Page 39 of Pretty Little Kitty

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he murmured, pushing up to his feet and clearing his throat. “I’ll leave you to your day. It was nice meeting you.”

And with that, he stepped back, his heart still caught somewhere between panic, regret, and missing his mate like hell.

“No. Kia.” She winced as she shifted again, pain flickering across her face. But then her expression softened, like she regretted the bite in her words. “It’s the pain, hon. I’m sorry. I overstepped like a protective mama bear. Please, stay. I’d like to get to know you.”

He didn’t answer right away. Still felt the sting of her jab. But he studied her, and saw no malice. Just a woman hurting, maybe more than she let on.

“And how, exactly, do you know Suero?” Kia asked, voice even.

His mate had a thing about older women—awkward and weirdly reverent—but Suero was close enough to Macey that she knew their business.

That part didn’t bother Kia.

Suero talking to her? That was fair.

He’d been the one who’d frozen the guy out.

“He babysat me,” she said with a laugh mixed with pain. Her features pinched as she readjusted her position on the swing for the third time.

“No offense, Macey, but you don’t look like someone who needs to be watched.” He jerked forward slightly when he heard a subtle whimper. Not loud enough to be noticed, but Kia’s heightened senses caught it anyway.

Macey’s hands clenched in her lap, her fingers curling into fists. She turned her head toward the street, a wry smile tugging faintly at her lips.

“The night Suero showed up, it was to clear his head,” she said quietly. “Some guy had dropped him without warning. I could see the hurt in his eyes.”

Kia swallowed. “We’d only dated for two weeks. I’d cut things off because I knew my uncle wouldn’t approve.” Because Suero was a wolf and Xavier despised wolves. “I fooled myself into thinking he’d be fine.” Kia gave a bitter laugh. “I mean, come on, Macey. He’s gorgeous. Men like him don’t stay single for long.”

“That’s a very shallow view, Kia.” Her tone wasn’t sharp, just a gentle scold. “We spent the night talking,” she said. “Watching bad movies and eating more empty calories than I care to remember.”

There was a quiet warmth in her voice that said that she remembered that night fondly. “Suero’s sweet. Caring. He lives a brutal life, but it hasn’t made him cruel.”

Had Suero told her about the pack? About shifters? Kia wanted to ask, but he kept his questions to himself. If she didn’t know, he didn’t want to reveal their existence.

“Don’t look surprised.” She gripped the arm of the swing and sat forward. Another whimper escaped.

“He belongs to a motorcycle club. I’ve met the leader and the others. They look rough, sure, but they were kind to me when…” She glanced away. “So I know Suero’s life isn’t easy. All I can do is be a good friend to him. The way he’s been to me.”

Kia could read between the lines. Don’t screw Suero over again.

She didn’t say it out loud. Didn’t have to.

After what Kia had done, Suero had given him another chance, had claimed him. He wasn’t about to take that for granted.

“You’re clearly in pain,” he said softly. “Please… let me grab your medicine.”

She met his gaze then, no longer hiding anything. “On the kitchen counter. Bottle of water’s in the fridge.”

Kia nodded and darted inside then paused in the entryway, momentarily thrown off. He’d never been in her house before, but the layout was intuitive. The kitchen was at the back of the house, sunlight slanting through the window over the sink.

He spotted the pill bottle, swiped it from the counter, then grabbed a water from the fridge.

After a beat, he snagged a second bottle.

One for her. One for him. Just in case.

When he reached the screen door, Kia froze, his breath stalling in his lungs. Two men were standing on Santiago’s porch. One was knocking, both of them glancing around like they were casing the place.

Kia recognized them immediately.

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