Page 14 of Stray Cat

Lindsay was fast. By the time Xav caught up to her, she’d unlocked the door and let herself into the roomful of humans and Shifters.

“I’ll do it,” Lindsay announced and beamed a smile on AC. “For pay, of course. I’m not risking my life for nothing.” She wrinkled her nose and fanned her face with her hand. “And, please, keep the door open, Diego. It truly stinks in here.”

CHAPTERFIVE

Lindsay knew Xav wanted to yell at her. She pretended to be interested in the dark streets rolling by outside the window while she braced herself for his anger.

Diegohad relented to her acceptance of AC’s task, saying Lindsay was her own person, and if she wanted a paying job from AC, that was her business. But—Diego insisted—she would use DX Security as her backup, essentially becoming an adjunct employee, or Diego would turn her over to Eric.

Diego played dirty. He knew Eric would lock Lindsay in her basement if she didn’t do what Diego asked, recruiting Lindsay’s parents to stand guard over her. Her mom and dad would agree with Eric and Diego and do it.

Lindsay had expected Xav to become all overbearing human male and suggest they lock her in her basement regardless, but he’d just stood there like a stone. Not a happy stone, but he hadn’t argued with Diego or overridden his decision.

When they’d departed, Xav had guided Lindsay out to the parking lot and the black SUV that he drove for work. Her protest that her own car was sittingright theredidn’t deter him. He was taking her home, promising Diego would have her car delivered later.

Lindsay decided not to fight him on that. She trusted DX’s guys with her car far more than Graham and his Lupines, and besides, she welcomed the chance to be alone with Xav, no matter how awkward the situation.

Now they were moving north through the city toward Shiftertown in absolute silence.

Even this far from the Strip and downtown, Las Vegas’s nightlife bustled. Clubs were open, and Lindsay wished Xav would pull into one so she could work off her excess energy.

Xav was clearly not in the mood for dancing. He was furious, but he kept it in, as only he could. Diego got very active when he was mad, but Xav could become a wall.

Lindsay waited for Xav to say something—anything—but he remained stubbornly quiet until they pulled into Shiftertown and stopped in front of the small house Lindsay shared with her folks.

Across the strip of yard behind it lay Eric’s house, home to Cassidy and Diego, Eric and Iona, and their collective brood of cubs. Lindsay loved visiting them, basking in the love and laughter that filled the rooms. Plus, Xav usually hung out there on his days off.

Her own house was quieter, though no less loving. Theirs was a small family but a close one.

“Why, Linds?” Xav finally spoke as Lindsay lingered, not wanting to open the door and leave him. “AC is bad news, and you can’t trust him. Why don’t you believe me?”

“I do believe you.” Lindsay turned in the seat to face him, happy they were finally talking. “Who says I’m going to trust him? But is AC being a baddie a reason to let his brother suffer? I wouldn’t if it wasmybrother. I don’t have a brother, but I can imagine what it must feel like.”

“So, compassion is driving you?” Xav’s gaze was merciless, piercing her bravado. “Or do you simply enjoy running headlong into danger?”

Lindsay shrugged. “Not much else to do around here, is there?”

Xav wasn’t wrong, and she hated that. Lindsay excused her restlessness as wanting her independence, but she knew what she truly longed for. But the mate bond took its time, and it might have someone else in store for her altogether.

The uncertainty of it all drove her wild. Xav glaring at her accusatorially didn’t help.

“This is between me and AC,” Lindsay declared. “DX Security will be my backup, like Diego said. It’s not really your decision, Xav. Good night.”

She made herself turn away and thrust open the door. She hopped out, remembering at the last second to grab her backpack. She thought about how nervously she’d packed it tonight, worried for Xav and his dangerous mission and planning to celebrate with him afterward.

Lindsay slammed the door and turned to find Xav standing almost against her. How he’d moved so quietly, she didn’t know. Her Shifter senses must have failed her in her agitation.

“Take this seriously, Linds,” he said.

Lindsay had trouble concentrating on anything but Xav. His eyes were midnight dark, moonlight glowing in his sable hair. She loved his face, square and hard, the kindness in him almost hidden behind his toughness.

Xav must have expected her to answer, because he frowned when she didn’t.

Lindsay tried to think of a lofty response, but before she could form words, Xav jerked her against him. She gaped up at him, startled by the fierce light in his eyes, the one that revealed the hard man beneath his lighthearted exterior.

Her heart hammered as he gazed down at her, unreadable as always. Lindsay, with her superior scent-sense usually knew what others were thinking, but never Xav.

Just when she thought he’d release her and turn away, Xav swiftly leaned to her and took her parted lips in a hard kiss.

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