Page 49 of Stray Cat

Xav, Brody, and Neal were coordinating in the dining room. Lindsay marched up to them and inserted herself into the conversation.

“Where do you want me?” she demanded.

Xav’s warm smile flashed fire through her, and Lindsay flushed as she realized her unintentional double-entendre. Xav didn’t appear worried at all that Brody watched with high amusement, and Neal didn’t disguise his Shifter nosiness.

“We’ll talk aboutthatwhen we get back,” Xav said. “For now, stick with Tiger. You and he are doing recon, but the minute we find people who might shoot, you retreat. Got it? I’m not risking you.”

Lindsay shrugged. “Sounds like a good plan.”

Xav’s smile vanished at her easy capitulation. He didn’t trust Lindsay wouldn’t do something impulsive, and he was right. If she needed to jump into the fray to keep Xav from being hurt, she would.

Lindsay gave into one of her impulses now. She stepped to Xav, never minding Brody and Neal, hooked her hand around the back of Xav’s neck, and pulled him to her for a hot kiss.

When she eased away, Lindsay had the satisfaction of seeing Xav mystified. She gave him a little smile, shot a thumbs-up at the interested Brody and Neal, and sauntered away.

* * *

She was goingto drive him insane, Xav thought. But a part of him decided he would enjoy it.

Lindsay insisted on riding in the SUV Xav drove, which was fine with him. Easier to keep an eye on her. She hopped into the back seat instead of the front, which was also fine. Xav would only be distracted by her curves and her sparkling smile if she sat next to him, and he’d need to concentrate on the drive.

Tiger and Brody rode in Diego’s vehicle, but Neal joined Xav with two other DX guys chosen for the mission. They’d meet with more backup when they reached Death Valley Junction.

They timed the drive so that if they had to explore Death Valley itself, they’d enter it just as early evening cooled the land. Darkness wasn’t an issue, because DX Security tech let them see all kinds of things at night, and Shifters didn’t need light or gadgets to track their prey.

Lindsay didn’t speak much during the drive, but then, neither did anyone else. Neal and the two men saved their energy for the hunt, and Lindsay peered out the window as though she had no interest in looking at Xav.

Xav’s next conversation with her alone would be interesting. That is, if they gave themselves time to talk. He could think of much better things to do with his mouth.

He truly needed to settle this mate-claim, so every thought of her wouldn’t be a distraction.

No, Xav would never be settled with Lindsay. Things would be as volatile in the future as they were now, no growing staid and comfortable once she accepted his claim.

Sounded good to him.

They crossed into California and reached Death Valley Junction in a little over an hour, meeting up with three other SUVs about a mile west of town.

One of the vehicles held AC, retrieved from the cabin. If they found Dean alive out here, he might be less terrified if he saw his brother among the geared-up men in black fatigues.

It also contained Emma, who’d bundled herself into a bulletproof vest and a warm hat against the now cold wind. Brody stared hard at her when she approached to be briefed.

“You look like a longshoreman who’s expecting trouble,” Brody rumbled.

Emma’s eyes narrowed. “Youlook like a biker dude who’d rather be home watching TV.”

Brody gazed down at his leather motorcycle vest and black T-shirt covering his hard stomach in surprise. “Of course I would. Bears like to be warm.”

Emma turned away with the scorn only she could, and Xav suppressed a laugh. Brody had no idea who he was tangling with.

They firmed up their plans, then the SUVs fell in behind Xav’s as they rolled toward Death Valley.

Before they reached Furnace Creek, which held museums and accommodations for tourists, Xav turned onto a dirt road that wasn’t on most maps. Neal, who had an electronic tablet in his hands, guided Xav to the area where they suspected the helicopter had landed.

The place they reached was remote, dry, and swiftly darkening. Land rippled in folds toward the distant, soaring mountains, and fell in the other direction to white salt flats of ancient lakebeds. With the sunset staining the sky a vibrant fuchsia, the vista was breathtakingly beautiful.

Also deadly for the unprepared. Xav’s troops checked over their water, rations, gear, and clothing, from bulletproof vests to packed warm coats for the coming chill and boots solid against rocky soil. Everyone had an earpiece for communication, Lindsay tucking hers in without comment.

AC remained in a vehicle, his hands tied again, under the supervision of Emma and Neal. Neal had been correct about the man being docile. AC sat without fuss in the locked SUV, watching out of the dark window.

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