April stared at it longer than she meant to. Killian was beside her watching where her eyes landed.
She picked up the Cradle book, felt the weight of it, the softened spine.
"Can I borrow this?"
"Yes."
She looked up at him. "I might not return it."
"That's fine."
His hand found hers where it held the book, thumb brushing across her knuckles. He bent and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Whichever book you want," he said. "It's yours."
April took a breath to speak—
Jax glided past on one of the brass ladders, feet dangling, grinning like he'd found the fun button.
April laughed before she meant to. She looked at Killian, still crouched beside her, his hand wrapped around hers.
"You're a secret bibliophile," she said.
"Hardly secret."
"You hide it behind earnings calls."
"Strategic misdirection."
Mateo appeared on the upper level, leaning over the railing with a massive cookbook. "Does this stay here or can I borrow it?"
"Take it," Killian said, not looking away from her.
The group drifted back toward the door, reluctant but moving. April clutched the book, worn soft from Killian's hands, and followed.
Jiro appeared at her elbow. He held out his hand without a word. April looked at him, then at the book.
"I'll keep it safe."
She handed it over. He tucked it carefully into the inner pocket of his jacket—Safe.
Jax slung an arm over her shoulders, pulling her into his side as they walked.
Killian was already halfway down the hall, moving with purpose that suggested he had a destination and would prefer they didn't notice anything between here and there.
"The lounge is ahead."
Mateo slowed. "Is that a bowling alley?"
Through an open doorway stood two pristine lanes, polished wood, the whole setup.
Killian kept walking. He didn't slow. Didn't glance back.
The group didn't.
Caleb veered left through the doorway. Jax followed. Then Mateo.
April let herself be pulled along.
[HER CHAOS]
