Page 2 of Stray Cat

Which, by the way, was blowing like mad outside the deserted arena. The roof rattled in an alarming manner.

It grew so loud Lindsay almost missed what happened next on the floor. A large guy stepped to the man speaking to Xav and whispered something into his ear.

Lindsay sensed an immediate change in the leader’s body language, stance, and scent. “Deal’s changed, dude,” he snapped at Xav.

“What?” Xav asked in bewilderment. “Why? You don’t like Emma?”

“We like her fine. But we don’t likeyou. You hang out with Shifters, don’t you?”

“What are you talking about?” Xav continued in genuine surprise. But he didn’t slip from his persona, and Lindsay sensed him decide not to lie. He went with it. “Anyway, so what? They’re cool. I might have a beer with one, once in a while.”

“Who says you didn’t bring some with you tonight?” the leader persisted. “Who says that when we walk out of here, a pack of them won’t jump us and take these pieces back for you?”

Xav managed a scornful laugh. “Because Shifters don’t like firearms, man. They don’t use them. They don’t need them.”

Damn right. Claws, teeth, and lightning-swift reflexes outdid human weapons any day. Shifters were good at surviving gunshots as well.

Humans weren’t, though. The black pistol the leader pulled on Xav made Lindsay’s heartbeat hammer off the scale.

She stared at the guy’s head, calculating the twist and angle she’d have to make to land on him without smashing herself to the ground. Now was the time to test the legend that cats always landed on their feet.

Xav continued talking. He had a smooth voice and could persuade anyone to do anything he wanted. He could convince Lindsay to do whatever as well, she thought with a dark shiver, but she never let on.

“Now, come on,” Xav was saying. “These pieces are legit. I mean, they’ll never be traced. Not to you, not to me. Emma’s good. You know that.”

“She is, yeah. You, I’m not so sure about. Tell you what. Leave the box. I’ll check it out with Emma and giveherthe money. Then she can pay you.”

“What?” Xav took a step back, glaring in outrage. “I thought we were doing a deal. I’m not standing out here in this freezing arena for my health. I need the money, man. Come on.”

He was stalling, Lindsay realized. Diego and whatever police would be listening in, no doubt through the wireless tech that DX Security specialized in. Xav must be waiting for them to catch up, or maybe he was trying to indicate exactly where inside the arena he stood.

Xav needed to make the gang leader believe he was nothing more than what he appeared to be—a small-time dealer who’d seen an opportunity to make a few bucks. His air of desperation hinted that he owed even badder people money and couldn’t afford to walk away from this transaction.

“Not a negotiation, my friend,” the leader said. “Leave it. Get out.”

“Shit.” Xav made every show of frustration mixed with resignation. “Emma told me you were cool. Well, you get to answer tohernow. All because I know a few Shifters?”

“More than know them. You’re screwing one, I heard.”

“Huh?” Xav’s puzzlement was unfeigned, but Lindsay’s danger signals went off all over the place.

Had the guy seen her and Xav together? But then, Xav wouldn’t have been in his current disguise when he was with Lindsay. He’d have worn his usual tight-fitting button-downs, or Henleys and jeans, or maybe a subdued, dark suit. He looked so good in those …

How did these guys know Xav had Shifter friends and a Shifter sort-of girlfriend? Xav went to Shiftertown all the time, because Diego, mated to Lindsay’s best friend, lived there now.

If someone knew Xav was Diego’s brother and had reported it to the leader, that meant Xav’s cover was blown.

Shit, shit, shit.

Where was Diego? Or a barrage of cops ready to kick through the doors and throw the gang members to the ground?

“Turn around.” The lead man’s tone said he was done with the discussion. “Walk away. Or I shoot you. I don’t miss. Either way, I’m leaving with the box. You can decide whether you leave with your life.”

“Okay.” Xav drew out the word in shaky irritation. “Damn, I just needed some cash.”

Xav turned around slowly. He let his shoulders droop in perfect imitation of a guy who knew he’d lost and could only curse and kick at the dust on his way out.

The leader brought up his pistol and aimed it directly between Xav’s shoulders.

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