Page 13 of Pretty Little Kitty

“Talk to him. Tell Suero.” Jared glanced back at the car, as if thinking the same thing.

“I will.” Kia grabbed his phone as Jared handed it over, realizing his cousin had already dialed Suero and put it on speaker.

“Tell me what?” Suero’s rich, deep voice resonated through the phone. “What’s going on, Kia?”

Kia shot Jared a glare, silently mouthing, “I’m going to kill you.”

“His cheetah chose you, Suero!” Jared hauled ass toward the car as if the devil were hot on his heels.

Kia stood frozen, the phone feeling like a lead weight in his grip.

There was complete silence on the other end, making him wonder if Suero had hung up. Kia swallowed, throat dry as he considered smothering Jared in his sleep.

“Is that true?” Suero finally asked, voice laced with disbelief.

It was tempting to lie, maybe even joke that Jared had been dropped on his head as a kitten.

Instead, the truth forced its way out. “Yes.”

“Where are you?” Suero demanded, the sound of a door slamming shut in the background.

“You don’t—”

“Where. Are. You?” he growled, the thunderous roar of his motorcycle echoing through the phone.

Kia swallowed again, glancing at Jared, who was leaning against his car’s front passenger side. He was watching Kia but quickly averted his gaze, pretending the grass at his feet was suddenly of great interest.

“We’re on Bishop Road, about a mile from the border.”

“You’re still on wolf land?” Suero cursed. “If any wolves come near you, tell them you’re waiting on me. Make damn sure you’re clear about that, Kia.”

“Will that actually matter to them?” Kia glanced around, making sure he and Jared were alone.

“Yes.” Suero sounded closer, as if he’d switched to his Bluetooth. “They won’t touch you if they know you’re waiting on me.”

That was a load off his mind. Despite the risk he’d taken earlier, dying wasn’t on his agenda today.

“We’re parked on the shoulder.” Kia finally made it back to the car, giving his cousin the stink eye. Jared stared warily at him, his foot sliding away like he was ready to make a run for it if Kia made a sudden move.

“Stay on the line with me, gatito. I’ll be there soon.”

And if any wolf other than Suero showed up, Kia would simply hand over his phone to prove he was telling the truth. Wolves could be stubborn and mistrusting. But so could cheetahs.

Plus, Kia liked hearing Suero’s voice, even in silence. Quiet stretched between them, punctuated only by the powerful growl of Suero’s motorcycle and the rushing wind.

Jared edged closer and nudged Kia with his shoulder, giving him a pitiful look. He couldn’t stay mad at his cousin. Left up to Kia, he might not have made the call.

In truth, he wouldn’t have. He would’ve let his fears keep his secret hidden until either Suero’s wolf claimed him or the world came to a fiery end.

The distant roar of an approaching motorcycle made Kia’s heart race. Within moments, Suero thundered around the bend, like a battle-hardened warrior—muscular and fierce, commanding his metal beast with raw power.

“He looks like he could pop your head off like a champagne cork,” Jared said from beside him. “You just had to fall for the lethal type, didn’t you?”

Kia ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket. “Go find something to do.” He wanted privacy with Suero. They were definitely going to need it.

“Oh sure, because deserted back roads are just bursting with activities. What do you want me to do, start a flower collection or dive headfirst into a ditch?” Jared shot back, rolling his eyes.

“Sounds good.” Kia’s attention was on Suero, who’d just pulled up behind them, his gaze laser-focused. He killed the engine and swung his long leg over the bike with the kind of grace that made his heart do somersaults. Holy hell.

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