"See?" he murmured against her hair, and she could hear the smile in his voice, "Not strangers."
April turned her face toward him, and he met her halfway; a kiss that tasted like dessert. Like he didn't want to leave the taste behind.
Around them, the room had gone quiet again. The same respectful silence they'd given Liam. Letting Mateo have this moment.
When they finally broke apart, he kept holding her, forehead resting against her temple, thumb tracing slow circles on her hip.
"Time," Killian said after a moment, sounding strangled.
"Twelve minutes, forty-two seconds," Arthur reported.
Mateo pressed one more kiss to her temple before carefully withdrawing and helping her sit up.
Jax appeared with wet cloths. Caleb brought water.
They cleaned them both while April and Mateo stayed close, quiet.
"So," Caleb said after a moment. "Who won?"
"Tie," Jiro said from his spot on the couch. "They both earned their place."
"Agreed," Killian said, his voice rough.
Mateo and Liam looked insufferably pleased with themselves.
TWENTY FIVE
Richie Rich
April
“Let's find you somewhere more comfortable." Mateo was already on his feet, glancing at Killian, who didn't need the prompt.
"There's a better room. Follow me." He was already moving toward the door.
April tried to sit up straighter. Her body had other ideas. Boneless, heavy, unwilling. Liam stepped toward her, hands already out. "Here, let me—"
Arthur moved between them with quiet finality.
Liam raised his hands, took a half-step back. "All yours, big guy."
Arthur didn't respond. Just looked at him for a breath too long. Then he turned to her and lifted her with practiced ease, one arm under her knees and the other behind her back.
April curled into him. He was warm and solid and smelled clean. Cotton and pine, maybe. Or safety. His heartbeat thudded steady under her ear.
Plastic water bottles crinkled somewhere behind them.
"There are some where we're going," Killian called back without turning.
"Just in case," Mateo murmured, barely loud enough to register.
The others fell in step around them. Killian led the way, his stride easy and certain. To her left, Jax and Caleb talked in low voices. Jiro brushed her ankle once with his fingertips, still close. Killian reached the end of the hall, grabbed a key fob off a hook by the side entrance, and opened the door. They stepped onto a massive stone patio. Maybe a driveway, maybe both.
Killian clicked a key fob. Two massive golf carts rolled up on silent motors. Eight-person, but upgraded past the point where "golf cart" felt accurate. Upholstered benches. Real headlights. Cupholders that probably had temperature control.
Dante looked them over. "Impressive."
Liam ran his hand along the upholstery. "These are custom."
