Page 25 of Property of Zombie

I glance at Lucy and see her holding her robe closed as best she can. She looks from me to Whiz and back again before whirling around and rushing from the room.

“You’re a goddamn jackass,” I snap, letting him go.

“And you’re one lucky bastard.” Whiz whistles. “She got a sister?”

“I don’t know.”

“Can you find out?”

“Jesus, you’re infuriating.”

“That makes two of you.”

Both Whiz and I whip around at Lucy’s statement. I stifle a groan when I see the unmistakable outline of bra straps under her t-shirt and zero hint of leg because she’s now wearing sweatpants.

“Now, it’s late, and I’m tired. Not to mention I’ve gotta perform surgery on a penguin in the morning. So, one of you needs to get to the point of this visit. You’ve got two minutes, and then I’m kicking your asses out.”

Whiz smacks my arm. “I like her, Z. She’s a keeper.”

“Don’t I know it,” I agree.

Lucy throws her hands up in the air. “Infuriating doesn’t even beg⁠—”

“Medications,” I blurt, taking her two-minute deadline seriously. “Dr. Binks provided the club with medications when we needed them. Mostly tranquilizers, although there were times when we required something different.”

“Medication,” she says, seemingly dumbfounded.

“That’s what he said,” Whiz states unhelpfully. “Damn, brother, you hadn’t even got to that yet?” He shakes his head. “You’re losing your touch.”

Lucy snorts, and when I arch a brow, she clears her throat.

My brother chuckles. “Or maybe you haven’t.”

“I haven’t,” I assure him, never taking my eyes off Lucy. “Right, babydoll?”

Again, she clears her throat. “How many times did Dr. Binks do this for you?”

“I don’t have a specific number,” I say. “But whenever we asked, he complied.”

“Every time?”

“Every time.”

“And what did he get out of it?”

“I told you, the club makes very generous donations to the zoo,” I remind her.

“I’m not buying it. Dr. Binks wouldn’t risk his license for donations.” She shakes her head. “No. He would’ve insisted on something more.”

I can’t tell if she really believes that or not, but it doesn’t matter. If she insists on a more personal benefit in exchange for her cooperation, I’ll do it. Whatever the fuck it takes, I’ll make sure it happens.

“If you want that information, you’ll have to ask him,” I tell her. “You and I can work something out that’s mutually beneficial for us both.”

“You mean that’s mutually beneficial for your club and me,” she retorts.

Whiz laughs outright. “She’s got ya there, man.”

“We’ll work something out,” I insist.

“Fine, whatever,” she says after a few moments, and I hate that she’s likely only agreeing because she wants us out of her condo. Her next words only confirm it. “Two minutes are up. Please leave.”

“Oh, she’s really gonna hate you now,” Whiz mutters.

“What?” Lucy asks.

“I need some tranquilizers tonight,” I advise her. “As soon as I have those, I’ll get out of your hair.”

“You can’t be serious,” she bites out. “If I show up at the zoo now, people will be suspicious.”

“Not our problem,” Whiz says, and I elbow him in the gut.

“Dr. Binks figured it out, and so will you,” I say, confident that she’ll come up with an explanation for her co-workers that will make sense.

“And if I refuse?”

My heart dies a little with my response.

“Don’t make me show you.”