Page 17 of Pretty Little Kitty

The human sized him up, as if questioning Miguel’s seriousness, before his eyes narrowed into razor-thin slits. “Did you just threaten me?” he sneered. “I demand to speak to the owner.”

Miguel chuckled darkly as he pulled out his phone. “Watch how fast my service is now, you little bitch.” He jerked his chin toward Matias, who looked like he wanted to rip the guy’s throat out. “You wanted the owner, now you’ve got him. Though I doubt you want his attention.” With a smirk, Miguel pressed the phone to his ear. “Salvador’s Madhouse.”

“Got baby sheep on my six and hungry eyes on my nine. Could really use a half dozen or more shepherd’s hooks right now.”

“Tell me where your pasture is located and I’ll see what’s in the shed.” Seconds later, Miguel’s phone buzzed with Suero’s coordinates. He killed the music and whistled sharply, the room falling into a hush. Matias strolled back in after “escorting” the blond punk out of the tavern. Miguel pocketed the twenty still lying on the counter. It was his fee for dealing with the asshat. “Suero’s in deep. He’s got two little sheep with him, whoever they are.”

“We ride,” Matias declared. “Diablo and Santiago, hold it down until we return. Don’t let the mates out of your sight.”

* * * *

Suero had never seen a car held together with duct tape and metal hangers. Jared was driving a straight-up death trap. It was a miracle the thing even worked.

If he’d known just how dangerous this vehicle was when Kia drove it, Suero would’ve taken away the keys.

He didn’t even know where to begin troubleshooting. Neon pink electrical tape wound around two hoses, and a wire coat hanger was securing the radiator on one side.

It was a safe bet that if Suero looked under the car, he’d find more of the same chaos.

“Still with me?” Miguel asked through Suero’s Bluetooth.

“Yes, but unfortunately, I’ve got two balls of yawn resting in my saddlebag,” Suero replied.

Miguel cursed. “I thought you tossed them down the road?”

Suero seriously hated using code at times, but with hyenas nearby, it was necessary. They probably already knew Kia and Jared were in the car, but Suero was in protective mode, and code was his go-to in tight situations.

“Pitching arm gave out.” It was the only thing he could think of to describe Jared’s car. He couldn’t tell Miguel that his pitching arm was a death trap waiting to claim victims.

Who cobbled this thing together? Suero couldn’t imagine Jared under the hood. The cheetah seemed more like someone who showered in a rainbow and spritzed his way through life.

“I’ve been around Percy too long. I’m starting to think like him.”

Miguel chuckled in his ear. “Rainbow analogies?”

“I think this engine is giving off fumes.” Suero noticed movement just inside the tree line. Either the hyenas were waiting for everyone to leave so they could get back to their shady activities, or they were about to make their move.

“How deep are you?” He moved to the driver’s side for a clearer view while pretending to focus on the jumbled mess of the engine.

“A dozen,” Miguel replied. “ETA in roughly five minutes.”

Suero cursed when his phone slid off the frame and hit the ground. Despite having a cover and screen protector, the phone was too pricey to be dropped on asphalt.

Bending to retrieve it, he heard a sharp ping sound. He looked up to see a cylindrical dart embedded in the hood, right where his head had been moments before.

A chill ran through him. “Get down!” he shouted to Kia and Jared as he dropped to the ground.

“Suero, what’s going on?” Miguel demanded.

Instead of answering, Suero flattened himself and peered under the car, ignoring the dangling wires. Three men were moving strategically through the woods, one carrying something that briefly glinted in the sunlight.

A gun.

Reaching up, Suero tried to open the door, but the handle was missing. Jesus fucking Christ. “Open the door and crawl out. Stay low,” he instructed. “They’re shooting tranquilizers at us.”

“We ride in there, we’ll make easy targets,” Miguel said. “We’re pulling over to devise a plan. How many can you see?”

“Three,” Suero replied. He helped Jared and Kia crawl out, guiding them to the ground and toward the rear tire for better cover. “Stay low,” he whispered. They nodded quickly, fear visible in their eyes and in their tense movements.

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