Page 33 of Butcher

A furry head lifted from the bed, intelligent golden eyes watching every move we made. The animal stood up slowly, head lowered as it stood at its full height, watching us like we were prey.

“Is that a cat?” I asked.

“Are you fucking kidding me. That ain’t no cat. It’s a Bobcat,” he said, trying to back up through me. I held my ground, not allowing him to run.

“You sure? Why would she have a bobcat?”

“Why in the fuck are you asking me about your killer girlfriend’s pet?” he said, tilting his head. “And why won’t you move? It’s getting angry.”

He was right about it being a bobcat. There was no real tail to speak of. Just a nub that was wagging back and forth in agitation as we stood there discussing the animal. A deep hiss that turned into a yowl split the air, letting us know that the cat wasn’t thrilled we were there.

“Well...shit.” I looked around to see if there was some kind of carrier we could stuff it into. I’d learned enough from Seek’s relationship with her dogs to know my Terror wasn’t going to leave her...pet...behind. There was nothing in sight.

The cat started pacing on the bed, watching us, making low growling noises in its throat.

“You sure it’s not a demon?” I muttered.

Toxic chuckled. “Not completely. What do you want to do?”

“We have to bring it with us.”

“Her.”

“What?” I asked, looking over at him.

He shrugged and pointed. “Collar has pink rhinestones on it. Pretty sure it’s a female bobcat.”

I studied the collar around the cat’s neck. “She couldn’t just have a normal fucking tabby cat. Maybe we stuff it in a pillowcase?” I suggested.

“You’re a match made in freak heaven,” Toxic said as he stepped into the bathroom. He wasn’t paying attention enough to notice when I flipped him off. He held up a towel. “We can wrap it up in this.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. “It’s going to rip us to shit if we try that.”

Toxic shot me a grim look. “Yeah, she probably will, but you’re the one who wants to bring her with us. Just wait and bring Isla back to get her.”

“No,” I sighed. “I don’t want to make her come back. Then I’ll have to fight both of them.”

Toxic snorted. “Afraid to let her out of your sight is more like it.”

“Fuck off.”

“So… What do you want to do then?”

“You’re the ladies man,” I told him. “Go charm her.”

Toxic’s laugh was strained. “Not my type of lady, Bro.” He tilted his head, studying the angry cat. “Okay. I’ll catch her in the towel, you use the bedspread to contain her. We’ll use the side exit so no one sees us.”

“Better get the rest of her shit packed up first then,” I said with a nod.

We quickly, and carefully, moved around the room, throwing everything into the bags Isla had there. I checked under the bed and let out a whistle as I pulled a third bag stacked with cash out from under it. “No wonder she had that Do Not Disturb on the door.”

“Pretty sure that was so the maids didn’t get mauled by this wildanimal,” Toxic said with a grunt as he took a quick step back to avoid sharp claws as the bobcat swatted at him.

“Stop fucking with her.”

“I’m not fucking with her. I was trying to get the damn phone charger on the nightstand. Your girl is going to have to go without one if this damn cat doesn’t calm down, though.” He darted in and snagged the charger, then let out a howl of pain as the bobcat’s claws made contact with his forearm. “Dammit! Knock it off, asshole,” he growled at her. She returned the sound, but hers was deeper and infinitely more pissed off. “We’re trying to take you to your mom.” I shot him a look. “Owner,” he muttered.

Toxic and animals were like peanut butter and jelly. I was surprised he didn’t have this cat eating from the palm of his hands already. Then again, she’d been locked up in here for days without Isla, thanks to me. Not many people knew Toxic’s background. I was sure it was just me and Lock, and of course the Berserkers from the Wyoming club, since he’d grown up there. Most of our guys would probably be shocked to find out all of Toxic’s secrets. He didn’t like to share about himself.

---