Night of the Lions (Lions of Manhattan 1)

“Of course,” Cat said bitterly. She pulled two pairs of jeans from the clean hamper and decided to take only one pair. The other one had a hole in the butt that she hadn’t had time to patch.

“Why do you keep the agency running even though it’s losing money? Wouldn’t it make better sense if you got another secretarial job?”

“Gee. You know about that, too?”

“We did a thorough background check.”

Cat sighed. “The agency is Jon’s legacy. I want to keep it running in his memory.”

“You two were close,” he stated, drawing a conclusion.

“He was the only one I had in this world. Now, he’s gone and I haven’t got a clue what the hell I am doing.” Cat tried to sound neutral, but a shard of bitterness found its way into her tone.

Alex took off his sunglasses, looking sympathetic. “I’m sorry for your loss. But you don’t have to be alone. Gabe likes you very much.”

“I know that.”

“No, you don’t. Gabe has claimed you as a mate. That means you’re part of the pride. We’re your new family now.”

“What do you mean claimed me as a mate? We just fucked.”

“Didn’t my brother mark you?”

“He bit me. On the nape. I still have the bruise. Didn’t think he was such a biter.”

Alex’s lips almost curved into a smile.

“Do you bite the women you sleep with, too?” Cat wanted to know.

“I haven’t taken a mate.”

“I thought lions are polygynandrous.”

“We’re only half the beast and more civilised.”

“Is that so? Your bother could use less chauvinistic shit, though. Women in this country have the right of freedom to go anywhere they want.”

“This coming from somebody who was about to be stuffed into the trunk of a car? Rich.” The grin on Alex’s face turned into a sneer. “Look. Gabe’s only looking after your interests. Right now, you aren’t safe until things are sorted out.”

Cat sniffed. “I can take care of myself, thank you very much.”

“Sure. On second thoughts, pack two weeks’ worth of clothing. You won’t miss anything in this apartment.”

Cat scowled as Alex stalked away. She had no intention of going back to Gabriel’s place whatsoever. At least, not until she’d settled the problem with Rossi. Alex and Danielson seemed to be in the living room, talking in low voices. She pretended to do some serious packing, rattling her drawers. She shuffled to the bathroom, making the necessary noise to let them know she was in there. She turned the water on and flushed the toilet, then took off her shoes and tiptoed on her feet as she slammed the bathroom’s door closed.

Cat edged towards the window in the bathroom. She could access the fire escape from it. During the summertime, she had removed the screen to let the fresh air in, and she was glad she hadn’t put it back yet. She twisted the latch on the windowsill and pushed the glass up. Cat slunk on to the miniscule balcony, clutching her shoes. She quietly climbed down the fire escape, hoping the men wouldn’t notice her sneaking off. Her apartment was on the second floor, and it didn’t take much to reach the ground. Her heart thumped fast. Cat put on her shoes and spirited towards the parking lot.

Her neighbour two doors down, Nancy Fritz, was starting her minivan. Cat tapped her window. Nancy powered it down.

“Where are you going?” Cat asked breathlessly.

“Target. Gonna return some shirts I bought yesterday.”

“Can I ride along? I need to get a cab. My car’s broke.”

“Sure. Hop in.”

Cat couldn’t contain her grin as she slid on the seatbelt. Alex and The Terminator would feel very silly when they noticed she was gone.