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Robert squeezes my shoulder and looks down, but not before I see the tears in his eyes. “We should have done more.”

“You couldn’t have.” It’s simple, really. If they’d tried to take me away from my father, it would have brought his wrath down on everyone.

Robert nods and walks over to his wife.

“Luke?” Harper’s voice calls to me like a siren song.

I lift my gaze to hers, and she holds her hand out to me.

“It’s our turn.” Her smile is everything.

She’s right. It’s our turn, and I’m not going to blow it.

Harper

After a round of hugs and a few more pictures, the guys finally lead me outside. I’m still laughing and feeling high on this moment. Being able to own my guys without worry of judgment is amazing. Luke’s hand hasn’t left mine, and Caden has a possessive hand on my lower back. His fingers lightly brush the exposed skin before dipping below the back of my dress.

When a black limousine pulls up to the curb, I gasp. They didn’t.

Jack laughs. “You didn’t think we’d go to Homecoming without arriving in style?”

I pause and look around at my guys. It’s a limo with a driver, but that means that if something happens, we’re stuck. “What if...”

I don’t want to say it. I don’t want to bring it back to the surface. We’ve been avoiding talking about it. Pretending it won’t happen. I need that right now. But if for some reason Zach takes me, I don’t think a limo will work to get me back.

Luke squeezes my hand and I lift my chin to look into his eyes. He’s solid and confident. There’s so much love and fierce protectiveness in his gaze that I almost sway into him.

“Trust us, princess. We’ve got everything planned out. We have cars already in the parking lot, but none of us are letting you out of our sights.” He brushes his fingers along my jaw.

I swallow down the longing rising inside me. If we don’t go through with tonight, Zach might find me when we’re caught off guard. This is our best option and it’s possible he’s already given up on his plan.

Last night showed his hand. The administration must be on the lookout for him to do more tonight, right? Especially after the bonfire night as well, but who knows in this town?

“We’ve got you, Harper.” Luke searches my eyes.

Last night could have been a trap to make us let our guard down tonight. Or it was his Hail Mary play and he failed to get his hands on me. Even with an exit, it doesn’t make sense.

Nico stops in front of me, drawing my gaze to his eyes. His crutches and brace help him hold his knee immobile. “Nothing will stop us from protecting you. You know that, right?”

I glance at the others focused on me and nod before stepping into Nico and wrapping my arms around his waist. “I don’t want you to get hurt more.”

He wraps his hand around the back of my neck and rubs gently. “They won’t get the drop on me again. We don’t plan to be alone either. Definitely a buddy system.”

When I lift my gaze to his, he gives me a smile before touching the corner of my lips.

“We know they’re counting on you getting left alone or somehow trapping you again.” Nico leans down to touch his forehead to mine. It’s not as far for him with the heels I’m wearing. “This isn’t going to be a rescue mission, sunshine. We’ll take them down before they even know what hit them.”

I put my hand over his heart and feel the steady rhythm against my palm. My inhale is steady as I step away. I smile to get us back on track and gesture toward the car.

“So a limo?”

Eli takes my hand and leads me to the door that Jack holds open for me.

“I’ve never been in a limo before,” I say without thinking.

“First time for everything, princess.” Luke’s breath lifts the small hairs on the back of my neck, and a shiver races through me. So many firsts we’ve shared already and so many we can share in the future.

“Won’t we be early for the dance?” I take Jack’s hand and let him help me into the car. The divider is up between us and the driver. It’s a huge space, plenty of room for all of us.