Page 32 of Prey It By Ear

“It’s hard to plate things when a good portion of your guests eat so differently,” Chess says over his shoulder. “If Ren wasn’t helping, I might be put out with everyone plopped in chairs as you are.”

Blinking, I sit up straight and turn to my mates in the kitchen. “Oh my god, I’m sorry! I can come over and⁠—”

Rennie snorts, his eyes full of amusement as he watches me almost tumble over the back of the couch to get to them. “Ma petite, he’s joking. Chester is not really asking for a crew of people bumbling about in our space. We are much more efficient when we work without having to instruct everyone else.”

“Oh,” I say as my face turns bright pink. “Well, at least you know I wasn’t being a lazy princess now.”

Felix laughs behind me, and I whip my head around to glare. “Princess, I call you this because of our initial meeting. No one corrects me on it because it’s a nickname, not an accusation. Stop worrying about becoming your mother; it’s just not going to happen, even if you access her teachings sometimes.”

Wrinkling my nose, I grumble, “You don’t wanna become your dad, either. It’s not like I’m weird for being concerned about it.”

“No, it’s not,” Chessie says with a soft smile. “And being aware that it’s not what you want makes you a thousand times healthier than her or any of the shitty friends you used to have. You’re a good person, and you behave like someone who believes that everyone should be treated with dignity. Felix is right about you being too hard on yourself. Did any of those other assholes even flinch? Nope.”

Grinning unrepentantly, Fitz shrugs at me. “He’s right, my delectable bunny rabbit. We know Chessie loves taking care of us and only complains when he’s being a shit. Though I thoroughly enjoyed watching your bum as you leaped over the couch and took a graceful fall like the dancer you are.”

I frown as I get up, dusting myself off and rolling my eyes at them all. “You’re all jackasses, and fortunate I love you to bits, or I’d throttle you in your sleep.”

Aubrey snickers as he mutters, “Now that sounded like your mother, lunchable.”

“Don’t say that, Salty Salamander! I was thinking how hot it was and now my brain is full of disgusting shit. Ugh!” Fitz growls, shaking his head like he’s trying to get images out of it, and the rest of us laugh uproariously.

“Poor Fitzy,” I say as I head for the fridge to grab a drink while I’m up. “Hoisted on his own petard yet again.”

“As long as you’re doing the hoisting, you can do whatever you want, Baby Girl!” he calls back.

No surprise there, Fitz has recovered his libido in the blink of an eye.

“Are your friends going to be here soon, or do we have to suffer through the Fitz show for much longer?” Aubrey winks at me as he asks, and I smile as I walk back into the living area. He’s a little more relaxed since his grumpy chore completion this morning, so either Rennie gave it up or the gargoyle talked him through whatever has been bothering him since the compound. The odds are fifty-fifty either way, and whichever it is, I’m grateful.

Ignoring my crazy tiger grumbling behind his laptop, I answer, “Yes. They should be here in the next half-hour, along with the Captain. I gave Rennie and Chessie time to finish their host stuff, and for us to make certain we’ve gone over anything Chessie gathered on his ‘to order’ lists.”

“That’s important, you know,” the cheetah calls from the counter. “I’m getting those out tonight and it includes food, toiletries, supplies, and everything we need for the first month. Don’t ignore what she’s saying, or you’re going to have to get shit yourselves. I want to streamline that process this year so we’re not getting boxes every fucking day that someone has to clear to ensure nothing is poisoned, an explosive, or some other goddamn dangerous thing made to look innocuous.”

I didn’t know that, but it’s brilliant, actually. “Thanks for thinking of that, baby. It’s really smart.”

“It will also free up the crew, as they were most often the ones getting the deliveries tested before they came to our doorstep,” Rennie adds. “The hospital ladies check for poisons, while Percy and Holliday were looking for explosives. They have other things to check, like laundry, linens, and the perimeter, rather than that. Plus, with the Postmen in Paris, they’ll be helping escort our petite.”

I hate being such a burden, but I’m also the luckiest bunny on the planet because so many people care about my safety—I can’t disappoint them.

“Girl, you look fabulous. Did you exercise every day or some shit? Outside of needing your roots and color done, you are fine.” Rufus struts into the living room with a broad grin, and I immediately do a running jump over the couch to hug him tightly.

“You charmer,” I say as I look him over. “Summer in Paris has you dressed to the nines and sharp as hell looking yourself.”

The badger is still punked out, but he’s got a polish that screams my bestie and his indulgent trio of boyfriends. He has a snowy white streak in his hair still, but the black is like raven wings and the accent color is blue now. I’m fairly certain all his jewelry has been replaced with fancy metals rather than punk ones because it all glistens differently than before. Turning to the polar bear in question, I grin even wider.

“Coco, you look amazing, too! Maybe I need these goobers to take me to Paris for the weekend or something. I can’t even with that dress… and your hair… holy fuck, girl.”

Blushing prettily, Cori ducks her chin as the praise makes her shy. “I worked on my portfolio and as many pieces as I could to get ahead for the year. Wait until you see what I did for Halloween; it’s already completely ready and hanging in plastic as a surprise when the time comes.”

Hot damn, she’s good.

“Where’s everyone else?” Rennie asks as he fusses with all the plates of food, making certain all the vegetarian options are separated from anything with meat in it for Coco and the prey animals. “I’m surprised you could peel away to come here.”

“That is a good question, Monsieur Laveaux, but do not worry!” Rufus walks over to examine the food with a sniff, smiling as he finds the tartare options he adores among the different platters. “The triplets and Coach Z are coming along from their quarters, which for my darlings takes a bit longer.”

“And we are here,” the small feminine voice comes from the door and I rush down the hall to scoop Raina up in a big hug. She makes a sound of protest and then laughs as her whiskers tickle my face. “Oh, Miss Dolly, put me down before I get dizzy. You know how tall you are in comparison!”

Chuckling, I set the raccoon down on the ground and look at her crew of men watching me. “Don’t worry, guys. I will not make her vomit. I just missed her so much—and all of you.”