“Hey buddy,” Ottis said tiredly. He draped himself over the cart’s handle so he could shuffle along the hallway with some support. The cart flipped a wheel in question. “I’m so tired,” Ottis explained. “Pretty sure this wasn’t what you signed up for when you came to live here.”
Instead of racing off, the cart wriggled beneath him, content to move at his pace. Marcie was in the cart’s cargo basket, shaking a rattle. When Ottis reached for it, Marcie gave the rattle to him excitedly. Then she picked up more toys, and began handing them to him.
“Thanks, hon,” Ottis said, his heart full.
He slowed down when they reached the only doors on that side of the mansion. It was a set of steel doors, with a black sensor pad next to it.
Ottis had a sneaking suspicion that this room was secretly built like a fortress.
“I don’t suppose it’ll let me in?” he mumbled, pressing his hand against the sensor.
Nothing happened.
“Psst,” said someone from around the corner. “Want to know the secret password?”
Ottis did not trust that voice. But it made him curious, and he couldn’t help himself. “What’s the password?”
“‘Butt-Cart Probe Master is a squishy marshmallow shaped like an eggplant,’” Hijinks whispered.
Ottis turned, squinting at the butler. “That’s totally not the password.”
Hijinks waggled his eyebrows. “But it could be. You won’t know until you try it.”
“The door didn’t open when you said it.”
The butler cackled. “It might be coded foryourvoice.”
“I remain suspicious.”
“Oh, oh! I know a better password.” Hijinks danced down the hallway, getting closer. “It’s ‘Probe Master has a hot butt. I would lick his butt.’”
Ottis buried his face in his hands. “I’m not saying it!”
“It would open the door,” Hijinks sang. “Don’t you want to see what’s inside?”
“Not without Doc’s permission!”
Hijinks shuffled closer, giving Ottis a significant look. “You know you want an excuse to say those ridiculous passwords.”
“I don’t,” Ottis grumbled. But he rocked back and forth on the shopping cart, curious now.
What if Dochadgiven him access to his hoard? The alpha wasn’t home yet, so he wouldn’t see Ottis embarrassing himself.
He bit his lip, his heart thumping. “Okay, which should I try?”
“Definitely the one about butt-licking.” Hijinks snickered.
Ottis buried his face in his hands. “What is my life coming to?” But he swiveled his head to face the sensor pad. “Probe Master has a hot butt. I would lick his butt.”
It sounded so terrible that Ottis cringed.
Except the steel doors opened with a hiss.
That made him shoot upright. “What the fuck?” he cried. “Thatwas the password?!”
“In your voice,” Hijinks said sagely.
“You would lick my butt?” came a voice thatshould not be there.
