Page 37 of Captivating

Rosie’s eyes get big and excited. “She’s back here, Uncle Noah.”

“Is that my favorite girl?”

She nods, and I melt.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” he says to Mav once he walks into the kitchen, Baby’s case in his hand.

“Nope. No cats, Uncle Noah. I’m allergic to them too.”

He goes to the kitchen sink and washes his hands, then picks her up and drops a kiss on her head. “Hey, Rosie Posie. Want to help Tink and me write a song?”

“Ohh...” She looks at Mav. “Can I, Daddy?”

“You’ll probably do a better job than he will, sweetheart.” Mav leans in, like he’s about to tell her the greatest secret in the world. “He’s not that good. I heard Aunt Lilah does all the hard work.”

I dig my spoon into the ice cream and hide my smile. “This is why you’re my favorite.”

“I’m the hottest one too,” Mav waggles his dark brows, and Rosie cracks up.

“Are you sick, Daddy? It’s not hot in here. Do you have a fever?”

The three of us try to hold in our laughter, but we lose the fight, and instead of being upset, Rosie joins in with us. I don’t think she has a clue what she’s laughing at, but she’s laughing with her whole heart the way only little kids can.

Later, when Jamie shows up, I smell a rat. A big, fat, stupid rat, who doesn’t want me home alone for a few hours. One who’s getting harder to keep locked in the safe little box I’ve had him shoved in for a decade.

But as I sit on the floor with Rosie in my lap, and Jamie and Mav in front of the TV playingMadden, I’m happy. Truly happy.

With Noah on my couch, strumming a new chord, while Rosie and I try to put words to the music, I can’t seem to remember why I’m supposed to be mad.

Killian

It’s after eight by the time I get back to Lilah’s that night. Today was fucking grueling. The kind of day you think might never end. But when I walk into her house and hear her laughing, I might just breathe a little easier. She doesn’t do that as much as she used to.

Laughter... I never knew it was something you could take for granted.

I drop my bag by the steps and follow the sound to the edge of the family room, and what I see stops me cold. Lilah and the guys are all stretched out on her couch, while the end credits ofThe Hangoverroll over the fucked up evidence of Wolfpack’s night in Las Vegas. Rosie is tucked against Lilah, sleeping with her head against her chest and her fingers wrapped around her hair. These two are the perfect picture of pure love and innocence, and fuck me, it hits me hard. Harder than it should.

I’m not sure how long I stand there watching them, but the next thing I know, the commercials are rolling, and everyone is walking toward me. Rosie’s in Maverick’s arms now, and Lilah is ignoring me as she chats with Jamie. She looks at meand dismisses me just as quickly as everyone else says their goodbyes.

Lilah walks the guys to the front of the house, while Noah puts his bass away in a case and locks it. He grabs the handle but moves in front of me, then waits.

“What’s up, man?” I ask, too fucking tired to deal with people.

Even my people.

“Good call, letting us know she was going to be alone all day.”

“No problem. She just didn’t feel like going to Crucible today, and I had to go. I can do a lot in the gym downstairs, but not everything. She’s probably pissed at me.” Not that I’m shocked.

“She’s always pissed at you.” Noah shrugs, but there’s something about the rigid way he’s holding himself. The line of his shoulders. Like he’s coiled tight. “You gonna tell me what’s going on with you and my sister?”

That’s it.

There’s the strike.

Fast and brutal, like a snake bite.

“What are you talking about? Spit it out, man. I’m tired. And let’s not forget you asked me to do this.” I look toward the foyer but can’t see Lilah.

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