside with my mom."
"Great!" Keira jogged past him. "Can you get me a taco? I love tacos. Thanks!" She ran into the house, closing the door behind her.
Roman stared after her. "Who was that?"
"A friend of Piper's."
Roman whistled softly. "I want to meet her. She's like a damned whirlwind."
Declan grinned. "Don't mess with your sister's friends. It's never a good idea."
Roman grimaced. "Yeah, you're right. I'm not going to mess up Piper's life like that?—"
The front door slammed open, and Keira raced outside. "Declan!"
He spun around, alarm shooting through him at the urgency in her voice. "What's wrong?"
"Something happened to Piper! Hurry!"
Declan was running before she finished her sentence, fear gripping him like it had that night not that long ago, when his world had been shattered. "Piper!"
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Declan burst through the front door and saw Keira in the kitchen. "Here!"
With Angel by his leg and Roman behind him, Declan sprinted through the house and into the kitchen. On the floor by the back slider were the remains of Piper's espresso maker, shattered into a million pieces. There was a new dent in the doorframe by the back door.
He realized immediately that she'd thrown the espresso machine. To defend herself? "What happened?"
"Look at the living room."
He spun around, and saw that a lamp was on the floor and a table was overturned. On the carpet was Piper's phone. "Piper!" He grabbed the phone and looked around, his heart racing. "Mom!"
He ran back through the house, searching every room, but neither woman was there either. "Shit, shit, shit."
Roman was standing still, his hands loose by his sides, energy vibrating off him. He looked ready to explode, but there was no target, so he simply stood there.
Keira looked stricken. "Do you think she was kidnapped?"
"With us in the front of the house? That would be bold."Declan pulled out his phone and logged into his security system, his heart hammering as he pulled up the app. To give Piper privacy, he didn't have cameras installed inside the cottage, but he had them on the patio.
