The Miami Broncos

Chapter 4: A Panther of Age

Written by Francois Guint-Riel (FGR)

I’d left Brazil with a heavy heart in the morning, as if the eight months that I’d spent there had marked my soul in the most incomprehensible way. I’d rescued a ocelot kitten named Lua in my first week there from an insurrected militia’s rage, before being caught in a web of complex and inescapable intrigue that led me to keep her under my wings until the end of the unrest, somewhat directly brought on by me as I’d assisted the local government forces take them out. Officially, I’d been a student in a work placement at the Banco Hotel and Resort, with two fellow schoolmates, a Okapi named Hermann and my university heartthrob, a beautiful gazelle, Cassa Wells, and a kind, gentle jaguar, Estrela. We pulled off miracle after miracle at the resort, turning the modest jungle establishment into a flourishing fount of social responsibility and sanctuary for those in need, all the while turning out a respectable profit, double that when we’d arrived.

The lessons I learned there would stay with me forever, in every way. The machinations we put together for Banco were artful genius, and in the process of putting them in motion, I’d acquired a fortune in knowledge and practical tricks of the trade. My heart had taken some harsh lessons as well. At first, my intimate life had become heavily burdened, with each of the other students in a liaison with me at some time, which at times, almost unraveled, though my care and caution made it so none involved ever uncovered the cards I played. After a while, Cassa and I became incredibly close, as if we were meant to be together from the start, and I detached myself from the two guys, who eventually turned to each other for comfort after they’d found out that they had shared a common secret, an arrangement that served all four of us well. That was until Cassa’s father became ill back in Miami, and she was forced to cut her placement three months short to take care of him. Since, we’d kept in touch but I was, for all means and purposes, alone for the last portion of my placement, as she had been back home. As the saying goes, absence makes the heart go yonder, and Cassa fell in love with a sable buck she worked with at a casino in the downtown. I knew him, a schoolmate from high school, with whom I’d gotten along very well back in the days, though he’d gone into legal studies and had found a lucrative and enjoyable position at the casino as a legal counsel. I cried a whole night, as if the last months had been a paradise who’d gates were now closed to me, but I found no better alternative then to wish them a wonderful future and put it behind me as another closed chapter in my life.

Fortunately, I’d gotten an unthinkable stroke of luck as my placement ended. A friend of the ocelot family who’s daughter I’d rescued contacted me with an offer as a special liaison for Rockwell-Shepard. Basically, I was to be responsible for the startup of special-interest resorts for the resort chain, and for the management of the establishment until it’s own momentum carried it forth. I’d pounced on the position, and made as smooth a transition as could be hoped from my placement to this new opportunity. Now, for the second time in less then a year, I set my paws on a foreign country’s soil with a straight face and high hopes for what this adventure would encompass.

As I walked out of the plane terminal, with my legs still somewhat numb from the flight and my suit a bit creased as well, I caught sight of two horses in black suits, the perfect choice for an Arabic stallion, holding a custom sign with RS’s company logo and my name. I straightened myself out and paced towards them with my hand out, getting solid handshakes from both of the gentlemen as we made our introductions.
-Good morning, mister Luther, said the first stallion. My name is Alexander Cross head of contractor relations, and this is my colleague Jonathan Waters, head of personnel.
-A pleasure to make your acquaintances, I said. My name is Ulrich Luther, special liaison.
-Ulrich, exclaimed the horse, looking at his sign, don’t tell me I forgot...
-Actually, it’s an h, not a k, I said, looking at my name’s spelling. Think nothing of it, please.
-Thank you, said the embarrassed equine’s partner. We have a taxi waiting, if you want to retrieve your luggage.
-Great, let’s get under way! I’ve only seen the resort in pictures, to date.
-Ulrich, that’s German, ja?
-Ja, das ist. I have a terrible accent though...
We strode to the carrousel where I caught my suitcases on the fly and followed the horses’ lead to the front of the airport where a sleek black sedan with flags with the RS logo, the letters surrounded with laurel leaves, gold on black, was parked, it’s driver hurrying over to help me with my things. I took advantage of the lengthy ride to the countryside to question the horses on the state of things as they stood at the establishment to get a clear picture of what I was walking into.
-So how is the rebuild going then, I asked. Are things on schedule?
-Yes and no, cringed Alex. You see, without a clear concept and direction from an official like you, there was no way for us to get any of the main rooms done, which, unfortunately, represents much of the labor costs and time. Other then that, as for the infrastructure, things are all right. The parking was repaved and the elevators replaced.
-All and all, it’s a shell without a soul right now, resumed John. It was a huge relief when we heard you were coming. After all...
-What?
-Well, if this card castle blows down, we’re first in line to go down with it, joked Alex. You’re more like Saint Ulrich then just special liaison Ulrich right now.
-Bah, don’t think about that, I insisted. I had renditions done for those rooms, and some of the ancillary decoration as well.
-Hallelujah, called John. Oh, about decoration and all that, you’ll have an assistant, who’ll double up as your personal secretary as well.
-Really! I must have missed that part. Good to hear, though!
-She’ll be meeting us when we get to the resort.
-She, I muttered. Hmm...

After another tail-numbing ride, we finally got out of the sedan on the roundabout of a massive white building which looked more like a conference complex then a resort, though I knew the rooms were in the back, facing the wilds and the half-Olympic indoor pool. I looked around a bit at the structure until Alex asked me if it was what I’d imagined.
-I know that photographs can be misleading sometimes, said the horse. The spa is in that smaller portion aside the pool, as is the wet bar.
-It’s about what I had in mind, I answered. Those floor layouts were a great help in putting the whole thing together.
-Indeed so, nodded Alex. Let’s go in so you can meet the rest of the motley crew here, eh? Some of them are even more anxious to meet you then we are, if you can believe that.

I gave a curt laugh and hopped up the step with the horses to the lobby of the resort, a bare, undecorated shell that echoed the clicking of their hooves as we crossed it to a conference room up a short flight of stairs to the right. Obviously it was the best one, completely surrounded with windows and a heavy wooden table in its middle, without matching chairs, however. Another executive, this time a German Shepard, as well as two cooks in full uniform rose to their paws as we entered, though my attention immediately shifted to a stunning female cougar in a two-piece power suit seated on the opposite side of the table. She must have noticed my glace and blushed slightly as we took our places and started our meeting. The dog, by the name of Frederick, was the first to ask the most crucial question in the resort’s development.
-Ulrich, if I may be so forwards as to have you ruin the surprise, what exactly did RS have in mind for the decor of this place? I know we’re aiming for the richer tourists in the area, but what will they be falling asleep and waking to?
