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Chapter One
Renner gritted her teeth as she entered her apartment above the animal shelter. The soundproofing had paid for itself the moment it had been installed. Her private space was blissfully quiet. Getting shot at a wedding hadn’t been planned, but she had been braced for it. It still sucked.
Rhymbia had been a radiant bride and didn’t need to know why the stalker had shot Renner. It hadn’t been an accident. She had been wearing a bride illusion with Rhymbia’s face. Right to the moment of his death, Renner was pretty sure he had no idea he had the wrong woman.
She kicked off her shoes and stretched carefully to remove her dress. Her left arm was weak, but she managed to unzip the dress with only a bit of tugging at the stitches. Renner had to convince him that he had killed Rhymbia, and he had until Kern caught up with him.
Renner got her bra off and pulled on a nightshirt. Her makeup was scrubbed off with one hand, and her hair was lowered when that was done. She rolled into bed and smiled that Rhymbia was finally safe. Her mother wasn’t getting out on bail, and her stalker was dead. Now, Renner’s boss could rest and concentrate on being happy.
She settled carefully and applauded her boss for having such useful family members. The stitches were nice and snug while allowing room for seepage. What fun. She was going to have to have the vet check them out in the morning. She didn’t ask many questions.
Renner sat on the stainless-steel table and smiled at the vet. “So, how are they so far?”
“Clean and neat. There is very little damage around the edges. You are taking care of it well. I am going to wrap it up. Do you want pink paws or blue?”
“Pink. I am going to wear myself for a while.” She knew it was opposite to what she had told her boss, but she could get through the heat with focus and privacy. If she wore her male form, it would just wait for her. It was best to get it over and done with and then get on with trying to find a mate. Thanatos was off the table. Lady Fen was famous for picking mates for her descendants. He was just another casualty. He could breed with a beta; it would just be more difficult to have kids. They would have to try a lot.
Renner shook her head and watched the wrap that went around her armpit and over her shoulder. “Very pretty.”
The vet grinned. “It is. Sponge-bath for a few days, and then come back, and I will check your stitches. Are you going to stay close to home?”
“I thought I would work at the cat café. Help out.”
“Good, but take things lightly for a few days. That bullet pulled a bit of muscle out. Give yourself a chance to heal.” She smiled. “Oh, and take your police report with you. I thank you for it though.”
“You don’t need extra paperwork.” Renner smiled.
Doc Leena took off her gloves. “I don’t. How is Achilles’ new friend doing?”
“He and Iris are doing well. They are grooming each other to an embarrassing degree.”
The doctor laughed. “Glad they are getting along. How populated is the café?”
“We have eighteen occupants. Two of them are being courted by single visitors who are getting pet-friendly accommodations.” She shrugged her black shirt into position and buttoned it up. Her left arm was still stiff, but her fingers moved.
“I am still on schedule to do exams tomorrow?”
“Yup. We will have the table out and get them used to it, including the scales.” She smiled. It made the clients more confident to see the certificates that the pets were examined every three months. Renner prided herself on the turnover rate of the cats from the café. Local shelters had asked to participate, and Renner said sure, as long as they got their health checks before they sent her candidates to try out. If they weren’t a good fit, Renner went to the shelter and picked a replacement.
“How much do I owe you, Leena?”
“Two large cappuccinos tomorrow.”
“Done. Thanks for the kitty-paws bandage.” She smiled.
“You aren’t going to be doing any heavy lifting?” It was Leena’s way of asking if she would be using her masculine illusion.
“No. I am letting things burn out. Plus side to things, the wound has done a number on my libido, so I think my heat is done for a while.”
“That’s good. Why did you have them so close together?”
“Ah, I met a guy. He ticked all the boxes, but I was missing something, so he’s off looking for a family setup, and I get to go shopping again. He’s from one ofthosefamilies.”
“Oh. Right. Money and connections.”
“Yup. Two things I am distinctly lacking. All I have to offer is my wit and my charm and an affinity for felines.”
Leena grinned. “That’s a lot, but you are going to have to focus on a guy who likes cats first and work from there.”
