Page 38 of New Blood

“Finally,” Flora said with a sideways glance at her.

“Yes.”

Austin and Francisco dropped a few large bags at the foot of the stairs. Parker was right behind them, placing two more suitcases on the floor.

At the same time, rapid footfalls—coming from the stairs—echoed in the high entry hall. Danielle glanced up and saw Eve descending, dressed as usual in riding pants and a casual shirt.

Austin and Francisco stopped in the middle of the foyer, intercepted by Flora, while Parker exited again, presumably to fetch more luggage.

“Do you have news about William?” Flora asked.

Before Austin could answer, Francisco set a small cat on the ground. Eve shrieked as if she’d been attacked by a monster and reared back, disgust spreading on her face.

“I hate cats! Get that damn thing outta here!”

“It’s not a thing,” Austin said calmly, shaking his head in disbelief. “Kitty belongs to Wendell.”

“I don’t care! Get her out of my face!”

Danielle furrowed her forehead. She’d never realized that Eve didn’t like cats, perhaps because nobody had ever brought a cat onto the estate. Realizing that Eve’s reaction could escalate quickly, Danielle placed the towels on a sideboard and bent down to the ground to intervene.

“Hey, Kitty,” she cooed, and the frightened little fur ball hissed and stretched her paw, claws extended, toward her as a warning. Danielle drew back instinctively.

Heavy footfalls came from the corridor behind her, accompanied by Wendell’s voice.

“You brought Kitty?”

He sounded excited, and before he’d even reached them, the tiny cat charged in the direction of its owner.

Danielle rose and watched the white furball jump into Wendell’s arms. The two of them were quite the contrast: he, a massive black man, and she, a tiny kitten no larger than a cantaloupe. Kitty rubbed herself on Wendell’s neck and purred contentedly.

Meanwhile, Parker entered again, dropping more bags near the door, before closing the entrance door.

“How did she do on the flight?” Wendell asked, addressing Austin.

Austin jerked his thumb in Francisco’s direction. “Ask him.”

Francisco rolled his eyes. “She used me as if I were her favorite scratching post. I kinda felt dirty afterwards.”

Wendell roared with laughter, and Austin joined in.

“That’s my girl! You should feel honored, bro, she doesn’t do that with everybody.”

Francisco grinned. “Your girl’s a little slut, ‘cause on the ride in the car, she was all over Parker.”

Parker raised a hand in protest. “Don’t even ask. I’m just glad she’s not a he.”

Danielle smiled at the cat. “She’s adorable.” She reached her hand out once more, but instantly the cat let out a warning cry, making her retreat again.

“Don’t take it personally,” Wendell apologized quickly. “She doesn’t like women.” He shrugged. “Competition for my affection, you know.”

He winked at her, and she wasn’t sure if he meant it or was simply joking. Wendell was hard to figure out. On the surface, he seemed like a tough guy who felt at home in every biker bar from here to Tijuana, but this side of him, the tender side he showed with his cat, suggested that there was more depth to him than at first suspected.

Since she didn’t have a smart reply to his comment, she simply nodded. Wendell was pretty much blocking the corridor with his broad frame, still cuddling his pet, and she didn’t want to interrupt, so she remained standing where she was.

“Austin, I asked you about William,” Flora said in a firmer tone now. “Is there any news?”

Danielle looked at him, also curious about what had been decided about her former alpha.