AN ILLICIT LOVE

Chapter 11

Upon arriving in New York, I thought it would be a good idea if Loki met my family. Before going to meet them, Loki and I went back to the compound, thanks to Hailey convincing her father to let us come back.

We walked up to the big doors and were greeted by Hailey. "Hey, Piper. It's good to see you again." She hugged me and I smiled at her.

"Hey, Lee. It's good to be back." I hugged her tight and smiled. For once in my life, I actually felt accepted. I actually felt like I was part of a family that would care for me. Living in the Connor's house was not bad, but it felt like the only one who accepted me was Jack. Anyway, it was nice to be back.

"Everyone's waiting inside. Plus, I can't wait to tell you about everything that happened after you left."

"Girl, I was only gone for like a day." I pulled away from the hug and Hailey smiled at me.

"I know, but something did happen and I want to tell you." She pulled me inside and Loki followed us inside the compound. "Guys, look who's here!" The team looked up at me and Hailey, and I felt a rush of wind pass by.

"Hello, Piper. I thought you and Loki were in Asgard." Pietro said, hugging me and shaking Loki's hand.

"We were, but stuff happened and we're back. It's a long story." I locked eyes with my prince and he pulled me in closer.

"Now, where is my brother? I need to speak with him." Loki looked around the room for Thor, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh, he went to find his special little lady, but he should be back soon." Tony answered and I noticed Hailey and Pietro getting closer than usual. I winked at my friend and she jogged over, grabbed my hand, and basically pulled me outside.

"What's going on with you and the sweetheart over there? Just yesterday you couldn't tell me whether you wanted him or the other one." The look she gave me confused me even more. It was like she was still thinking about it herself. "Lee, did something happen with you and Pietro that no one knows about?" Her silence was enough information for me, but curiosity sat in me. "I want to know about it, but if you're not ready to talk about the entire thing, then I won't force you to. Okay, Lee?"

"Okay."

"Good, now how about we head back inside. I think Loki's done talking with everyone else and wants some alone time." Hailey nodded and we walked back into the compound.

Once Thor returned from who-knows-where, my prince pulled him aside and spoke with him briefly. That's when Hailey told me about what's been going on. "So, after my party, Bucky told me that he was staying at the tower thanks to my father and Steve, but left three days later. I wish that we could have talked more before he left, then I met Pietro and Wanda and my heart fell for his blue eyes and kind heart." She turned and looked over her shoulder at the tall Sokovian.

"So, are you two an item or not?" I asked, before getting wrapped up in my love's arms.

"I'm not sure, but I don't think so. I'm not getting my hopes up anyway." She smirked at my question. "Well, that's enough about me. What was it like in Asgard? Thor told me he would take me sometime, but still hasn't." She glared at the tall, blonde Asgardian who currently stood next to us.

"What? I've been very busy." Thor replied, defensively.

"With what? Jane?" Hailey teased, making the tall man turn red. "I knew it!" She jumped up and pointed at Thor like she got him on a murder charge. Bad analogy? Well, hey, it's me. What do you expect?

"Enough about me. Piper, answer the question." Thor said, extending his hand toward me.

"Well, it was nice. Your mother was so kind, but your father seemed on edge the whole time I was there. Oh, and there was a ball." When I tell you Hailey's face lit up like a Christmas tree, I'm not joking.