“Sorry, Grant,” was all Seven could say. “I know that’s got to suck.”
The Splice turned to him, eyes now cold and determined. “One day, I’m going back to Luna. And when I do, there will be a day of reckoning for a certain few. That, my human friend … I promise.”
***
The sound of Tex and Blake yelling and cheering about their game brought Lulah abruptly back to the present. In the living room, Tiger was still on the phone with Dee. She realized she was standing in the kitchen, staring blankly at Cutter’s texts.
She shook her head, like someone trying to shake sleep. How long have I been zoned out? I ain’t got time for this! I got things to do. She took a deep breath, resolving herself to clear her head of Cutter and his distractions. The day she’d dreaded for so long had finally come to pass. He’d finally made an appearance back in her life, but at least Tiger was back too. She drew strength and comfort from that. She wouldn’t face it alone this time.
She’d never asked Tiger anything about what Cutter had said that day. And she never would. In the eyes of the Authority, any involvement in the Luna rebellion carried an automatic death sentence. It was no secret they had agents actively hunting down known and suspected collaborators. The less she knew, the better. Not only for his sake but for the well-being of her family, as well.
Besides, whatever dark secrets he might have in his past, he would never be the bastard Odell “Cutter” Hawkins had become. Ever!
With a determined set to her mouth, she quickly sent back a short, three-word reply.
Go fuck urself.
That little bit of business taken care of, she was now ready to get back on track. Market! She needed to head for the market. Turning to head out the door, she ran right into Amber.
“Jesus!” Lulah breathed out. “You scared the shit outta me!”
The girl must move like a cat! She never heard her enter the kitchen. Absorbed in her flashback, she’d been oblivious to anything else. Shit! How long has she been there … watching me stand here, shell-shocked? Was she able to see my PDC? Does she sense something? Does she suspect anything?
Suddenly, another realization dawned upon her. This was the first time since the vixen had stepped foot … or paw … whatever … into her yard that she’d spoken directly to her. Guilt began to sting her in the stomach. If anybody else had treated her like that, I’d have called them a petty bitch! And I’m the worst kind. A hypocrite!
Of course, Amber said nothing back. She just stood there looking at her with those big, beautiful, captivating eyes. Lulah felt that twinge of jealousy again, as she took in the sexy, engineered curves, the well-toned muscles, the magazine cover looks. How the hell can I compete with something like this? Sexy … exotic … innocent and erotic, all at the same time.
I’m gonna lose Tiger to you. I know it in my heart.
Suddenly, she was interrupted by Amber’s sudden, blurred movement toward her. Her first reactive thought was that the creature had attacked her, as Amber’s face went for Lulah’s throat. Oh, God! She’s going to rip my larynx out with her bare teeth! Kill me right here in my own kitchen with my kids in the house! I knew it! Damn you, Ti—
She was on the verge of screaming when she heard the vixen breathe in deeply through her nose. Instantly, it became clear to Lulah that Amber wasn’t trying to bite her. She was sniffing her!
She smells something! Something on me! She stood stark still as Amber sniffed vigorously around one side of her neck and then the other, then behind an ear. What’s she doing? It wasn’t until the girl started moving downward that she realized with horror precisely what she smelled.
Oh, fuck! She smells Tiger on me!
It was with great embarrassment and humiliation that Lulah suddenly found Amber on her knees in front of her. Surely she’s not gonna do what I think she’s go—
“Whoa! Hey!” Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden intrusion of a nose into her crotch area. Grabbing the vixen’s two pointy ears, she tried to push her away as she doubled over, trying to get her midsection away from the girl’s face. But Amber was having nothing of it. With hands much too strong for a woman her size, she grabbed Lulah’s ass cheeks and pulled them back to her. Holding her firmly in place, she calmly finished up her investigation.
It was about this same time that Tiger had finished up his conversation with Ridley. He couldn’t have picked a worst time to walk into the kitchen. Stepping into the doorway, he was awe-struck by the sight of Lulah standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. Her hands grasped Amber’s ears tightly, while the latter was on her knees in front of his ex-girlfriend, her face buried in Lulah’s crotch.
As he stood there in disbelief, not knowing what to say and wishing he could think of something fast, Lulah looked up and saw him. Embarrassment turned her face a deep shade of red. The smile on his face at her predicament turned it even redder.
“Get out!” she screamed at him.
“Awwww! I just wanna watch!” His eyes were wide now, his imagination running wild, trying to undress them both.
“Out!” she screamed again, picking up a plastic cup from the counter and hurling it at his head. Being humiliated was not her strong point.
“I’m going! I’m going!” he laughed, although he set no speed records retreating from the doorway. He stole one last, longing look before she cussed him a blue streak.
By this time, Amber had finished. With a snort of
