Secrets (16 page)

He pulled in a deep breath and let it out heavily. He had to leave them behind. This was not a rescue mission, it was a mission to learn more about William Carter's plans for the cats and Michelle's property.

Casey gathered his emotions and slipped out of the closet.
It sure would be great to be telepathic right now, like Asia. Being of like species will have to do.

Quietly, he walked the rows of cages, whispering hope and encouragement to the little captive creatures.

“I'll be back to get you out, very soon.” He held the truth of his words strong and steady until the room quieted.

The floor he sought next was up three flights of stairs. He took them swiftly, then quietly crept to another room that held fewer cats and a line of computers. He strode immediately to the cages, planning to assure them he'd protect them. But two steps toward them he stopped. He almost doubled over with nausea, hitting his stomach hard.
I have to do better than this. Man up, Casey!

He stepped closer to the cages. Two held adult cats that hissed and spit at him. He stared into their eyes and couldn't find their personalities, souls, anything that made them who they had once been. They were more than just angry feral cats. Their amber eyes burned with hatred. And they could barely stand on deformed legs. And enormously long claws curled menacingly from their feet.

Looking at the two twisted and deformed cats made Casey's gut ache.

He turned his attention to the other two caged cats and caught his breath. “Madeline.”

The furry gray cat crouched low in the cage and peered up at him with sleepy eyes.
Drugged.
As a feral, Madeline would typically be too afraid to act subdued on her own while he stood so close. The cat sitting in the cage next to her looked equally sedated.

Casey knew he had little time to gather enough information to bring a light on the research being conducted here, so he settled for a cursory search into cupboards, along counter tops, and inside drawers. He snapped photos of as many things as he could, then shoved his cell phone back into his pocket.

His brain jammed with images of vials of blood and curious liquids, meters and machines, and more, he turned back to Michelle's feral cat. “Change of plans, Madeline.” His eyes on the other three cats, he spoke softly. “I'll be back.”

He pulled Madeline carefully from the cage and gently placed her in his tool bag, then zipped it almost completely closed. A quick scan of outside the room told him the coats weren't around, so he threaded through the hallways and stairs until he reached the first floor room where he'd entered the building. Hoping against hope that Madeline would remain still, he reached through the window and set her on the ground, then climbed through it himself.

Sprinting toward his car, the sense of foreboding lifted incrementally with each step that took him farther from the Carter building.

He peeked inside the bag as he reached his car and saw Madeline sleeping. While that made things easier for him, it twisted around in his gut, cutting like barbed wire. It was unnatural behavior for Madeline. She needed immediate attention.

He drove into the main street, and punched in Lara's phone number.

• • •

Michelle locked her back door, dumped her purse and bag into the passenger seat in her car, and slipped behind the wheel and headed to work.

Even though Carter's threat sent chills racing throughout her body, damned if she'd let it deter her from living her life.

A lazy yawn stretched across her face. Memories of lovemaking with Casey last night fluttered sweetly in her heart. His mixture of tenderness and ferocity sent her to a place of unbelievable ecstasy. The thought of it even now made her heart skip erratically.

Soberness settled over her remembering him standing in front of her, sharing his secret self, the beautiful body of a lynx. It'd made a whopper of a surprise, and prompted questions about what else she didn't know about life. The wonder of what life could be welled inside her and lightened her steps as she walked into Aegar Investigations.

She checked the clock and smiled. She'd actually made it to work early.

A few minutes later, with the coffee brewing, Michelle looked up from her desk as Sterling and Lacey walked in.

Sterling lowered her head a bit and peered at her. “Michelle?”

Lacey giggled. “That clock must be wrong, my dear.” Then she sniffed the air. “Coffee? You sweet child.” Lacey grabbed a mug and filled it, then held it to her nose. “Mmmm.”

Michelle chuckled. “Maybe I'll start a new trend. Be early to work and have coffee already made when you arrive.” She smiled.

