Here Kitty, Kitty!
Page 25
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You gotta help us, the smaller one begged.
Help you? How?
They dumped the clothes they had in their hands on the floor. Angie grabbed the first thing she saw and held it up.
Going as a nun, are we?
Exactly.
Ya see? Ya gotta help us.
Why me?
We saw those Pride heifers today. They looked amazing.
Its all over town you helped em.
Thats all over town? Not a lot goes on around here in Shifterville, does it?
Look, you reek of style, the taller one offered. We, however, do not.
Angie looked at the two women. The problem wasnt their looks. They were gorgeous shapeshifters and you could barely make out those scars on their necks. But the little one could barely look her in the eye. Shy. The other one clearly a hard ass. Probably the one saddled with the constant responsibility of keeping the youngest boys in line. That task always seemed to fall to the oldest females.
Hell, who could it hurt? And, to be honest, she kind of enjoyed helping the fashion helpless.
All right. Why not? The two women smiled in relief and she gave a big grin. But we need champagne to do this.
***
His brothers walked into his office.
Whats that look on your face? Ban threw himself into one of the wingback chairs. And what the hell are you listening to?
Lords of Acid.
Devil music, O-E-G would say.
Whats wrong? Aleksei sat on the edge of his desk. And stop calling our grandmother that, Ban.
Ive got twenty thousand dollars in my account.
Thats all you have left in the world?
Bro, why didnt you tell us? We can lend you some money.
You idiots, I dont have twenty thousand lefttheres suddenly twenty thousand extra there. He checked a few more things, then leaned back in his chair. She paid me back.
Kisa rushed in, Champagne?
Wine cellar.
Chilled?
Fridge in the basement.
Thanks. She tore out of the room.
Ban shrugged and turned back to Nik. Who paid you back?
Who do you think? And did you get your damn dog out of my backyard? Ban was the only tiger he knew who insisted on picking up strays, even dogs. Not for a munchie either as their mother called it. But for pets. The local rescues loved him because he gave them money, helped during fund raisers, and came over to pet the cats and walk the dogs. His brother was so weird.
Yes. Hes back at my house. And do you mean the delectable Ms.Santiago paid you back? By the way, she can handle my puppy anytime.
Angelina Santiago. That name rolls right off the tongue, dont it bro?
Im sure lots of things roll off the tongue when it comes to her.
Sewing kit?
The brothers looked up to see Reena in the doorway.
Aunt Abbys room, I think.
Thanks. She disappeared.
With a shake of his head, Nik turned and stared at his siblings. Lets get this straight, shall we gentlemen. You stay away from her. Shes my guest. I promised those dogs Id take care of her. So you two idiots back off.
Aleksei winked at Ban. I thought you didnt want her.
Ban grinned back, and Nik felt his hackles rise in anger. Which means, big brother, shes fair game.
Kisa rushed past the room, heading back where she came from. I took cheese and crackers too! Then she charged up the stairs.
Nik didnt know what the hell the women were up to, and he didnt want to know. Instead he focused on his brothers. She is not fair game.
Oh, come on, Nik. Ya cant keep em all.
I dont keep em all. And Im not keeping this one.
So we can get her when youre done?
He knew his brothers would never go after his leftovers, but stilleven the thought of it made him want to rip the hides from their backs. And they knew it, too. They knew they were getting to him. That they were making him dangerously angry. And they were enjoying every minute of it.
Chapter Seven
Nik took the snifter of brandy Ban handed him and crashed down on his couch. Ban joined him and Alek, and the three men dropped their big feet on Niks fifteen thousand dollar coffee table. Cut from a solid piece of wood, Nik bought it because he liked it. But he always knew that any furniture he brought into his home had to be sturdy enough to withstand the abuse of his entire family. Like most cats, they enjoyed being comfortable.
Alek glanced at his watch. Its seven-o-five. Where are they?
What is your thing with time?
I dont like to be late, is all.
Ban glanced at Nik. Kind of uptight, aint he?
Shut up, Ban.
Nik shook his head as he sipped his brandy. He hadnt seen her all day. Shed been hold up in her room with his sisters for hours and, to his growing horror, he realized hed begun missing her. But that was her fault. Sitting out by his pool, wearing those damn shorts, and looking like she truly belonged in his home. More than any woman had a right. Without meaning to, he swallowed his brandy with one gulp.
