Page 44 of Pretty Little Kitty

He was astonished by the depth of love he felt for his gatito. He never imagined he would see Kia again, but he’d risked everything to find Suero.

No more running.

No more fear.

Just the two of them, living life on their terms and savoring every moment together.

Kia was his, and Suero would never let him go.

Chapter Twelve

Kia’s phone, normally an everyday object, now seemed like a ticking bomb or a venomous snake poised to strike as it sat on the table. He paced back and forth in the kitchen, nibbling on his thumbnail, each pounding beat of his heart feeling like a punch to his sternum. A bead of sweat slid down from his temple, his breath shaky and erratic. Outside, the faint sound of cars passing could be heard, but all Kia could focus on was his phone.

“I think I’m having a heart attack,” he declared to the empty room, pressing his hand to his chest. “Can you actually die from making a dreaded phone call?”

With a shake of his head, Kia flopped into a chair, rested his elbow on the table, and leaned his forehead into his hand. It felt like being on the edge of a cliff, with the ground crumbling beneath his feet.

For most of his life, Kia had tried to avoid Xavier, pretending he had all the freedom in the world. But now that he had to face his uncle, he was seriously freaking out.

Still, he had no choice. Matias had pretty much ordered him to do it. Since Kia was now a part of the wolf pack—still completely insane given he was a cheetah—he had to follow Matias’s orders.

Summoning every ounce of courage, he grabbed the phone, determined to make the call to his uncle without fear threatening to strangle him.

But then, just as swiftly, Kia put it back down, opting instead to grab a juice from the fridge, chugging half the bottle in one go to soothe his dry mouth. Sinking back into his chair, he whispered to himself, “Come on, Kia. You don’t need Suero here to hold your hand. You got this.”

His mate wasn’t home, and Kia wanted to use the quiet moment to talk to Xavier. He just needed to actually dial the phone.

Glancing at the clock, Kia wondered how long it would be until Suero got home. Not that Kia needed him to do this. He could handle one freaking phone call on his own.

Even if the thought made his stomach twist into knots. Kia took another gulp of juice, draining the bottle.

“Stop being a coward,” he muttered. “Just call him.” Before he could lose his nerve again, Kia snatched up the phone and located Xavier's number in his contacts. His thumb hovered over the call button. One press and there’d be no going back.

Closing his eyes, Kia took a deep breath and dropped his thumb.

The line rang once. Twice. Kia’s pulse hammered. On the third ring, the click of someone picking up. His eyes snapped open.

Xavier’s deep voice came through the speaker, smooth but anxious. “Are you okay, pulsante?”

Pressing a trembling hand over his mouth, Kia struggled to keep from sobbing. His uncle hadn’t called him “button” since he was a small kitten. Hearing Xavier’s concern, the worry so clear in his voice, a lump formed in Kia’s throat. He didn’t know how much he needed this until now, and it cracked him open in a way he hadn’t expected.

“Yes,” he said, unable to stop his voice from catching. He sniffed and quickly wiped his tears away with the back of his hand and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. It’s just…”

“I can be overbearing,” Xavier offered softly. “I allowed my fear of losing you to turn me into a tyrant.”

“You’re not a tyrant.” Kia curled an arm around his stomach, desperate to hold himself together. “You were just clinging to the memory of your sister. My mother.”

“Is that what you think?” Xavier sounded shocked.

“Yes,” Kia whispered. “You always reminded me of how much I look like her.”

“Only because I wanted you to feel close to your mother, pulsante,” he said. “Kia, I see you for who you are, not a ghost of a sister I lost. Se credi a questo, allora ti ho deluso.”

“You’ve never failed me, Xavier,” Kai said. “I am who I am because of you.”

Xavier chuckled softly. “Stubborn, headstrong, and determined no matter what. How could I be mad when I raised you in my own image?”

“Are you?” Kia picked at a spot on the table with his nail. “Mad at me? Am I banished?”

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