-An Aztec Shangri-la, I said passing a few renditions of a temple-like main lobby and adjoining dining room. I like the color scheme as well.
-And then comes finances, said Alex. Here’s the rub; we need to do this on what remains from the rebuild of the building and a tenable loan.
-I read that too, I stated, looking at a few sheets of figures that had come to me a bit too late for me to fully analyze. Before I can give you anything of a solid plan to get this rolling, I’ll need at least two or three days to go over these and get a better feel for this place.
-Nothing unreasonable at all, assured Alex. Let’s adjourn this party, then. I need to go see a few men about a bath...
-Bath?
-A faulty installation that leaked and ruined the ceiling on the two floors below before anyone noticed, muttered the horse. Nothing pretty, I tell you...
-Good luck, I’ll come around and see as soon as I can, I replied as the men left. I’m sorry, madam, I didn’t hear your name when we started.
-I didn’t say it, answered the cougar. I’m Boreale, Boreale Trillium.
-A very nice name for a very nice face, I said, taking her hand and kissing it in a half-kneel. I trust you’ve been settling in here comfortably?
-I have, yes. All employees have their rooms on the second floor, as will you. I believe you’ll be in room 215.
-I see, thank you-
-And I’ll be in 214, added the cougar, narrowing her eyes. What a coincidence, isn’t it?
-Rather so, I coughed, feeling a stirring come to pass. While we’re on the subject of rooms, would it be possible to see where we have our offices?
-Of course! This way, Ulrich...
The melodious end to my name as the catamount pronounced it would have pulled a longing whine from me if I’d been a canine, but as a panther I still started to purr, which as an involuntary reflex, was impossible to control, to Boreale’s amusement. I tailed her to a suite on the second level at the east end of the block, where in what would have been a room, two desks had been arranged in such a way as to give the cougar a reception position and mine further back, isolated by a waist-high filing cabinet. All and all, it was nice and clean, with a lingering smell of evaporating paint and even a bit of the vinyl from the token decorative plants that capriciously stood here and there in the room. I let out a whistle as I looked around, nodding slowly until Boreale gave a chuckle and caught my gaze.
-This is very nice! I don’t think I’ll have to be chained to my desk to work here. And you’ll be right there, eh?
-Yes, right there. And right here too, she added, taking a pace towards me with a playful wink. Tell me, mister Luther, what do you think about this place to date?
-Oh, I think I’ll survive, I replied, taking her advances to heart and taking another step to close the space between us.
-The blinds close too, commented the cougar, pressing a remote button on my desk.
-How... convenient.
Boreale grinned as the shades drew shut and lazily sat on my desk, playing with her tail as I ran a hand over her shoulder before pulling close and without an ounce of prudery, kissed the cat long and hard. Her response was a devilish smile as her nimble fingers undid her vest and blouse while I unbuckled my pants. As she opened her brassiere to show her full, pale-furred chest, I dropped my shorts, getting a purring hum from the cougar and another lusty glare. Without so much as five minutes of foreplay and fooling, the catamount sat on my desk and reaching under her dress, pulled off her panties, laying back to let me do my part in the encounter. Gently massaging her crotch, I took my dear sweet time to enter her, a low purr and growl exchanged between us as we started to get hot and heavy. In an exquisite moment, I found myself holding Boreale’s legs apart as I pounded away, the cat holding my neck and yowling as we thundered forwards into our lust. In a chorus of heavenly echoes, I finished in the cougar, though I hardly had time to pull out before she reclined back and mouthed ‘butt-fuck’. My eyes must have lightened up at the request, as if our first encounter hadn’t dulled my appetites, and grabbing myself, I eased myself in her rear, no less passionately screwing her until I went soft and we fell on the desk, holding each other as if we’d finally released a stress we’d been holding out on relieving.
-That was a one heck of a great, great fuck, said the cougar, rolling on her back until she decided to pull her underwear back. I hadn’t met a decent heart in months, hell, years!
-Really? That’s almost hard to believe down here, I replied, struggling to dress back up.
-The guys here are all jerks, she answered, and I’m not just saying that. Being hired here was a blessing and a curse all rolled up in a single shot.
-Sorry to hear that. Hopefully, maybe you’ll change your views on that...
-That’s over and done with, smiled the cougar, giving me another kiss. Welcome to Tijuana, Ulrich.
-It may be a bit late for preliminaries, but how would you like to go out for dinner? I take it from your professional type that you didn’t have more then a cup of java and a bagel for breakfast.
-You read minds too, kitty? How nice. Maybe we should, you know, freshen up a bit...
-I bet you can never get to you shoulders without putting out your arm, I suggested. Perhaps I could be of service?
-And another bull’s eye he hits.
We dropped everything at the office to sneak to Boreale’s room down the hall, the last of which gave me another grin as she pushed the door open and gave me a loud slap on the butt to usher me in quickly. As soon as she had closed it though, I spun around and in the blink of an eye, had taken her vest and blouse off, discarding them on the bed before attacking her bra, which suffered a similar fate.
-Nice kitty cat, she muttered as I fondled her chest, but you might as well go all the way, eh? No use stopping now...
-You have such a taunt body, Boreale, I added, removing her dress and panties, letting a hand wander on her.
-And it takes a lot to unwind it, she retorted, pouncing me and throwing me to the mattress. Let’s see that black bod of yours again...
I was helpless as the catamount pinned me down and stripped me bare, testing my torso and abs while giving long purrs as she contemplated what her fingers reported. I held her legs and stroked her tail, playing with the black end of the member. As I was licking it, she looked between us and gave a surprised laugh as she caught sight of my cock erect once more, still demanding more with no heed to the consequences that the act had brought on the last time it had done so. A single swipe of my palm was enough to reveal that the cat shared my hunger, and before she could say a thing, I had gotten up with her against me and penetrating her, gave Boreale a wild ride, bouncing against me while yowls and roars cut through the air. As her bewildered eyes locked on mine and her tongue hung out involuntarily, I put my major up her rear, dancing it with the same mad abandon until I came again and let her down slowly, though this time her reaction to our intercourse was a laughing fit as I crashed down aside her.

As my usual camouflaging showers went, my experience with Boreale was breathtaking, pure and simple. Of all those I’d shared one with, she was the most extrovert and infatuating soul and I was almost unsure that I’d ever be able to leave the tub. After a good, very generous half-hour, our paws were wrinkled like raisins and we were back in our decent attire, with the subject of where to go for our meal on our minds.
-There’s a nice seafood place down the street, said Boreale. We can take my car, if you like.
-Seeing as how my alternative is jogging, I’m game, I replied with a jab.
-Just a question though, as your personal secretary and assistant here, asked the cougar, when do you expect to start looking into the resort?
