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When we finally pull apart to catch our breath, I tug her closer so I can push the car door shut. She lightly smacks my shoulder.

“Mhmm… Zayn…”

I turn my head instantly, following her gaze toward the stairs.

And there, standing on those stairs…

I see Sierra, Thalia, Nick, Ethan, Liam, Kai, Noah, Rayn, Chris, Colt, Theo, Aiden, and Chase.

All of them are dressed in work overalls.

All of them have their arms crossed.

And every single one of them is staring at us with equally shocked expressions.

“If I’d known all of you were here,” Selene says casually, “I would’ve suggested to Zayn that we stay home instead.”

Then she glances up at me with a mischievous smile.

“So I could spend more time alone with him.”

TWENTY-SIX

Selene

“I was worried you two would end up in some police station. Never once crossed my mind you’d end up in bed.”

“Watch it,” Zayn warns Colt, pulling me into his arms.

The others try to hide their smiles, each of them returning to whatever they were doing.

We’ve been working together for over three hours now. Since everyone is here, I sent my team along with Zayn’s people to another casino here in London.

Zayn’s brothers wanted to see what all this was about and get involved too. When they found out that neither of us showed up for work this morning, they all decided to come here. Sierra and Thalia wanted to join in as well.

After the initial shock wore off, everyone congratulated us on the relationship, and they genuinely seem happy for us. I know this happened incredibly fast, no matter what Zayn says, but I also realize that if I don’t at least try to see where this could go, I’ll regret it.

I’ve spent days driving myself crazy at the thought of him being with other women, and that alone tells me I need to put all my fears aside and do what my heart wants.

“I’m happy the number of girls in this family is finally growing,” Thalia says, continuing to paint one of the walls with Ethan’s help.

I still can’t believe Ethan is married. Yet seeing them together makes me realize just how deeply in love he is.

And possessive.

Speaking of possessive, Nick isn’t far behind. I’ve always noticed there was something different about the way he and Sierra interacted, so it didn’t surprise me at all when I found out they were getting married.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend either of their weddings, but Sierra sent me pictures every time.

“I didn’t realize project execution involved this much work,” Theo complains.

“Welcome to my world,” Zayn says, carefully taping along the edge of the ceiling so Thalia and Ethan won’t accidentally stain it while painting.

“You’ve been doing this for a week, babe,” I tell him with a chuckle. “And let me remind you, we still have a lot more to do.”

Winking at him, I turn my attention back to the mural on one of the walls, adding the finishing touches. I intentionally left the wall white so I could paint playing cards, dice, and the silhouette of a woman who looks as though she’s playing with them.

“Wow… you’re insanely talented, Selene,” Noah says as he walks past me carrying a bag of decorative stones.