Page 136 of Love Without Control

“Evie. Holy fuck. You’re… here. You’re right fucking here. I thought Monty was fucking lying.”

“Don’t use that kind of language with your sister,” I popped off, and his face cracked into a huge grin as he rushed me, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me off the ground.

“You’re here, and you’re still a smartass,” he crowed, squeezing me so hard I could barely breathe.

“I just got here, and you’re already trying to kill me,” I croaked, and Auburn let out a boisterous laugh before loosening his grip and planting me back on my feet.

Cupping my cheeks with both hands, he stared down at me, his face transforming by the second from joy to sorrow and back to joy. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you?” He swallowed hard and blinked, but he was unable to stop the tears from dripping down his handsome face.

“I missed you too,” I cried, smashing my face against his chest and smearing makeup all over his pristine white shirt. With one hand on the small of my back and the other on the back of my head, my big brother rocked me from side to side, his nose buried in my hair.

“You still smell the same,” he murmured, and I smiled up at him.

“You smell like expensive cologne and Icy Hot.”

That made him grin. “Hell, I’m old, little sis.” He studied my face for a long moment. “You look good, Evie. Are you…” The words stumbled a little before he started again. “Are you okay?”

My head bobbed up and down. “I’m really good, Auburn. Just glad to be home.”

“Monty said you were kidnapped. Did they…” He lost his words again, and his face crumpled into abject misery. But I read his thoughts.

“No, they didn’t hurt me like that. They weren’t very nice to me, but it wasn’t what you’re thinking.”

“Thank god,” he said, pressing his lips to my forehead and leaving them there until a sweet voice called from behind him.

“Are we gonna stand out in the foyer and cry all day? Or could we do that inside where we have tissues and snacks?”

From the Texas drawl, I assumed that was his wife, Gianna. Stepping around Auburn, I was faced with a freaking goddess standing in the doorway with damp eyes and a wide smile. Her brunette hair was pulled into a full ponytail, and her rounded belly stretched against the sweatshirt she was wearing. I loved that she and Kassie were pregnant at the same time.

I walked to her. “Hi, you must be Gianna. I’m—”

She cut me off with a hug. “Oh, hush your mouth. I know who you are.” She hugged me like I was her long-lost sister instead of someone she’d never met. Gianna’s embrace oozed warmth, and I liked her already. “Come on inside, Evie. I’m sure it’s been an emotional day, and I have pie.”

With a sweep of her hand, she ushered me inside, and the rest of the group followed. The living room was spacious, with tall windows that afforded a stunning view of the city. Deep-cushioned furniture in a gorgeous blood-red color formed a square around a sleek wood coffee table. Even though I’d only met Gianna a few seconds ago, I could definitely see her influence in the room. It was both classy and warm.

I wandered to the black stone fireplace as Gianna directed Monty and Auburn to get to the kitchen for iced tea and food. She was funny, with a sweet Southern charm and a side of bossiness. I perused the photos on the mantel. A wedding photo of Auburn and Gianna. A ton of pics of their kids. And right on the end…

I picked up the silver-framed picture of me, Auburn, and Monty. I remembered this. It was taken the Christmas before I was kidnapped… before all our lives were irrevocably changed forever.

Hands settled on my waist, and I relaxed back against my husband. “I remember that girl,” he said, peering over my shoulder. My hair was long and its natural caramel color in the picture. “You guys look good together. Happy.”

“We were,” I said, replacing the frame on the mantel before facing Dane. “What if they don’t understand?”

“If they’re the men you think they are, they’ll understand. They may struggle at first, but they’ll come around.”

I stared up at the photo once again. I was sticking my tongue out at the camera, Auburn was cheezing like a chipmunk, and Monty was holding bunny ears with his fingers behind my head. We were all so young and carefree. I knew we couldn’t reclaim our youth, but I craved that bond the three of us always had. The genuine affection behind all the teasing.

And I hoped like hell we could get that back.

Chapter 46

“Cruz!TowhatdoI owe this pleasure?” I asked when I swung open the door of my apartment and found my youngest son standing there. He stepped forward and wrapped me in a hug that lasted a tad longer than our usual embraces.

“Hey, Dad. I needed to talk to you.”

My chest warmed at theneededpart. It had taken a while for Cruz to feel close to me once he’d found out I was his biological father, so I was thrilled whenever he sought me out for help or advice.

“Whatever you need, son. Come on in. You want something to dri—” My words froze when I saw who was standing in the hallway behind him. “Dr. Hart, what are you doing here?”

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