Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,2
would leave Somerset to get out from under the black mark. But doesn’t that seem an extreme reaction to getting kicked out of a fraternity? Somerset is on the level of an Ivy League school. Everyone has clawed their way to an acceptance and they wouldn’t give up their place for the Sams.” I smacked the desk. “I bet those guys were taken too.”
“We’re back to theories and guesses,” Ryder said.
Jaxson knelt in front of me. “And none of them tell me why you have to be the one to prove it,” he whispered. “This is getting fucking twisted, Val.”
I stroked his jaw. “Believe me, I don’t want to be involved, but someone has to get close enough to the Sallys and Sams to find out the truth. It can’t be Ezra because Aiden named him public enemy number one.
“It can’t be Maverick or Ryder because they missed their chance to rush. It can’t be you because you’re not even a student. And it can’t be our team of bodyguards because they pass for college kids as well as I pass for a capuchin monkey. I’m already in. The girls like and trust me. It has to be me.”
“You’re not a freaking undercover agent,” Maverick burst out. “I’ve said it before, why don’t we tell the police everything that’s happened and make them listen.”
I got to my feet. “And I said before that we can’t make them listen without proof.”
“Whoa,” Jaxson cut in. “Let’s not kick this shit up again. Val, we get that we can’t ignore what’s happening, but this is dangerous and we almost lost you and Ezra. We have to handle this a lot smarter.”
I opened my arms for him. Jaxson wrapped me up tight and warm. I called him my goofy one. It didn’t come close to describing the multitudes that was Jaxson Van Zandt. He was the glue. He kept us together. He kept me together.
“It’s been a long day, mama,” he said in my ear. “Come with me to the studio. We’ll listen to some music, sneak beers out of Dad’s office, and fool around in the sound booth,” he said to my giggle. “Just what we need.”
“I can’t. Adam has his playdate.” I pulled back. “Speaking of which, who is watching the kids?”
“Caroline,” said Maverick.
“You left that poor woman alone with four preschoolers?”
Ezra shrugged. “Jacob will protect her if they attack.”
“But we should give her a break,” said Ryder. “I’ll take over watching the kids. You guys go to the studio.”
“I’m not leaving you to handle them yourself either,” I said. “Adam’s teacher went through the trouble of setting this up for me. Besides, I want Adam to introduce me to his friends.”
I kissed Jaxson’s cheek. “Next time, baby. We’ll fool around in the studio all you want.”
“Next time.”
I picked up on his disappointment as well as I did my own. We’d been saying next time for a while. Between work, school, Adam, Ezra getting hurt, the attacks on me, and everything else, I still hadn’t made it to the studio for our technically forbidden date.
I’ll make it up to him tonight when he comes back from work. Make us a special dinner and surprise him in our bedroom.
Downstairs, Caroline read her book in the armchair. Cara curled up in her lap, purring under Caroline’s stroking loud enough for me to hear from the other side of the living room. She certainly didn’t appear harassed. And the children coloring quietly on the floor were putting the stereotypes of young kids to shame.
Especially this one.
I eyed the little boy in suspenders, a bow tie, and tiny leather shoes. He looked like a grown man hit with a shrink ray.
“Adam, baby.”
“Mommy!”
Adam bolted for me, arms out. He wasn’t the only one.
I almost went down when Adam and the little blond boy tackled my legs. He beamed at me, showing off his missing front teeth.
“You must be Cole,” I said. Adam described his friend Cole as looking like Daddy Jaxson. He must have gotten that from the blond hair.
I tapped Cole’s nose. “Aren’t you a cutie?”
“Yes,” he said. Cole twisted around and pointed to the third boy. “That’s my best friend, Michael.”
“Hi, Michael.”
Michael waved, but didn’t get up.
The boy in suspenders got up and reached for my hand. “I’m Landon.”
“Nice to meet you, Landon.”
Landon blinked up at me. “I’m hungry. Can I have an apple, please?”
“I’ve got an even yummier treat. Would you guys like some chocolate chip cookies?”