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The rumble of a diesel engine roared from outside as Julian's truck pulled up to the pool house.
"You boys ready for this?" Chloe called out.
I was ready.
"Hell yeah," Aiden shouted.
"Go," Chloe whisper-yelled. I laughed, picturing Chloe pushing Harper. When I looked up, Harper appeared at the bottom of the steps. My gaze locked on her as my jaw dropped. I was speechless. Harper's silver sparkling dress hugged every one of her perfect curves. The dress hung low in the front with a slit up her thigh. Her long dark hair was pulled up from her neck, and I couldn't wait to put my mouth on the bare skin.
"Wow," I managed to choke out. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you," she smiled.
"Holy shit," Aiden exclaimed. We all looked to see a blonde standing at the bottom of the stairway. Holy shit was right. Chloe's black hair with deep green highlights was gone, and her natural dirty blonde was back. Her tattoos were still visible, but she replaced all the piercings on her face with a simple small diamond stud in her nose. "You look amazing," Aiden finally said when he found his words.
"Are we ready? Everyone is outside waiting."
"Wait," Chloe stopped us. "Where are your shoes?" She didn't look amused by Aiden's flip-flops. I couldn't help but laugh as Aiden stuttered his way out of this one. Ultimately Chloe won, and Aiden put his dress shoes on.
Twenty minutes later, we pulled into Nineteen31. Aiden pulled the Escalade up to the door, and we all piled out.
"Where are your dates?" Harper gaze narrowed on the guys. Maverick, Bash, Link, and Julian were all dressed in similar tuxedos to Aiden and me. I was pretty sure we all got them at the same time for some stupid formal event at the country club. Our moms probably went shopping for them together.
"You're looking at 'em." Link laughed, gesturing to Bash, Maverick, and Julian. "We don't really do dates." My guess was they wouldn't even be going if it wasn't for the Villa Boys threatening to cause trouble for Harper tonight.
"We made it," Ryder said, pushing through the door with his date in tow. A tall blonde guy I'd never met before, but apparently Harper had because she ran to greet them both with a hug.
"Your table is ready," the hostess said. "Follow me."
"Wow," Harper whispered, her gaze flicking around the room. "This is fancy." It wasn't the fanciest restaurant I'd ever been to, but it was one of my favorites. The restaurant's ceiling was lit with white lights like stars flickering above us. Each round table was dressed in a white tablecloth and a floral candle centerpiece.
We spent two hours eating and socializing. Harper seemed to be enjoying herself, and I thought it was even better that Chloe and Ryder were here with her. Even though she was coming around to all of us, she still seemed more comfortable with Chloe and Ryder.
"I forgot my phone in the car," Chloe said. "Harper, will you come with me." Both girls pushed away from the table.
"Hold on," I said. I threw the white napkin on my empty plate and pushed it away from the table. "I'll come with you."
"Christian." Harper threw a hand out to stop me. "That's girl code for I need to talk. Alone."
"Okay." I hesitated. I didn't want her outside without me, but I also didn't want to ruin the night by bringing up Noah and the Villa Boys. I hadn't told her about the rumors yet; they were only rumors at that point, so I didn't want to say anything. "I'll be here if you need me." I could see the Escalade from the window by our table.' I'd watch her from here.
Chapter 24
Harper
The cool night air sent a chill across my skin. The sun had set over an hour ago, and the night air was still cold even though it was late spring. Crossing my arms, I ran my hands over my arms to warm them. This dress didn't offer much coverage from the cold.
"What's going on?" I asked Chloe once we got to the Escalade, but she didn't have the chance to answer.
"Hey, Harper." My heart lurched at the sound of the familiar voice. Noah appeared from the shadows in front of the Escalade. "Look at you all fancy." He reached out for one of the loose strands of hair, but I jerked my head away. "Where you been?"
Grabbing Chloe's arm, I pulled her behind me. I didn't want her caught in the crossfire. It didn't matter; Noah's boys stepped out of the shadows surrounding us. Panic surged through me.
"What do you want?" I hissed. My heart slammed against my chest, dread twisting in my gut. Noah had never come looking for me before. I'd disappeared for weeks at a time, and never once had he cared. Why was he here now?
"We came to get you"," Noah said. The threatening tone of his voice sent chills surging over my body. His eyes were dark and soulless. "To bring you back home. To the Southside. Where you belong." Noah reached out, wrapping his long fingers around the bare skin of my upper arm. Trying to escape his grasp, I realized there was nowhere to go. We were surrounded. There were only three of them, but they were all twice the size of Chloe and me.
"Why don't you and your friends fuck off?" Chloe suggested.
