Page 26 of Stray Cat

AC was busily insisting that DX Security have Lindsay sniff out wherever the helicopter had gone,right now.Idiot.

“We have the means of finding it,” Xav said coldly. “You sit tight and let us do our jobs. If your brother is being held against his will, we’ll do everything to get him back.”

“Sit tight, where?” AC demanded. “I’m not rotting in your little do-it-yourself cell. If you want to have me arrested for detaining your brother, go ahead, or else I’m out of here. You can’t hold me againstmywill.”

“You’re not calling the shots,” Diego informed him. “But no, you won’t have to stay in our cell. We don’t have the resources for long-term guests.”

AC relaxed. “Fine, then you can drop me off at my apartment in Henderson. I won’t be going anywhere until we find Dean.”

Diego fixed him with his steely gaze. “I have another place in mind. It’s not far, but it’s cozy, with plenty of food.” He turned to Xav. “You want to do the honors?”

Lindsay watched Xav stiffen. “I’m too busy to babysit tonight, bro.”

Diego gazed at Xav for a long time, and Xav met his stare without flinching. Lindsay watched something pass between them, communication among brothers only they could read.

Diego finally gave Xav a nod. “All right. Neal?”

Neal adjusted the sword on his back. “Sure.”

AC’s eyes widened. “You can’t cart me off with Shifters—that’s in violation of so many laws. I’ll have Shifter Bureau down on your ass so fast you won’t know what hit you.”

“I always love it when criminals threaten me with the law.” Diego sounded amused. “Don’t worry, the place I’m sending you is owned by a human and a long way from Shiftertown. Neal will accompany us and patrol the perimeter. For your protection.”

AC didn’t look convinced, but with armed guards who clearly didn’t like him surrounding him, his only choice was to capitulate.

Xav turned away as Diego gave orders as to who would do what. “Let’s go,” he said quietly to Lindsay.

Lindsay didn’t argue. She followed Xav back down the trail from the cave to the waiting vehicles and climbed into his SUV. She was too distracted to wonder if there’d be enough room for the others in the remaining vehicles. Probably there would be—Xav wouldn’t drive off otherwise.

They didn’t speak as Xav moved slowly along the rutted road to the highway and then turned onto smooth, empty pavement. Xav didn’t mention the celebratory beer again, only drove toward Las Vegas without any suggestion of a stop.

The sky had grown darker, with the moon already setting and very little traffic this far outside of town on a winter night.

Xav finally broke the silence. “He’s taking AC up to Iona’s cabin.”

Iona’s mother owned a cabin on Mount Charleston that she generously lent to Shifters. It was a nice retreat from the heat of summer and great for a run in the deep woods when Shiftertown grew too confining. Lindsay sometimes went up with Cassidy, Diego, and Amanda, which was more fun when Xav came along.

The cabin was difficult to reach on snowy days, a good place to isolate oneself, or to stash a villain in that Diego wanted to keep track of.

“I figured,” Lindsay answered. “Why didn’t you want to go?”

Xav shook his head. “I’ve spent way too much time with that guy already. Diego has plenty of competent people to help him out. I need a night off.”

“You said you were too busy to watch him.” Lindsay couldn’t stop her need to know. “Busy doing what?”

Xav shrugged. “Stuff.”

When Xav didn’t want to answer, twenty feral Shifters couldn’t pry information from him.

“Okay.” Lindsay strove to sound nonchalant. “Well, thanks for not volunteeringmeto babysit.”

Xav’s jaw tightened. “I don’t want AC anywhere near you. I’m happy Neal has his sword.”

AC seemed more afraid of the Sword of the Guardian than all the firearms and tasers Diego’s guys carried. Wise of him.

“Neal can take care of himself,” Lindsay answered, for something to say. “You don’t have to drive me all the way home. Drop me off at Shiftertown’s gates, and I’ll walk from there.”

Xav glanced at the bag at Lindsay’s feet. “You don’t have a party dress in there? You’re not going to run off to a club?”

---