“Hope you guys like stew,” Adrian said as he, Cory, and Callum served the kids as they gathered around the dining table once again, eager for their next meal. “Cory here even whipped up some sweet cornbread.”

The tantalizing aroma drifted up from the bowl and teased Jacob’s nostrils, causing his stomach to rumble in anticipation. “It smells delicious,” he said.

“Let’s hope it tastes as good,” Adrian chuckled.

The two older men—Anthony and Angelo—entered the dining, catching Adrian’s reply. “Don’t let him scare you,” Anthony smiled. “He’s a fantastic cook.”

Callum had informed Jacob that the two men and Adrian were in a relationship together. Jacob’s first thought was that a threesome relationship was strange, but he quickly changed his mind as he observed the three men. They were really in love with each other.

When the kids began eating, their reaction was much the same as earlier.

“Eat slow,” Adrian reminded the younger ones. “Don’t want to give yourselves a stomach ache.”

Jules was seated by Susie and Samson and grinned when Samson bit into a piece of cornbread and gave a long mmmm. “Good, huh?” Jules took a bite of his own cornbread. “Uncle Adrian makes really good food.”

“Why, thank you, kind sir.” Adrian gave a partial bow and the kids laughed.

Jacob gazed at Jules and envied the little boy for his home here. He was living proof of how happy and adjusted a child could be when they were part of a loving family. Jacob’s short stay in this house was the closest he’d come to experiencing a real home. He’d spent most of his life in the orphanage and couldn’t remember much before that.

“Jacob?” Adrian asked. “Is something wrong? You’re not eating.”

Blinking away thoughts of his former troubled life, Jacob realized he hadn’t yet delved into his meal. “No. I’m okay,” he murmured. “I guess I was just spacing out.” He took a bite of the stew; it was even more delicious than it smelled. “This is really good.”

“Can they sleep in my room?” Jules suddenly piped up, looking at Adrian. He didn’t specify who “they” were, but Jacob assumed he was talking about the ones who had played in his room earlier.

“I guess that’s up to them,” Adrian said.

Jules looked at the younger kids. “Do you want to?” he asked excitedly and immediately received a resounding Yeah!

Robby was among the ones who had eagerly replied. Jacob exchanged an uncertain glance with Eric, David, and Nina. It could very frightening for Jules if Robby woke up screaming from one of his nightmares. This was the first time Robby had been so outspoken and open that Jacob hated to veto the idea, but he didn’t know if Robby should sleep in there with the rest of them.

“If it’s okay with Adrian,” David spoke quietly to Jacob. “I’ll stay in there with Robby. He doesn’t have such bad nightmares when one of us sleeps next to him.”

“Okay.” Jacob glanced at Eric and his heart beat a little faster; they would have the bedroom to themselves for the whole night. They’d never had a chance to really be alone together, or have the privacy to really explore their feelings for one another. A tingling excitement tickled Jacob’s belly button; a quiet excitement that reflected back from Eric’s pretty eyes.

 

•♦•

 

“What do you mean you’ve seen this handiwork before?”

Spotlights had been set up in the warehouse while the CSI’s went about collecting samples. A steady barrage of flashes exploded all around the room as the scene was photographed from every possible angle.

Wil and Frank stayed out of the way of the forensic team.

“I’ve cleaned up a few of these messes,” Frank said. “They have a similarity that’s hard to explain, but I’d bet money that they’re done by the same people.”

“Any theories about who they are?” Wil shifted and studied his friend, a small knot forming in his gut.

“No specifically,” Frank admitted. “Although, my guess would be one of the crime families.”

Wil returned his attention to the butchered bodies.

“You don’t seem too troubled by this massacre,” Frank murmured. “I mean, short of the grisliness.”

Wil knew what he was supposed to say, and he said it. “As an officer of the law, I can’t condone murderous acts.”

“Naturally.” Frank cleared his throat. “But there’s nothing in the ordinances that says, as an officer of the law, you have to feel remorse for the demise of these pieces of human waste.”

“No,” Wil agreed quietly and looked at his friend. “No, there isn’t.”

“They bought and sold children,” Frank said. “Children like the Morgan twins…like Tad. You won’t catch me shedding one fucking tear for them. They got what they deserved.”

Wil nodded. It was no wonder he and Frank were best friends; they were very likeminded. They rarely disagreed on any issue, yet maintained their individual points of view. On the rare occasions that they interpreted things differently, the matter could be discussed without arguments ensuing. There was no one that Wil respected more than Frank.

“I have to get back to the station,” Wil said. “I need to contact the FBI, get their special unit down here ASAP. A group of buyers are coming in early tomorrow morning.”

“How do you know this?” Frank asked, then held up his hand and nodded. “Your anonymous tip?”

“Yeah.”

“Were the Morgan twins with this group that was killed here?”

Wil nodded. “I was told that they’re safe and will be delivered to me tomorrow.”

“And you trust this…tipster?”

Wil met his friend’s steady eyes. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“They told me about this warehouse and it was legit.”

“I see,” Frank murmured. “But does guiding you to a warehouse full of slaughtered men constitute trustworthiness?”

Wil understood his doubts. Had he been in Frank’s place, he would’ve had the same doubts. “In this case,” he said. “Yes.”

Eyeing him thoughtfully, Frank said quietly, “This anonymous tip…wasn’t really anonymous, was it?”

Wil rubbed the back of his neck. “I need to get back to the station.”

Frank smiled knowingly. “That’s what I thought.” He gripped Wil’s shoulder, an unspoken affection in his touch. “You do what you have to do to get the job done. You have a good head on your shoulders, Wil. I trust your judgment.”

