Page 30

TREVOR

Pieces from our Halloween costumes litter my bedroom floor. Flannels, tees, socks, jeans, and boxers form a trail Bram and I created as we kissed on our way to a shared shower.

Rubbing a towel over my hair, I watch my sexy man pick up the clothes. A pair of my pajama pants hangs low on his hips. He drops the clothes in the hamper then pulls a fresh tee from the space I made for his clothes in my closet the day we returned from our camping trip.

He wrinkles his nose at our costumes in the basket. “I can smell the alcohol and food on them from here. We need to do laundry tomorrow.”

Our night at The Striped Maple ended in a round of shots with our friends and plans for Trevor and me to join most of the same crew tomorrow for dinner at Jake and Alaric’s place, and to go hiking with Rory, Adrian, and Zach next weekend.

I glance at the empty dog beds. “Where are the dogs?”

“Hades settled on the rug in the guest room. Bandit went downstairs. I heard him drinking water.”

The clock by the bed flips its numbers from 11:59 to 12:00. “Halloween’ s officially over.”

Bram smiles as he pulls back the covers. “We have a year to come up with better costumes.”

A year’s a long time. When we sat in this room weeks ago, he told me he’d come up more often. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask him to stay forever, but I hold the words in. That he’s staying for now, indefinitely, is enough.

I hang my towel on the rack above his then pull on boxers and join him in bed. “We can add an extra blanket if you’re cold.”

He leans against me. “Don’t need a blanket. I have you.”

“You do.”

On the bedside table, Bram’s phone buzzes. He picks it up and his forehead creases. “Charlie’s calling.”

Late night phone calls are rarely good.

“Better get it.” I shift away so he has more room.

“What’s wrong?” Bram asks, by way of saying hello to his brother. Then he laughs. “Don’t worry about it.” He glances at me and murmurs, “butt-dialed.”

Smiling, I pick up the architectural design magazine Alaric lent me and turn to the article on restoring antiques.

Charlie’s voice echoes through the speaker, his words coming fast and furious, talking about a cake delivery going wrong and his mad dash to the venue to bring a replacement. He sounds stressed and I’m glad he called. Talking to Bram will help him unwind.

Downstairs, Bandit barks.

The haunted house closed two hours ago, but the pub is open for two more. I saw several of the inn’s guests there earlier.

The sound of a jangling collar comes from the hall. Bandit trots into the room and barks again. A deeper “Woof!” comes from Hades seconds before he enters the room. Instead of sniffing Bandit, he looks at Bram and me. Both dogs bark again.

Bram sits up and says into the phone, “Yeah, that’s both dogs. I don’t know, they don’t usually do this.”

I tap his forearm. “I’ll let them in the yard. If that doesn’t settle them, we’ll go around the block.”

He gives me a smile. “Thanks.”

After tugging on sweats and a hoodie, I shove my feet into sneakers in case the trip to the yard doesn’t work and the walk around the block is needed.

The dogs run into the hallway and glance back to make sure I’m following. They stop once more at the base of the stairs and bark again.

When I get to the bottom step, they run to the front door.

“No boys. We’re going to the yard.” I point to the kitchen. Bandit trots in that direction, but then runs back to the front door. Hades doesn’t budge, staring and pawing at the wood.

“Fine.” I attach their leashes and unlock the door. As soon as I open it, they pull me forward, barking again.

“Boys, quiet.” Tugging the door closed behind me, I step outside. Cold air seeps through my clothes.

A dark creature standing on the lawn in front of the carriage house startles the hell out of me. Short, black, and hairy.

My blood runs cold.

Sharp barks like battle cries, the dogs bolt down the steps, leading the charge, dragging me along so fast I have to jump the last two steps so I don’t take a tumble.

The creature turns and runs, crossing in front of the mansion. The flood lights hit its fur, and the line where the mask meets the collar of the suit.

As we pass the carriage house, Hades veers to the right and Bandit to the left, like they’re planning to take it down from both sides, though we’re still half a block away. Reining them in so they don’t pull my arms from their sockets, I keep my gaze glued to the creature and run faster .

It smashes through the pine trees lining the edge of the inn’s property. Branches catch and drag on its fur. Something dark falls to the grass. The creature doesn’t stop. Tree branches snap back, shaking. A car engine roars to life, then tires squeal as the car peels away.

We reach the tree line and crash through the pines. I catch the tail of a pale blue Mini Cooper rounding the corner.

“Shit.” I know of only one person in Maplewood who has that car in that color.

Bandit pulls me to the trees.

The creature’s mask is on the ground.

Dread lying heavy in my stomach, I pick it up. The smoky floral scent and strand of white hair confirm what the car revealed.

Our “creature” is Agnes Peabody.

Shock, anger, and confusion lap over me. Rooted to the spot, I glance from the mask to the dogs to my house at the other end of the street.

Hades rubs his head over my hand. I pet the soft hairs there, and squat down, giving both dogs rubs. “Good job, boys.”

The repetition of petting them grounds me. I suck in a breath that does nothing to ease the roiling in my gut. “How do I break this to Bram? He’ll be crushed.”

I push to my feet. My steps are slow on the walk back. I feel like I’ve been run over and punched in the gut.

The house is quiet. I lock up, step out of my shoes, leave the mask next to the bowl with our keys, then lead the dogs upstairs.

Though the light on my side of the bed is still on, Bram’s light is off and he’s asleep. He looks so peaceful, I hate to disturb him. There’s nothing he can do this late at night anyway.

After stripping off the hoodie and sweats, I climb into bed. The dogs settle on the floor. I turn off the light, though I doubt I’ll sleep anytime soon. My gaze on Bram, I cuddle closer.

Breaking the news to him won’t be easy. I hate to see him hurting, and I know this will cut him deep.