Page 57 of Pigeon

“Finish your meal, then go home and sleep. I’m going to be here all evening, so if any alerts come up, I’ll call,” I order, even though Rex is technically my boss and not the other way around.

“I can’t find a fucking thing that tells us shit,” Rex says in a tired rasp.

“Tracks were covered well by someone, but you still have to sleep. We can’t afford to lose you too.”

“I’ll go home for a few hours.”

“While you’re there, test out your shower. A change of clothes would be nice too,” I say while shooting him a grin.

“Fuck you,” he answers with no heat in his voice.

When his meal is finished, Rex leaves, and that in itself shows how deep his exhaustion runs.

Hitting up my office, I sit at the computer, turn on the monitors for the rescue, and get to work. Looking over the installs Reeves and I have scheduled for the week, I keep one eye on Ivy while she goes about her shift. Turning up the sound to the rescue cameras, I listen to Ivy and the animal conversations while I work.

When I hear a familiar voice chatting with Ivy, I look to see Axel at the rescue. Turning up the volume, I grin at what I’m hearing.

“I turned in the application a few days ago, and Margie called today. Bailey and I are set up and ready to adopt Priscilla. Can I go see my girl now?” Axel asks with the biggest smile I’ve seen on his face for a while now.

“Let’s go see what Prissy thinks about that. If she’s resistant to the idea, we may have to re-think this, though,” Ivy answers in a serious voice, but I know she’s just torturing Axel a little.

“Priscilla Taylor will love this idea! Don’t try to fuck with the master of fuckery, Ivy,” Axel retorts before striding away.

Moving my eyes to the aviary, I watch as Axel walks in, and Prissy immediately notices him. She lifts off her perch and lands on Axel’s raised arm before leaning close and rubbing the side of their faces together. Axel’s smile has got to be hurting by now, but when Prissy purrs like a cat, it grows wider.

“Hey, Miss P., Axel wants to know if you’d like to live with him?” Ivy asks.

Prissy’s screech is painful, even to my ears, and I laugh as Ivy flinches before covering hers with her hands.

“Yes, please!” Prissy coos.

“I stocked up on pecans today. Anything else you like because I plan on spoiling you, you beautiful thing?” Axel asks his new best friend.

“Goldfish,” Prissy answers immediately.

“She means the cracker-type ones, not the ones that swim,” Ivy explains at Axel’s surprised look.

“Good to know,” Axel mutters before turning back to Prissy. “Bailey wants to know what chingalinga means.”

“Hottie. Hot man alert,” Prissy announces in her southern accent.

“I knew it! Please use that word all you want, beautiful lady,” Axel encourages. “Especially in front of Mac, but not about Mac.”

I roll my eyes, knowing Axel’s going to be using that term constantly now.

“Have you ever rode a bike, Prissy?” Axel questions.

“Nope.”

“Want to learn?” he continues.

“Of course.”

“We were made for each other.”

“Are you taking her home tonight, or do you want to come back tomorrow?” Ivy asks.

“I’m not leaving my girl here another night. No offense meant, Ivy, but she’s got a home now, and we all want her there. Alex is so excited about this, and so is Bailey. I come home without Prissy, I could be kicked out.”

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