“Thanks.”

Frank’s hand lingered a moment longer before dropping away. “Better get a move on and get on the horn to the big boys.”

“Right,” Wil nodded, an odd quiver in his navel that he couldn’t account for.

 

•♦•

 

“We’re okay. Really.” Noah and Noel both had reassured Abel and Devlin many times over since they’d arrived home, but the two men remained concerned. Noah wasn’t frustrated; it felt good to have family who cared about them so much. If anything, he felt sorry for Abel and Devlin because of how much they worried about him and Noel.

“I’m sorry.” Abel cast him an apologetic smile. “I guess maybe it’s affected us more than you two. I hope you can understand. You boys mean everything to us.”

“We know,” Noel said softly from across the table where he was setting their places for dinner. “We don’t mind that you keep asking if we’re okay.”

A car pulled up out front. Then another. Noah went still as he started to lay silverware beside the plate; the second car sounded like Chris’. He’d learned to distinguish it apart from all the others. But why would he come here tonight?

Car doors opened and closed.

“That’s probably Maddy bringing Savannah home,” Abel said.

The front door opened, and voices tumbled down the entry hall. Noah strained to hear that one voice. His heart was pounding furiously by the time Savannah and Maddy entered the kitchen, followed by Miranda and Chris.

Noah felt frozen in place as he was immediately locked into Chris’ stare. He was broke free an instant later when Savannah smothered him in a hug and kissed all over his face, making him blush.

“Oh, my God,” she said. “We heard what happened. Are you guys okay?” She crushed him again, hugging him until he grunted, then suddenly released him, leaving him dazed as she swept around the table and grabbed onto Noel.

Noah caught his breath just in time for it to be stolen away again as Chris surged forward and swept him into his arms, holding him tight. Desperately. “I can’t believe that happened to you,” he whispered, notable emotion in his voice. He pressed his lips to Noah’s hair and hugged him a little tighter. “I’ve never been so scared and freaked out in my life.”

Warm tingles skittered all through Noah and he tentatively wrapped his arms around Chris, praying this moment would never end. But it did, and way too soon.

Chris drew back and cupped Noah’s face with both hands, deep concern etching his brow, filling his beautiful eyes. “Are you all right?”

Noah blinked and swallowed. He nodded silently, his throat too constricted for words.

“Thank God,” Chris whispered and laid a soft kiss on Noah’s forehead. Noah went weak in the knees and leaned against him for support, afraid his legs might buckle. Chris’ hand rested gently on the back of Noah’s neck as he motioned Noel over and hugged them both hard.

“Noah saved us,” Noel told him when he drew back.

“Noel…” Noah mumbled as his face began to heat up.

“It’s true,” Noel smiled, an impish gleam in his eye. “He kicked him right where it counts and dropped him like a sack of potatoes.”

The others laughed, and Chris cupped his face again. “A hero,” he smiled softly. “I’m not surprised. I’ve always taken you for the hero type.” He laughed lightly and lifted Noah’s face. For quick, heart-stopping moment, Noah thought he was going to kiss him on the mouth. His lips touched Noah’s cheek instead and he was again buried in Chris’ arms. “I’m so proud of you,” he whispered in his ear.

Noah could wait for the “official” kiss. Right now, he savored the lingering warmth of Chris’ lips on his cheek and the thrill of his strong arms holding him so close and tight.

 

•♦•

 

When they arrived home, Clint went next door and spoke to Cochise about their visit to the detective’s house. Axel waited at home and prepared a fresh pot of coffee. His body retained a light, pleasant tremor from their rendezvous in the car and he was already heating up again, eager to get Clint into bed. He loved their enthusiastic sex life. The thing in the car was their third time making love that day. Clint had left early that morning, but not before he’d taken care of business and given Axel something to think about while he was gone.

Clint returned from the neighboring house as Axel was filling two cups. He dropped into a chair at the table and stretched out his legs, crossing his ankles. A small smile crept across his face as he gazed at Axel with heavy eyes.

“What?” Axel brought him his coffee then straddled his lap and sat down. “What’s that look for?”

“You wore me out.” Clint’s smile stretched, and he picked up his cup, sipping the hot drink.

“Why are you worn out?” Axel smirked. “I did all the work.”

Clint chuckled and kissed him. “Guess that means it’s my turn to do the work?”

“Yes, it is,” Axel grinned against his mouth. He stroked his face and slid his hands into Clint’s hair, dislodging his cowboy hat. He set the hat on the table then continued to comb his fingers through his short hair. “It wasn’t a mistake going to the detective’s house, was it?”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s a cop,” Axel said. “You’re…you. The two of you aren’t exactly on the same side of the law. I mean, he seemed like a nice person and I know he was grateful about the twins…”

Clint curled his arms around Axel and frowned. “What’s bothering you?”

“He’s still a cop,” Axel murmured with concern. “He’s sworn to uphold the law. You sent him to the warehouse. I didn’t have to be there to know what you guys left behind. He’s going to know you had a hand in that. What if…” Axel laid his head on Clint’s brow. “What if he comes after you? Some cops won’t compromise their loyalty to their badge for anything—even someone who helped them out.”

“Don’t worry about it, baby.” Clint kissed him. “Everything’s going to play out fine.”

Axel hugged him. “I have enough to worry about when you’re out on a job,” he whispered. “I don’t need anything else to stress over.”

“He isn’t going to come after me.”

“How do you know?”

“Some things a man just knows.” Clint lifted Axel off him and stood up. “And concerning that added stress…” He led him from the kitchen toward the bedroom. “I have a remedy for that.”