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“I have a ring in my pocket,” Arran says with a grin.

I am shocked as I push my hand into his pocket and pull out a ring pop.

“You should see your face,” he chuckles. “Noor should come with us to design her ring.”

“You should ask first, boy,” Emil says, rolling his eyes.

We’re illuminated by the flood lights, the neighborhood seemingly undisturbed as it goes back to sleep.

“Hey, beautiful,” Arran says, his eyes on her. “I always knew you were special, from the second I laid eyes on you. Noor, you make the world brighter with your presence, and I live for the next time I get to see you. It’s no wonder four men fell in love with you.

“When you love, it’s fierce and sweet. When these three showed up on your birthday, I knew our lives would change, but it’s for the better. Maybe it’s a little crazy, but I’ve seen many kinds of relationships. Magnus’ crew is wild and free with the women they love. This isn’t as large of a jump for me, baby. It also means you always have someone around when life gets busy.

“My worry would always be that at some point, you’d hate the hours I keep at the shop. On the other hand, I’m home more when the guys are on the road. It all shakes out to me. I’m possessive, but not jealous. You have a history with these men and deserve the chance to find happiness with them too. They’ve shown you that they’re capable of being the men you want. I don’t see that changing. If it ever does, I’ll join your family in killing them.”

I wince, hearing the warning for what it is. Arran isn’t complacent in keeping Noor safe. It’s why all our dates went through him, and he acted as our go between. Arran knows everything Noor does about our therapy and how we’re continuing to work on ourselves.

I’d be stupid to believe they have secrets from each other.

“How is this all going to work?” she bursts out, her eyes wide as Draven carries her. He kisses her temple and she melts against him as I shrug.

“You marry Arran on paper,” I reply. “It makes the most sense. I’m already working with the San Diego’s coach to be traded next year with Ci and Draven. I thought it was going to be complicated or that he’d have issues with it, but he said he was impressed by us. Our current coach said he understands why we need to go.

“By next year, we’ll all be in San Diego. There will still be travel, but we’ll come home to you, Zayn, and Arran. I’ve thought about this a lot and spoken about it with Ciaran and Draven. All you need to do is say yes to our ring pop. Will you be our wife?”

I hold out the candy as Draven and Ci grin, and Noor sniffles as tears fall down her cheeks. It’s been a really emotional night, and I don’t want to end it either without knowing that she’s ours.

“We love you so much,” Draven murmurs, looking down at her as he rubs his nose against hers. “I know some people would say this is too fast, but I feel as if we’ve always been destined to be together.”

“I love you all too,” Noor confesses, her voice breaking.

“Please have an actual wedding,” Rachelle begs, mock glaring at Jared as he shrugs. It reminds me they have a story that’s as complicated as ours. “I know you want everything to be equal, but you can have a hand fasting with Ciaran, Alastair, and Draven at your wedding.”

“Use your words,” Ciaran says as Noor nods.

“He’s right,” Arran says, his eyes heating as he gazes at her.

“Yes, sir,” she whispers, taking the ring pop from me. Her lips wrap around it as she licks it, humming at the flavor. “I’m yours. The answer is yes, but only because I licked it first.”

Ignacio snorts and I grin widely as Ciaran takes his coat off to wrap it around Noor’s shoulders. Fuck a duck, it really is cold.

“Let’s take this back to the house,” Emil murmurs. “We’ll celebrate tomorrow.”

Arran eases Zayn into my arms to allow him to drive, and we each kiss Noor before Draven disappears into the backseat with her.

We’re quiet as Arran gets us to Emil’s house, and Noor falls asleep against Draven’s shoulder. The sounds of her deep breathing helps remind me that she’s alive and well.

“Alastair.” My eyes rise to meet Arran’s in the rear view mirror, his gaze troubled. “Is there another way that Alexa could have known about where Noor lives? It doesn’t seem possible that a news article from before her prison release could have led her here so quickly.”

“Alexa always seems to be in places she shouldn’t be,” I grunt. “You’re right though. If she was just released, it should have taken her longer.”

“Despite the article, Noor is still hidden very well,” Ciaran says. “I check periodically for her name online, both her real and new one. Noor remains dead and Isla has no digital footprint. Arran is right.”

“Fucking Kelsie,” Draven breathes. “We saw her recently, and she was pissed you wouldn’t fuck her.”

“How many stalkers do you have?” Arran asks.

“We don’t,” I groan. “These are old problems, I swear. Kelsie is my stepsister. It would be just like her to be in contact with Alexa. She could get letters, right? Let me ask.”