Page 74 of Stray Cat

When Xav and Lindsay finally broke apart, Cassidy stepped behind Lindsay and draped the shirt and pants Lindsay must have shed to shift over her shoulders. “You’ll need these,” she said in amusement. “At least until you get to Xav’s.”

Lindsay flushed as she caught the clothes and slid them on in swift movements. “Thanks, Cass. Always looking out for me.”

Once she was dressed, Lindsay turned and opened her arms for her mother. Leah gathered her in, Martin joining them, the three sharing a silent, tight embrace.

They didn’t need to speak, Xav realized. They’d been through so much together that they could convey their love and relief without words.

When they finally parted, Lindsay wiped her eyes. Leah didn’t bother, tears trickling unashamedly down her cheeks. The usually quiet Martin beamed, his face wet.

“I found the cutest stuff in there.” Lindsay gestured to the warehouse as she drew a shaky breath. “Sweet T-shirts and the most adorable shoes. Think anyone would mind if we took them? Who do they belong to?”

Of course, Lindsay wouldn’t let anything like life-and-death situations or accepting a mate-claim keep her from shopping.

“No one,” Neal told her. “This warehouse was abandoned by a start-up and foreclosed on, and the goods inside are scheduled to be destroyed, if anyone can be bothered. Your buddy Dean was negotiating to buy it through a shell company.”

So he wouldn’t be reported as a squatter, Xav mused. Dean might run an illegal business out it, but he couldn’t be arrested for simply hanging out on his own property.

“Cool.” Lindsay said, her usual verve returning. She paused to kiss Xav again, tearing herself from him before it could heat up. “Coming, ladies? We won’t be long,” she confided to Xav and Diego.

With another promising smile at Xav, Lindsay laced her arms through Cassidy’s and her mother’s and drew them back into the building.

“Sure, they won’t.” Diego heaved a resigned sigh. “Well, it gives us time to get all these guys trussed up and into our vans. You all right, Xav?”

“Yeah,” Xav said in surprise. “I feel great.” He’d been tranqued, hauled for miles to a cold warehouse, kept under threat without food or water, and threatened with his life. And yet, he knew he could run a marathon, or at least a half, or do more skiing up on the mountain, without any trouble at all.

“Touch of a mate,” Tiger rumbled.

“Agreed,” Diego said with a nod. “The touch of a true mate can heal a lot of hurting. Welcome to the club, bro.”

Then Diego, his straitlaced, by-the-rules older brother, swiftly caught Xav in a hard hug.

“Thanks for coming to my rescue.” Xav thumped Diego on the back as they eased apart. “One more time.”

“Always.” The warmth in Diego’s eyes told Xav all he needed to know.

Diego had been watching out for Xav since Xav could remember, not because of obligation, Xav had realized as they’d grown older, but out of love. Diego could have decided not to bother with Xav at all, but he’d done everything in his power to make sure his troublesome little brother made it into the light and had a good life.

It beat the hell out of the toxic relationship of AC and Dean.

When Diego turned away to help his men and the Shifters shove Dean, AC, and his unconscious thugs into the waiting SUVs, Leah slipped from inside the warehouse to catch Xav in an embrace. She held on tight, her residual tears wetting Xav’s shirt.

“I’m so happy for you both,” she said tremulously. “Lindsay needs you, Xavier. She’s always so much stronger when she’s with you.”

Lindsay was plenty strong on her own, but Xav understood. “I’m stronger withher.”

Two halves. Make them whole.

Tiger’s words rang in Xav’s head. Well, Xav intended to do just that, in all ways.

“The mate bond knows,” Leah said with confidence. “Martin will be glad for a reason to finish that suite he’s been building in the basement. It will be perfect for you and Lindsay, and of course, cubs.”

She turned away before Xav could open his mouth to say a word, hurrying back inside to be with her daughter, whose laughter poured out to him.

“Ihavea house,” Xav said to no one.

It stood to reason, though, that Xav would move in with Lindsay. She couldn’t legally live outside of Shiftertown, nor would she want to be far from her family.

Xav found, upon consideration, that he didn’t mind. He was already close to his in-laws-to-be, and it felt weird to live too much apart from Diego anyway. Now Xav and Diego would be backdoor neighbors.

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