She couldn’t erase the years she’d distanced herself, but she could make up for them now and enjoy the present. As she made her way to the bottom step, she noticed the newest addition to the wall, a picture of Sam and Spank in matching dresses. What struck Ari most was how the young girl’s blonde hair fell around her shoulders, no baseball cap in sight, no attempt to hide from herself or blend into the scenery.

To Ari, the irony was clear-while Ari had lived here, she’d run from herself. As soon as Sam moved in, she’d done the opposite. In the Costas house, Sam had finally found the sense of security that enabled her to be herself. It had taken Ari much longer, but she’d finally come full circle.

A smile on her face, Ari strode into the room to join the party. She’d been told only family would be present, and so when she caught sight of Connor, Maria, and Quinn, she felt as if she’d been sucker punched by the unexpected guests. In Ari’s mind, there were two possible explanations.

The first was her gut reaction: the family had blindsided her by bringing Quinn here. But her mother had sworn she’d learned her lesson trying to matchmake with Zoe and Damon, and so the second explanation that came to Ari’s mind was the more plausible one. Even if it was more twisted in logic.

This was a family party. Sam was now family. Quinn was Sam’s family, which made him part of the Costas extended family. Since Connor was like family to Quinn, that explained his presence, and he’d brought Maria. All in all, a typical Costas type of gathering, Ari thought.

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.

Quinn glanced her way. For the first time all night, their gazes met and held and a wealth of understanding passed between them. A wave of warmth and security swept through Ari as she realized how lucky she was to have found this man who understood her feelings about herself and her family and accepted her anyway.

What he didn’t know about was her acceptance of herself. And because she’d pushed him so far away, she didn’t know if her revelations had come in time for them. She needed to get him alone, and there just hadn’t been an opportunity during the party. Not when everyone wanted to thank him for helping Zoe and to get to know him. Ari had given her family the time they needed, since she planned to steal him away later.

“I noticed the monkey’s not up here,” Quinn said, breaking the silent connection between them.

“She’s in the basement,” Aunt Dee said. “With her trainer.”

“New owner,” Sam chimed in. “Did you hear? Spank’s got a new job.”

Quinn raised an eyebrow. “She’s not mooning in exchange for spare change, is she?”

Apparently Quinn hadn’t been privy to the recent developments involving the monkey.

“Spank’s gonna be a star!” Sam said, her excitement tangible. “You see, Ari found a man who’s allowed to own monkeys. Because she didn’t want my caseworker to make me leave here. At first I was so pissed.” She shook her head, obviously catching Quinn’s glare. “I mean I was so mad.”

“Better,” Quinn muttered. “Go on.”

“But then Zoe came back, and she told me that Ari’s the conscience of the family. She wants everyone to do the right thing. And giving Spank away is the right thing to do if I want to live here forever. And I do, Quinn. I really do.”

Ari watched as the dialogue between Quinn and Sam took center stage, his planned lecture giving way to something far different. His expression softened as he listened to Sam’s heartfelt plea. The rest of the family remained silent, taking it all in, too.

“I agree that Ari wants what’s best for everyone,” Quinn said, surprising her. “Except herself. Then she’s too afraid to stand up for what she really wants.”

The room was awash with loud gasps.

Ari raised an eyebrow, her hands coming to her hips. “Of all the unmitigated gall,” she muttered. It was one thing to yell at her in private, but to condemn her in front of her family was something else entirely and she wasn’t about to let him get away with it.

“Are you telling me I’m wrong?” Quinn asked, obviously challenging her.

“Ooh, I sense a good argument,” Nicholas said.

“It’s like one of ours,” Elena agreed.

Nicholas let out a loud growl. “But ours end up in the bedroom and they aren’t married,” he said in protective-father mode.

Zoe placed her hands over Sam’s ears.

Ari cringed. She’d wanted to wait until the party ended to talk to Quinn, but he was obviously spoiling for a fight. And no matter what her father said, Ari refused to discuss her future in front of her entire family.

“Apparently you forgot you were about to lecture everyone here on morals and upstanding behavior?”

He glanced at her family. “No more cons, no more games. I’m a cop and if I catch you red-handed, you won’t leave me with a choice but to turn you in. Plus if a caseworker gets wind of anything other than a respectable business going on here, she’ll pull Sam faster than Spank can pick my pocket. Got it?” he asked.

They all nodded and murmured their assent. It was a miracle, but somehow Ari believed they understood.