Claiming Their Cat (5 page)

The last thing she wanted was for Rio to know her name, but it didn’t take a genius to know he’d be like a dog with a ham bone. Her name was Catherine, but everybody called her Cat. She’d given Alvarez her middle name of Mari, but Rio would never know that. She
was afraid
if she gave Rio an alias, he’d call her by that name, and she’d flub up and not answer to it. “You can call me Cat.”

“Cat what?”

“That’s all you need to know to talk to me.”

“Cat with a C or Kat with a K.”

“I will answer to either.”

“Fair enough. Turn around, lay your upper body on the table
,
and pull your shirt up. I’m going to remove it, and it may need a stitch or two, but don’t worry, I’ve stitched up myself plenty of times.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“Probably not, but it’s the truth anyway,
Cat
.”

So his mate’s
name was Cat. That suited her. She’d fight him when she had to, or shove a knife in his gut.
H
e knew
enough a
bout cats
to know
never to back them in to a corner, because they’d scratch your eyes out. No, he couldn’t trust her. Next time she might aim higher.

His wolf could s
mell her wariness. She was bone-
tired
which
concerned him.
N
ow he had to dig a transmitter out of her.

One thing was for sure
,
she didn’t remember him
from the brothel
either
. He had to admit that if it wasn’t for his wolf, he wouldn’t have recognized her, but the wolf was never wrong. He needed to know why no one at the brothel knew of her, how had she ended up with Alvarez and why the hell was she running? Did she know something she shouldn’t?
Why did she steal his money—not that he cared right now.

She pulled her braid over her shoulder. Tugging her sweatshirt as high as she could, she laid her head on her cradled arms. The delicate bones of her spine drew his attention. His canines elongated just thinking about kissing every one of them—slow—slow enough to savor them for hours. After that, he’d turn her over and enjoy her front. His cock
throbbed
bone
-
hard
imagining
all the ways he could tease and taste.

Focusing back on his mate, he contemplated going from kissing to slicing.
H
e cursed himself. “I don’t have time to give you a local painkiller, so it’s gonna hurt like hell, and I’m sorry.”
But it’s
certainly
gonna hurt me more than you.

His beast was antsy, prowling around like a caged animal. Rio had to admit he’d never paid any attention to mated werewolves. His grandparents had loved and fawned over each other enough to make him sick to his stomach. His parents weren’t true mates, just tolerated one another…barely. Rio’s dad was a mean son of a bitch, so he
was sure
he’d got
ten
his propensity for killing from his dad and
the love of black coffee from his mom
.

“Just get it over with.”

Rio had searched for this woman, but he’d always imagined sliding between those silky thighs, not slicing her shoulder open. After pulling her shirt up further, he felt around for the chip. She stiffened beneath him.

Pressing on the chip, he had to admit,
someone secured
it
in
a good place for concealment. After it was injected under her skin, it probably was a little bit sore, and if she’d looked in the mirror, she wouldn’t have seen anything. Alvarez must want this woman something fierce, and Rio needed to find out
the
reason so he could protect her.

He wiped his hands with an alcohol towel, knowing full well he should go wash them, but she’d run like a scalded dog. Using another alcohol wipe, he cleansed the area. When he was patching up himself, he wouldn’t bother with cleanliness because a werewolf just didn’t need it. He could always shift later and heal. But she was human. Grabbing the scalpel, he took a deep breath. There was no easy way to do this. Pinching the chip between two fingers, he sliced the subtle skin, surprised when she didn’t cry out or flinch. With a little squeeze, the offending object slipped from her skin and in between his fingers.

After dropping the
offending
chip into his pocket, he sewed her wound together with two Frankenstein stitches. He’d stitched himself up a couple of times when he wasn’t in a position to shift. These stitches were ugly and would probably scar, but he didn’t have the luxury of taking his time. After covering it with a bandage, he let her shirt drop to cover all that creamy skin.

There was a driving compulsion in him, the need to figure out how to get her to come with him, keep her alive, and how to get her in his bed. His wolf said getting her in bed was a terrific idea. Whatever it t
akes
.

His Cat sat up and tugged her sweatshirt down. Awful shame to hide that delicate flesh, but he had shit to do
,
as well as figure out how to keep her with him. “How does it feel?”

“It’s…fine.”

Yeah, he just bet it was. Her face
paled
, her breathing c
ame
in spurts. She’s about to faint. “Come with me to the truck. I
have
to pull it around to the back. I’ll aim the AC at you.
Try not to
throw up in my truck.”

Her sad gaze met his. “I just want to leave.”

He gently took her arm and tugged her to standing. “What are you going to do? Walk?
Hitch
hike
? You’re safer with me.”

“Am I?” She gave him a you’re-shitting-me look.

