Jiggling caught my attention, and an orange Maine Coon came out of a box that was far too small for it. I hadn’t taken Tex as a cat man, but lo and behold, the beauty sauntered up to me and meowed. I crouched down and scratched behind his ears, grimacing at the hair that clung to my fingers.

He needed to be brushed and bathed.

“Since I’m here, let’s see what your owner has been up to.”

I stood back up and let my gaze wander, but it looked as if Tex lived like a pig. Clothes were thrown everywhere, a few dishes in the sink, and a wet towel on the bathroom floor.

My need to fix it took over. Before I knew it, I was cleaning the entire apartment. To my surprise, there was nothing here that indicated Tex was even a cop. No badge or files lying around. Not even his police academy workout clothes. If I didn’t know who he was, Tex could almost come off as a regular guy.

Almost. Those startling blue eyes flashed through my mind, and I shook free of the hold he had over me.

Ringing cut through the peaceful moment, and I sighed as I pulled my phone free of my pocket. Benito’s name flashed on the screen. I knew I had no choice but to answer it.

“Where are you, Enzo?”

Telling him I was at Tex’s place wouldn’t go over well, but lying to Benito never ended well, either. I didn’t answer him, choosing to stay silent as I pet the freshly cleaned orange Maine Coon on my lap. The kitten purred and snuggled up closer.

“I need you in Manhattan. Two of them tried to run,” Benito said.

Without seeing his face, I knew he was angry, although my brother was always angry. I couldn’t remember a time when he wasn’t. Maybe Giancarlo did because they’d been together from the start.

“Make them regret ever trying to run.”

The line went dead, and I sighed.

I picked the cat up. Its body was long, the back paws nearly to my knees.

“You be good.”

I sat him down and moved around the place. The dryer beeped, and I folded the towels I’d used but kept them separate from all the others. They were now the cat’s towels. I took one more look around, contemplating putting cameras and microphones around but nothing compared to seeing Tex in person.

As if he knew I was talking about him, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I smirked at the update about Tex. He was on his way home. Too bad I couldn’t stay and play with him tonight. I took the note he left me, adding my own and placing it on his bed.

Maybe another time.

My feet hurt so damn bad I wanted to cut them off and toss them into the dumpster. I trudged up the walk to my front door and let myself inside, the mail in my hands as I sorted through it and ultimately tossed the entire stack onto the kitchen counter. Fuck bills. I didn’t want to think about how depressing it was that I made so damn little I was struggling in the city.