even less interested in caring for eight dogs.
Adam hugged the furry mother, gifting her a kiss on the head. “I’ll take care of them.”
“I’ll only be gone for a few hours, but you’re on duty. Check on them to make sure they’re okay. When it’s bedtime, turn off the lights.”
“I sleep in the big bed.”
I cracked a smile. Adam’s fascination with our beds wasn’t a surprise. Val put him to sleep in his own bed, and if he woke in the night, she came to his room and cuddled with him until he drifted off. He rarely slept in our beds which made it a task to conquer.
“That’s right. Gotta be nearby if Nala needs you. My bed is all yours. Sure you’re up for this?”
“Yes, Daddy. I can do it.”
“All right.” I hoisted him over my shoulder, carrying him out. “A big man with a big job needs a big meal.”
Jaxson reclined on my pillows with two television trays and my big screen queued to play Up. Adam was watching the puppies and Jaxson was watching Adam.
The little boy snuggled into his other dad’s side and dug into his baked macaroni and cheese. Jaxson met my gaze over his head.
“Are you up for this?” he asked. “Take it from the guy who fought off a psycho stalker. Stay away from Aiden Connelly and his murder basement.”
“I’m not afraid of Aiden. Mostly because he can’t touch me. Partly because he’s smart enough to know I’d tell you all where I was going.”
He cocked a brow. “Did you tell us all? Did a certain lady of ours get the call?”
“I’ve got to head out or I’ll be late.”
Jaxson caught the dodge. He laughed me out of the room.
In the garage, I bypassed my silver Audi and black BMW for my blue Benz. If I did disappear into the murder basement, witnesses were sure to remember a blue car.
I took off for campus, easing into the half an hour drive. Music blasted from the speakers, thumping a mix Val made me before she left. She was determined to update my musical tastes. The menu for the night was The 1975, My Chemical Romance, and Yellowcard. I loved her picks but I’d pretend I didn’t because she was cute as hell when she ranted on my hopelessness.
I carved a familiar path through campus. Somerset University had a different appeal at night. Old-timey lamps cast an ethereal glow on the immaculate grounds. The landscaping didn’t extend to Greek Row. The residents were responsible for their own upkeep and brown patches of grass and red Solo cups used as lawn decoration were the result. All except for the Sally and Sam house.
Pulling up to the curb, I parked in front of the house, peering through the window. A lone car sat in the driveway. The lights were off inside. If a bunch of guys were getting loose and letting off steam in there, they were doing it in darkness.
Or in the murder basement.
Maybe Jaxson had a point.
I got out and bounded up the stairs. I lifted my fist to knock, thought better of it, and twisted the knob. The door swung on creaky hinges, opening on a shadowed hallway.
“Hello? Sawyer?”
“Rick.”
My eyes traveled up. A figure stood at the top of the stairs cloaked in gloom. It moved and then split apart. Not one figure. Two.
“Beaumont.” Aiden reached the bottom of the landing and beckoned me inside. “Come on. We’re downstairs.”
I didn’t let my confirmed suspicions show on my face. Silently, I stepped in, letting the door click shut behind me. I couldn’t make out where anyone was until the basement door opened. The light illuminated the hall, and Aiden and Sawyer as they went inside.
They’re playing up this creepy vibe.
Even so, I followed.
Voices floated up the stairs.
“—new guy. Can we trust him?”
“Rick’s cool,” I heard Sawyer reply. “Don’t worry about him. He won’t say anything.”
The fifth step squeaked, bringing the conversation to a halt. I stepped off and got the full view of the basement I’d heard so much about. As confirmed, there was nothing to worry someone of even the most nervous disposition.
A whiteboard was pushed to the back of the room and covered with a sheet. A television was on the other side. A couch was pushed directly in front of it. The center of the room was taken up by the poker table and the six guys sitting around it. Sawyer pulled out the chair next to him.
“Rick, have a seat. Grab