Page 20 of Stray Cat

She waited for him to pick her up as the evening deepened, after a day of trying not to think about Xav’s perfect back as he’d walked away from her. Was it really over? The camaraderie, the stolen kisses, the joy of simply being in Xav’s presence?

Lindsay hadn’t tried to persuade him back to her, had she? She wondered if some part of her knew she’d never form the mate bond with Xav, and so had let him go.

The tightness in her chest, which flared up off and on, seemed to confirm her fears.

Diego arrived punctually, as Diego always did. Lindsay climbed into the front seat of the SUV, and then Diego raised his brows when the Shiftertown Guardian, Neal Ingram, complete with broadsword, slid into the back.

“I didn’t want to come without Shifter backup,” Lindsay replied to Diego’s silent question. “Your teams are well and good, but I want a Shifter at my side. Neal can scare people just by looking at them, and he didn’t have any other plans.”

“No souls to send to the Summerland tonight,” Neal said with dark humor.

Neal was a Lupine, and kind of a loner, as most Guardians were. The Sword of the Guardian wasn’t simply a weapon—when a Shifter passed away, the Guardian released his or her soul to the afterlife by plunging the sword into the Shifter’s heart. A soul not freed was liable to be captured by Fae mages who could trap and torment them for the enjoyment of it.

Also, the sword was sharp and painful when stuck into the living.

“Sure you want to get into this?” Diego asked, regarding Neal through the rearview mirror.

“I’m sure Eric wants me to bring Lindsay home alive or face his wrath.” Neal shrugged. “It’s no trouble.”

No one in the car bothered to wonder why neither Diego nor Lindsay had asked Cassidy along. Diego would never risk her, Lindsay knew, though she’d bet he and Cassidy’d had an argument about it, similar to the ones she’d had with Xav.

The difference was that Diego would go home to Cassidy and they’d make up, probably with amazing sex, while Lindsay would retire to bed, alone and hurting.

They made the drive to DX Security in silence, neither man mercifully asking Lindsay why Xav wasn’t with her. Neal had sensed something was up when Lindsay had called him to invite him along, and he kept tactfully quiet. Diego likely already knew the story, and he said nothing as well.

Diego kept his eyes on the road, and Neal, holding the sword across his lap so it wouldn’t be visible to passing vehicles, pretended to be interested in the darkening streets.

Lindsay wished she wouldn’t keep picturing Xav walking off in his usual efficient stride. She’d wanted him to turn back around, laugh his velvet laugh, and tell her he couldn’t ever stay mad at her.

But he hadn’t. Lindsay had hidden herself behind a convenient creosote, shucked her clothes, shifted, and gone for a long run. It hadn’t tired her out or rid her of her heartache, only put stickers in her fur and got her chased by a loose dog.

When they arrived at DX Security, AC was already in an interview room, guarded by one of Diego’s men, his hands bound once more.

AC had agreed to stay in a holding cell at DX Security, Diego said—it was either that or the nearest jail. Diego hadn’t promised tonotcart AC to the police after they found Dean, but he was being nice for now. It wasn’t AC’s brother’s fault that AC was a dickhead, Lindsay imagined was Diego’s reasoning.

AC watched Diego enter without belligerence, as though this was all going the way he wanted it to.

Diego had requested that Lindsay view the meeting through the glass in the next room, and she agreed. She’d waste time with an argument, and Diego would get his way in the end anyway.

Neal watched beside her—Diego probably worried that Neal’s scariness and big sword might make AC pass out or something.

“So.” Diego’s voice came through the speaker when everyone was settled. “Where do we start?”

“Out near the rifle and pistol range,” AC answered without hesitation. “Like I said, that’s where Deanwas. I don’t expect to find much, but the Shifter woman might be able to get a bead on him.”

Diego shrugged. “You might be right.”

“So, is she here?” AC demanded. “Are we going now?”

“Sure.” Diego nodded to his guys, who surrounded AC while he got to his feet. “Time to move.”

The men and Diego escorted AC into the hall, where Lindsay and Neal joined them.

“I showed up, don’t worry,” Lindsay said to AC. She tapped her nose. “Sniffer ready to go.”

AC didn’t look impressed. Neal gave him his impassive wolf stare, and AC grew a bit more nervous. “Who the hell is that?” he asked.

“This is Neal.” Lindsay indicated the Lupine. “He’smybackup.”

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