Lessons in Purrsuasion: BBW Paranormal Werelion Surprise Pregnancy Mob Romance (Chicago Catastrophe) by Rory Dale, Anya Nowlan
Authors: Rory Dale, Anya Nowlan
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earned her a longer look from Kate.
“Where are my manners?” she said, the smile never leaving her face.
Selina shook Kate’s outstretched hand, conjuring up what she hoped looked like a friendly expression.
“I’m Selina, nice to meet you.”
“Kate Walker. And let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’d like to know what kind of trouble you’ve brought to my doorstep before I decide whether meeting you is ‘nice’ or not,” she countered, eyes chilly.
“Give it a break, Kate. She’s been through a lot,” Stone growled, defensive.
Kate lifted her hands in a sign of surrender, rolling her eyes.
“So after all that moral grandstanding, you’re back to your old ways,” she said, gesturing for Stone and Selina to take a seat on one of the couches as she turned her back on them to return to her seat.
She elegantly lowered herself into an armchair, legs crossing. Everything about her made Selina feel inadequate. Especially now, when she was sweaty, her hair in a tangled mess, wearing jeans a number too small and Stone’s t-shirt.
What old ways? Selina wondered, but kept her mouth shut.
“I’m doing an old friend a favor,” Stone countered, eyes throwing daggers Kate’s way.
“Of course. Isn’t that always how it starts?” she said with a haughty laugh.
“One of the upper level guys from Crimson Claws is determined to make Selina his mate against her wishes. I would like to keep that from happening. Will you help us or not?”
“What’s his name, this guy?” Kate asked, arching a brow.
“Parker,” Selina answered softly, wondering if she would ever get his face out of her head.
Kate pursed her lips.
“I’m guessing that’s Parker Reeves, one of Crimson Claws’ lieutenants. Blond hair, a scar on his face?” she asked, turning to Selina.
“That’s the one. Do you know him?”
Kate sank deeper into her chair, tapping her chin with perfectly manicured fingers.
Everything about her was so put together that Selina felt like she was more staring at a piece of art than a person.
“Anyone with any sense left would kick you two out right now. The Crimson Claws are well on their way to owning Chicago, anyone who willingly crosses them is a damn fool. A few of their lieutenants have cocked up lately and slowed them down a little, but that’s nothing in the grand scheme. Holland… Jackson… I think they’re learning from their mistakes and you’re messing with the wrong people” she said, eyes moving between Selina and Stone.
“I still have business there. You know this, Stone.”
Selina’s heart sank. Her gaze flickered to Stone, who was looking as steely as ever.
I hope he has a plan B.
“They’re powerful, no doubt about that, but they’re also a bunch of arrogant assholes. River, the guy rumored to be in charge, has been keeping a low profile. Most of his own right hand guys don’t know what he looks like. And I’ve heard stories about this Parker guy…” Kate continued uninterrupted, throwing Selina a pitying look.
“Every woman has a right to choose who she wants to be with, even if that choice is stupid.”
Her gaze flitted to Stone and Selina found herself holding her breath, studying Stone’s expression.
What do you care? He can be with whoever he wants, it’s none of my business, she reminded herself, though something was telling her that she didn’t care quite as little as she wanted to pretend.
“So I will help you the best I can, but under no circumstances will I openly stand against the Crimson Claws, is that clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Stone answered with a small smile.
Kate stood and Selina and Stone followed suit.
“I trust you still remember where the guest bedroom is?” Kate asked.
Stone nodded, glancing at Selina with an encouraging smile.
“I need to make some calls. Get some rest, you both look terrible,” Kate said with a healthy dose of exaggerated disdain.
Her derisive tone didn’t fool Selina. She had a strong feeling the
“Where are my manners?” she said, the smile never leaving her face.
Selina shook Kate’s outstretched hand, conjuring up what she hoped looked like a friendly expression.
“I’m Selina, nice to meet you.”
“Kate Walker. And let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’d like to know what kind of trouble you’ve brought to my doorstep before I decide whether meeting you is ‘nice’ or not,” she countered, eyes chilly.
“Give it a break, Kate. She’s been through a lot,” Stone growled, defensive.
Kate lifted her hands in a sign of surrender, rolling her eyes.
“So after all that moral grandstanding, you’re back to your old ways,” she said, gesturing for Stone and Selina to take a seat on one of the couches as she turned her back on them to return to her seat.
She elegantly lowered herself into an armchair, legs crossing. Everything about her made Selina feel inadequate. Especially now, when she was sweaty, her hair in a tangled mess, wearing jeans a number too small and Stone’s t-shirt.
What old ways? Selina wondered, but kept her mouth shut.
“I’m doing an old friend a favor,” Stone countered, eyes throwing daggers Kate’s way.
“Of course. Isn’t that always how it starts?” she said with a haughty laugh.
“One of the upper level guys from Crimson Claws is determined to make Selina his mate against her wishes. I would like to keep that from happening. Will you help us or not?”
“What’s his name, this guy?” Kate asked, arching a brow.
“Parker,” Selina answered softly, wondering if she would ever get his face out of her head.
Kate pursed her lips.
“I’m guessing that’s Parker Reeves, one of Crimson Claws’ lieutenants. Blond hair, a scar on his face?” she asked, turning to Selina.
“That’s the one. Do you know him?”
Kate sank deeper into her chair, tapping her chin with perfectly manicured fingers.
Everything about her was so put together that Selina felt like she was more staring at a piece of art than a person.
“Anyone with any sense left would kick you two out right now. The Crimson Claws are well on their way to owning Chicago, anyone who willingly crosses them is a damn fool. A few of their lieutenants have cocked up lately and slowed them down a little, but that’s nothing in the grand scheme. Holland… Jackson… I think they’re learning from their mistakes and you’re messing with the wrong people” she said, eyes moving between Selina and Stone.
“I still have business there. You know this, Stone.”
Selina’s heart sank. Her gaze flickered to Stone, who was looking as steely as ever.
I hope he has a plan B.
“They’re powerful, no doubt about that, but they’re also a bunch of arrogant assholes. River, the guy rumored to be in charge, has been keeping a low profile. Most of his own right hand guys don’t know what he looks like. And I’ve heard stories about this Parker guy…” Kate continued uninterrupted, throwing Selina a pitying look.
“Every woman has a right to choose who she wants to be with, even if that choice is stupid.”
Her gaze flitted to Stone and Selina found herself holding her breath, studying Stone’s expression.
What do you care? He can be with whoever he wants, it’s none of my business, she reminded herself, though something was telling her that she didn’t care quite as little as she wanted to pretend.
“So I will help you the best I can, but under no circumstances will I openly stand against the Crimson Claws, is that clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Stone answered with a small smile.
Kate stood and Selina and Stone followed suit.
“I trust you still remember where the guest bedroom is?” Kate asked.
Stone nodded, glancing at Selina with an encouraging smile.
“I need to make some calls. Get some rest, you both look terrible,” Kate said with a healthy dose of exaggerated disdain.
Her derisive tone didn’t fool Selina. She had a strong feeling the
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