Page 10 of Pretty Little Kitty

Jared was reversing before Suero moved out of the way.

“Hey! Are you trying to run him over?”

“I’m trying to save both of us from being skinned.” Jared turned a few corners too quickly, nearly causing the bowl to slip to the floor. Crap. He’d forgotten to give it back.

“I hope your little tryst was worth it,” Jared grumbled. “If Xavier ever finds out where you were, we’re both in deep shit.”

Kia ate his mac and cheese, refusing to let anything spoil the good mood he was in.

But as they drove, hopelessness once again crept in. Regardless of Suero’s confidence, there wasn’t a chance in hell this would work. Neither Xavier nor Matias would allow them to be together.

Kia set his bowl aside, no longer hungry.

* * * *

Instead of heading to the tavern, Suero drove to Macey’s. She was the only person he could talk to who could understand his confusion and frustrations, and he also wanted to check on her.

Ever since Percy’s mom was discharged from the hospital two weeks ago, Suero visited almost daily, spending more time at her place than his own.

He parked in Santiago’s driveway, knowing the brother was at Sin’s with his mate, Percy.

Despite Jacob being dead—Macey’s ex-husband who’d put her in the hospital—Suero still glanced around, making sure the neighborhood was peaceful.

Climbing the steps, he opened the creaky screen door and knocked. “It’s Suero,” he called out.

The front door used to remain open during the day, but after the attack, Macey kept it securely locked.

As soon as she opened it, Suero was greeted by the delicious aroma of warm chocolate chip cookies. He took a deep breath, his mouth watering at the scent. “You must’ve known I was stopping by,” he teased as she stepped aside to let him in.

Macey closed and locked the door, brushing her hair away from her face. Since the attack, she no longer held the same vibrant glow. She appeared fragile, a stark contrast to the quiet strength she used to radiate.

“I just felt like doing some baking,” she replied, heading toward the kitchen with Suero following close behind. “I was planning to give them to Santiago and Percy, but now that you’re here, there might not be any left to send.”

Suero glanced into the plastic cookie container on the counters. “How many batches did you make?” he asked, snagging a few for himself.

Macey tapped her chin with a pearl-pink, manicured fingernail. “Three, I think. I lost track while cooking dinner.”

Now that she mentioned it, Suero could smell the aroma of tomato sauce and spices. “You made yellow rice?”

“With green olives and ground pork sausage,” she replied casually, as if she didn’t know it was Suero’s favorite. “I also made short ribs.”

If Suero were into females and just a bit older, she’d totally be his. But she was like the mom he never had, and she treated him like her own kid. It was a bond he really cherished and wouldn’t mess up for anything.

“You’re fully aware you made my favorite meal and cookies.” He watched her closely as she lifted the lid from the simmering pot on the stove. “Is there a special reason for all this?”

Had Suero forgotten his own birthday? Was it Macey’s birthday? Please don’t let it be hers since I don’t have a gift to give her.

“No reason.” Macey stirred the rice with her lips pressed tightly together. As Suero continued to watch her, he noticed she still hadn’t looked up to meet his gaze.

Gently plucking the wooden spoon from Macey, he set it aside then took her hands in his. “You’re not allowed to hide your bad days, remember?”

This was something they agreed on while he was there for her in the hospital.

She might have fooled everyone else, even her son, with her fake smiles and forced laughs, but Suero saw right through it.

Santiago saw it too. Brother had a natural talent for reading microexpressions, almost like a walking lie detector.

Which was why Suero wanted to steer clear of him right now. If Santiago asked about Kia, he would know right away if Suero lied to him.

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