Here Kitty, Kitty!
Page 57

Nik closed his eyes. He couldnt look at the man anymore. Not because of the man, but because of the shirt he wore. The shirt with Northport Zoo etched over the front pocket in bright orange.
Those crazy bitches put me in a zoo.
***
Angie looked at her phone, but realized shed heard a knock at the door. Her frustration mounted as the day moved on. She couldnt find any of Niks kin. None of his siblings answered at the numbers Nik programmed into her phone in case of emergency.
She didnt want to panic. Because with her, panic would lead to anger. And the last thing she wanted to do right now was stab her friend in the face.
Yeah?
Zach stuck his head in, You okay, Ang?
She nodded and motioned him in with a wave of her hand. The question is, are you?
He shrugged as he leaned against the wall. Angie could see how much Saras anger hurt him. True, the pair seemed to argue all the time, but always with a smile or a grope. But Sara had no teasing smile now. No soft caresses on the back of his neck. Nope. Sara was really and truly pissed off.
Im okay, he lied.
Shell get over this, Zach.
He winced, You sure?
I know the crazy bitch. Whatever shes got going on, shes gotten it out of her system. We both have.
And who knew Miki could be all adult?
For the first time in hours, Angie smiled. She has her moments. Theyre rare. But they happen. Especially when she realizes Sara and I wont be.
Look, Ang, just so you know, she and Miki were really broken up when we got the call from Marrec. And Marrec was fucking devastated.
Her birth parents may have forgotten her birthday completely but that didnt mean she didnt have family. Even if she did want to kill both her sisters at the moment.
Yeah, we talked. Hes okay now. Angie glanced at the man who loved her friend. His shoulders slumped in defeat, his eyes staring at a rather boring carpet. Poor guy. Could he be more depressed? And thanks, Zach.
For what?
For taking your sweet-ass time coming for me. I know it cost you.
He gave a little smile, probably his first in several days, too. Oh, noticed that did ya?
Yeah. And I really appreciate it.
So, tell mewas my sister right? Did you fall for him?
Angie sighed and looked out the window.
Zach opened the door, muttering under his breath, Great. Now were gonna have a cat in the family.
***
Finally, after two hours, the drugs wore off and Nik was back to his old self. He could shift back to human at any time. His only problem now?
Theyd put his ass on display.
I hate those women.
Hedidnt even know them, and he hated them.
The Northport Zoo was a small establishment near the Canadian border. A place where Angies friends apparently had lots of clout. From what he could overhear, the zoo officials would never release him among the other tigers for several months. But, it seemed, their benefactor had insisted. And against the department heads recommendations, they went ahead and placed him in a display behind unbreakable glass.
The full tigers watched him silently. All females. Thankfully. He would be less than happy if he had to take on some territorial male.
Well, this little adventure was only going to last today. As soon as it was dark, he was getting his furry ass out of here. Even if he had to scare some poor security guard to death. And then he would be heading to California. He had some dog butt to kick.
Sighing, Nik looked up to find a small child staring at him. A small child busy picking his nose.
Could this get any worse?
The females stirred restlessly near him and he caught the scent they had.
Oh no. Please. Not that.
They stood in front of him, completely unaware of his presence and arguing like two ten year olds.
Nik didnt bother searching for a way out. There was no way out. Theyd trapped him. Trapped him in hell.
Throwing up his hands in anger, Alek turned away from Ban, facing the tiger display. Their eyes caught and Alek stared. He smiled. Then he just became hysterical.
Bastard! This wasnt and never would be funny!
Ban stared at his younger brother for several moments before catching sight of Nik.
As his brothers literally rolled on the groundand freaked out all the zoo visitorsNik seethed. At this point, he needed to know only one thing. And one thing only.
When Angie sent him off the night before, did she know her friends were waiting for him?
***
Angie found Sara outside petting that ugly freakin dog.
I cant believe Zach hasnt found a way to get rid of him.
Sara didnt look up, just kept petting the ugly beast. Long strokes from the top of his head all the way down to his tail. And he let her, sensing her need.
I dont understand how anyone can hate Roscoe T.
Angie reached over and stroked Roscoes head. True. Hes ugly, but hes loveable.
With a half-smile, You mean, kind of like me?
Dont even try it, Morrighan.
Finally, Sara laughed. Oh, come on. That was a perfect pity-me moment.
I dont pity you for one goddamn second.
Well, I tried. Sara pulled the dog over until he was on his back. She rubbed his belly with one hand while petting his head with the other. And before you ask, Im not going to tell you where he is.