Page 41 of Stray Cat

“Good,” Brody rumbled. “Tracking, I can do. This computer stuff, not so much.”

“You’ll need Shifters,” Neal said as he licked chocolate icing from his fingers. “More than the two of us, I mean, and more than Lindsay with her super-scenting abilities.”

“Lindsay’s out of this.” Xav had decided that once Emma had given her report. “She’ll argue, but I’m hoping we can find the guy and be done before she works up a head of steam.”

Brody grinned. “I can think of ways you two can release some of that pressure.”

Xav tried to stop his blushing, but by Brody’s widening smile and Neal’s quiet amusement, he failed.

“Lindsay’s right,” Xav observed dryly. “Shifters can’t mind their own business.”

“Hey, a mating is a celebration for us all.” Brody sat his bulk on a chair that wasnotmade for grizzlies and grabbed—what else?—a bear claw. “Congratulations.”

“I don’t know if it’s heading anywhere beyond last night.” Xav wondered why he felt so hollow admitting this. “Lindsay and I aren’t exactly going steady.”

“Going steady.” Brody chuckled. “Do the kids still say that? I think she’s settled on you, my friend.”

Xav shook his head. “We’re on-again, off-again.Onnever lasts long.”

“Do you go out with other women when it’s off?” Neal asked in curiosity.

Xav shrugged. “Sometimes. Nothing serious.”

Neal spread his hands, one holding another donut, as if to say,There you go.

“I tried to break up with her the other day,” Xav said. “For her own good, I told myself. But I couldn’t stay away from her.” He sighed. “I’m not sure if that’s my fault or hers. Both, I guess.”

Brody rolled his eyes as he finished off the bear claw and wiped glaze from his lips. “Humans. So fucked up. Just grab her and mate-claim her. She’ll go from prickly to purring in no time.”

“Shifters,” Xav returned. “You think everything is so simple. What about Martin and Leah? Are they going to be thrilled if a human mate-claims their daughter? I get along fine with them, but that’s because I’m only a friend with benefits right now. Nothing too momentous.”

“What Eric will think is more important,” Neal pointed out. “As leader, he has to make sure nothing rocks the Shiftertown boat.”

“Even more complicated.” Xav made a noise of exasperation. “I disagree that Eric’s opinion is more important than Lindsay’s family’s, but as Brody has made clear, I’m not Shifter. All the Shifters respect Diego, but he’s always been a commander.I’mthe fun-loving little bro he has to keep out of trouble. I don’t want to be in a situation where Diego has to fight my battles for me. He’s saved my butt too many times in the past.”

If Lindsay had been a human woman, Xav would have long ago suggested she move in with him, or he with her, if she preferred.

But then, if Lindsay wasn’t exactly who she was, Xav might not have stuck around with her. He’d dated several women in the past who’d have been amenable to a long-term relationship, even marriage, and he hadn’t pursued it.

After he’d met Lindsay, that had been it.

Last night, with her warm and sexy on top of him, had clinched the matter. There was no other woman for him but her.

Xav’s cell phone pealed. When he saw the caller’s name, he immediately grabbed the phone and left the room. The two Shifters craned to watch him all the way.

“Hey, Lindsay,” Xav answered, unable to quench the delight in his voice. “What’s up?”

“Hey, Xav.” Lindsay’s tone held sadness, and Xav’s excitement diminished. “I’m going to say the four words you probably least want to hear.We need to talk.”

CHAPTERTWELVE

When Lindsay emerged from the basement, where she’d taken her mother’s suggestion and raced around the cage in lynx form awhile, her head was clearer, though her heart was heavy.

Xav hadn’t arrived yet, but had promised he was on his way. Lindsay knew he’d have to head to Eric’s to report on the helicopter’s landing point, and she was fine with postponing the talk until after that.

She used the waiting time to visit Jinx, a Lupine woman who was actually nice—but then, she wasn’t part of Graham’s bunch. She and her mate lived in one of the larger houses, because they’d been blessed with nine cubs.

Four of the cubs had been Jinx’s with a former mate, who’d been killed when Shifters had been rounded up. She’d met Joel, her current mate, in this Shiftertown, and they’d had five more.

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