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“Sure,” he says, while Raph utters at the same time, “It depends.”

“I need help buying a few things.” I’m looking only at Michael.

I can read on his face the moment he gets it. “They’re not for you, I take it?”

I shake my head in reply.

“My afternoon is free; we can go soon?” Michael waves his hand in the air making the red stones from his engagement ring shine under the sunlight coming from the big widows behind him.

Raph groans, not happy about our planning.

“You can stay home,” I tell him.

He wraps an arm around Michael and tsks.Fair enough.

“What did I miss?” Linda asks, entering the lab with Gabe behind her.

“A lot,” Rami replies, a glint of mischief filling his eyes.

Chapter 10

OLIVER

I wave goodbye at Martin from the front porch of Rague’s house. He’s a good guy and a great boss. We’ve worked fine together while building a small den. We still have two more days before finishing it, and I’m excited and eager to see it completed.

My phone starts ringing, and I stop fumbling for the house key to grab my cell instead.

“Coppers never check house roofs.” Lori’s illogical words make their way to my ear.

“Come again? It’s a bit too late for your nonsense.”

“I only wish I was coming. I’m all work, work, work,” he whines.

“That’s what business trips are for,” I remind him.

“I miss you too, unfeeling arse,” he mutters. “As I was saying…”

“Yeah, what the hell were you saying?” I bend forward, placing my elbows on the wooden rail and looking at the beautiful nature surrounding me. Rague’s bomber jacket keeps me warm.

“House roofs. The police never search them. So, when you decide to off Micro Dick…”

And it’s also too late in the day for his murder talk.

“When?”

“Fuck yes. We have the perfect place to stash the yucky body.” He talks so easily about it, like reading a shopping list.

“A, how do we haul him all the way onto the roof? B, the already leaking roof will cave with all that weight. C, the rotting body will attract birds and other animals for a free buffet. D, Google satellite. And those are just off the top of my head.”

“I hate when you shoot down my evil plans.” Lori huffs. “Did you stalk your Bull-Wolf-Bear again?”

“My what?”

“The gay community hasn’t created a word for King Kong Jr. He’s a combination of the super muscular Bull, the beardy and large-physiqued Bear, and the toned and strong Wolf. After my quick revisitation of queer terminology, answer my question.” His mouth is an unstoppable machine.

“Yes, I told you he’s one of the fighters.”

“Is your father still forcing you to fight illegally? I will kill him using only my stiletto pumps and a potato peeler, as soon as I’m back tomorrow.” Lori is tiny, but he has the skills to do it—not sure about the weapons he chose though.