Tiger's Triumph by Zoe Chant

Author:Zoe Chant [Chant, Zoe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Trisha Black
Published: 2018-10-19T16:00:00+00:00

Carlos

Why did Carlos have to have a mate who was so damn smart, quick, and brave?

He pondered that question as he pulled the kids inside. Troy was dragging a duffle bag behind him that proved to have diapers, snacks, juice, and bedtime stories in it. The kids were already in their pajamas.

“Looks like your brother made sure you have everything you need,” he said cheerfully, swinging Val up into his arms, hoping he wouldn’t set off a tantrum. But she just kept up the sort of half-sniffle, half-whine that she’d been doing since Pauline left.

“He always leaves us stuff,” Troy said sullenly. “And then he puts us with strangers.” He glared at Carlos.

“Well,” Carlos said slowly, thinking carefully about what he was going to say, “this is Pauline’s house. You know Pauline, don’t you?”

Troy nodded reluctantly. “She gives us cookies and stuff.”

“Cookie?” Val perked up.

“I’ve got...animal crackers,” Carlos reported, digging through the bag. “Want one of those?”

Val stretched out a hand, practically diving headfirst into the bag as she reached for a cookie. Carlos handed it to her, and she attacked it immediately.

“You want one?” he asked Troy.

“No.”

“You don’t accept bribes, huh,” Carlos said easily, which surprised the kid into an almost-smile. “I can respect that. Listen, you don’t know me, and I get that that’s no fun. But I’m just staying with you until Pauline gets back.”

“She went after Drew,” Troy pointed out. “What if something happens?”

“That’s what Pauline’s there for,” Carlos said. “She’ll make sure nothing happens. She’s a real tough lady, she won’t let anything go wrong for your brother. Promise.”

Troy thought this over. It was clear that he respected Pauline’s essential toughness. “Okay,” he said finally.

“Meanwhile, how about I put on a movie and we can all snooze on the couch for a bit until she gets back?”

“Snooze,” Troy said, with a little giggle.

“What,” Carlos said, raising his eyebrows, “you don’t like a good snooze now and then?”

“No!” Troy insisted. “I like playing.”

“Do you like...” Carlos found Pauline’s remote, and found that she did have Netflix on her TV, to his relief. He searched for kids’ stuff. “...any of this?”

“Voltron!” Troy shouted. Val shrieked an accompaniment.

“All right,” Carlos said. “How about we all sit and watch some Voltron for a bit. I think I remember this from when I was a kid, but you’re going to have to refresh my memory a little bit.”

Troy leapt on the opportunity to educate Carlos about big space robots, and Carlos led them all gently to the couch, settled in with Troy next to him and Val on his lap, and started the first episode.

Troy had an impressive, almost encyclopedic, knowledge of the show; Carlos suspected that the old couple who watched them used it to keep him occupied. He listened and agreed and asked questions, and meanwhile, in the back of his mind, worried about Pauline.

His tiger, especially, was extremely worried. Our mate is in danger, it growled in his chest. Help our mate!

We are helping her, Carlos pointed out.

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