-Oh, that. Well, as you said, you’re my personal secretary, so I suppose you’d keep this between us…
-Do tell, black tail.
-I did my homework before coming here, I said with a laugh. I know what needs to be done, and all I need is to fit the budget in. The biggest worry that I have though is the security here.
-Not enough, eh?
-Not even close, in my opinion. I saw the police reports and the charges that are handed out in the vicinity, and this place is an open safe waiting to be looted. No, that’s definitely my top priority, even before we start the deco. After all, up to date, there was little to take from here but building materials and the like, which I’m certain some walked away already…
-You bet! I saw these two guys that were doing the lobby’s walls pack in five of the drywall sheets and a bunch of hardware in this pickup, and when John asked what they were doing, they replied that they had bought too much and were returning them to the store…
-In the middle of the swapland that they sold off to us at the same time. Right.
-And I’m the first to admit that even for those that reside here, it doesn’t really feel safe…
-Stick close then, I said, taking Boreale’s paw as we left the hotel.

The cougar had a heavy foot at the wheel, cutting down the time needed to reach the seafood joint, though getting a few amusing faces from me as we rode. I character-typed the place from the get-go as the classical restaurant for a gang’s or other organizations’ façade, but as we entered, it became clear that my assumption was correct. The servers, from their strong build and attitude of concealment, were obviously muscle that doubled up as staff, which meant that the place was a meeting point, a bit like a few of the upper-class establishments that my father, Don Kaline, had owned back in Miami. The speed at which we were served didn’t comfort me either, and the table we were given even less. Boreale read into my concerned looks and asked if anything was wrong.
-What’s up, Ulrich? You look like we just walked into a bad neighborhood.
-Oh, we walked into a neighborhood all right, I nodded, but I don’t know who’s just yet. I take it we’ll find out soon enough, though.
-Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, said our waitress, a cute fruit bat who seemed eager to take our order and leave. My name is Cherry, and I’ll be your waitress today. May I start you off with something? Drinks, or an entrée?
-Before all that, how about whose clubhouse we walked into, madam?
-That would be mine, said a voice from behind the bat, who stepped aside as he excused her, revealing himself to be a tall, slim raccoon in a designer suit, placing him as the Don I’d been looking for. My name is Frederico, Frederico Savil, owner of this restaurant and well, some other places here and there in Tijuana.
-This is Boreale, and I am Ulrich Luther. I take it we’re talking between Dons here.
-Ah, I hate idle chatter too, Don Ulrich. Yes, I know who you are, of course. You’re quite famous, in your own ways….
-I wish I could return the courtesy, but I’m afraid I never heard of you before, alas.
-I keep to myself, very much so. However, I must admit that I’m quite glad you walked into my little seafood restaurant, Don Ulrich. I have an idea like this…
-Business.
-Business, yes, in a way, business. You can certainly understand that your new position makes you a very interesting person to know, and that many would be glad to offer a partnership to you with mutual advantages.
-You want into the RS resort, correct?
-Yes.
-And your offer is?
-You accept, and you have many friends here that would assure your safety and that of the resort and whoever visits it. Also, I’d be glad to offer any assistance you might require, at any time.
-And the counter-offer…
-Understand, Don Ulrich, started the ‘coon as he narrowed his eyes, that you are quite far from home, yes? And that you are new here, without anyone else to help you. If you get yourself in trouble, the only ones who could do anything here belong to me, comprende?
-Of course.
-Wonderful, wonderful. I hope you enjoy my hospitality, Don Ulrich, and I hope to hear from you soon, eh? Take care.
I gave a frown and a low growl as the raccoon left, no longer thinking of the meal as much as I would’ve liked. For a Don, this one was the kind of upstart bastard that anyone takes a potshot at the moment his back is turned, for the good of the family or just because he had the gift of saying the wrong thing to the wrong person on the wrong day. What he’d told me, in simpler terms, was that if I didn’t kiss his feet long and loud, he’d take it out on everyone I had just met, and the resort besides. Well, you didn’t do that to me, a Bronco Don, no matter how well you may be established, Frederico.
-Ulrich, Boreale said, taking my hand to get my attention, can we get out of here now?
-Just a second, I answered, seeing out waitress come back with chef salads and a hurried step.
-Please accept these, compliments of the house, said the bat.
As she put the plates down, I saw her pull out the corner of a note with her index that she’d concealed under my plate. I looked at it with a distracted air as I picked up my fork before dropping it in my pocket with a single fluid movement, as to not attract any undue attention to myself. It simply read ‘can we talk’ in her hand, though my answer would have to be subtle. I dropped the fork to the floor and looked at it with a disappointed air.
-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do that. Could you get me another please? I’m clumsy, but then I’m used to hotel cutlery.
-Of course, replied the bat, understanding my hidden message. Right away.
The waitress walked off to get me a replacement, allow me to join the cougar in gulping down the plates. The moment we finished them, thunderclap couldn’t have taken longer to sound then it took us time to leave. As soon as we were in Boreale’s car, which I had carefully tested for traps before we’d entered, I answered her questioning air, giving her a once-over of my past and the rendezvous that I’d set with the bat.
-So she’ll help us? How?
-Just by talking to us, though I doubt that she’ll be able to leave the resort once she gets in.
-What do you mean?
-That the stallions better make room for a very important guest, because we’ll have to protect her in return for her hand.
-I don’t think that I’ll be straying far from you, kitty...
We wasted no time on subtleties upon reaching the hotel, darting inside as soon as we’d parked the car. I asked for a cell phone from the reception, and placed a call to Miami, back to my father’s home, and the Family house. I was answered by a digitalized voice, which almost sounded annoyed that I’d called.
-Who is this?
-It’s me Ulrich, Jumpy. You can drop the digit.
-Ulrich – shit! Oh Attila, how are you bro?
-Just fine, ‘roo boy! Did you get my letter last month?
-And the month before too, replied my old friend. Badger read them too, by the way.
-Great to hear, then!
-Not as great as hearing from you though! How’s Tijuana?
-About that...
-Someone pissed in the punch?
-Number one and number two, I laughed. I just ran into the local Don here.
-And how’s the lad?
-Oh, nice chap. You know, threatened my and the hotel and everyone in the way if I didn’t let him cut into the dance.
-Is he clogging up the city sewers yet?
-The toilet’s not backing up just as of now, I returned. He’s well surrounded, and I have an appointment with an informant soon, a dame from one of his fronts.
-Good to hear. And then, what do you have in mind?
-Well, it’s been a while since I didn’t go hunting, you know...
-How about a nice Enforcer, fresh from the Mother Land?
-An Enfield? You cheap piece of - if I was over there I’d...