“Absolutely.” He maneuvered her back outside to the passenger’s door and helped her in, hoping she wouldn’t escape before he could get to the driver’s side. He knew the only thing stopping her from running was exhaustion.

Fred met them at the back. Rio glanced at Cat before slipping from the truck.

“How’s she holding up?”

“I think she’s going into shock.”

“Well, let’s get some food in her and see what happens.”

“Don’t let her chuck in my truck.”

“I wouldn’t dare let anything happen to your
precious
truck.” Yeah, he liked his
custom-made vehicle
, but he didn’t want to take the time to clean up the mess.

Rio had worked up a sweat by the time he had loaded the last of his arsenal. He closed the bed lid and locked it. “I need to borrow your truck.”

“Sure. I ain’t going nowhere.

“Keep an eye on her until I get back.”

Fred eased himself down on the back steps. “I’ll do that, but you need to hurry. I don’t want to have to tangle with your mate because she wants to run away from you, and I sure as hell don’t want to tangle with you because I touched your mate. It’s a lose/lose situation for me.”

“Trust me; I won’t lay a finger on you.”

Fred grunted and rolled his eyes.

When Rio got back, Fred was sitting on the steps drinking a beer before six
a.m.
, and Rio considered that a
good sign.

He was relieved
Cat
was still in the truck. “How’s she doing?”

“I got a little bit of food down her, but not enough. She’s been sleeping close to an hour now. Oh, and you owe me fifteen dollars.”

“What for?”

“She apologized for stealing some food and knives and said she’d pay me back when she could. I figured since she’s your mate you’ll be handling her debts now.”

Yeah, he would, but getting her to let him do it would be the kicker. “W
ill
you take a check?”

Fred grinned. “Hell no. Listen, she don’t look too good. You need to get her to the doctor.”

Rio would never take her to a public place, but he did have a wonderful doc that he used quite a bit. Once he ditched the transmitter and put some distance from this place, he
’
d get her medical attention. “I’ll do that.” Rio glanced at the back of the diner. “You know what we’ve got to do, don’t you?”

Fred rubbed his stubbly face. “Yeah, as much as I hate to.”

“I’ll send you a check for a new building.”

“Nah, I got insurance I’ve paid all these years. It will be good
for them to
pay me. Besides, it’s about time I retire.”

“Hey, why don’t you come with me and lay low for a while? You could cook for me and keep me supplied with a bottomless pot of your best coffee.”

“Thanks, but—em—no. I don’t want to be a third wheel on your honeymoon.”

“It ain’t no honeymoon. I’m just going to keep her safe.”

“That may be what you’re saying, but your wolf is gonna be thinking something else. Besides, you’re liable to kill me if I look at her wrong.”

“I can control my wolf
,
you know.”

“The answer’s no. What are you doing with the transmitter?”

Rio recognized the finality of the subject. “Crush it and toss it far away from here in the in the wilderness somewhere. I don’t want it near any people, because I don’t know what Alvarez would do to get information. Then I’ll double back.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’m going to pop the gas line in there, and I’ll let you blow it for me. You’re a much better shot than me.”

T
hat was some bullshit. Fred was just as good
, b
ut perhaps
he
couldn’t bring himself to do it. “Any keepsakes you need me to help you get out?”

Fred shook his head.

“Hey, I’m sorry man, but that tracker has been parked in your diner too long.”

“I know. I ain’t got no regrets. You just keep your mate safe and invite me to the wedding.”

Wedding?
He just wanted her to accept his protection. He’d figured out the solution while he was starting the bonfire. After what he was getting ready to demand of her, there would be no wedding, because she’d gut him for sure.

Cat jerked
awake when her head fell back against the headrest. Then reality hit. She’d escaped from one
lunatic
right into the hands of another. She was going to die and so was her baby.
Cat2, which is what she called him or her, hadn’t been very active the past three days even before the sedative.
Perhaps it was the fact she’d run out of gas and options. No food, no prenatal vitamins, how could this child be normal?
She couldn’t run anymore
,
couldn’t fight any more.
T
hat only left one option, because she’d never let Alvarez get her child.

Fear skittered across her skin when the door opened, and Rabid Rio slipped in.
Their gazes locked.
Was that concern in those black eyes?
Probably didn’t want his meal ticket to expire before he collected the jackpot. Of course, Rio might be the only one who Alvarez would give the ten mill to. No one wanted to piss off Rio. It was said he moved like a shadow, and no one knew he’d been there unless he wanted you to
know…or
someone was dead.

“You okay?”

No, hell no, I’m not okay
. “I’m fine.”

She felt the heat of his gaze on her, but chose not to give in.

“You’re not a good liar.”

“I’m not good at a lot of things.” The truck roared to life making her realize the truth in her statement. “Why
wo
n’t you let me go? Trust me, I’m nothing but trouble.”

