Part 28 (1/2)

Kendra and Harvey locked gazes. Hostility arced between them, and Kendra lost track of time. Thomas continued to screech and struggle in her arms.

Final y, Harvey stepped back. ”You deserve each other.”

He turned, unlocked the door, and let himself out.

”Thank you.”

Kendra knew he couldn't hear her, but that wasn't the point. This marked the end of their four-month relations.h.i.+p.

But she was too angry to care.

She marched to her front door, intending to close and lock it. As she reached for the doork.n.o.b, Thomas leaped from her arms and sped down her walkway.

”Tom.” Kendra hurried after him.

Harvey's car was gone. That was quick. She watched as Thomas raced away. Where was he going now? Kendra turned back to her house. Thomas knew his way home. She just hoped he'd be OK.

He'd taken a risk by weaving around Harvey's legs.

Thomas had known the male would get angry. But he hadn't antic.i.p.ated that kick. Meow, that had hurt. He needed to work on his reflexes.

Kendra had been furious. Her expression and her tone had told him that, as had the fear and concern he'd sensed from her. This was the perfect time for the other male to move in. Thomas would have to play it by ear to persuade the male to take him home to Kendra. That would give them time together while Kendra was stil mad at Harvey.

But one thing Thomas couldn't play by ear was entering Shadow's territory. He'd have to get to the male's home by coming from the southeast street corner. It would make for a longer trip, but it should be safer-if Shadow had only marked the southwest corner and not the entire block.

Thomas quickly traveled the detour. It had rained overnight. The ground beneath his paws was damp but warm. Birds sang in the trees overhead, making him hungry. A cool June breeze threaded his fur and tickled his whiskers. It carried with it the scent of warm earth, cut gra.s.s, and new roses. Heady fragrances that made him feel alive.

feel alive.

Thomas slowed as he approached the southeast corner of the male's street. He sniffed the air. Something was wrong. He tentatively approached the territory, one paw in the street, the other three stil on the sidewalk. The wind rested and the birds quieted. Danger, but from where?

Another step and now three paws were in the road and the fourth remained on the sidewalk. He cautiously brought his fourth paw off the curb and crouched low in the middle of the street. Watching. Waiting.

A rustling from the hedges straight ahead on the opposite sidewalk claimed his attention. Shadow appeared, fol owed by Red and Decoy. The black Bombay had marked the entire block. That's what Thomas had been afraid of.

CHAPTER THREE.

Shadow sauntered to the edge of the curb, his expression vicious, his manner threatening. The black cat hissed a warning and bared his teeth. Thomas's heart drummed painful y in his chest.

What had he ever done to anger the Bombay? Crossed into his territory when he'd been tired and hungry? And for that he deserved to be bul ied for the rest of his life?

No. Shadow and his crew stood between him and his goal, finding a suitable mate for Kendra. This mission was too important for Thomas to back down.

Gathering his courage, Thomas raced across the road and sprang into battle. As he leaped toward Shadow, the Bombay raised one paw. The slash cut four deep grooves into Thomas's left cheek, drawing blood and sending him sprawling onto the sidewalk.

Mindful of the other two cats, Thomas ignored his pain.

He rol ed to his feet, keeping his back clear. Red and Decoy flanked Shadow. The three cats stalked Thomas. He arched his back and hissed his chal enge. He wouldn't back down. He wouldn't show fear. His body was stronger now, thanks to Kendra. He wasn't the same hunger- weakened cat they'd preyed on months ago. And he was ready to prove it.

Shadow charged him, coming in low, then leaping high.

Thomas reared up onto his hind legs and swatted his attacker midleap. This time, Shadow landed hard on the curb. But Thomas didn't take his attention off the Bombay's friends.

Red rushed him. There was a tangle of paws and teeth.

Red screeched loudly and long as Thomas wrenched free with a portion of the other cat's ear. Payback was sweet.

But he couldn't celebrate now. Decoy had jumped him, clawing his back. Thomas arched in pain. He twisted left, then right, trying to dislodge the ragam.u.f.fin. With one last desperate heave, he shook off his a.s.sailant-and felt his flesh torn for his efforts.

Dizzy from blood loss, Thomas turned to face the strays.

Decoy rose shakily to his feet. He hissed and Thomas screeched back. The other cat's eyes widened before he turned and scampered away.

Red was already gone. That left Thomas to face Shadow. The two locked gazes. Anger and hatred glowed in Shadow's pale gray eyes. And something else. Fear?

Respect? Before Thomas could decide, Shadow turned Respect? Before Thomas could decide, Shadow turned and sauntered away.

Thomas waited until Shadow was out of view before letting down his guard. He sank onto the sidewalk. He was weak, shaky, and bleeding from a mult.i.tude of wounds. He needed help. Kendra was too far away, but he could see the male's house. Thomas pushed himself to his feet and limped toward his destination.

It seemed to take a long time to arrive in front of the male's town house. Thomas was winded and weaker. It took everything he had to bat against the screened door once, twice, three times.

The door opened and the male stepped forward. ”Tom.”

Thomas noted the male's shocked expression. He thought, You should have seen the other cats, just before he crumbled to the walkway.

Through half-closed eyes, he watched as the male disappeared briefly, then returned with a blanket. Thomas felt himself being lifted with care from the walkway and wrapped in soft yarn. He closed his eyes, feeling as safe as he'd only ever felt with Kendra.

Who in the world was leaning on her doorbell? It had better not be Harvey.

Kendra flung open her front door. Her temper drained and her mind blanked at the sight of Paul Strahan holding a b.l.o.o.d.y and unconscious Thomas.

”Tom! Tom! Oh, no! What happened?”

”We have to get him to a vet.”

Her breath was coming too fast. ”Oh, no, oh . . .”

”Kendra.” Paul's voice was firm, his gaze direct, pul ing her back from hysteria.

”Yes, yes. Of course.” She s.n.a.t.c.hed her purse, car keys, and cel phone from a corner cabinet in her living room, then jogged back to her front door on rubbery legs. It took her shaking hands two attempts to lock up.

Paul led her to his car parked in her driveway. ”Let's take my car. The engine's stil running.”

And his doors were stil open. ”Yes. OK. I'l direct you to the clinic.” Kendra climbed into the pa.s.senger seat, then reached for Thomas.

”Buckle your seat belt.”