“Kai, you’re officially my favorite! I knew it’d catch on someday!” Wicked practically shrieks in joy as I pull myself into the backseat and a smile immediately spears my face in two at her reaction. I love that she can read me. Or hear my thoughts. Whatever.
“What did he do?” Nic looks confused as he takes his seat next to me, reflexively flinching away as Gizmo and Snitch jump up between us, their battery-powered, heated, fuzzy, igloo-house-thingabandoned on the floor.
I’m pretty sure Ezra bought that just for them, so when we have to go somewhere while they stay in the car, they have somewhere to snuggle for warmth. Not that they really need it. I’m pretty sure raccoons are comfortable down to like fifteen degrees. Then again, I don’t know how that translates to domesticated raccoons.
But I think they’re just spoiled, and I love it.
“Don’t worry about it, grumps. He knows what he did!” Wicked turns in her seat to flash me a marvelous smile, all teeth and warmth, and I return it. She might not see it, but she’ll feel it. She knows what she does to me.
“Where to?” Ezra voices the question as we all work off the chill inside the heated confines of the truck. Well, everyone but him. I imagine the beast has plenty of insulation to keep him warm regardless, even if he is only wearing a t-shirt.
“Food!” Wicked and I exclaim at the same time and start laughing.
“Yes, food. Greasy, yummy, super unhealthy food. Then we head to the precinct.” Wicked continues after Nic lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Uh, Wicked. You know we’re not allowed there, right?” I scratch at my head as she cackles.
“When has that ever stopped me from doing what I want to do?”
“Okay, even so. How exactly are we supposed to get in when I’m sure Alan is probably there and ready to bar our entry?”
“Simple. We call in a favor.”
6
Iscroll through my phone quickly, listening for the robot lady's voice to find the person I’m looking for. When I find it, I quickly connect the call and lean back in my seat as Ezra pulls away from the library. It only rings twice before he picks up.
“Wicked! Miss me already?” His voice is as heavy and tired as Kai’s and Nic’s, but filled with cheer and peacefulness.
“Officer Ass! How was your first night of marriage?” I grin as he chuffs out a laugh, noise and voices picking up from his end of the line.
“It was great. So great. Thank you again for coming. Ava was ecstatic about your gift. I must say, I didn’t see it coming!”
“Well, what can I say? I think your newlywed asses will be far too busy screwing to keep the new house clean!” I giggle as he groans. But Bass knows exactly what he’s in for when it comes to me and he doesn’t give a shit.
“But an entire year of maid services including meal prep?! That’s way too much!”
I click my tongue in disapproval and put on my bestNanavoice that brooks no arguments. “Not for my two favorite sweethearts, it’s not! You’ll accept it with a smile and I won’t hear anything more about it!”
“Oh, I didn’t say we weren’t going to accept it. Just know that I’m going to feel slightly guilty every time they come. But don’t worry, I’ll get through it.”
“You fucking better! When’s your honeymoon again?”
“We’re leaving after Thanksgiving and won’t be back until New Year's Day. Why, what’s up?”
“Just seeing if you’re at the office today. Though, it sounds like you are.”
“Wicked…” His voice lowers in warning as he groans.
“I need a favor.”
“Why does this sound like you’re about to get me in trouble?” He chuckles before breathing deeply on a sigh. “What do you need?”
“Well, firstly, is Alan around?”
“Um, no. He hasn’t been in today, he called off.”
“Okay. Well, we need to get into the records room without Alan finding out, and we need your help to do it.” I shift in my seat as he goes silent for a moment, waiting for him to think.