Help you? How?
They dumped the clothes they had in their hands on the floor. Angie grabbed the first thing she saw and held it up.
Going as a nun, are we?
Exactly.
Ya see? Ya gotta help us.
Why me?
We saw those Pride heifers today. They looked amazing.
Its all over town you helped em.
Thats all over town? Not a lot goes on around here in Shifterville, does it?
Look, you reek of style, the taller one offered. We, however, do not.
Angie looked at the two women. The problem wasnt their looks. They were gorgeous shapeshifters and you could barely make out those scars on their necks. But the little one could barely look her in the eye. Shy. The other one clearly a hard ass. Probably the one saddled with the constant responsibility of keeping the youngest boys in line. That task always seemed to fall to the oldest females.
Hell, who could it hurt? And, to be honest, she kind of enjoyed helping the fashion helpless.
All right. Why not? The two women smiled in relief and she gave a big grin. But we need champagne to do this.
***
His brothers walked into his office.
Whats that look on your face? Ban threw himself into one of the wingback chairs. And what the hell are you listening to?
Lords of Acid.
Devil music, O-E-G would say.
Whats wrong? Aleksei sat on the edge of his desk. And stop calling our grandmother that, Ban.
Ive got twenty thousand dollars in my account.
Thats all you have left in the world?
Bro, why didnt you tell us? We can lend you some money.
You idiots, I dont have twenty thousand lefttheres suddenly twenty thousand extra there. He checked a few more things, then leaned back in his chair. She paid me back.
Kisa rushed in, Champagne?
Wine cellar.
Chilled?
Fridge in the basement.
Thanks. She tore out of the room.
Ban shrugged and turned back to Nik. Who paid you back?
Who do you think? And did you get your damn dog out of my backyard? Ban was the only tiger he knew who insisted on picking up strays, even dogs. Not for a munchie either as their mother called it. But for pets. The local rescues loved him because he gave them money, helped during fund raisers, and came over to pet the cats and walk the dogs. His brother was so weird.
Yes. Hes back at my house. And do you mean the delectable Ms.Santiago paid you back? By the way, she can handle my puppy anytime.
Angelina Santiago. That name rolls right off the tongue, dont it bro?
Im sure lots of things roll off the tongue when it comes to her.
Sewing kit?
The brothers looked up to see Reena in the doorway.
Aunt Abbys room, I think.
Thanks. She disappeared.
With a shake of his head, Nik turned and stared at his siblings. Lets get this straight, shall we gentlemen. You stay away from her. Shes my guest. I promised those dogs Id take care of her. So you two idiots back off.
Aleksei winked at Ban. I thought you didnt want her.
Ban grinned back, and Nik felt his hackles rise in anger. Which means, big brother, shes fair game.
Kisa rushed past the room, heading back where she came from. I took cheese and crackers too! Then she charged up the stairs.
Nik didnt know what the hell the women were up to, and he didnt want to know. Instead he focused on his brothers. She is not fair game.
Oh, come on, Nik. Ya cant keep em all.
I dont keep em all. And Im not keeping this one.
So we can get her when youre done?
He knew his brothers would never go after his leftovers, but stilleven the thought of it made him want to rip the hides from their backs. And they knew it, too. They knew they were getting to him. That they were making him dangerously angry. And they were enjoying every minute of it.
Chapter Seven
Nik took the snifter of brandy Ban handed him and crashed down on his couch. Ban joined him and Alek, and the three men dropped their big feet on Niks fifteen thousand dollar coffee table. Cut from a solid piece of wood, Nik bought it because he liked it. But he always knew that any furniture he brought into his home had to be sturdy enough to withstand the abuse of his entire family. Like most cats, they enjoyed being comfortable.
Alek glanced at his watch. Its seven-o-five. Where are they?
What is your thing with time?
I dont like to be late, is all.
Ban glanced at Nik. Kind of uptight, aint he?
Shut up, Ban.
Nik shook his head as he sipped his brandy. He hadnt seen her all day. Shed been hold up in her room with his sisters for hours and, to his growing horror, he realized hed begun missing her. But that was her fault. Sitting out by his pool, wearing those damn shorts, and looking like she truly belonged in his home. More than any woman had a right. Without meaning to, he swallowed his brandy with one gulp.
