Page 65 of Hell's Kitten

“Well,” Sheriff Chancey says. She’s opened her car door and is standing on the edge so she’s a little above the crowd as she addresses us. “I reckon I better head back into town and start working with those nice federal folks so we can close down these investigations and get you good folks back to work. Sound good?”

She’s met with a thundering cheer. People clap and bang drums and blow whistles. I turn around in time to see the Durhams scurrying back up their driveway to the safety of their house.

I can’t believe what’s just happened.

“Is it over?” I ask out loud, even though I’m not sure who I’m really addressing the question to. “Is that it?”

Jessie lifts my hand and kisses the backs of my fingers. “I think so,” he says incredulously.

I look down at him. “But what about you? The squad, the competition.”

He shrugs. “Honestly, it’s okay. I don’t know if there’s anything that can be done.”

“Oh, just you wait and see,” his captain says with a savage grin on her face. “If McKenna is trying to save face, he might be willing to make that complaint disappear unless he wants his son dragged into this scandal as well.”

“Damn, girl,” Alannah says. “Remind me never to piss you off.”

The captain winks, showing off her teal glitter. “You better believe it.”

“Thank you,” Jessie says, his eyes brimming with tears. “So much. You don’t know what this means to me.”

Lakelyn squeezes his arm. “Yes, I do, sugar.”

She lets him go, and she and the rest of the cheerleaders blend into the crowd as the mood has turned celebratory. I know we don’t have a permit, but I wonder if the Durhams are going to have the gall to shut down this street party. Someone starts blasting music and a bunch of the footballers offer to do a run to the liquor store.

But when Jessie turns in my arms, it’s as if the entire crowd just melts away. He’s all I can see.

My heart is overflowing. I regret the pain I caused him so much, but I’ll never regret trying to do what I thought was best for him. I’m just so eternally grateful that it’s all worked out okay and I have my kitten back in my arms.

“Please come home,” I beg. “Please. Come back and never leave, Jessie.”

His eyes fill with tears. “I thought maybe I’d lost you forever.”

I grunt and give him a little squeeze. “That’s because your Daddy is a stupid head. Sorry about that.”

He leans up and kisses me sweetly. “It’s okay. Do you want to make it up to me? Perhaps back in our bed?”

I grin at him. “Come to mention it, I haven’t changed the sheets indaysnow.”

He bites my bottom lip and drags it through his teeth. “Let’s go fix that, hmm? I’m already wearing my ears, after all.”

“Good kitty,” I mumble against his lips, kissing him deeply.

Against the odds, I think we’ve made it out the other side of all this drama, and he still wants me. He still loves me.

That feels like something to celebrate.

Preferably naked and as soon as fucking possible.

CHAPTER 24

Jessie

My thoughts are buzzingas we fumble our way back into the apartment. It’s crazy to think that someone has so much power that they can make all the problems that have been plaguing us go away with just a few sentences spoken. But it seems like that’s what’s happened. I don’t want to jinx anything, but there’s every hope that Toe Beans is going to be okay.

I might even be allowed back on the squad, but we’ll see. One thing at a time.

I know it’s only been a couple of days, but I’m so relieved to be home. That this stillismy home. Even though Nim and I are kissing like horny teenagers, we break apart, close the door, and lock the world outside. I’m delighted as several black streaks come rushing up to us, tails swishing with loud meows emanating from little bodies.

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