-I’m kidding, chuckled the kangaroo. I’ll have a accurized colt sniper dropped off to you tomorrow morning from one of our friends down there.
-Yahoo! Good news. So how’s the rest of the gang?
I talked on for twenty minutes until Jumpy had to leave for an appointment, bringing the time to four o’clock, early enough for Boreale and me to get some legitimate work done for the resort and RS. At a seven o’clock supper with the stallions in the hotel restaurant, I gave them a once-over of my schedule and the cost repartition of the projects, as well as projected figures that showed an honest profit margin each year, albeit taxed heavily for the first three years as we would have to take a few short-term loans to cover this and that. As they were digesting the information, I took advantage of their good mood to tell them the news with the local criminal underground, which got anything but an enthusiastic reaction from them.
-We had a few incidents during the work too, said Alex, but we were hoping that they’d stay out of this.
-A hotel like this in this kind of environment is like an open pot of honey to a bear, I commented. I would’ve been even more surprised if they didn’t show any interest in it. Anyway, as I mentioned, we’ll have our VIP showing up shortly, so I’ll take my leave and prepare a welcome mat.
-Expecting trouble?
-Always, I grinned to the horses.
I jogged off to my room with the cougar, who was eager to help in any way she could. I opened one of my heavier suitcases, revealing itself to have a double, lead-lined interior with decoy items in the outer one to satisfy the curiosity of authorities at the airport. Inside the main compartment though, was a case of ammunition, jacketed hollow-point round, that I’d gotten from a friend in the Brazilian military during my more interesting period in my last position, as well as my silenced pistol and clips. It was to be expected that Boreale didn’t expect to see such things in my possession, but she seemed to take some measure of comfort in it. We waxed philosophic about life, death and crime as I filled my magazines and clicking one in the gun, loading the first round into the chamber and put another in the clip to replace it, an old trick to have an extra shot that only certain models allowed. The clock showed nine thirty, time enough for us to go down to the lobby and filed into the parking lot, though I insisted that the cougar stay near the entrance and get down if anything started to go wrong. I took up a position near the roundabout, out of direct light, which afforded me certain cover while we waited. Fifteen minutes later, a bit earlier then I’d expected, a plain gray car pulled into the driveway, an older vehicle which would belong to the bat. As soon as she’d stopped, another came shooting down the street in front of the hotel. A drive-by, in a fast sport car. I shouted to the bat, who’d stepped out of her car to get down behind cover while I took careful aim at the incoming one. I took careful aim from my advantageous vantage point and hit the driver of the car through the windshield twice, then as it slowed down, the passenger through the side window, the three bullets shattering the glass as blood splattered on the opposite one. The vehicle kept on it’s way by some miracle, though quite slowly, giving me a chance to follow along quietly until it neared a side street, where I opened the driver-side door and turned the steering wheel from under the body of the would-be assassin, letting it cruise along down the anonymous way after having used the push-button cigar lighter to start a fire inside. I watched for a time as it rolled on, the flames growing in size until I turned and let it be and returned to the resort. As I ran up the roundabout, I noticed that the bat hadn’t budged an inch, crouched behind her car with her wings and arms wrapped around her, sobbing from pure, unaltered fear. She gave a start as I put my hand on her shoulder, but obeyed as I motioned for her to get up and follow me inside, where Boreale was waiting, just as upset by the sudden violence she’d witnessed. Not even bothering to explain what had happened to the on-looking security guards, I escorted them to my room, where I calmed my friends down and put away my firearm. The bat was afraid, not only because of the attempted shooting, but just overall, an didn’t show a sign of letting up until I gave her a hug with Boreale. The show of affection changed her mood completely, from afraid to totally relieved. She didn’t loosen her grip on me as we talked, but as her words came out, I could feel she was recovering.
-You have no idea how that bastard treats us, said the bat. Everyone that works for him hear the same thing. Either you work for me or I kill you and everyone you know. All I had was my father, and he passed on three months ago, but I still couldn’t leave. He watches all of us someone, around the clock. He’s terrible, terrible! He has people everywhere: stores, restaurants, you name it, he’s in it, somehow.
-Paranoid and overly defensive, I said. Sounds like a nasty son of a bitch. Was there someone before him?
-His brother, said Cherry, Raphael. He died in a plane crash, and no sooner then his coffin hit the ground, Frederico came in and took over. It wasn’t like this before, though. Raphael was good to his people, he didn’t threaten us or anything. Frederico makes us do anything he wants, and he knows it. He said...
-What?
-He said that if your friend left you during the meal I should try and get close to you and do anything you ask, said the bat, ashamed of the declaration.
-If he dies, do you know what would happen?
-There are a few people that like him, two people. They’re like his puppets, but they’re just as mean and vicious as him. Other then that, everyone is just hoping that he goes away and we can make it like before.
-Do those three normally stay together?
-Always! They never leave the restaurant though. They stay on the second floor, where their rooms are. I know because once, he tried to make me come with him there.
-What happened?
-I said no, said the bat, raising her short dress to show a scar under her fur on her leg. He let it go though, and took someone else instead...
-That son of a bitch, I called, rubbing the trace as if I hoped it would go away.
-He does that sometimes, but every Tuesday, he does it for sure, with his friends I said that are always with him.
-We’re Monday, I stated. Tomorrow, they’ll be there... and I’ll have my rifle.
The bat gave a glittering smile as she grabbed me and held me tightly against her. I returned the gesture, and chuckled as I ran my hand against her face, leaning into it as I felt her fur.
-This may be an odd request, I said, but can I feel your wings?
-Sure, grinned Cherry, opening her left member. Everyone wonders how it feels, for some reason. Most people are curious about us bats, for some reason, and what we look like. I guess we look weird or so different that they can’t imagine what we’re like.
-Oh, I care for people past what they look like, I said, feeling the leathery skin.
-Do you really? Would you really feel anything else then curious about me?
-Ulrich, said Boreale, I think our friend is hitting on you.
-Well then, I said, wrapping my arms around the blushing flying mouse, I’d hate to hurt your feelings. As for me feeling something else then curiosity...
-I think we feel a lot more then just that, completed the cougar, putting her head on the bat’s and running her paws in her hair.
-I’ve never – not like this, whispered Cherry. But I guess I’m more then curious too.
We let the bat undress both of us, cooperating completely, the mouse’s eyes shimmering as she threw our clothes aside. Once two nude feline bodies were moving in her sight, we slowly took off hers. I undid the light shirt she was wearing, as well as the special buttons near her shoulders which closed it between her wings, her dark chest fur thick and warm as I grasped her breasts, the bat giving a long moan as her brassiere became another useless part of the heap aside the bed. Boreale unzipped her dress, pulling it down until only string panties remained on the mouse. Together, we pulled them down, Cherry breathing heavily as we felt under her short tail, her wings flexing as we explored on.
