Chapter 9

He had just set his foot on the bottom riser of the stairs when the office door opened. Jesse stood there, his face uncharacteristically inscrutable, watching the three of them.

“She passed out,” Gideon said, unsure of what else he could say. “I’m just taking her up to her room.”

“I see that. And where’s…her friend? Did he already leave for the night?”

Gideon nodded. “He thought it was best.” Better to give Cory the credit for that decision. He was going to need all the bonus points he could get.

Jesse stepped toward him and put out his arms. “I’ll take her up to her room.”

He passed her over without hesitation. He sincerely doubted Dominique was going to wake up, but if she did, she deserved to find Jesse there instead of him.

“Do you want me to come up with you?” Emma asked.

“No, that’s all right. I’ll just put her to bed and be back down in a bit.”