“In the flesh.”
“Where are you?”
“With me in Wimberley,” Anders says glumly.
“How the fuck—never mind.” I gesture for Ant to continue.
“Why aren’t y’all on your way down here to rescue me?”
“Because we have satellites and could see that you already killed everyone,” Anders grouses. His disappointment is both ridiculous and hilarious.
“I’m sorry, bud,” Ant says sincerely. “You know I would’ve left you some people to kill if they hadn’t been trying to kill me so bad.”
“I’m not disappointed inyou. I just…” Anders lets the sentence drift off with a deep and terrible sigh before mumbling, “Bat Phone missions used to be fun.”
Hop fills in the rest. “Anders doesn’t like drones. Says they’re going to put him out of a job.”
I roll my eyes. “Whatever. Cousin, you’re also a surgeon. You’ve got plenty of work to do.”
“Yeah, but that’s the boring part. We all know I’m way better at killing.”
Hopper is the voice of reason. “Now, Anders. You know damn well they can only use drones in places that can be cleanly hit. There are plenty of people in apartments who need to be killed and plenty of places where it doesn’t make sense to go in with drones. You’re not losing your job anytime soon.”
“If you say so. Meanwhile, our buddy Ant is in Mexico getting shot at from every angle, and we can’t be there to help him?”
“Anders, we’ve already had this discussion,” says Edison, Anders’ commanding officer.
“Hey, Edison,” Ant says. “Thanks for the assist with the drone.”
Anders grumbles.
Edison ignores him. “You’re quite welcome. The information you shared on these ops has given us a far clearer view of this syndicate’s business model. We’ve already started putting together logistics, and we’ll be using drones for most of the takedowns. After that, we’ll send Anders and Hopper along with the team to take care of the rest. You are, of course, more than welcome to join us.”
Ant looks up at me, tilting his head, and I place a small kiss on his lips.
“That’s really sweet of you, but I think I need a break from all the murdering.”
“I don’t understand,” Hopper says. “Who needs a break from murdering? Murderingisthe break.”
Ant snorts. “I hear you, buddy, but I’m learning I’m built a little different.”
Edison comes back on the line. “Sounds completely reasonable. I want you to know, Ant, that you are the reason we’re going to burn this entire organization to the ground. You should be proud of yourself.”
“Thanks, Edison. I kind of am.” Turning to me, Ant stretches up for a kiss. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get the fuck out of here.”
“Gross, I can hear you kissing on the line,” Anders mumbles.
“Don’t listen to him,” Hop says. “He’s just mad he didn’t get to kill anyone today.”
25
ANT
In a fun bit of torture, I have to endure a nearly three-hour flight with a raging hard-on. Can’t exactly relieve myself with my abuela sitting just behind me. Worse, the hot pilot keeps accidentally-on-purpose drifting his fingers across my thighs, always stopping just short of the goods.
“I am so going to make you pay for this,” I whisper furiously.
“Whatever. You like it.”