-Oh, Ulrich, Boreale, moaned Cherry, I’ve never felt like this before! It’s so good...
-Does it, giggled the cougar, holding the inside of her legs as she sat the bat on her.
-Kitty, kitty, fuck the batty, muttered the flying mouse. Everyone wants to look at us, but don’t think of loving us.
-Let me change that then, because I normally do more then simply think, I said, grabbing a solid hold of my dick before pushing into her.
The bat was smaller then me, smaller then Boreale, even, by a few inches, but she was tight, very, very tight, and the pressure I felt was unthinkable, but furthermore, astoundingly sexy and arousing. I grabbed her rear and started to go at her, Cherry letting long pants and gasps out until she came, mere seconds after the start of my penetration. I kept on, triggering a second orgasm in her before I finished myself, hard pressed to continue until she let out a third muffled cry, deafened as Boreale took her face and kissed her, pawing at her wobbling breasts. Unrelenting, I pulled out of the bat and let a hand take my place, pushing into the cougar instead, who gave a yowl before Cherry hushed her as she’d done. Two hours later, in the dark of the night, and after no less then a dozen assorted orgasms and explosions of passionate love, all three of us bedfellows huddled into the sheets of the oversized bed, the bat stuck between her two hot cats, lying on her stomach with her wings retracted, our arms around her as we passed out.

As usual, I was the first to open my eyes, and seeing the clock was showing ten o’clock, I leaned over and nibbled Cherry’s black ear, getting a chuckle from her as she came around and a little kiss as she turned around and did the same to Boreale, who pounced over and knocked the bat onto me with a laugh.
-Good morning, everyone, I said with a smile.
-Hello kittens, said Cherry.
-Hello batty, hello kitty, said the cougar. Boy, I’m starved! Anyone else for breakfast?
-You bet, replied the bat, but hold the bacon for me, eh?
-Hold your bacon? Sure, I shrugged, grabbing the mouse’s butt with a smirk.
-Hey! Nice one, Ulrich.
We hopped out of bed, cleaned up and filed downstairs to the restaurant in relaxed attire. After all, the only things I had on my schedule today was to start contacting suppliers and get quotes for the project before I could correct my estimates for the project and call the bank to start negotiating the financing of the whole taco. John came by to say hello, glad to see that the bat was safe and sound, though holding the daily newspaper, pointed to an article about a strange case of murder that had been discovered in the wee hours of morning nearby.
-A two-patty barbecue, I said, looking at the picture.
-Would you know anything about that, asked the horse. I’m just asking, don’t say anything if you don’t want to...
-Those guys where muscle from the mob that tired to take out winged angel here as she was getting into the resort, but I intercepted them before anything could happen.
-Right, said the stallion, suddenly short on words. Anything else?
-There should be a courier coming by today with something for me, I added. Actually, that might be him right there.
I looked past the black horse to the lobby, where a short, stocky boar was waiting with a package wrapped in brown paper, wonderfully anonymous to anyone who didn’t know what it was already. I signed for my friends to hold on for a minute and left to meet the driver. He looked as relaxed and confident as anyone in his trade should be, which I took as a good sign, meaning that he was indeed my man.
-Can I help you find someone, I asked in a calm and polite tone.
-I’m looking for a panther named Attila, replied the pig, and I take it that you’re him, eh?
-You’d better believe it, I replied. Is that my package there?
-Right out of the factory, with some little extras.
-Great. And the price tag will be?
-None of your concern, said the pig. Between us, I know what this is for, and I’m on the good guys’ side here in Tijuana. Good luck, and good day to you, eh?
The boar handed me the box, seeming quite light compared to what I was used to, and waved as he walked out of the resort. I returned to the restaurant to finish my meal, though I declined showing the stallion what was in the package, hurrying off to my room with it as soon as possible. The bat and cougar didn’t leave my heels though, and insisted to stay as I opened it, eager to see what it was. There was no reason why I’d hide it from them, though. Boreale was my personal secretary, and I doubt that Cherry had never seen a gun in her life. Plus, being intimate with both gave me a certain feeling of natural trust, for obvious reasons. I put the package on the bed and tore off the paper, revealing an even plainer cardboard box, which I opened to a wonderful sight. The reason why the item was lighter then what I was used to was that inside the said box was a black carbon fiber suitcase bearing the Colt insignia, a professional commodity for those who carried the weapon around on a regular basis in a concealed manner. It weighted less then the gun itself, but was extremely tough, the resin and fiber able to resist the most serious of knocks. I opened the locks with the combination that was printed on a sticker aside the handle, which I put in my wallet, and took a long glance at my newest tool. The barrel, stock, IR sight, silencer, three magazines and four boxes of bullets were carefully held in place in specially made nylon fabric-covered foam by Velcro straps. One by one, I took out the components and assembled the masterpiece of engineering, a slight giddy feeling coming over me as I held the completed item, suppressing it as I though of the duty I would have to accomplish with it.
-That’s the strangest thing I’ve ever seen, said Boreale. Can I hold it?
-Not if you don’t want to get your prints on it, I said. Looks like I got AP rounds in the clips, here. Nasty, nasty, nasty, but perfect!
-Why?
-Goes through glass with minimal deviation, I said. Otherwise, I waste a first shot breaking it, which means that whomever it was meant for not knows someone’s out there and will be that much harder to hit. Anyhow, let’s put this back in it’s box and tonight, mister Savil will be shaking hands with the Devil in person.

