Page 66 of Baby Duke

"What are you talking about?" Brett smirks. "Atticus has fur.”

"Nope! Just no," East says, raising her palms before throwing herself onto the spare couch.

"What is he?" I ask, curious but also in dire need to know what other animals I could be getting cuddly with.

Brett just grins, his white teeth a stark contrast to his rich skin tone.

"You can't keep him from me, Duke!" I holler.

Law stands, "It’s ok, baby girl, I got you." He struts to the balcony and slides the door open. "Cooo-eee!" he hollers to the empty air.

Intrigued, I quickly follow him. He turns and leans his back against the railing, grinning like a child on Christmas morning.

I fold my arms, not impressed. "You're having me on right now, aren't you?" He shrugs. "Well, I don't see no dog climbing the poles to get to you. I mean, maybe a cat, but you don't scream crazy cat lady to me. You asshole! Don't trick me when it comes to ani- HOLY SHIT, WATCH OUT!"

The crow dives from the sky, folding its wings at the last possible second before landing on Law's shoulder with pinpoint accuracy. I gape at the bird as it twists its head and eyes me like I’m a wriggly worm.

"Roe, meet Zilla," Law says, dipping his head to the side to press against the bird's glistening, black feathers.

"No freaking way!" I whisper yell. "You have a pet crow! How? Is that even legal?"

"Technically, she is an Australian raven, commonly falsely identified as a crow,” he sputters off as if quoting Wikipedia or some shit. “I found her as a chick, all pink, prickly, and blind. Ugly little thing. But I was a kid, and I wanted to save it. We hired a licensed bird carer to stay with us for a few months, amazing what a few tears and tantrums can do when you are a Duke and your parents just want you to be quiet." My heart sinks at his words, but I let him tell the story as he absentmindedly pets Zillas' preening feathers.

"I had hoped she was an eagle and was sorely disappointed when the carer explained it was a raven. I was also disgusted when I found out she was a girl," Law laughs softly at himself, eyes glazed as he disappears into his memories. "Godzilla was her original name, but I decided no female should have such a monstrous name.”

"Ahh," I say, nodding. "So, you shortened it to Zilla. I like it."

"Anyway, as she grew, I started to realize how smart she was. She can sort colours, solve puzzles, and responds when I call. Pretty neat, huh?"

I nod and reach a tentative hand forward. "May I?"

Law hesitates. "I mean, you can try. Zilla is particular about who she lets pet her, though."

Willing to risk my fingers, I continue to reach for the bird. She eyes me, unblinking, as my fingers get closer. Before I can touch her beautiful plumage, she spreads her wings and caws angrily. I jump back before letting out a resigned sigh.

"We will be besties one day, Zilla, just you see," I say.

Law laughs. He gives the bird a peck on the beak before uttering a quiet, "Be free, Zilla."

With another astonishingly loud caw, the bird takes off into the sky, riding the waves of the wind.

"What if she doesn't come back?" I ask Law.

"I have been asking myself that for thirteen years. She always comes home. Though, I did set a tracker around her leg when she was younger, just in case. She never seems to wander far."

I stare in awe at the shrinking streak of black and jump when West calls us back in.

"As fascinating as this has been, we have more important things to discuss."

"Please don't be about the orgy I know ya'll just had by the pool," East cringes. I can't help but laugh at her discomfort. "You weren't exactly quiet about it, you know."

"It's about The Den," West says. I freeze, staring at him with wide eyes.

"The Den? What did you find out?"

West looks to Law and Brett before gesturing for me to have a seat. West explains the argument with his father, the revelation that his father paid people to do his dirty work, and, finally, the upcoming event this Saturday.

"All right, so we go to the hotel on Saturday and attend this so-called event, then what?"

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