Page 73 of Three

“Call security. Tell them there’s a weird smell coming from the toilet,” Ren suggests.

“Brilliant. And who am I talking to?” I can hear the intense interest in Lori’s voice.

“Ren.”

“Are you one of Reacher’s fucks?”

“Reacher?”

“That’s me,” I sigh.

“No! He’s fucking Hunter, I live with him.” Ren doesn’t look unsettled by the conversation. None of them do.

“You fucked Magnum P.I. and didn’t tell your temporary bestie? Bad Reacher!” Through the line, I hear voices in the background. “Hold, please,” Lori switches to a too sweet voice before moving the phone away, but I can still hear his annoyed tone.

“Where is a piper and a pack of rats when I need them?” He comes back a minute later.

“A mischief of rats, not a pack,” Dare corrects him.

“Who’s that?” Lori now sounds really intrigued.

“Dare.”

“Ren and Dare. Where the hell are you at, Reacher?”

I groan. “What’s with the snarly voice?”

“Your brother was here….I wish he would just pick between a cliff and a bridge and fall off it! Are you at Magnum P.I.’s?”

“Yes. I’m at Hunter’s.”

“He’s fucking busy,” Ash feels the need to add.

“How many people is Magnum shacking up with?” Lori asks.

“Only Rami, for fuck’s sake. And who the hell are you?”

“I’m Lori, and if you keep speaking tosh, I’ll wash your mouth with lavender soap. Button it!” A small growl comes from the other line, and Ash scoffs, not caring about Lori’s threat.

“I’ll bring pizza from In Thin Crust We Trust. Send me a pin.” And I do because I really want to eat pizza, and that’s one of the best places in Chicago to buy it from.

“How about the guy in the bathroom?” Dare asks.

“He crawled out of it. Cockroaches always do, that’s why the big boss was here. Okay, ta-ta.” Lori hangs up.

“What the fuck is wrong with his…accent?” Ash makes a disgusted face. It is weird how Lori mixes British slang with US pronunciation. But I’m used to his quirkiness now.

“What the fuck is wrong with hisbrain! Did he really drug a guy and then just invite himself here?” Ren sounds incredulous.

I shrug. There are no boundaries in my family nor any fucks to give.

I send a text to Papa Bear, telling him I’m at his place and that pizza will arrive soon.

Thirty minutes later, George finally lets me go, and I have finished installing the new security alarm. Dare helped, showing me how competent he is.

“Someone has entered the premises,” Serena’s voice comes from the front door’s intercom.

“Who’s the sexy voice?” A naughty smile grows on Ren’s face.