Page 77 of Stray Cat

She busied herself helping Cassidy prepare for the huge celebration that would follow the Moon ceremony, keeping her crown of flowers fresh in Cassidy’s refrigerator.

Lindsay and Cassidy had taken Jinx’s cubs the sneakers they’d liberated from the warehouse a few days ago, and now the little ones sprinted around in them, showing them off to anyone who would look.

While they worked in Cassidy’s kitchen, Lindsay again scolded her friend for risking herself coming to the rescue, but Cassidy only regarded her stubbornly.

“Me staying behind wasn’t going to happen,” Cassidy said as she chopped cold potatoes for the salad she was putting together. “I knew you’d need me, and your mom did too.” She drew a breath. “In case anything happened to Xav.”

Lindsay’s heart chilled, and she tore apart a batch of cilantro in her agitation, its fragrance filling the room.

Cassidy meant that if Lindsay had lost Xav that night, the mate bond would have been severed, and Lindsay’s grief would have known no end. A broken mate bond left the survivor devastated, which Cassidy well knew.

“This is why you’re my best friend,” Lindsay said, dropping the cilantro leaves to wrap an arm around Cassidy’s shoulder. Cassidy touched her golden head to Lindsay’s, neither of them needing to say more.

“How did you all track us, anyway?” Lindsay asked briskly as she tossed Cassidy’s chopped potatoes with oil and the now-shredded herb. “I never heard that part of the story. Been busy.” Her face heated, because Cassidy knew exactly what had absorbed her these past few days.

“Your mom showed us your text,” she said. “Neal traced the number via the Guardian Network to a guy who used to be in AC’s gang. Diego then talked to Jeff, who revealed that the man was now in Dean’s gang, and that Dean was its leader. Jeff knew just enough about where the new hideoutmightbe to point us in that direction, though he hadn’t been there yet. We followed his route to the far west side of town and drove around until Tiger picked up your scent and directed us to the abandoned warehouse. Simple.”

“Simple. Right.” Lindsay flashed Cassidy a skeptical look. “I can’t tell you how happy I was to see you all pull up. Though I had everything covered. I was going to finish taking out the guards and Dean and then grab Xav and run off. But I appreciate the effort.” She shrugged. “And the ride home.”

“You shit.” Cassidy came to Lindsay, returning her earlier hug. Lindsay laid down her spoon and enjoyed the close moment. “I’m so happy for you, Linds,” Cassidy whispered. “You deserve this.”

“I do, don’t I?” Lindsay blinked back tears as they parted. “And hey, we got some great new clothes out of it. Best kidnapping ever.”

Cassidy laughed and they both returned to the feast preparations, Lindsay basking in the knowledge of how lucky she was to have so many people who truly loved her.

* * *

“You ready for this?”Xav asked softly.

He stood beside Lindsay as the Shifters swayed into the circle dance—Shifters moving in concentric circles around Xav and Lindsay, family and close friends in the nearest one.

Lindsay was so happy, it almost frightened her. She gripped Xav’s hand. “I couldn’t run even if I wanted to. We’re surrounded.”

Xav smiled, the warmest and best sight in Lindsay’s life. “I like this custom.”

Petals from the floral crown tickled her cheek as she grinned in return. “So do I, actually. Hey, isn’t that Jeff?” She nodded at a man awkwardly standing with a set of crutches in the outer circle, watching the Shifters around him, including Graham, who kept a stern eye on him.

“Diego brought him. Jeff says he worked for Dean only because he desperately needed the money for his kids, and since he helped us and Diego didn’t actually witness him commit any crimes, we didn’t turn him over to the police with the rest of them. Maybe Jeff will learn his lesson and go straight, live a blameless life.”

“That would be nice,” Lindsay said. “Graham is busy intimidating him.”

“He wouldn’t be Graham if he didn’t. Diego’s going to find something for Jeff to do for us. Like he did with Emma.”

“Sounds great,” Lindsay said truthfully. She felt sorry for Jeff, who’d been hurt and left for dead by people he trusted. Plus, his intel had helped ensure that Xav returned home safely, for which Lindsay would be eternally grateful.

She was also pleased that no jealous dart laced her anymore at the mention of Emma’s name. Lindsay had the feeling she and Emma were going to be great friends.

Emma was there today, her sunny nature letting her banter with the Shifters without worry. Even Graham’s Lupines gave her grudging respect. Only Brody was prickly with her, and she with him. Lindsay smiled to herself. Something going on there, definitely.

“By the way,” Xav said. “Did you rub it in Graham’s face that you chose a mate? I did.”

Lindsay nodded. “I did mention it several dozen times, but Graham truly is happy for us. As well as relieved he doesn’t have to deal with his Lupines about me anymore.”

“He can move on to everything else on his plate,” Xav said with sympathy. “Uh oh.” He jerked his chin at Leah and Juanita, who were marginally following the dance steps in the inner circle, the taller Shifter woman bending down to say something to Xav’s minute mother. “My mom and yours are conspiring. That doesn’t bode well.”

Lindsay edged closer to him. “Makes me glad you kept your house.”

“Which they both know how to get to,” Xav reminded her.

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