Page 69 of Three

“Papa Bear, miss me?”

A retching sound comes from the other line. It has to be Ash. “You need to come back.”

“Why? What happened?” I jump from the chair as worry explodes in my chest, making it hard to breathe.

“It’s a life-and-death situation.”

I’m already grabbing my keys and reaching for the garage door. “Need to bring a doc?”

“Why, you have one on speed dial?” I hear Ren asking.

“I have three… So?” I push impatiently.

“No.” Ash’s reply calms me down a notch. No need of a doctor is a good thing. “But I need you to help me go through the bridge.”

I freeze near my car door.The video game?!“Are you fucking kidding me? I…” I take a big breath. Relief spreads inside my chest together with irritation. “Fuck! Hunter is fine?”

“Yes, of course.” Ash snorts.

“But that answered our question,” Dare cryptically says.

“Our? What are you, an elite alien group with one brain?” I scoff.

“That would be too cool!” Ash makes an idiotic frat-boy laugh.

“Sharing a brain with you?” Ren sounds disgusted. “There’s only farts, dicks, and video games in there.”

I hear the sound of a slap.

“Move that fucking gamer ass of yours and come here.” Ash is so damn crass.

“Who can say no to such a charming invitation?” I deadpan.

But my reply is lost breath. “They hung up on me!” I waste more oxygen. How can Hunter endure this every day? Is that why he’s all growls?

An hour later, I’m at Hunter’s again.

Ash opens the door when I’m getting out of my car. “What took you so long? Ooh, nice ride!” He’s looking at my Hyundai with too much interest.

“Don’t even think about it, Rude One!”

“Rude?” he pffs while scratching his ass—hand inside the pants. He’s also an uncouth, overgrown kid.

“I had to grab some stuff first. Help me with these boxes.” I open the trunk and hear a whine coming from him. “Do you want me to show you how to get to the nextBloody Killslevel or not?”

“Ren, come the fuck out here!” he screams as he drags his pink crocs to my car. “FYI, the name of your game sucks.”

“I know. The marketing team chose it.” I grab a couple of boxes, cutting my palm on the rough side of one. Cardboard cuts fucking hurt!

“Wha?” Hollywood appears on the threshold with a long, black snake wrapped around the whole length of his arm. A real snake. “What’s with all the boxes?”

“A little adjustment to your security system,” I answer vaguely.

Ash doesn’t seem interested as he grabs a small box. “Dare takes care of the house security,” he tells me then turns to his brother. “Ren, give a damn hand.”

“And you fucking take more boxes, you lazy ass,” Ren counters. I can see my reflection in his mirrored glasses. They are fighting again, which I’m starting to think is an hourly occurrence for them.

They’re waving their middle fingers at each other when Dare walks to my Porsche, and the two of us take all the stuff inside.