Page 65 of Stray Cat

“I don’t know what all the hell is out there,” Dean said to her. “Explore. Have fun. I need to talk Xav anyway.”

“She does like her shoes,” Xav said with a touch of amusement.

Dean gave a curt nod to the thug who’d escorted Lindsay to the bathroom. “Watch her. Keep in touch.”

The henchmen acknowledged this and gestured Lindsay to the door. Lindsay skirted Dean, taking her time, sending him a coy glance as she went around him. Then she did a finger wave at the three men as she scooted out with the guard.

“Wow, a whole warehouse,” Lindsay said loudly once they were clear of the office. “Free shopping.”

She sashayed toward an aisle lined with tall shelving, pretending to scan them. Now to put her plans into motion and hope that her message had been received.

* * *

Diego jerkedout of sleep next to Cassidy, who’d come awake and alert with Shifter speed. Someone was pounding on the back door of the house, beating on it without remorse.

Cassidy skimmed out of bed with the grace of her cat, heading down the hall while Diego was still untangling himself from covers. She didn’t bother with a robe, but ran in her thin sleep shirt, which she could easily throw off to shift if necessary.

Eric was already at the back door by the time Diego, weapon in hand, reached it a few steps behind Cassidy. Diego didn’t push in front of his mate, because he knew Cassidy wouldn’t let him, plus she could strike faster if he wasn’t in her way.

Both Eric and Cassidy relaxed at the same time, which told Diego that whoever was outside wasn’t dangerous. Eric opened the door.

Leah Cummings stood on the doorstep, a bleary-eyed Martin behind her.

“You have to help Lindsay,” Leah said in a rush, her voice holding near hysteria. “Round up Shiftertown. Let’s go.”

Diego came alert once more. “Where is she? Is she with Xav?”

“I don’t know,” Leah snapped in frustration. “Findher.”

“Stop.” Eric’s low but commanding tone made Leah draw a long, shaking breath. “Talk to me, Leah. How do you know she’s in trouble?”

“Because she sent methis.” Leah thrust a small, old-model cell phone into Eric’s face so he could see the message on it.

Diego peered over Eric’s shoulder, as did Cassidy, her fragrant hair touching Diego’s nose.

The text beneath a ten-digit number Diego didn’t recognize readXO.

When Diego had been a kid, Xs had meant kisses, Os hugs. Girls would write them on notes, and his mom had used them sometimes when she was feeling whimsical.

Diego wondered if the letters meant something different to Shifters, but Eric looked baffled. “I don’t understand.”

Leah jerked the cell phone back. “It’s Lindsay’s way of telling us she’s in trouble. We taught her that as a cub when we lived in the Yukon. She could sketch it on a tree in the woods or on a street in a town, and we’d know she needed help. We’ve kept it as our family SOS ever since.” Leah gazed at Eric pleadingly. “She wouldn’t send it if it wasn’t serious. You’re her leader.Lead.”

“Diego, where’s Xav?” Eric asked.

Diego had been texting Xav before Leah finished her explanation, but with no response. He put through a call to hear a few rings before it rolled to voicemail.

This is Xav. Leave a message.

Xav’s work-only cell phone did the same thing.

Lindsay was the most capable woman Diego had ever met, apart from Cassidy, and he knew she wouldn’t ask for help lightly. If Xav couldn’t assist her, that meant Xav was in trouble as well.

“Let me see the text again,” Diego asked Leah gently.

Leah willingly handed over the phone. “Can you trace her by the number she used?”

“Ican’t,” Diego said. “But I know someone who can.” He touched another contact on his own phone, this one for Neal, who answered with his wolf’s growl. Diego explained the situation, and Neal’s snarls increased.

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