She shrieked. “No! Kingsley—”
Laughing, I sprinted across the soft sand down to the ocean. And then water splashed everywhere. As always, I let her down gently and rewarded her with a kiss. Catcalls came from the beach, eliciting a chuckle from Harley.
“I miss the silence at Serenity Lake,” I muttered at her lips.
Hands locked behind my neck, Harley drew back to look at me. “I don’t, because we don’t have to sneak around anymore and feel guilty.”
“You’re right. We’re exactly where we’re meant to be.”
“Amen.”
Fifteen minutes later we all sat assembled on the picnic blankets, everyone digging into their food. Keaton had to piggyback Layne back to the house because she needed to rest. Her frustration didn’t escape me. Samuel was bundled up in a towel, sleeping next to me. Every time I looked at him my chest squeezed with so much love it robbed me of my breath. Like this—and infinitely more—was how God felt about us, no matter how badly or how often we messed up.
Several phones alerted at the same time. All guys of Wentworth’s team unearthed their cells.
“We gotta go.” Rhyner was already on his feet, and the other guys followed suit.
Just as they’d left, Rome’s phone went off. He answered after the second ring. “What’s up?” The longer he listened, the darker his expression grew. “You sure?” Whatever the caller answered elicited a curse from Rome. “Okay, keep me posted.”
“What is it?” Giuliana asked as soon as he hung up.
All eyes were on Rome now.
He raked a hand through his black hair, strands falling back into his eyes. “There was a riot at Garrison Correctional Center. Several convicts managed to escape. Some from supermax.”
Giuliana gasped. “Was Dad one of them?”
For the longest moment, Rome said nothing. Then he nodded. “And the way I know him, he’s gonna come for you.”
