“Well,” Brandon said, his voice dry as he theatrically swept his hands in front of him as though he were a butler welcoming guests into a palace ballroom. “Welcome to my humble abode.”

Jared ignored him, his eyes scanning the modest living room as he shut the door behind him. 

The room was sparse enough that he could see every corner in it. It had just one curtained exit leading into other sections of the house. 

Brandon quietly set his keys on the narrow table beside the entrance. ...