Shiloh jerked forward, grabbing Asa by the hand. “Where did you say that meat grinder was? I volunteer as tribute. I’ll even sign a waiver.”
The twins were delighted by this.
Avi patted Shiloh’s curls like he was a puppy. “I like this one. He’s adorable. Like Ever, but a different flavor. I hear he’s a little freak in bed, too.”
Levi dragged Shiloh back against him, giving Avi a dirty look. “If Arsen heard you say that about his precious angel baby, you’d be getting up close and personal with that meat grinder.” To Shiloh, he said, “Don’t be embarrassed. I’ve had to listen to Nico have sex so often I could probably pick his moans out of a line-up.”
“Ah, that’s sweet, man,” Nico said. “I’d like to say the same, but it was hard to hear you over Dimples over there.”
“One more word and I will rip out your tongue and feed it to you,” Levi said, narrowing his eyes and pointing at him.
Nico’s smile was downright diabolical as he leaned into Mal’s space, lips by his ear. “Did you hear that, Mal? He’s threatening me.”
Mal’s brain came online at lightning speed, and he shot a bone-chilling look at Levi. “What?”
“Yeah, he threatened to rip out my tongue.”
When Mal took a menacing step towards Levi, Nico pulled him back. “I think I’ll forgive him…this time.”
“You’re both lunatics,” Levi muttered.
Before Nico could retort, Mal casually said, “There’s a psychological condition called ‘Perpetration-Induced Traumatic Stress’ seen in slaughterhouse workers.” He glanced around the room, tilting his head to stare directly at the sallow lighting overhead. “It’s akin to PTSD, stemming from causing trauma rather than experiencing it.”
Nico grinned like an idiot.
Adam looked dumbfounded. “What?”
Mal nodded. “It’s funny how humans who kill other humans don’t suffer from the same disorder.”
“Perhaps it’s because humans are far less innocent than animals,” August said. “Most people who commit murder—as opposed to, say, manslaughter—feel justified in their actions, no?”
“Mm,” Mal said, honing in on a wicked-looking blade covered in rust. “The tools used in these plants were often the cause of severe injuries among workers. You think the animals felt some small sense of justice anytime one of their murderers lost a limb?”
August nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Pigs are among the smartest domesticated animals. Did you know they’re capable of solving complex problems? I imagine they gleaned some satisfaction from seeing their captors get some form of payback.”
“For the love of God, someone stop them beforeIstart killing people?” Adam muttered.
“No, don’t,” Avi said. “I like it. It’s like watching two robots try to have a human conversation.”
Thomas cleared his throat. “If we’re done with the slaughterhouse trivia for the night, perhaps we can get to the task at hand? I’m sure everyone is eager to go home and get some sleep.”
“Why are there so many of you?” Levi asked.
“I’m coordinating, obviously, which means Adam just had to tag along,” Noah said. “Felix and Zane had theater tickets and basically left the twins for me to babysit. August is here—” He broke off abruptly. “Wait, why are you here?”
“I have no idea,” August said, looking at Noah in confusion. “Youtextedme.”
Noah pulled his phone out, shaking his head. “No, I didn—” He cut himself off once more, wincing. “Oh, oops. I may have accidentally added you to the group text by accident.”
August rolled his eyes. “Are you kidding me? I left Lucas home alone with all three kids…on a school night. During finals week. After he made my favorite dinner.”
Noah floundered, his hands flailing. “Don’t blame me. Blame your dad and his stupid obsession with giving you all A names. What did he think would happen?”
Thomas cleared his throat, giving Noah a look that would have stopped Levi’s heart in his chest. “My stupid what?”
Noah blushed, then dropped his head, mumbling, “I’m just saying…”
There was the distant sound of a door opening and closing and then footsteps. They all stood, tense, like they were uncertain who would come through the plastic even though there were only two guests missing. Jericho and Atticus pushed through the plastic, then stopped short, looking around at the large group of people.
