Night Is Darkest

the path into the trunk of the oak where they’d built forts in elementary school.
With a sigh, he braced his shoulders against the bark then dropped his head back to stare up at the stars. Why did bad shit always happen to good people? Rob had been the best of them. Generous, rock solid and fun to be around, he’d never have begrudged his best friends a relationship. Even if it left him the odd man out.
But that was just another example of how Rob had been a better man than him.
He had to quit moping and focus on something useful. There were more places he could canvass for witnesses. Some of the seedier nightclubs near the crime scene would be hitting their peak soon. If he hurried, he could make it across town to interview anyone willing to talk. For the right price.
Mason shoved off the tree—intending to cut across the backyard—when he noticed the kitchen light beamed like a beacon in the night, exposing anyone inside to prying eyes. He flipped open his cell to call Ty and give him hell about leaving the curtains open when a crimson smear sent terror spinning through his guts.
Dropping to a crouch, he snuck from cover to cover until he’d made his way close enough to discern a trail of blood on the wall. A large splotch at the top continued with streaks beneath like someone gushing blood had slammed against it then slid down when they could no longer stand. Broken dishes littered the floor. Two of the stools had been knocked over. There had clearly been a struggle inside.
Instead of panic, or fear, ice cold rage honed his instincts. Whatever bastard had done this would not get away with hurting another one of his friends. He couldn’t stand to lose someone else he loved. Please let them be okay.
If the attacker still occupied the far side of the kitchen, he’d never make it up to the back door without being spotted. Especially since the top stair had creaked for years.
Mason ensured he remained out of the line of sight, tucked close against the house, staying below the windows. He had to act fast. Gun drawn, he swung over the banister on the side of the porch then crept to the front door. After a quick sweep below the mat, he cursed his luck. The one time Lacey had actually listened to their advice and removed the key, he needed it.
Fuck! So much for stealth.
He wrapped the knuckles of one hand in his shirt, took a deep breath then punched out the front door’s sidelight. In a flash, he’d reached around, flipped the lock and stepped through. A muffled curse from the office drew his attention like a neon sign. He swung around, gun aimed at the moron attempting to hide under Rob’s desk. God help him if he was the one who’d hurt Ty or Lacey.
Please let them be okay.
Mason rushed into the study and yelled, “Don’t move! Police!”
The man under the desk banged his head hard as he straightened in alarm. “Have you lost your fucking mind, Clark?”
Ty backed out from beneath the desk with a network cable clutched in his hand. His face screwed into a mask of disbelief as he massaged the knot that must have been forming there.
Uneven thumps echoed on the stairs behind him as Lacey joined the ruckus. “Oh my God. Ty? What happened to the door? I thought I heard something from in the shower!”
She stood dripping all over the hardwood floor, dressed in a scrap of terrycloth. Caught between them, Mason nearly got whiplash looking back and forth. They were definitely not injured.
He addressed Ty. “You’re okay?”
“I was until you charged in here like a maniac! I’m getting damn sick of people pointing guns at me today!”
A delicate hand landed on Mason’s forearm, pushing until he realized he still aimed at Tyler. He flipped the safety on, then tucked the gun in his waistband. While Mason waited for the ringing in his ears to fade, Ty made his way over to their sides. Mason caught the bewildered glance the other two exchanged.
“What the hell happened to the kitchen?” he demanded.
“Um…” Lacey blushed.
Tyler put his arm around her soaking wet shoulders and said, “We got a little carried away during dinner.”
“Carried away?” Mason strode through the doorway to have another look at the carnage. “Do you know what it looks like in here?”
They crowded up behind him to peek at the wreckage. Remnants of adrenaline pumped through his system, heightening his senses. He detected the scent of Lacey’s vanilla shower gel as well as the familiar scent of sex from Ty.
He strode over to the wall to drag a finger through the thick crimson goo on the paneling before bringing it to his nose to smell it. The zesty tomato aroma along with the tiny noodle ring finally sank in. He whipped around fast enough to catch Ty’s satisfied grin.
Before he could say anything, Lacey stepped between them and wrapped her arms around Mason’s waist. “I’m sorry we frightened you.”
Mason had to separate them fast before she detected his instant erection through the thin towel surrounding her. His imagination played through a whole new scenario. When he thrust her away, she flashed him a hurt look. “I’m going to run upstairs and throw something on then I’ll get this mess cleared away.”
She fled up the stairs before he figured out how to erase her misconceptions.
“Way to go, asshole. You have a real knack for making people feel like shit about genuine affections, you know that? She didn’t do anything wrong. If you have a problem with this, take it out on me not her.”
“Shit. It caught me off guard, Ty.”
He nodded. Then the little fucker had the nerve to beam without even attempting to hide his amusement.
“Someday, this is going to be mighty funny.” Ty clapped him on the shoulder.
“I doubt that. Let me board up the window then I’ll get out