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“She screams really loud,” Zayn whispers in a stage whisper.

“Oh my god,” Arran snorts.

“It’s not as terrible as he’s making it out to be,” Jared says, rolling his eyes. “From what I understand, he has express permission to do it and there are guidelines on when he can. The stairs are explicitly on the not to list.”

“Please don’t scare her on the stairs,” Arran groans. “Those stairs already give me anxiety.”

“The architecture is sound. I had it checked,” Emil says, being purposely obtuse as we walk.

“Her butt scoot is cute,” Liliana says, chuckling.

“I have been introduced to the butt scoot,” Arran says, amused.

Emil and my family parked in a lot near Arran’s tattoo shop. I guess Arran and I will figure out our plans after we say goodbye to them.

“I learned the butt scoot from Ari and Adelina,” I giggle.

I can feel someone watching me and my steps get slower as I search for where it’s coming from. It feels as if my skin is prickling, and it’s very uncomfortable.

“What is it?” Elijah asks.

“I feel…itchy. I don’t…No.”

Three large, gorgeous men stand in front of me, trying very hard not to appear dangerous. Alastair, Draven, and Ciaran have really filled out in the last seven years. My feet trip on air and Arran lifts me to keep me safe, tucking me into his side.

“Hi, Noor,” Alastair murmurs innocently, his hands at his sides. He doesn’t need a weapon to hurt me. Just being here is enough.

Arran squeezes me gently before allowing my feet to touch the ground.

“Who’s Noor?” he asks.

“Theo, did you let the leash slip from the dogs?” Emil drawls, his accent coming through thicker.

“I haven’t checked their trackers today, sir,” Theo says dejectedly.

“Trackers…” I’m met with Arran’s broad back as he pushes me gently behind him to protect me, crossing his arms. He is wearing my purse still and it doesn’t detract from his masculinity in the slightest. “You know what, I don’t care what your name is, baby. I saw you three earlier. It’s pretty clear you’re not supposed to be here.”

“Mommy?” Since Zayn is holding my hand, he’s also standing behind Arran now too.

Fuck. “I’m okay, Little Beam,” I whisper, not wanting to embarrass him as I hug him. I’m shaking as I do, because I’m not sure what to do. Does Alastair have a legal claim to our son?

We’re adults, out of high school and the insanity we lived through during that time. I don’t really know what the responsible thing to do here is. I simply want to protect my son, and Alastair, Draven, and Ciaran have never shown me that I was safe with them.

“Can you go with grandma, please?” I ask. My family dynamics may be confusing for some, but they make sense for us. God, who am I kidding? I’ve made up most of the shit in my life to work for the oddities within it.

“Who are those men, Mommy?” Zayn’s eyes are angry and confused, and I sigh as I hug him tightly.

“I need to have an adult conversation with them before I can tell you. Do you trust me?” I ask.

“Si. Pinky promise you’ll tell me?”

I raise my eyes to Elijah who looks stricken. There’s too much I can’t tell my son. Running again isn’t in the cards, because I refuse to constantly look over my shoulder, and my son deserves to be settled and happy.

Fuck. How did they find me?

My mind is racing and my fingers cramp as adrenaline rushes through me.

“Noor and we go way back,” Alastair says. “She has something I’d like to discuss with her.”