Aurora perked up immediately. “Chewyyyyyy.”
“Great. He survived.” I grimaced.
Lavender stepped forward carefully, crouching as if she’s approaching a wild animal.
“Hi, Chewy.”
The thing barked at her and she flinched, then straightened, face composed. “He seems… vocal.”
“He seems like a fucking rat,” I muttered through gritted teeth then turned to its owner. “Hey, if that thing’s gonna be a problem we might as well ship ‘em back to New York. He pisses in my car or bites my people and he’s done.”
Aurora flipped me off.
That little?—
Marlon… Swallow it. Pay her dust. Because if you don’t…you’ll combust.
Lavender tried to lift the carrier and it didn’t budge. “This is heavier than expected.”
I stepped in, grabbed the handle, and lifted it easily.
It barked at me, “Hey hey hey! Shut the fuck up.”
And he did.
Aurora squinted at me. “You’re so fucking mean, Marlon. Don’t rough him up like that!”
“You shut up too, I’m sick of both of y’all.”
Lavender’s phone buzzed and she checked it. “Mr. Sinclair, the driver is at curbside. I can have bell services assist with the luggage.”
“That ain’t gonna be enough.”
“I can request additional support.”
“Please do.”
Lavender nodded seriously and sent the text.
“Come on,” I said to Aurora. “Get up.”
“I don’t feel good, Marlon.”
“Yeah? But I bet you felt real good flipping me off, right? That’s twice now.”
“You told me to shut up at least twenty. You’re lucky that’s all I did.”
I laughed once, then looked over at Lav to see her still on the phone. Then I stalked over to Aurora. She sat up when I stood in front of her, unrefined eyes meeting mine in defiance.
“And what else couldyoudo tome, Rabbit?”
Her eyes narrowed at me. “Look, I’m not into the mind games, okay? I said I don’t feel good so I’m not walking.”
“So what, you just gonna sit here forever?”
She crossed her arms and leaned back. “Shoulda thought of that before you drugged me.”
“Listen to me you little ingrate.” I bent to get in her face. “You mouth off to me more than anybody I have to deal with. Related or otherwise. This is not how I do things. I don’t repeat myself.I don’t like defiance. When you agreed to come here, you agreed to do as I say. Now. Get. Up.”
