Here Kitty, Kitty!
Page 22

Angie remembered her parents coming to visit when she turned ten. Theyd promised to take her away on a family vacation. Instead, they spent thirty minutes telling her why they couldnt. She listened with absolutely no emotion, while her grandmother slammed pots around in the kitchen and cursed in Portuguese. But Miki and Sara were there too. They didnt say anything, but she soon learned their silence was a very, very bad thing.
Sara limped into the kitchen and returned with a glass of what looked like milk and orange juice. A revolting mix. While staring at Angies parents, Sara handed the glass to Miki, who gulped it down in two big swallows.
Three minutes later, Miki staggered up and over to Angies mother and projectile vomited all over the woman. Twice.
To this day, her mother wouldnt even mention the two women who had become such an integral part of her life. And until the day she died, both Sara and Miki always had a place at her grandmothers table.
Her anger-management counselor seemed convinced her issues with physical contact were due to her parents lack of affection. Perhaps, but knowing that didnt make it better. Or make any of it hurt less.
And although she knew she was too old to worry whether her parents cared or not, she did. Still. After all this time.
Angie laid her head on her knees and sighed. She didnt feel lonely often. But when she did, she felt it all the way down to her bones.
She looked up as Nikat least she really hoped it was Nikburst out of the trees. He sprinted across the backyard and took a wild leap up to her balcony. He didnt clear it, but clung to it with his big claws and forearms. His giant tiger head dipped over the railing, as he looked at her.
So stunned by his return and launch at her balcony, Angie didnt move or run for her life. She just stared up at him. Shed never seen a tiger this close up before. She couldnt believe how enormous he was. His gold eyes glinted at her in the darkness and his huge tongue hung from his mouth.
Is this your way of saying good night? He dragged that big tongue across her cheek. Dude! Disgusting! But she laughed in spite of herself and immediately let go her sadness.
One paw released the banister and he hung off the side. He stared through the bars of the railing and it took her a moment to realize he was staring at herwell, her and her no-panty-wearing ass.
Hey! Eyes front, cat!
He again gripped the banister with both paws and let out a weird sound through his nose. Like two big puffs of air. Strange, but she got the feeling it didnt mean anything bad. His head came farther over the banister and he quietly waited. She had the feeling he wouldnt leave until he got what he wanted.
Praying she would get her hand back intact, Angie reached up and ran her fingers through his fur, like shehad done with his hair earlier that day. She kept it up for about three minutes, just petting him, lost in the feel of his fur against her fingertips. Eventually, he made that puffing sound again, licked her wrist with his dry, rough tongue, and released the banister. He fell back to the hard ground, but landed on his feet. He turned to look at her once more, then bounded off into the trees.
She had no idea what happened, but she did know her hard nipples, wet thighs, and that damn thumping noise were freaking her the fuck out.
Chapter Six
Nik didnt come back. At least, she never heard him if he did. Around eleven in the morning, she rolled out of bed and scrounged up a bowl of cereal, made a fresh pot of coffee, enjoyed two cups, and the newspaper before heading off to the shower. Once bathed, she threw on a pair of denim shorts and a T-shirt, heading out to the backyard. She draped herself onto a lounge chair and dialed Sara.
No answer on her cell. So she tried Miki.
Yeah?
Hey. Its me.
Yeah.
Oh, come on. Youre not still mad at me.
No. Im not.
But Sara is?
Shes mad at everybody. Zach, Conall, me. The universe.
Angie grimaced. It took a lot to piss off sober Sara. But once done, the woman wasnt satisfied until someone lay bleeding and crying.
Well do something.
Do what? She wont even talk to me. Shes pissed. I mean p-i-s
Yes, Miki. I know how to spell pissed. I can actually spell it in several languages.
I still have you beat by two.
Im sorry but Klingon and Elvish dont count.
Says who? Klingon is really tough.
Miki, hon, I really need you to focus.
Yeah. Well, if I were you, I wouldnt get too fuckin comfortable.
Am I the only one who sees the big picture here? Hyenas are trying to kill you. True, there are many who have wanted to see you dead, but these are the first that have actively tried.
Miki snorted, Look, I do understand. And I appreciate you caring and all.
But
Theres no but. I mean, I did do a little research on this Vorislav guy last night and found some pics of him and his brothers on his companys web site. And imagine my surprise when I realized hes the guy from the airport. But, of course, Im sure that has nothing to do with you staying there so comfortably.
Fucking, researching bitch!
It has nothing to do with that. Im waiting for the Pack to get here. Then Ill be back.