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There were two cats and, in Quin’s grasp, a hedgehog. It was curled up in a ball until Quin stroked its nose. Then, it scampered up his arm and settled on his shoulder, making him chuckle and me almost bolt out of my skin.
What had he called it earlier…? A hamster with spikes?
That felt unerringly close to the truth.
"Cat, then," Amara said with a decisive tone as she took in my reaction to the small creature.
I stared at the remaining animals, wondering what the hell was happening here.
Was this a joke?
But it was a rhetorical question because I knew it definitely wasn't.
None of the Old Ladies were laughing, the men had disappeared as though they were sick of being given animals to adopt, and I was, I realized, quite, quite alone.
Unless…
"My guards would probably appreciate a pet," I remarked, not caring that I was totally selling them out.
Amara pursed her lips. "We bring more. There plenty in our house."
Fuck.
Giulia chuckled. "Nice try, Savannah."
"Is this for real?" I muttered.
"Oh, it’s for real," Hawk said on a sigh. "Just pick one. Trust me, it’s easier to surrender."
Quin snorted, but he didn’t argue.
It was clear that this was Amara’s show.
I scowled at her, unafraid when she scowled back. Then, she stunned me. That mean frown of hers softened. "Is gift. Make happy. You smile more with animal."
"She’d be happier if her husband didn’t lie to her," Giulia mocked.
"Cat no lie," Amara retorted. "Cat loyal."
Stone chimed in, "Cats are loyal to themselves. I know if I died in my bedroom, Mrs. Biggins would eat me to save herself."
"Steel chose Mrs. Biggins for you. Not Quin," Amara dismissed. "Pick, Savannah. My thank you. For all help.Tak?"
Rejecting that offer of thanks would have not only been rude, it would also have been selfish.
I really didn’t want a goddamn cat, but I could see she meant well, and…
Was I truly considering this?
Jesus on a cracker.
"Where did they even come from?" I mumbled.
"We bring from clubhouse," Amara informed me and her tone turned more unyielding as she said, "You need one. Pick."
I'd done a segment on native cats for TVGM so I recognized the breeds.
One was fully grown—that was the one in Amara's arms. The creature was large with a bushy tail, and it kept on butting Amara's chin. A Maine Coon, I thought it was called.
