Hearing a faint scratching, I realize the dogs must be ready to come in from their evening romp and head toward the sunroom door.
I hear Meg call, “I’ll let them in,” as she comes down the hall. I can’t miss both brothers stiffening and exchanging a glance before forcing themselves to relax. David does a better job than James, who keeps darting glances towards the other room.
Chapter one hundred forty-one
Christianna
As I walk into the closet, looking at a text from Alexis, I sigh. Modest clothing suggestions for optics.
I’m a fairly conservative dresser, but being told what to wear chafes and makes me want to go a little riskier.
Erik comes in, scratching at his chest.
He eyes the two dresses I’m holding up. Points to the hunter green sweater dress. Then picks a black button-down with a subtle green stripe.
Remy comes in wearing only a towel and winks at me.
I turn my back so I won’t be tempted, but out of the corner of my eye I catch him picking a flannel in black and green.
I feel my stomach dip. Are we going to be one of those people? Matching. In sync. A happy frisson runs down my spine as I smile to myself.
Instead of grabbing the brown belt I was planning, I switch to the black one. Yeah. We are.
When we all troop downstairs, dogs leading the way, I pause in surprise to see David, I think, standing in the kitchen inhis boxers. I’m grateful they are the baggy type. I can pretend they’re swimming trunks.
I cover my mouth.
“Morning,” Remy says, heading over to the cabinet next to where, maybe it’s James, is standing.
“Ah damn, I thought I would be out of here before you came down,” James says. “I was just making up a carafe. Meg is out of K-Cups.” He turns and sees me and flushes. “Sorry, Christianna.”
“I’m not looking. I’m taking the dogs out,” I advise.
“I’ll grab your to-go mug,” Remy calls after me.
I whip out my phone. How do you tell them apart? I text Meg.
You weren’t supposed to be up yet. David wears plain boxer briefs. James wears patterned boxers. I only tell you this since James’ pants are currently at the foot of my bed and he is missing.
I send her a facepalm emoji.
Treble runs circles around Bass as he tries to pee when I’m distracted by a sharp yell from Ruiz as he tears off across the grass and makes a running jump up and over the back wall, scaling it before I can blink.
His shouted “Get inside!” trails behind him.
“Treble, Bass, c’mon babies,” I say, heading toward the door. Treble’s zoomies have turned into a hunch, and he takes a couple tottering steps toward me while he handles his business. I glance toward where Ruiz disappeared. I can’t leave the dogs.
Cade appears next to me and starts ushering me into the house. “I’ll get the dogs once you’re inside.” His voice is warm and reassuring.
I nod and run into the living room.
All the guys are there, staring at the television.
“What’s happening?” I ask as the dogs rush in, followed by Cade.
I finally start processing what the news anchor is saying.
“Based on claims the Dark Angel wrote out, the Thorne family is responsible for the stalking of Ms. Christianna Daye. We’ve also recently learned she was a student of Silas Thorne’s. While we don’t know the relationship between them, social media is blowing up with speculation about him. There are also some anonymous claims from women who dropped out of school after being in his class. We’ll keep you up to date as we learn more.”
