Wild Cat Read Online Free PDF Page A

microphone. “Stop.”
    She jumped. “What?”
    Diego leaned his fists on the table to look into her face. Her green eyes were so near his own, and he could feel her breath on his face.
    “Listen to me, chiquita . Trespassing isn’t a misdemeanor for Shifters. It’s a crime with a prison sentence attached. I know you didn’t hurt Hooper and Jemez, because that guy with the gun shot at me too, and I watched you chase him off. But there’s no evidence, only my word, and yours, and you have to know by now that the word of a Shifter isn’t worth shit. If you admit you were running around in the desert for the hell of it, and some crazy Shifter hunter started chasing you, I can help you. You start talking about running away from your Shiftertown, and I can’t help you anymore. They’ll tranq you and lock you up. I’m your best shot at freedom, mi ja , so shut up.”
    No Shifter, besides her brother Eric, would look at Cassidy like this or get in her face and talk to her in that stern, obey-me voice. Not unless he wanted to be knocked across the room or go up against her pissed-off brother. But Diego Escobar wasn’t asking for submission or fealty. He was trying to get Cassidy to understand, to obey because it was necessary. To trust him, because he knew the rules of this place, and Cassidy didn’t.
    Diego turned the microphone back on. Cassidy’s heart beat in slow, thick beats as she leaned toward it. “I needed a run for the hell of it,” she said carefully. “To let off steam.”
    Diego gave her a look that said she’d finally got it. “Good. Now tell me why.”
    “Because I lost my mate. It’s the anniversary of his death, and I was going to the place he died to make my peace with it. All right?” That part was the truth.
    Cassidy blinked back angry tears. Diego was human—he’d never understand. Donovan had been her mate. You didn’t just say a eulogy and get over it.
    Diego looked at the file on the table but not because he was conceding ground. He was giving her a moment to collect herself.
    “Donavan Grady,” he read. “The Feline Shifter who was living with you. Died a year ago.”
    “He was my mate , not just living with me. The union was blessed under sun and moon. Not that humans understand what that means.”
    One year ago, Donovan’s mother and Cassidy had burned photos and mementos of Donovan under the moonlight, while their clans moved in solemn circles around them, easing Donovan into the Summerland. The Guardian—the Shifter whose sword turned a Shifter’s dead body to dust—had done his job, and Eric had held Cassidy as she’d wept.
    Donovan the fun-loving any-excuse-for-a-party-baby Shifter had been killed, before his time and for nothing. Cassidy had avoided the place of his passing for a long, long while, but tonight, something had drawn her there. Tomorrow, on the exact night of his death, they’d have his remembrance ceremony at home, but she’d wanted to burn an offering, alone, in the place of his dying. But someone had been there, waiting for her…
    “I’m sorry,” Diego was saying. “I know it’s rough, losing someone.”
    Cassidy looked up to find his gaze on her again. He’d turned off the microphone, and understanding lingered behind his no-nonsense stare. He knew.
    Because, Cassidy realized in shock, he’d lost someone too.
    “Was it someone close to you?” she asked.
    Diego gave her a surprised look, then he cleared his throat. “My partner. Jobe Sanderson. My best friend.”
    “I’m sorry,” Cassidy said, heartfelt. “I’ll say a blessing for you.” A lit candle, a prayer to the Goddess for the human Jobe now in the Summerland.
    Diego said nothing, but hurt and grief screamed for touch. Drawn to his pain, Cassidy slid her hand over his, giving him a touch to soothe and ease, like a cat might curl into another for comfort.
    Diego’s gaze flicked to their hands as Cassidy drew her fingers along the curve between his thumb and forefinger. He looked