“You know we're just teasing you, right?” Sterling slanted her head and smiled at Michelle. “You're the best office manager slash cat rescue owner I've ever known.”

Michelle beamed. “Thank you.”

Lacey looked over the rim of her mug at Michelle, sipping coffee. Michelle let another smile escape.

“You're very happy this morning.” Lacey studied her. “Do you have good news about your property?”

Michelle frowned. “No. It's worse. While you two were out of town William Carter stopped by and made some threats.”

Sterling's mouth dropped open. “Threats?! What did he say?”

Michelle summarized the encounter and included Casey's promise to help. “Casey believes the whole mess is William Carter's doing and that ultimately his plan to take my house will fall through.”

“That son of a bitch. This time Carter has gone too far.” Lacey remained quietly staring at Michelle, while Sterling pounded her fist on the desk. “There's got to be something big in Carter's plans. You know we're here for you.”

Michelle wriggled under Lacey's scrutiny. She couldn't share her secrets, but it was hard to ignore them bubbling up and threatening to escape her lips.

“It's great that Casey is investigating.” Lacey grinned. “He's skilled at it. Right?”

Michelle whacked her palm to her forehead. “I can't keep anything from you. I am happy today, despite my dire circumstances. Casey and I … we've, well … ”

“Hooked up.” Lacey finished her sentence, beaming.

Sterling's eyes widened. “How did I miss that?” She wrapped her arms around Michelle. “So he's watching over you?” Sterling winked.

“He is.” Michelle dropped her gaze, unable to suppress a smile.

“And you're okay with that, sweetie?” Lacey lifted an eyebrow.

Sterling opened her arms wide and glared at her sister. “Lacey, I'd say she's more than okay with Casey's closeness. She's practically glowing.”

“Yes, she is. I'm happy for you. You deserve happiness and love with someone wonderful—Casey.”

Michelle breathed in a deep breath, then released it slowly. She wrapped a lock of hair around a finger and pursed her lips. “He is wonderful. I've known that for some time. The problem has been me. But so far I'm able to be close with him and not freak out. Maybe he's even good for me. Maybe I'll fully get my life back.”

“You've worked hard at reclaiming it. You know what they say, what goes around comes around. You've worked on your issues and lived a caring life; the good is coming around for you.” Lacey patted her on her shoulder.

Her kind words and support sifted through the darkness and the fears like soft snowflakes on a cold ground. “Once I get past this stupid William Carter problem, I might actually believe you.”

The phone rang and Michelle answered while Sterling and Lacey walked into their private office. It was a potential client. Michelle took down the man's information, then put him on hold to pass it on to the sisters.

Fortunately, the business had survived a slump during the past six months and now the sisters' schedule kept them very busy and the company in the black. Michelle's heart warmed just thinking of her good fortune to work for two strong, kind women.

With monthly reports to generate, Michelle had plenty to do, too. She set aside the sticky business with Carter and opened the Excel spreadsheet she needed to begin. Numbers and formulas were her “thing,” and it was easy for her to become engrossed in cells, rows, and numbers. It felt concrete, productive, and structurally sound compared to much of the rest of her life.

She glanced up at the clock and realized, in between phone calls, she'd been working on reports for almost two hours. She turned toward the window overlooking the downtown streets and let herself linger on unprovoked thoughts of Casey. Casey, the delicious man who could change into a lynx. She'd seen him shift and it had seemed so easy and smooth. So second nature. What actually was second nature to him, she wondered. There were all those questions left unanswered last night. Delicious sensations of kissing his lips, caressing his skin, and losing control in his arms shimmied through her. These were sensations she would like more of. A smile from inside landed on her face.

From on top of her desk came the sound of her cell phone vibrating. “Hi, Casey.” Michelle couldn't keep the smile out of her voice.

“Hey, beautiful. Sorry I had to leave last night, but I had work to do.”

“I understand.”
Geez, I'm practically cooing.
“Thanks for the note.”

Silence on the other end filled the space between them. Finally, Casey spoke. “You didn't stay home.”

