Mercy (Somerset University #3) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,30

week.”

WINSTON MADE GOOD ON his threat to climb into my car.

I drove him out to the beach, dropping him at his family’s third home, and his sole home while he went to Somerset. The entire drive we talked laws, government, his life in England, and then a dip into our favorite television shows. Turns out he wasn’t that bad of a guy when he wasn’t waxing poetic about the tight pussies of his conquests.

It was almost one in the morning by the time I crawled home, dragging myself upstairs. I nearly forgot I promised Adam my bed until two mounds—one big, one small—greeted me. I didn’t have the heart to carry him to his room and Jaxson was liable to take a swing if I woke him from a deep sleep. The guy got so little of that these days.

I changed, brushed my teeth, and hit my pillow face-first. We were having a sleepover and that was that.

Tonight was strange.

The thought floated on the edge of sleep, coaxing me to chase it, catch it, examine it. The poker game was odd for the reason that it was so... normal. A couple of guys drinking, talking, and shooting the shit. No part of it could be classed as suspicious. Although, betting your car to win an argument was hardcore.

Sawyer, Aiden, and the guys want me in their group, so I’ll play. I’ll do whatever it takes to...

“ADORABLE, AREN’T THEY?”

A dry voice knocked on my consciousness, tugging me out of sleep.

“Aww. Look at my boys.”

And that voice peeled my eyes open. “Val?”

“Hi, love.” Val beamed at me through the screen. “Wild night last night?”

I pushed myself up, nearly bumping into the tablet. Ezra kindly held her up higher.

Adam was splayed out next to me and on his side was Jaxson. I guess we did make a cute sight.

As does the girl I’m looking at.

Valentina looked to be reclining on a white chaise. Over her head, a canopy of lush, vibrant jungle served as her backdrop.

“How’s Adam? How are the puppies? How are you?”

“Adam got to babysit and sleep in the big bed, so life is good in his world. The puppies are great and I... have a lot to tell you when you get back.”

“Oh? Is now not a good time?”

I shook my head. “I want you to enjoy your vacation. It can wait.”

“Okay, if you’re sure,” she pressed.

“I’m sure.”

“Then we’ll pick it up when I get back. Do you mind waking up my baby and my favorite bad boy producer? My favorite grumpy CEO says I have five minutes left.”

Ryder’s voice came through the speakers. “Tick, tick, tick.”

“Sure.”

I got the boys up and they said their greetings to Val.

With my robotics duties out of the way, I skipped out on a reason to go to campus except for football games with my intramural team and even that was canceled for the week, owing to two guys getting sick and the third heading up to Wisconsin to visit his mother. I was free to build a robot with Adam, race ATVs on the back roads with Jaxson, and let my mother guilt me into having dinner with her and Dad every other night. I even got some time in with Olivia.

“Teddy,” she declared. She snuggled the little black and white pup licking her cheek. “He’s sweet and cuddly like a teddy bear. It fits.”

“We shouldn’t name them.” Olivia and I sat in the closet, giving the puppies attention while Ezra and Adam took Mom outside for a break. “They’re not ours.”

“If an animal spits out babies in your closet, they’re yours. The owner wants to say something about it, their ass should be here.”

I chuckled. Olivia was Valentina in every way. Or it was more accurate to say Valentina was like Olivia.

“We can’t keep calling them ‘the puppies.’ Come on.” She reached in the basket and pulled out one of the two girls. “What should we name her?”

“Well, she’s a fierce one. She’d knock her own brother down and step on his head to get to that nipple. A girl like that should be called... Pepper.”

“Pepper. I like it. Now you’re getting into it.” She picked up one of the boys. “And him?”

“Doc,” I stated. “Because of his dopey face.”

Olivia groaned. “And just like that, you’re off naming duty. I’ll handle it from here.”

“What’d I do?” I cried, cracking up. “Doc is a solid name.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

“This sweet boy’s name is Milo”—she fixed me with a look—“and don’t let