Time couldn’t have gone by faster during the day. Cherry, Boreale and me worked on getting local and foreign company’s competing quotes on the decor for the resort, hammering things into place for the main hall and most of the more important rooms. I took a nap around four, getting up to get supper with the girls before running upstairs to get my suitcase and slipping out into the night in a black shirt and pants, discrete and unnoticeable. Instead of taking a cab or anything of the sort, I walked to the vicinity of the restaurant, scouting the building from a distance. There were three windows to the room that the bat had told me was the playroom for the fallen Don and company, one of them quite large, and in his infinite arrogance, only covered by horizontal blinds. I’d have to be at the same level as it to get a half-decent shot, but fate would smile upon my enterprise. Another building, about a hundred feet away, had a fire escape, and was out of the immediate sight of the policing muscle boys patrolling the restaurant. I mantled up quietly to the third level and taking stock of my position, could see movement through the large window. As if a natural reflex, I assembled the rifle, and sat down prone, the barrel resting on the rail of the stairs. Through the sight, I saw the raccoon with one of his bros getting favors from a mule Jenny, while the other was further inside, with a she-wolf. Oh nice, the raccoon changed places to sit aside his friend, which meant that I could get them both at once, if I was careful. I lined up the shot, taking my time, resting for five seconds after getting the crosshairs on his temple before finally squeezing the trigger. Colt’s legendary quality showed as I fired, the hard recoil absorbed by the stock’s cushion and the projectile flying true, following the slight overshoot I’d given it. I watched on as the window shattered and both men leaned from the strength of the blow, a nice cloud of raspberry jam repainting the sofa in a straight line with their heads. The third target sprang to his feet, running over to check out the now immobile bodies of his friends, and as he did, a second bullet cut through the air and vaporized his forehead. The window’s explosion and the high-pitched screams of the women in the room procured the distraction I needed to get the guards’ attention away from me long enough for me repack my gun and back down to the street, walking away from the scene in a quiet pace. Two police cars and an ambulance crossed in the opposite direction as I ambled back to the resort, unable to stop a smile from appearing on my face as I thought ‘well, it’s not like there’s any hurry, guys’.

The moment I walked into the hotel atrium, I had two faces looking at me with an air of anticipation, which I answered by pursing my lips and nodding. Cherry gave a shrill cry and jumped on me in a hug, Boreale contenting herself with nice warm kiss instead, pointing for us to go back to our room, as it could be called at that point. As I put the rifle away in my closet with my other tools of the trade, I calmed the two down, reminding them that this was only the first step.
-Now that we got rid of that tyrant, we need to make sure that a better replacement is ready to step in before a war breaks out for the leadership, eh?
-I know who that would be, said the bat. There’s a good man I know, who was his brother’s dolphin for the seat before he was murdered. I think he still lives downtown, but he kept a low profile when Frederico took over. People respect him still, and some even talked about him returning if things got better. It looks like they just did...
-Then let’s not waste a minute, I announced. We should pay him a visit right now.
-Are you sure? It’s eleven o’clock, and he’d probably be asleep...
-Bah, I’m sure the news we’ll give him will compensate for that fact, I shrugged. Shall we?
-I can drive, said the bat. It’s the least I can do.
Taking a few moments to catch my breath and pack my pistol at my side, we filed down to the parking lot where Cherry’s ride had been brought by one of the attendants during the day. She knew where the dolphin’s hideout was, an arcade in one of the run-down corners of the city. It wasn’t the nicest place, but it was very anonymous, and in the middle of a block without any accessible alleyways around it, it was safe, which was a lot to be said for his situation at the moment. We parked in front of the door leading to the upstairs apartment and as soon as we were within reach, I buzzed the doorbell. I had to press three times before we got an answer at the door, which opened a crack with a safety chain visible through the gap.
-What do you want? Who are you, asked the voice.
-Don Frederico was just assassinated, I replied. You must take his place to maintain peace in your family.
-What? Who the Hell...
-We have to talk, I insisted. I assure you that we mean no ill intent, and swear it as Don Ulrich of Miami.
-Don Ulrich... yes, I heard about yesterday, continued the voice. Come in then. Are you alone?
-No, but these good ladies are not armed.
The door closed for a moment and reopened without the chain attached in it’s latch to reveal a slim-built male dolphin who’s scrutinizing eyes scanned us carefully before stepping aside and letting us come with him back upstairs after having replaced the four deadbolts sealing the door. He led us to his apartment, a run-down and simply pitiful place to be living in for a self-respecting Family member, through to the living room, where two old sofas waited in the ill-lighted expanse.
-You have to excuse me, he said, but I have my reasons for being a bit paranoid. So, you’re the one that Frederico was so afraid of, eh?
-Apparently, I grinned. Tonight, I think I justified that fear though.
-He really dead then? That’ll change a few things, said the dolphin, shaking his head. I’ve been hiding out here for the last two years, living off what old friends in the family could get me, as well as the profits from the arcade downstairs. Slim pickings, let me tell you, but nonetheless enough to get by with for a while.
-Do you think you would be able to come back into the light, I asked, now that Frederico is out of the way?
-Only if by some miracle you also got Leon and Danny while you were at it.
-Miracles happen.
-Goddamn! In that case, I guess so! Wow, this’ll mean a lot of work before things get back to normal. You have no idea what kind of trouble those three were able to make since they killed Manny... Give me until tomorrow morning, and we’ll pay the restaurant a visit.
-Do you want to stay here? We could provide you a safe place to stay at the resort.
-Hey, why not. By the way, the name’s Nereid, Nereid Worth.
-Ulrich Luther, and these beautiful souls are Boreale Trillium and Cherry. Anything you need a hand with?
-I’ll just pack a bag and I’ll be right with you, stated the dolphin, holding up a finger as he jogged to his room, throwing clothes into a duffle bag before slinging it over his shoulder and waving for us to start off. By the way, how’s the food at the resort?
I kept close watch as we left the block and peeled it back to the hotel, covering the car as the three hurried inside. The cost of loosing the dolphin would be inestimable, second to the fact that what we’d been working for would take a serious blow. Nonetheless, we returned to the second floor, where I showed Nereid to my room and moved into Boreale’s with Cherry, the three of us passing out from exhaustion until nine the next morning. As soon as we were up and decent, I went next door to get the dolphin. The cetacean was still sleeping, loud snores bellowing from his sharp-toothed muzzle, but a gentle shake was enough to get him to come around, moaning as he doubled over, forgetting the fact that he’d left his briefs to decorate the floor before going to bed. I gave a grunt-like hmm, but tried to avoid looking at him as he got up. He realized what had diverted my stare and gave a short laugh.
-You never saw a dolphin, panther?
-Actually, no. Damn smooth though, eh? I’d spend an afternoon with a razor to get that close.
-Who says you need to, eh? Everyone has their own style and everything.
-Quite so indeed. Mind if I get a better look at you?
-Not really. You know, there’s another reason why I didn’t put up too much of a fight when Frederico moved in. He threatened to tell everyone in the family that, you know, I don’t mind that much...
-Well that makes two of us.
-Really now!
-Don Ulrich, I said with a slight bow, professional businessman, ace gunman, and to those who know him better, fun-loving slut.
The dolphin gave a laugh as I gave my title, and pulled me down to the bed, pulling up my tee and rubbing my jet-black fur. ‘You first’, he said with a smile, getting on his back. I returned the smile and dropped my pants, testing the soon-to-be-Don before mounting him and easing myself into his soft, easy rear, Nereid giving a short moan as I started moving. Holding his arms, I banged him hard and long, the silky leather of his skin feeling just great on my balls as I worked. Finally, I finished my part in time for him to roll forward and push me on my back. It was the first time I bedded someone better equipped then me, and I had to admit that I’d hardly ever feel something quite like the dolphin as he locked my arms and fucked me, his almost comical squeaking rising and falling until he came. I hopped off him and escaped his hold before turning and grabbing him, planted a long wet one on him.