“I know you’re trouble with a capital T.”

Gee, he’s so good with the compliments.

“But I
wo
n’t let you go. So as soon as I take care of some business, I’ll take you somewhere to get checked out, and then we’ve got to talk.”

“What the hell makes you think you’ll be alive along enough to do all that? Alvarez is paying
good
money to anyone who brings me back. I’m sure when they find
me, they
’ll try to take me away from you—again.”

The look he gave her said
he
wasn’t worried. What she’d give to have that confidence.

“Are you going turn me into Alvarez?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I have my reasons.”

“You want to share?”

Rio
removed his hat and placed it on the console. He shook his head, his long black hair dancing in the morning sun. Apparently, in all the rush to leave, he’d forgotten to tie it back.

“Listen. I know you think you’re invincible, but Alvarez will kill you if you don’t turn me over to him.”

“Do you want me to turn you over to him?”

“No.”

“Then what do you want?”

“For you to let me go.”
Was he that dense?

“Can’t do that.”

“Fine.
Have it your way.”

He smiled. “I always do.” He leaned forward and put the truck in gear.

The click of the locks reminded her of jail doors.
One thing was for sure he lived up to the arrogant part of his persona, and she was sure that smile of his had all the ladies swooning.
All she wanted to do was smack that smile off his arrogant face.

Her belly dropped as the truck pulled on
to the highway heading south. South was not
good
. Was he taking her back today? He said no, but lying would come easy to a killer.
Before she could get a grip on herself, he
had
pulled the truck on
the shoulder and shoved it in park.

He took the keys, opened the door, and slid off the seat. “Don’t go anywhere.”

That wasn’t a problem.
She had no energy to get out of the truck much less try to run through the dusty brush.
Her only hope would be if a car passing by was to stop, but she had about as much hope as she’d had good luck.
The second she told someone Rio was trying to kill her, they’d take one look at
him
and decide not to get involved.
Hell, she couldn’t blame them. She didn’t want to be involved with him either.

Her only hope was to find a weapon somewhere in the console or the glove box. Surely, such a notorious killer as him would have guns, knives and super-duper techno-blaster guns stashed everywhere.
She twisted around
check on
Rio
,
surprised to find
him
holding a rifle.
He cocked his head to the side as if listening, and then he shouldered the rifle.
What the hell?
Maybe he was crazier than the tales she’d heard.

As she turned
back
to find her lifesaving weapon, a shot split the morning air.
Raw fear prickled across her skin. She whipped her head around in time to see the diner explode, the fireball reaching far into the sky. Slapping her hand over her mouth, she swallowed the terror rising in her throat. He casually placed the rifle back in the bed of the truck, closed the hatch, and slid his powerful body behind the wheel. He pulled up short when he saw her face.

“What?” he asked.

“I thought the man was your friend.” Her voice squeaked. Was the old man still inside? Admittedly, she hadn’t seen him leave.

“He is. I just saved his life.”

“Ho…how?”

“Your tracker place
d
you at his establishment for a long time, long enough that he’d be questioned, in depth, about you and your whereabouts. Fred is taking a long vacation.”

The truck pulled back onto the highway as her brain tried to follow the flawed logic. “Why couldn’t he just take an extended vacation? Why demolish his livelihood?”

“There’s a body in there, and it ain’t Fred.
That will keep Alvarez off his tail.”

A cold chill swept over her. Whom had he killed? Was he so coldblooded
that
he’d kill some innocent to save his friend?

Her belly churned, and thick bile rose in her throat.
“Pull over.”

Apparently, one look at her face told him everything. The truck whipped to the shoulder, shuddered to a stop and the locks clicked. She wrenched the door open, slipped from the truck and landed hard on her hands and knees, puking the whole way down.
Cat
retched
so
violently
she thought she would
throw
up the baby.
When she finally leaned back on her legs, a fine sheen of sweat peppered her brow. Glancing to her side, she saw her breakfast dripping off his door. Her humiliation was complete—she’d puked on Rabid Rio’s truck. He’d probably kill her for that alone.

“Why are you so upset?”

She lifted her gaze to his.
What a question from a killer.
“You killed someone and torched them just to save your friend. That’s pretty cold.”

“I didn’t kill anybody new.
While you were napping in the truck, I went back and got one
o
f
those thugs
who
tried to kill you yesterday.”

Her eyes blinked as her brain tried to process. “Oh.”

“Yeah, oh.”

Apparently, a killer didn’t have to hide their irritation. He helped her back in the truck, handed her a water bottle and then poured the other one on the door.

“Sorry about your truck.”

“Nothing that can’t be cleaned up. Just don’t tell Fred you puked up his breakfast. He’d be offended.”

Maybe there was some humor in there too. “Now where to?”

“Drop this tracker somewhere far away from here.”