Page 117 of Declan

Autumn said not a word.

“Stand by me, baby, and I swear, I promise, I’ll stand by you. No more of this shit. You deserve beauty. Come with me and let me give you what you need.”

My heart was hammering in my chest, pounding harder than I thought possible, waiting for Autumn to answer. Our eyes were locked, hers beautiful, green, glossy, her face flushed.

Then without warning, Autumn ran toward me, and I had a split second to brace before her body collided with mine.

“What do I need to do?”

“You gonna let me take you away from all of this?”

“Yes.”

“Then grab a bag and let’s hit the road.”

“Right now?”

“Right now.”

Autumn’s arms fell away and she craned her next to look at her sister. My gaze followed, and I wasn’t surprised to find Emerson smiling.

“Go.”

“I’m not running from you,” Autumn told her. “I’m not running from Mom and Dad.”

“I know you’re not. You’re finally running toward what you should’ve had all along. Now hurry and go pack. I’ll talk to Mom and Dad.”

Long moments ticked by and finally, Autumn nodded and looked back at me.

“I’ll only be a few minutes, I don’t have much.”

I knew from experience she wasn’t lying, I’d only have a few moments alone with Emerson before she returned. So when Autumn rushed from the room, I didn’t delay.

“I’ll bring her back when the baby’s born.”

“I know.”

“We’ll keep in touch.”

“I know.”

“Tell Thad…”

Fuck, what did I want her to tell Thad?

“I don’t need to tell him anything—he knows,” Emerson said. “So the only thing left to say is, thank you.”

“You got nothing to thank me for.”

“I do. You saved my sister. You brought her home. Even if you’re running off with her, you brought her back to us and I can never repay for that. She told me what you said, that it had to be her, and I hope you know it had to be you. No one else was going to heal her. She was saving that for you. I hope wherever the two of you go, you’ll be happy and you find peace.”

“I already found it.”

Emerson flashed me one of her smiles, the one that I knew caused Thad to lose his mind, and I understood why. Emmy was full of sunshine and happy. Her sister was full of moonlight and beauty.

“Good.”

“I’m ready.” Autumn came bounding back into the room, pulling a large suitcase. A backpack was slung over her shoulder.