-Nice, he called. Damn, I ought to open my door to strangers more often if they’re so good in bed. I feel so much more confident now for some reason!
-Then let’s not keep the Family waiting, I replied. That’s one hell of a piece of meat though...
We hurried to get cleaned up and join the bat and cougar in the atrium before driving off to the restaurant. There was no trace of there having ever been a shooting, save for a placarded window on the second floor. They must have good housekeeping in the police force to pull it off, I thought. How thorough indeed. The doormen took a step back as we got out, recognizing both me and the dolphin, who had put on a full suit and a panama hat, giving him a very serious look and also very nicely concealing the aftermath of his butt-fucking, in my opinion. The guards almost smiled as we entered, one of them nodding with a half-grin, as if they already knew why we where coming to the establishment. Inside, there were no regular customers, but a house full of the members of the local Family, the most senior members seated near the front. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but as a round of applause started by two of the officers of the Family, it was clear that we were getting a hero’s welcome. A few people came to give me and the dolphin accolades, and the large majority of the heads of the organization swearing their de facto loyalty to Nereid, without him even declaring his intent. The transition was smooth, to say the least. One of the lieutenants came to talk to the dolphin and invited us to his table, discussing more seriously though.
-Don Nereid, said the lemur, I’m overjoyed to have you back here in these wonderful circumstances. Don Ulrich, our deepest thanks for causing such to be possible, your actions will be remembered as long as there are Urchins in Tijuana.
-I only did what needed to be done, I answered. No one threatens me without there being consequences, nor exploits their Family members.
-You know justice, Don Ulrich. That’s a very noble trait in any man. When you return to Miami one day, your family will be quite fortunate.
-If and when, I corrected. At any rate, I’m glad that there was no undue violence following my hit last night. I was a bit eager to see the patriarchal seat filled, I must admit.
-You couldn’t have done better, said the lemur, shaking Nereid’s shoulder. We’re lucky to have this fish back with us. You were a like brother to Danny, and we all missed you, Don.
-I swear before God that I will act as a father of the Family should, and protect the weak as Urchins have always done. A toast, to our great name and return to glory!
The attendance exchanged comments as glasses raised and hit, the name ‘Don Nereid’ shouted before they touched anyone’s lips. The celebration continued for two hours, whereupon the three of us gave the dolphin our best wishes and left him to start the Herculean task of repairing the Family’s broken fences. I gave a self-satisfied growl as Cherry drove, hugging the cougar against me, both seemed totally relaxed now that our dirty deeds were over with, for the time being. The flying mouse turned her head for a moment and put a sensible question to me, which was as simple for me to answer as it was for her to ask.
-Ulrich, I don’t mean to impose on the resort, but would there be a place for me with you? I’m kind of suspicious that I’ll always have a bit of a reputation back with the Urchins if I go back.
-I’ll ask Alex and John, but I suspect they’re just as grateful for your bravery as I am.
The rest of the day seemed like a daydream compared to the grueling pace that we’d been carrying on with for the last few days. After all, I’d hardly gotten any sleep, event hat which I’d managed now just enough to let my mind rest from the thought and planning that had preoccupied me. Then there was me and Boreale, me and Cherry... Simply said, enough to keep me busy for a while. The first order of business I took care of was to let the two go on with their things on the second floor while I paid the stallions a visit. Alex’s dark eyes shot at me as I entered his office, ready to ask how things had gone with our emergency plan.
-Everything’s just fine, I said to the horse. The Don’s one of us now and there’s no sign of trouble for us anymore.
-That’s what I wanted to hear, replied Alex with a sigh of relaxation. My God, you have no idea how much of a relief this is. For a while, even when we started off here, I was completely convinced that we were all marked for dead and came this close to giving my resignation. Anything left outstanding in this act of contrition?
-Just one thing, or person, actually, I answered as I sat opposite to him. The bat, Cherry, who basically spilled the beans and made this possible can’t return to her previous occupation. Everything considered, we’re really in her debt, and I thought that we could take her on in some administrative capacity.
-Agreed, nodded Alex. You seem preoccupied about something else though when you say that. What’s the background noise?
-Just that I can’t fully trust anyone that changes teams, even if they did do some incredible good. Call me untrustworthy or ungrateful, but I think I’d like to have her close enough to be able to keep and eye on her.
-I’ll trust your call on that, said the stallion. All right, then I’ll pen her in as a secondary assistant for you, eh? That’ll place her under your direction. Ah, I like when things turn out nice and quiet like this!
-You still seem tense, I commented, and I keep seeing you rubbing your shoulder there.
-Hmm, just something that keeps coming back, said Alex, reaching over his shoulder to try and rub his ache. I might fast track the spa staff just to get rid of that.
-Don’t bother, I laughed, I took some of my time off in the last few weeks of my work at the Banco to follow a few lessons for the masseuses there. I’d get that out of there in a second, if you like.
-You’ve got to be kidding! I’d owe you a big one, Ulrich. Actually, I already, considering you saved this place, but...
-Hey, it’s my roof too. I saw that most of the stuff for the spa’s already on the sheets. Have they arrived?
-In the rooms and fixed up, confirmed the stallion. Let’s go, I can’t take this for another minute!
Alex left his desk and took the lead as we walked to the massage parlor near the pool, which, as he’d said, was already set up, their decoration not an issue, as they were considered ‘clean rooms’, outside the reach of the projects that I was responsible for, and rule by RS policy to follow the company standard. I looked away and let the horse get ready, hearing him thump down on the table with a stretched mumble. From his stature I’d taken him to be reasonably in shape, and my estimate was quite right, the equine in as great form as a thirty-year old could hope. I slapped a towel over his flapping black tail and poured a good spot of lotion on my hands, rubbing it warm before applying it on Alex. The horse made the funniest sounds as I started the treatment, releasing the nasty pinch he’d been swearing at, then moved on to continue with the rest of his back.
-You don’t need to, said the horse. That pinch was all that I really needed...
-If I had been planning to only get that out, I would’ve been able to in your office, I commented. Stay still and I’ll have you as relaxed as you’ve felt in months, I bet.
-To Hell with work, returned the stallion. Fire away, doctor.
