BK 2 - Chapter 39 - Cats and Dogs
Ricky was counting down the days for the upcoming three-day weekend when he could go to Sacramento. He sent a few men there to get the lay of the land beforehand so he could get in and get out.
He knew he should forget about the girl and her boyfriend, but he couldn't. Being made a fool of was one thing he couldn't tolerate. All of Ricky's men had heard about what this girl had done, and he had to show them that he always got his revenge.
He pulled out his phone to call Vasco. He hoped that he, Eddie, and Raul had some news for him. Once they located the girl, they were supposed to watch her and wait for him before trying anything.
"Hey, boss," Vasco answered on the first ring.
"Have you seen her?" Ricky drummed his fingers on his desk as he waited for his reply.
"Yes. It looks like she and her boyfriend are staying with his brother, the detective, and his wife. We've followed them a few times to another house they appear to be repairing. If they have lions, we haven't seen them yet." Vasco was watching the house being repaired while Eddie and Raul were watching the pool house.
"Okay, keep me updated, and let me know if you notice anything unusual or see any lions. I definitely heard at least one killing Otto and Tito." Ricky didn't want to be caught off guard by a large Cat mauling him to death when he was strangling the little thief.
"Will do, boss." Vasco hung up the phone and started his car. The two brothers were leaving. He followed them back to the poolhouse, where he met up with Eddie and Raul.
"Any movement on the girl?" Vasco asked as the other two got into the car.
"Not yet. Why exactly does Ricky want us to follow these people? It's not like they're rivals or anything. This seems like a waste of time." Eddie slumped down in the backseat. He was one of the youngest of Ricky's crew at nineteen.
"She stole something from him, and he wants revenge. That's all you need to know." Raul was tired of Eddie's whining and was ready to feed him to the first lion he saw.
"Both of you shut up and look. All four of them are in the truck and going somewhere." Vasco started the car and followed the truck a few car lengths away. The black truck was so large it was easy for him to leave some distance between them.
They followed them near downtown Sacramento and watched as they went into a hotel. He figured they must be eating at the hotel restaurant, so he parked across the street where they could wait for them to come out.
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Kitty was fidgeting the entire way to the hotel to meet her mother. Sandie had texted her the details of where they were staying and when they would be there a few days ago. She had talked to her on the phone several times, but nothing could compare to seeing her. She hadn't mentioned anything about Leo being Cat's uncle.
"That black car is following us again. I had Roger run the plates, and it's a rental car. I have a feeling it's more of Ricky's men, so everyone be careful." Trey watched the car, clearly tailing them but not getting too close. He shook his head as he watched them. These guys didn't have a clue how to be discrete.
"Do you think we're in danger being out like this?" Aiden took Kitty's hand, worried that someone would try to make a move while she was with her mother.
"No. They've had many chances to get us, but they haven't done anything but watch. I think they're waiting for Ricky's instructions. We'll all stick together." Trey held Cat's hand a little tighter. He wasn't letting anything come near his mate and cub.
As they pulled up to the hotel and parked, Trey saw the car park across the street. The two couples went inside, and Trey looked out the window to ensure the men were staying put. After a few minutes, there was no movement from the car, so he felt they were safe.
Kitty's heart was beating so hard in her chest that she was sure everyone around her could hear it. Cat turned toward her and took her hand. As soon as she touched her, Kitty felt herself calming down. She smiled at her gratefully. They headed toward the restaurant where Sandie had reserved one of the private dining rooms.
Kitty smoothed down her black skirt, and pale green blouse Cat had helped her pick out. She wasn't used to wearing anything other than jeans and wanted to look nice. She wasn't too comfortable with heels, so Cat had her wear a pair of black wedge sandals.
Aiden had told her she looked beautiful, but she felt like she was a mess. Cat was wearing a simple dark blue sundress with heels, and somehow she looked like she had just walked off the runway. Kitty wished once again that she had her elegance and natural beauty.
They entered the restaurant and were told the others had already arrived. Cat put her arm around Kitty's waist as they headed to the back, where the private rooms were. She could feel her nervousness coming off her in waves.
"It will be okay," Cat whispered. Kitty looked at her and smiled as she hugged Cat back. Everyone moved back so Kitty could go in first. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
She spotted her mother right away. She looked even more like her in person than in the picture. They were frozen in place as they stared at each other, crying. Sandie moved first as she walked toward Kitty. Max held the two children back. They were anxiously waiting to greet their sister.
"I can't believe it's you." Sandie slowly approached her even though she felt like running and hugging her, but she would let Kitty make that decision.
Kitty could hardly see her mother through her tears. She couldn't move or breathe as she stood there. Cat came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Kitty regained her composure and walked the last few steps to Sandie.
"Mom?" Kitty asked in disbelief. They both started sobbing as they hugged. Sandie held Kitty tight as though she was afraid she'd disappear. She had waited nineteen long years for this moment, and now that it was here, she felt her world was complete.
Kitty hugged her mother for the first time, and it felt like a dream. After all those years of abuse and heartache, she finally had her mom.
"Are you Kitty?" She heard a small voice ask, and when she looked down, Kitty saw two beautiful dark-haired children. Kitty knelt in front of them and smiled as she wiped her tears away.
"Yes, I'm Kitty. You must be Wesley and Gracie." They smiled at her and ran into her arms. Kitty started crying as her brother and sister hugged her. All she had ever wanted was family, and now she had one.
*"I hate to interrupt, but your family is not what they seem,"* Zola said.
*"What do you mean?"* Kitty replied in confusion.
*"I'm not entirely sure, but I think they're shifters. Gracie is too young, but I could smell it on Wesley and your mother when they hugged you."* Kitty gasped out loud. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to ask them, but if they were human, she didn't want them to think she was crazy.
Kitty stood up and took the hands of Gracie and Wesley as she walked over to where Sandie and Max stood. They both had shocked looks on their faces as well. Kitty knew they had also picked up that the four newcomers were not human.
"Mom, I think we may have more in common than we thought. Do you have something you want to tell me?" Kitty asked with a smile.
Sandie and Max looked at each other. Sandie had been so overcome with emotion at seeing Kitty that she had missed her scent at first. However, now that she had stepped back, the scents of Kitty, Aiden, Trey, and Cat were overwhelming. They could tell they were werecats but didn't know what type.
"I think you're right. It appears your name suits you." Sandie held her breath as she looked at her daughter, waiting for her to go first.
"Mom, we're all werelions." Kitty waited as she stared at her mother.
"Well, it looks like cats and dogs do get along after all. We're werewolves."
