Under the Boardwalk (Costas Sisters 1)

If she weren’t so stunned, she’d thank her family, since they’d saved her from having to seek Quinn out on her own. But with no warning and no time to plan how to handle him, she felt trapped, and her stomach bunched into tight, nervous knots. Just because they occupied the same breathing space by no means guaranteed the outcome Ari wanted.

Quinn watched Ari’s entrance. The sense of longing he felt upon seeing her warred with anger because she hadn’t been able to get past her damn fears and walls. Hell, nobody had bigger walls than he had, and he’d torn them down for her. Man, he didn’t want to be here, and as soon as they got past the celebration stage and he could lecture the family all at once about ending their con-artist ways, he was out of here.

“So glad you could make it,” Nicholas said, coming up to Quinn and pulling him into a bear hug. “I even forgive your . . . how do you say? Deception for not telling me Zoe was alive. You saved her and that’s all that matters.” The older man hugged him again. “You will always be part of this family.”

Without warning, a lump rose in Quinn’s throat as Ari’s father offered him the acceptance he’d never had. “Thank you, sir.”

Quinn felt the heat of a stare at his back. He didn’t have to turn to know Ari was watching the entire exchange. Ari, in the black miniskirt she’d worn on her first trip to the casino and a flesh-colored lace top that made him want to drool.

Ari was still dressing as if she’d accepted her freer, more sensual side. But Quinn knew better than anyone, Ariana Costas knew how to use clothing to her advantage. Whether she was covering her Costas roots with conservative clothes or, as now, dressing to fit in with her relatives, nothing with Ari was ever as it seemed. How could it be? Inside she was still running, and nothing, not even his declaration of love, could change that.

He’d given her his heart, something no one had ever received from him before, nor would they again.

Nicholas shook a finger in front of his face. “It’s a good thing you paid more attention during this case of yours or both my daughters would be gone.”

Quinn forced a laugh, since the older man seemed to think he was hysterically funny. “Sorry. I got distracted.”

Nicholas nodded. “Well, I was just reminding you there are no formalities among family. So no more calling me ‘sir,’” he admonished. “Oh, look. Kassie’s here.” The older man headed to welcome his sister and her brood.

“I don’t know what to make of them,” Connor said, coming up beside him.

“If you mean the family, I understand. They can have that effect on you.” Quinn chuckled, recalling his first meeting with the relatives when he’d been pickpocketed by the monkey.

Connor slapped him on the shoulder. “You can handle them.”

“For Sam, I’ll manage,” Quinn said wryly.

“But I was talking about handling them for Ari.”

Quinn rolled his eyes. “Not everyone’s finding love as simple and as easy as you. The woman wants nothing to do with me, or haven’t you noticed?” Quinn asked, since Connor already knew Ari had run from him and he also knew why.

“I know she hasn’t stopped staring at you since she walked into the room.”

And that could be explained by lust, Quinn thought. God knew their chemistry was explosive. And in the past, with any other woman, that would have been enough for Quinn. But from Ari he’d wanted more.

Connor didn’t comment further and was soon distracted by Maria’s return from the basement.

The rest of the evening passed with toasts and thanks and hugs and kisses. Not surprisingly, Ari avoided him the entire time.

Quinn glanced at his watch. Enough time had passed and he clapped his hands, calling the entire family to attention. It was time to make sure they knew that with a child in the house, their conning future had come to an end.

And then he was going home.

Ari wasn’t surprised her entire family stopped to listen when Quinn demanded the floor. He had that commanding presence, something she’d noticed from the moment he’d tackled her on the beach.

“I need to say a few things and then you can all get back to your party,” Quinn said.

“About what?” Cousin Daphne, the nosy one, asked.

“About Sam’s future and everyone’s behavior from now on.”

Sam let out a loud, adolescent-sounding groan. “Don’t say anything to embarrass me, Quinn,” she called from the back of the room.

Ari chuckled. “If you’re going to live with this family, you’d better get used to being embarrassed. As well as being the center of attention,” she told the girl. But surprisingly, the thought no longer held the bitter memories it once had.