Page 33 of Stray Cat

She managed to shrug. “It was late. We were horny.”

Emma burst out laughing. Even that sound was lovely.

“No judgement from me, honey. Xav is awesome, and he needs someone.” She seemed to sense Lindsay’s uneasiness, because she held up both hands. “Oh, notme. Unh-uh. I really like Xav, but we’d clash and crash. It would be a train wreck, without any fun to make it worthwhile.”

The coffee maker beeped, signaling it was done. Lindsay distracted herself by pouring two cups and handing one to Emma.

“Why do you say that?” Lindsay asked, her curiosity pushing through her rancor. “About clashing and crashing? Xav and I clash too, but I don’t mind.”

“In a different way.” Emma leaned comfortably against the counter and sipped her coffee. “You two were made to clash.”

Lindsay didn’t know what to make of that, so she took a gulp of coffee and didn’t answer. Too confusing.

“I’m going to make an observation,” Emma said, her gaze shrewd. “I’ve known Xav a while. Worked with him and Diego on a number of jobs. Xav is sharp, can think on his feet. Never screws up a mission. But I only see him truly relax when he’s with you, or when he’s talking about you. Whatever magic you’re working on him, it’s a good thing.”

Lindsay would love to think so. She wasn’t relaxed at all when Xav’s name came up. She either wanted to race around and yowl or be teasing and sarcastic.

“He also tries to tell me what to do,” Lindsay couldn’t stop herself saying. “I’m a cat, and cats don’t like that. We love our independence.”

Emma beamed her another big smile. “Well, you don’t have to listen. Guys always think they have to shelter women, because back in caveman days, they kind of did. There must be a node in their brains that keeps telling them that. I’ve learned to nod and smile, and then do whatever the hell I want.”

Lindsay found herself grinning in return. Maybe this woman she’d been so jealous of was more a kindred spirit.

“Shifter malestrulyhave that node in their brains,” Lindsay said. “They all believe I should mate with them, for my own protection, of course. They think it’s weird that I like a human.”

“They’re feeling their biological clock ticking,” Emma said. “They want cubs before they’re old and decrepit. Don’t look so surprised—I know a lot about Shifters. I once worked for Shifter Bureau.”

The glimmer of camaraderie instantly died. Growls filled Lindsay’s throat, and she felt her claws come. “Shifter Bureau?”

“Don’t look at me like that. Back before I joined DX, I needed to do community service, and I got assigned to them. They’re horrible. I always thought they wanted to do good—help Shifters integrate into society and make sure they get access to food and housing, and all that. But it’s just another organization wanting to keep people who are different under their collective thumb. They offered me a permanent position when I was done, but I bailed. I learned a lot about Shifters in their databases, though, and later when I met people from your Shiftertown. Like Brody.” She relaxed. “He’s pretty cool.”

At any other time, this interest in Brody might have piqued Lindsay’s curiosity, but her suspicions were ramped high. “Xav and Diego must know you were with Shifter Bureau. And never bothered to tell me.”

Emma’s brows rose. “I’m surprised they mention me at all. I’m just another asset gathering data or helping on an extraction.”

“No, they sing your praises. They say you’re crazy smart and capable of handling very dangerous people.”

“Really?” Emma continued to sound perplexed. “Hey, if I’m that amazing, I want a raise. Wait, is that why you looked at me like you wanted to scratch my eyes out when you opened the door?”

“Yes.” Lindsay never saw any benefit in lying.

“Hm, well, I’m glad to hear Xav and Diego like me, but not that they’re setting me up for grudges from people I have to work with. Or want to be friends with.” She saluted Lindsay with her cup.

Lindsay started to soften again, though she’d told herself she’d remain cautious about a person who’d been trusted enough by Shifter Bureau to be offered a job. She lifted her cup in return. “Screw ’em. We’ll be friends anyway.”

Emma laughed. “I’ll drink to that.”

In this auspicious moment, Xav wandered into the kitchen. He was fully dressed—he must have heard that he had company—and was rubbing a towel over his very wet hair as he entered.

“Emma.” He gave her a nod, went straight to Lindsay, cupped her hip, and kissed her on the mouth.

Lindsay gaped at him when he turned away, her lips tingling. Xav dumped the towel on a chair and headed for the coffee pot. Emma winked at Lindsay as he took up the remaining mug and filled it.

“I did some research on the names you and Diego gave me,” Emma said as Xav turned, cup in hand. “I didn’t want to talk about it over the phone, and I figured you’d be up by now for your run. I didn’t realize you were busy.” She smiled into her mug.

“No problem,” Xav said. “What did you find out? You can talk in front of Lindsay. She’s part of the team.”

Lindsay warmed to his words, thoughshe’dchosen this mission, so technically Xav was part ofherteam. But she wasn’t going to fuss.

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