Page 211 of Sinful Like Us
We have rules.
One being toalwaysleave the cars fueled up in case of an emergency.
Right now, I’m in a motherfucking dump truck level of a crisis. I’m about to show uplateto my first Wednesday Night Dinner, and there’s one thing I know about Connor Cobalt—he hates how I remind him of Ryke Meadows.
Who is perpetually fuckinglateto events. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve heard Ryke’s bodyguard on comms say something like,“We’re coming in an hour past.”
Being late might just obliterate the ground that I made with her parents.
I growl out my frustration and curse out loud for all three miles to the gas station. By the time I put the SUV in park, I’m barely accepting my fate.
Jane will vouch for me, and that’s the last thing I want. Defending me shouldn’t be what tonight is about. “I’m going to kill someone on Omega,” I mutter under my breath. “Except my brother. If this was on him, he’ll survive. Maybe.”
I’m talking to myself.
My jaw clenches, and I swear in my head.Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
I think I’m nervous.
Fuck.
I hop out of the car and slam the door closed with a loudthump.The noise stirs something in the space between the pump and the trashcan, the movement caught in my peripheral.
I don’t have time for this.
But out of instinct, I check the shifting shadow, wanting clearer visual. Squatting down, I expect to locate a rat.
I rest my forearms on my knees and tilt my head. All I see is brown fur, a little thing curled in a ball next to the trash.
And then its head pops up, and my whole stomach drops.
What…?
Breath cages my lungs.
I’m staring at round, blue orbs for eyes. A tiny brown nose. Two perked ears. Long whiskers and dark-striped fur. I’ve been to enough cat shelters to know what I’ve found.
I’m staring at a tabby kitten.How could this happen?Out of all times and all days and all gas stations…
I look up at the star-blanketed sky.
I’m not as religious as others in my family, but I have faith. And call me nuts, but I feel like this kittenisJane. Sent by someone who knew I’d need her. Come here to tell me that it’s going to be okay. Calm down. Breathe.
Maybe I’m just losing my fucking mind.
But I can’t walk away from this stray. She wouldn’t.
I hold out my palm, waiting for the kitten to approach me. “Hey, girl.”
She crouches on her tiny paws and tentatively creeps towards me. She barely hesitates before nudging her cheek into my knuckles. And I’m just gone. Right here. Right now. “Jane?” I ask like a fucking idiot.
Banks would be laughing his ass off if he saw me.
She keeps nuzzling my hand.
