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I want to press her, to ask for more information, but she grabs Jo’s arm and walks away. I’d have followed, but Bailey grabs me and shoves me at the stalking cat.
“Shade!” I warn.
His tail is thick and fluffy and waving in the air in an aggressive manner that has me all sorts of nervous. I don’t care who thinks it’s ridiculous to be scared of a cat. This cat is freaky, and I defy anyone to stay here calm while it’s got that crazy look in its eye.
“What the fuck is wrong with it?” Bailey hisses. “It took a good chunk out of my arm.”
“Just a love bite!” Mael says as he calmly walks past.
The cat ignores him, intent on its sudden desire to mutilate us.
“Kingston!” I shout.
He’s nowhere to be seen. I refocus on the stalking cat.
“I’ll drop you off at a cattery if you keep this shit up. You’ll have to eat actual cat food and shit in a tray full of dirt. No cushions, no bed, no one to cuddle you. Or you can stay here and be the pampered prince you are.”
The cat considers me for a long moment and then just suddenly turns and trots off. Rain and Wolfie run out and trot after the contrary cat. The boy laughing, while the kitten bats at Shade’s tail. He doesn’t react.
“How much does the cat understand?” Bailey asks.
“I’m not sure. Some days I’d say nothing, others, well…you saw that.”
Fuck, my hands are shaking. What is it about that oversized feline that has me wanting to run? I pull out my hand sanitizer and wash them thoroughly.
At least I’m not the only one scared of it.
The idiot beast worships Selene, though. I get a crazy thought. Am I going to have to compete with the cat in order to get close to her?
“Fucking hell!” I whimper.
Bailey slaps my shoulder. “Grow a pair.”
“Says the guy hiding behind my shoulder.”
“Better you than me. I’m too pretty for scars.”
I snort a laugh.
My phone rings, and when I see Brutus on the screen, I give Bailey a nod and walk off, leaving him behind.
“Yeah,” I say when I’m clear.
“What have you found out?” The voice growls through the phone.
I wince. He must be in a bad mood.
“We had a lead. It turned out to be smoke, but we’re not giving up. We will find him.”
“Fine. Keep searching for the Tiger. But,” Anderson growls, “you can’t keep searching forever.”
There’s a moment of silence, deep and dark, threatening. My heart jumps and drops heavily in my chest.
“Now, more importantly. Did you three bond my son?”
I close my eyes and wonder how I’m going to talk my way out of this one.
Chapter twenty-seven