“The ashtray.” I wave him off as the door opens once more.
“Looks like the cavalry has arrived.” Sugar grins as Lollie walks into the room.
“Hey, hookers. Fancy starting the party without me. Ohh, and you brought me some snacks too.” She grins her perfect white smile as she looks at my men.
“Put your ovaries away. These men are all mine.”
“Wait, what? I can’t even have one of them? You are so greedy. I expect this shit from Dulce, but not you,” she hisses as she walks over to me and squeezes me tight.
“Charlie misses you.”
I smile, patting her back. “I miss Charlie too.”
“Who’s Charlie?” Graves asks, making Lollie grin.
“Charlie is Lollie’s pet crocodile. He’s a grumpy bastard who only loves his mama and, for some reason, Reese here.” Sugar rolls her eyes.
“Let’s be honest, most animals have a thing for Reese. I’ve never seen anything like it. She’s like the whisperer of the wild or some shit,” Lollie teases as she parks her butt on the edge of Hank’s bed.
“You guys are ridiculous.” There is some truth to what they are saying. I’ve never met an animal yet that didn’t love me.
I get the introductions out of the way once more before turning back to Hank.
“You can’t go back to your place until I find out who is after you and neutralize them.”
He coughs and splutters.
“I’m not being forced out of my home by some asshole. No, fuck that.”
“Hank.”
“No, Mal. That just means the bastards win.”
“I need you safe.”
He opens his mouth to say something else, but Law stops him.
“How is she going to have a clear enough head to fight if she is worried about you?”
Hank’s mouth snaps shut as he glares at Law.
“You know he’s right, Hank,” Blink tells him.
Hank groans and backs down, but I know he is far from happy with the situation.
“And where is it you suggest I go?”
“Oh, that’s easy. You can come stay with me.” Lollie grins.
Hank looks a little like a deer caught in the headlights. I have to stifle a grin.
“Oh, I couldn’t.”
“Hush, of course you can. I’m not there much, and I’m sure Charlie could use the company. Of course, you could always come to work with me.”
“What do you do for work?” Hank asks, which is when I lose it and burst out laughing.
* * *