“No, you told me to go to work, take care of Cats Alive. Besides, I … last night … I've got to live my life.” Her heart raced as she searched for the right words.

More silence. More holding her breath. “I know. I did say that. I guess I really want you protected. Sorry. I'm just trying to keep you safe until everything falls into place.”

She heard his teeth grind and she could envision his sober face. It somehow comforted her. “I appreciate your help—”

“I know,” he interrupted her. “Well, I have to talk to you. Can you get away for a while or would tonight be better?” He stumbled awkwardly over his words, which was very unlike Casey. Worry spread like icy fingers in her chest. “I feel like we left so many things up in the air last night. I'm eager to see you. But if you're busy, it can wait.” He cleared his throat.

“I could meet you over my lunch hour. And if it takes longer I'm sure Sterling and Lacey won't mind. Would that work?”

The muffled sounds from the street below kept her grounded, but fear hung so close, as though it sat just inside her peripheral vision, letting her know all was not well.

“Yes, that would be perfect.” She heard concern lace his voice but also a bright lift that soothed her. “I'll pick you up outside your office, then. What time?”

“Just a second.” She put him on hold and hollered to the sisters, asking if she could take an early lunch and maybe a long lunch.

“Of course,” they chimed in together. “Do what you have to do.”

“Casey, I'm ready to go now.”

After leaving Madeline with Lara, Casey had called a meeting of his colony, Lara included. Since it was mid-morning and most of the cats worked, he'd decided to have lunch at his house. It would be the second meeting he'd called about Michelle. Last night they'd met at Lara's house to let everyone know about Michelle. It wasn't a discussion. He'd tried to make it clear that as the leader, he aimed to guide the colony into a sustainable future, one that would possibly have new rules and new ways of doing things. He'd announced that he was getting emotionally close to a human, Michelle. That announcement met with some disdain and some tentative acceptance. Today he was taking things a step further.

Pulling up to the curb where Michelle stood, a lump formed in his throat. She stood there, all bright and shiny and perfect, not knowing what was ahead of her. Longing to protect her and not scare her away filled every cell of his body.

She waved and climbed in the car. Before she had time to speak, Casey pulled her close to him, as close as the console would let him, and held her tight. “I missed you, sweetheart.”

Her embrace felt like coming home. He breathed in the scent of her hair, all warm and flowery, and let his muscles relax.

She pulled back and studied him. “I missed you, too. You okay?”

He turned back to the wheel as she relaxed against the seat. “I'm just happy to see you.” It was true. It also was only part of the truth. Nerves were jangling loudly in his ears. He wasn't afraid, but he knew full well how ominous things were right now. Not the least, introducing Michelle to his colony.

“Where are we going?” Michelle rested her hand on his leg and warmth pushed his pulse higher.

“My house. You haven't been there, have you?” He took in her profile as they drove along. Her nose, a nose that turned up just enough to be cute. Her lips, full and tempting. Her hair, flowing in the breeze from the open windows, dancing like gossamer.

“No.” She ran her fingers through his dreads, tempting his senses. “Hmm … I wonder why I haven't. Not even before when we were dating.”

He ducked his head, his eyes on the road. “I think it will all make sense to you very soon.”

“Ooh, that sounds mysterious.”

Tension fired between them and as much as he wanted to tell her everything, he now wanted much more to take her to bed for the day. He licked his lips at the thought.

“Yesterday was really nice.” She dropped her gaze to the floor. “I know I've been difficult. Thank you for understanding.”

“We've both had our personal issues. Thank you for not running away and screaming when you saw me as a lynx.” He covered her hand with his, and she looked up and smiled. The air felt thick with emotion—real, honest emotion.

He pulled into his driveway and hit the garage door opener. As soon as he stopped Michelle was out of the car and out in the yard.

“This is gorgeous. I guess I've always thought of you as a city boy.” She turned to flash a grin at him. “Your house is definitely country, rural, whatever you call it.”