Page 25 of A Cougar's Kiss
“And that’s the moment when this can either go right or very wrong. But we’ll be prepared either way. Zion and Jordin left to meet you there yesterday morning and were stopping along the way to check some of those weak points within the Oasis entrances that Nisa found.”
“It won’t matter after tomorrow. The shifters that want to stay in Oasis can and the ones that want to return can do that as well,” Keller told him.
“But we don’t want humans infiltrating what should still be a safe place for us. It’s the same concept at the facility you’re planning to run. Your idea that we have shifter safe houses all over the world, mirrored after those former embassies that used to protect citizens and diplomats living in foreign countries, is a brilliant one, even if you are an egomaniac renegade cougar.” The last was said with a chuckle that had Keller’s lips lifting in a reluctant smile.
“I’m the best egomaniac renegade cougar around,” he replied making Decan chuckle louder.
“I knew you were gonna say that, you’re such a conceited jerk.”
Of the three of them, Decan had declared Keller the one ladies loved, but who only loved himself. It wasn’t totally true, but Keller had gone along with it because it was easier than explaining that giving any part of himself emotionally to a woman, or anybody else, was totally off limits. He’d loved his parents with every part of his soul and losing them had almost killed the man and the cat. Keller had no intention of risking that type of pain again, not for anybody.
“I’ll get back to you after everything’s set up,” he said when he noticed Kyss already sitting at the table.
“Cool. Nisa and I will be there soon,” Decan said.
And they would both see that Shya was above ground with him. Keller frowned at the thought but ended the call without mentioning it. There were more pressing things he needed to deal with.
“Well, well, well. Where’s the cute little jaguar? Still asleep? Yeah, you look like the kinda guy to wear a shifter girl out.”
Kyss was a snarky, alluring, highly intelligent cheetah that they were all still trying to decide if they could completely trust. She’d been hanging around with them since she’d jumped in front of Decan and Nisa’s Tracer months ago and during that had provided very valuable advice as well as participated in some dangerous missions, working as an ally to them. But there was still something about her, something that just didn’t quite fit and until they figured it out, they were all game for keeping her close, while simultaneously watching her like a hawk. Problem was, Kyss was hip to their plan and watched them just as closely.
Keller didn’t give a damn; he was in charge here so whatever she thought about him bringing Shya along didn’t matter. “Where are the others? We should get started.”
“They’re coming. Security guys from a human company were here early this morning so Gold did a walk around the property with them.”
“We have our own security,” he said when he was closer to the table.
She shrugged her bare shoulders because she wore some type of halter outfit.
“Gold thinks it’s good to keep up pretenses until tomorrow. The guy drove past twice and stopped when he saw Zion and Jordin pull up in their Tracer. Persistent human, he followed them right up the walkway and Gold and I went out to greet them all.”
“But you didn’t stay for the sales pitch?”
“Nah, not my thing.” She leaned forward and drummed long red-painted nails on top of the thick wood table.
“Speaking of which, I wouldn’t have pegged Shya Delgado for your type. Now, that hot white Bengal tiger, Amelia, that’s the kind of sophisticated shifter I figured you’d like to bed.”
Keller now stood at the window looking out to see if he could spot the human security specialist walking around with Gold, but her words had him turning to meet her amused gaze.
“Who I bed is none of your business.”
Her smile spread and she tilted her head. “Yeah, I thought that would be your position…I mean, your answer.”
Gold walked in with the two Central Zone guards at that moment drawing Keller’s attention away from Kyss.
Zion Holt was a six-foot seven-inch tall jaguar with a lanky build and spiked brown hair. While Jordin Tam, also a jaguar, was much shorter than her partner, coming in around five feet three or four inches. Her jet-black hair fell in heavy waves, cupping a pretty face that prominently displayed her Korean heritage. They each wore regular clothes, jeans, t-shirts, jackets, boots or flat leather shoes. Gold even had a thick gold chain bracelet on his left arm and Keller presumed this was their keep-up-with-the-pretenses attire.
“Let’s get started,” he said the moment they were all seated.
“We’re ready to go.” Gold began after sitting in one of the chairs.
Jordin took a seat next and then Zion. Keller remained standing.
“We packed an arsenal in the Tracer. We’ll go in armed to the hilt just in case shit pops off,” Zion said.
Jordin shook her head. “There’s no “just in case”, shitwillpop off and we’ll be there to handle it. They can either take our announcement and live with it or, catch some heat.”
Keller liked the spitfire jaguar; she hadn’t pulled any punches even when they’d been back in Houston. No wonder Decan had kept her on as a guard.
