Page 90 of Dead Heat

Gun flicked his nails in a dismissive fashion. “Pshaw. It was barely a squeeze.”

“It felt like I had a boa constrictor around my neck.”

He shrugged. “Some people pay for the privilege.”

Shaking his head, Tristan looked at me. “How did you ever become friends with this one?”

“She has great taste, obviously.”

“And how do I get out of Helheim when I’m ready to leave?”

“Bad news is the portal only works in one direction. If you want to leave, you’re gonna have to find your own escape route.”

“Why can’t Odin accept another offering to open an exit portal?” Gun asked.

“Because plausible deniability is much easier when somebody wanders in. Not so much when somebody hits an eject button. They might be at odds, but Odin doesn’t want to be at war.” Tristan aimed a finger gun at the mage. “See you at poker next week?”

“Of course. I have my eye on a new pair of Gucci loafers from the spring line. I’d love to spend your money on it.”

Tristan’s eyes narrowed. “You know what? I’m gonna donate my winnings to the Platypus Conservancy.”

Gun sucked in a breath. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Watch me.” Tristan slammed the door behind us.

I observed the look of abject horror on Gun’s face. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing.” Gun’s strides to the car seemed to be powered by silent fury.

“Seriously, what’s wrong with donating to a platypus nonprofit?” I asked, once we were back on the road.

His fingers gripped the steering wheel. “I have an aversion to them.”

Laughter spilled from my lips. “An aversion or an unholy terror?”

His lips puckered. “It leans toward unholy terror.”

“Like you’d wet your pants if one darted in front of the car right now?”

“I’d drive off a cliff to avoid it and kill us both in the process.” His expression remained deadly serious.

“How did Tristan find out? It isn’t like we have them in Pennsylvania.”

“He discovered it by accident after a night of drunken poker at One Oak. Now he holds it over my head as leverage. If word got out, it would destroy my reputation. My enemies would use it against me.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t lead with that when we asked for his help.”

“He’s saving it for a rainy day.”

“Why a platypus?”

He recoiled from me. “Isn’t it obvious?”

“Not to me.”

“They’re egg-laying mammals. They have fur, a beaver tail,anda duck bill.” He shuddered. “They’re the Frankenstein’s monster of the animal kingdom.”

I was silent for a moment. Finally, I asked, “Does Cam know?”

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