Page 5 of Pretty Poison

“I can’t thank you guys enough for coming on my show today,” Mad Dog said after they answered his last question. “It won’t be long before your podcast outgrows small audiences like mine.”

“There’s no such thing as an audience too small,” Felix replied.

“What he means to say is that we’re humble people,” Jonah said. “Fame isn’t something we aspire to.”

Rocky nodded. “We’re in it for the justice.”

“Speak for yourselves,” Felix said. “I’m a Gemini, so I want it all.”

Mad Dog chuckled. “I’d love to have you back on the show again, if you’re interested. Maybe we could take questions from listeners?”

“That sounds like a lot of fun,” Felix said. “What do you guys say?”

It sounded fucking scary to Rocky. They’d have no control over the questions posed to them. Instead of voicing his concerns, he smiled and said, “I’m in.”

“Me too,” Jonah added.

“Great. I’ll have my producer contact you and set up arrangements.”

They shook hands with Mad Dog and exited the studio room. Rocky rechecked his watch once they were in the elevator. They stopped a few stories down, and the other passengers disembarked.

“Have someplace you need to be, Major?” Felix asked him as soon as they were alone. “You’ve checked your watch twice in the last fifteen minutes.”

“I have an appointment I need to keep. I’m still good on time.”

“Does it involve a tall, dark, and handsome man?” Felix asked.

“You mean his secret husband?” Jonah asked.

Rocky groaned. “Come on, guys. I told you Asher and I are getting a divorce.” Saying the words out loud made his chest ache. It felt like an invisible hand was trying to squeeze every last drop of blood from his heart.

Felix snorted.

“What’s that mean?” Rocky asked.

“I’ve seen the two of you together. The man called you baby and kissed you in front of everyone. Isheaware you’re getting a divorce?”

“I wish I would’ve been there,” Jonah said wistfully. “Well, I don’t mind missing out on the fake abduction part, but I wish I could’ve met Rocky’s husband.”

Felix fanned his face. “So freaking hot.”

Rocky smirked at his friend. “I’m telling Jude.”

“I wasn’t lusting after your husband,” Felix said. “I was talking about the chemistry arcing between you.”

The elevator stopped, and two young ladies and an older man got on board. Rocky hoped Felix would let it drop, but he should’ve known better.

“And when he used that growly voice to demand you stop visiting sex clubs… Oh my.”

Rocky looked over and glared at Felix, but it was hard to stay mad when Jonah’s shoulders shook with repressed laughter. When the elevator stopped two floors down, the other passengers couldn’t get away from them fast enough. Jonah gave up trying to hold back his laughter, and it bounced around the small space.

“He’s going to kill you,” Jonah managed to say in between guffaws.

“I am,” Rocky agreed.

Ignoring him, Felix continued regurgitating that same damn scene for the millionth time since it had occurred three weeks ago. “What was it that Mr. Marshal McHotty Pants said during your private little chat?” What happened to Deputy Douchebag? Rocky liked that much better.

“Like I’m telling you,” Rocky groused. And how fucking slow was this elevator? It felt like they’d been descending for ten minutes, but a quick glance at his watch said it had been less than two.