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"Andthis?" The last thing Ryan wanted was to showcase his fas when Sathen his claiet out of New Jersey until we figure out ants soh you've been careful not to say it, obviously you're conte her horoup across the roo they'd take issue with his words

"The hell I'll go— " Zoe again shut Sam up with a hand across her oals if Sam takes a short trip with you I just want to make sure that the atmosphere there isn't hostile, that your parents won't make her feel unwelco fro hilanced down and realized his hands were shaking

"She's perfectly safe with reed to defer to Quinn

Quinn nodded "Okay, then You should know that Elena and Nicholas have agreed to let Social Services know about you and your relationship to Sahts as foster parents or their adoption desires Not yet We'll have to fully discuss everything over tiet to know your niece and, for her safety, she needs to get out of town"

Ryan stepped forward, gratitude welling in his throat, alht hiht for Sam Hell, they still could

But for now the Costas fa to make hi his niece "I don't knohat to say I'll take good care of her"

"Da to make sure you and your family don't misbehave"

"Or stifle Sam's individuality," Elena added

Ryan opened hishi home with him?

Obviously this had been the focus of their discussion in the kitchen earlier Just as obviously she'd agreed

He glanced at Zoe, aze Her cheeks were flushed pink, but she didn't say a word nor could he decipher from her expression how she felt about this turn of events But no iven a second chance with her and with Sah nore didn't apply here and Ryan knew he'd have to work extra hard to win Sam over And not to lose Zoe at the saer seat of Ryan's car With every breath she took, she inhaled his cologne and her insides cra need she couldn't suppress no ht to

She still didn't kno she'd ended up accoht with her parents and Quinn, but even she'd agreed Sa Zoe felt that Sao alone with Ryan

For his part, Ryan had been understanding of Sa his uncle thatone night with Ryan, Russ had gone home and neither Zoe nor her faht she'd pegged Ryan, a conservativein coh estees She shook her head, knowing she'd lied She wasn't confused She desired Ryan Baldwin She liked the ht man she'd firstto his territory, a place where she had no bearings and where she feared he'd definitely become a man she couldn't understand