Page 54 of Declan's Hope

"I did."

Destiny.

Hope turned to find Destiny marching up to them—lifting her own mask to mirror Garrett. Then to keep from getting bowled over, Hope stepped aside as Destiny crowded into Garrett’s space with her neck craned back. The top of her friend’s head just reached his chest where she glared up at him.

"Now, you need to understand," she said, poking a finger in Garrett’s chest. "You’re not going to boss me around. And just to make matters crystal clear," she groused, poking him again, "I only followed orders because it was the best thing for Hope at the time. So, don’t you think I’ll let you get away with it again."

Garrett grabbed her hand where her finger still dug into him, his jaw clenching. Hope had a feeling he’d just reached the end of his rope.

He dropped her hand. Then a gasp flew from Destiny’s lips when he grabbed her by the waist and picked her up. He held her close to his heaving chest—an action bringing her face inches from his. Destiny clutched at his shoulders, while his heated stared fixed on her through he mask and his arms wrapped around her. Hope might as well not have been there at all.

"Sweetheart," he growled. "When I give you the orders I really want to give you, you’ll take them." A visible shudder racked Destiny’s body before Garrett added, "And you’ll like them."

She hoped Destiny had prepared herself for the way he then swooped in and kissed her. Hope had had no doubt in her mind it would be his next move. It had been there in his blazing eyes and the crimson slashing his exposed cheeks and jaw.

Destiny’s hands on his shoulders crept around his neck, then latched onto his hair at the back of his head. Hope’s own cheeks warmed as the kiss grew more intense—downright hot in fact. Destiny gave as good as she got.

It was awesome.

Garrett slowly lifted his head, the tenderness in his gaze for Destiny something her friend more than deserved. "Destiny—"

"Hope!"

Declan’s bellow broke the spell over the couple as Destiny pushed against his chest and he lowered her to the ground. Destiny stepped away from Garrett just as Declan appeared beside them where he froze—his laser-sharp, blue gaze zeroed in on her.

"You’re okay," he quietly stated. His broad chest expanded on a deep, shuddering breath before he slowly let it out. Then he moved toward her, pulling the mask completely from his head.

She nodded, holding his steady stare as he took her by the shoulders, his fingers digging into her flesh. "I am."

"Declan," Garrett warned low.

"I know. I’ll put it back on in a minute. But first…"

Hope found herself enveloped in his embrace while his lips traced over her cheek to her ear.

"I love you," he murmured. "God, how I love you."

"I…" She’d longed for those words from him for months, whether she’d admitted it to herself or not. Now, finally hearing them, they almost left her speechless. But those same words resonated inside her own heart, so she had to tell him. "I love you too."

His arms tightened. Then his lips were on hers, and her eyes fluttered closed at the perfection of it. The kiss stole her breath and set her heart racing—racing toward Declan and everything the kiss promised.

"Mmm…" Declan groaned against her lips before lifting away from her slightly and pressing his forehead against hers. She opened her eyes to find his closed. "Okay, Noah."

"Noah?" Hope said low. His gaze met hers while she lifted a hand to brush across his beard before cupping his cheek.

"Whispering isn’t keeping us from hearing you," Garrett provided.

"What?" Hope leaned back and peered toward a grinning Garrett.

"Earpiece is still on," Garret said. Then his features tightened as he turned and peered around the bus. "Yeah, yeah. I know. Mind your own damned business."

Hope met Destiny’s eyes growing round while her friend reached under the mask and pulled something from her own ear, then they both stared at the small device she held between two fingers. Had everyone been listening in?

Declan’s big hands cupped her cheeks and turned her head toward his, his low growl of, "We’re not finished," raising the hairs on her arms under her long-sleeved top. "But I need to go to Mercy and Kara right now."

"I understand."

"I knew you would," he said on a slight grin, before heat overtook his blue stare and his grin faded. He took his own earpiece out and put it in his pocket. "But don’t think for a second you won’t be on my mind." He gave her a swift kiss, then put his mask back on and walked her to the door of the bus. "I’ll show you how much when I get you home."

Hope stepped up onto the bus, her attention instantly taken by her class bombarding her with questions. "Is everyone okay?" She had to ask the question pretty loudly to be heard over the din. Then she had to assume they were, as a sea of five-year-olds swamped her. Relief ran through her as she hugged those closest to her and patted over several heads within arm’s reach.

They were safe.

And Declan was taking her home.

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