Page 101 of Pretty Poison

“We should all be lucky to have friends like the three of you. And on that note, this is Mad Dog Mulroney wishing you all a rockin’ day.” He gave them a thumbs-up. “We’re off the air. This is the time where I normally ask popular guests to come back, but I’m not sure the three of you would be willing.”

Felix and Jonah deferred to Rocky, who said, “We’d love to. Have your people contact our people.”

They should’ve stuck around to exchange pleasantries, but Rocky’s phone kept going off in his pocket, and he needed fresh air. They shook hands with the DJ and headed toward the bank of elevators.

“Do you think this Tim guy was someone acting on the governor’s behalf?” Felix asked. “This was the kind of blowback you worried about, Major.”

“Christ,” Jonah said.

“Relax,” Rocky said as he led Fiona into the elevator. “I know exactly who Tim is, and it has nothing to do with the hit piece you wrote on the governor.”

“Who is he?” Felix asked.

Rocky gave them the equivalent of an elevator pitch because he didn’t want to waste more breath and energy than Tim Duggins deserved.

“Some best friend he is,” Jonah said when they got off the elevator on the ground floor.

Rocky heard his name called from across the lobby. Jonah stiffened, and Felix tried to place himself between Rocky and an unknown threat, but Rocky wasn’t worried. He’d recognize that voice anywhere. Stepping around Felix, Rocky walked into Asher’s embrace.

“I’ve been calling you,” Asher said.

“I was still on the air,” he replied. “I’m sorry I worried you.”

“I changed my mind. I’m going to kill Duggins,” Asher said, holding Rocky tighter.

“I can’t overhear this,” Jonah said, sticking his fingers in his ears.

“You can still hear them, big guy,” Felix pointed out.

“Nope,” Jonah said.

Fiona whined, pulling everyone’s attention to her. Asher released Rocky and dropped to one knee in front of the dog. “Were you a good girl for Daddy?”

“The best,” Rocky said, running a hand over her head.

“Is it safe for me to remove my fingers now?” Jonah asked.

Felix snorted. “Define safe? They’re using daddy talk.”

Jonah hooked his arm around Felix’s neck and rubbed his knuckles over the reporter’s head. Felix squirmed and tried to get away, so Jonah increased his hold and the friction.

“My hair. My hair,” Felix said.

Jonah let go so Felix could repair the damage.

Rocky and Asher laughed at their antics, then Rocky hugged his friends goodbye and followed his husband outside. The humidity felt good on his cold, clammy skin for once, but he immediately stepped into the shade to avoid getting incinerated beneath the hot sun.

“What are we going to do about Duggins?” Asher asked. “I can’t let this go.”

“Of course not. We don’t strike back yet. We let the asshole keep digging a bigger hole for himself,” Rocky replied.

Asher blew out a long breath. “I can’t just sit by and watch it all happen. Dandridge votes that we fly to Vegas and beat his ass. I think it’s a good idea.”

“Oh God,” Rocky moaned. “Dandridge heard.”

Asher cringed but nodded.

“Who else? All the goons?”