I chuckled and proceeded with a soothing rub down, taking a full half-hour to do his upper body and arms, the latter turning to mush as I gave him more and more of a reason to stay on the table. With that done, I lifted the towel to do his legs, catching a glimpse of a massive pair of marbles and accompanying equipment. With his hoofers loose, I asked him to turn around on his back. Not a word of protest came from him, though, and with all the effort he could muster he rolled over, his long, massive member slapping his lap with a dull sound, which almost made me explode in laughter. His torso and head passed my careful inspection, his glazy eyes looking back with a dazed smile and I pulled at his mane, finishing my work. By that time, even if Alex’s mind had turned to mush and his use of English wavered between pidgin and none whatsoever, I saw that his cock had inflated with blood and lay on his stomach, twitching slightly as he waved his tail. A slight malice took hold of me, and in a composed voice, I asked if he wanted me to take care of that too.
-Want me to rub that too, I asked, shaking my head towards his member. I don’t mind the extra work.
-He, the stallion muttered, I don’t know, I never got that by another-
-Then it’s about time that changed, eh? Just relax and take it easy, horsy.
Before he could manage another comment, I craned my neck down and started licking his scrotum, a hand holding his cock as I jerked him off. After a worthy effort, I surmised that I’d never get his head in my mouth, let alone anywhere else, and settled with running my raspy tongue on it instead, going faster and faster as the stallion’s black form heaved with his breath. I grabbed and applied the massage towel in time to catch the record-breaking load that exploded like a geyser from Alex with a loud sigh. He reached down and held himself, pushing out whatever hadn’t obeyed the flow, then opened an eye and with a deaf laugh, admitted how good that had felt.
-Wow, said the horse, that was great. I wish I could return the favor...
-Then ante up, I said, pushing his legs back towards him. Bet you never got this either.
Alex didn’t even move a muscle as I opened him up and pulling my pants down, rammed myself into his protesting rear. As soon as it had tightened up, I screwed the stallion hard, enjoying every second of the encounter until I finished, pulling out and dropping his legs with a satisfied purr. A stunned grin seemed stuck on Alex’s face as he slowly rose to sit on the board, looking at me with an amused expression before putting a hand on my shoulder and sliding to his hooves.
-I always wondered how that felt, he said. Strange, but sort of fun in another way.
-My first reaction too, I commented. Anything else bothering you?
-Hmm, no more pinched shoulder or sperm retention headache, so I’d have to say no, unfortunately. Thanks, doc.
-Welcome son, I replied with a more serious look. Now watch a few filthy movies and get a full night’s sleep.
-Sure thing, we get satellite TV here...
The stallion got back in his suit with a far more happy expression then I’d seen since my arrival and galloped back to his office to finish the workday, something that I wasn’t too concerned with for the time being. After all, it was already four o’clock and I’d sent out the jobs and scheduled them to start as soon as I got a reply from the banks I’d looked into and sent a credit request from, which would be the bulk of the work, save for the whole roll-with-the-punches thing as the waltz would begin. I strode back to my desk anyway, finding Cherry and Boreale playing chess, the cougar getting a nice challenge from the mouse, who seemed sharper then I would have hazarded to guess. They game me a smile as I walked in, the catamount pulling my chair aside her and wrapping an arm around me before leaning her head against me.
-So what do you think my next move would be, Ulrich?
-You could get Cherry in seven moves, I commented, seeing the bat frown as if I’d said something quite insulting. On the other hand, she could get you in five.
-Really, said the bat, looking at the board for a moment, fluttering her wings a bit.
-I’ll just watch, I insisted.
I looked on with interest as the next moves continued, the bat actually playing out the strategy I’d observed, though Boreale was doing a great job of defending herself. It was hopeless though, as the mouse’s third move took out the cat’s queen, which had been guarding her king with a tower and bishop, the last of which fell as well by a tower’s hand, sealing the three-piece corner which came to pass two moves later. Boreale nodded and put her king down, shaking the bat’s hand in respectful concession.
-That was a good game, said the cat. You’re impressive, batty!
-I like chess a lot, admitted Cherry. I used to be in my school’s club, though after a while I didn’t have that many people to play against.
-What did you do after high school, if I may ask, I questioned. College?
-Oh, my family didn’t have the money for that, nor did I. I came from down south, and my parents worked on a coffee plantation. I did too, for a while, until they passed on six years ago. I took what I had and came here, trying to find work as best I could. After a while, I found that job at the restaurant, though it was only after I’d started that I’d learned what was behind it. I didn’t mind, it was a good position, and I didn’t take part in the darker side of it. My place’s near there, actually, a little apartment on top of a bakery.
-That sounds nice, I said. Actually, the reason why I asked, other then that I care very much for my batty is that Alex gave the all clear for you to join in as assistant to me, and after that, stay on as permanent staff.
-That’s great, shrieked the bat, jumping up and coming over to give us a hug. I got roomies! What do I need to do as your assistant?
-Same things as Boreale, really. Whenever something’ll come up, we’ll be the masters of the situation and jump right in. Any problem with that?
-Nope! Just a question though...
-Which is?
-I know you both have a place here, but do I also have that?
-You’d better believe it. Room 216.
-And you’re 215, and she’d 214... this is great! Hope you’re not afraid of hearing the fluttering of wings in the night...
-You’re a fruit bat, not a vampire bat, I commented.
-You’re right, whispered Cherry. I have other thinks to suck on then your blood.
-You dirty batty, I said, giving her a head rub. Hey, does the chessmistress want to play against me?
-Hmm, I bet I’ll beat you.
-What do you bet? What’s the prize?
-You’ll see later, she answered.
I blushed as I set up the pieces, taking black, of course. Cherry made a well-thought opening, but moved her major arcana too slowly, giving me a chance to use my queen and take out her left side, save for three pawns and a tower. Hard pressed, she played more defensively, but that only lasted a few minutes, as I soon squeezed her king against her right side and pinned him down with two towers and a horse, which made me think about Alex for a moment as she put her king down.
-Darn, she said, looks like I lost! The kitty’s good...
-Let me try then, insisted Boreale. Your luck can’t last forever, Ulrich.
-We’ll see about that! I’ll just call up supper, if you don’t mind.
-Wahoo! Sleepover, called the bat.
The game against the cougar was a challenge, not only because of her playing style, but the fact that Cherry kept playing with my ears and tail, giving the cat a nice advantage. A moment’s inattention was all it took to lose, which made Boreale all the merrier, stating that I’d have to share the batty’s prize.
As the cougar put the chess board away and our collective imaginations ran amok thinking of things to do to fill the rest of the evening, the phone on my desk rang, the tone of an internal call buzzing its happy tune. I picked up the receiver and answered in a polite tone, hearing John’s voice on the line.
-Ulrich, I hate to bother you in your off time, but there’s someone here who’d like to meet you.
-Really? It’s a bit late for social calls, but who is it?
-The chief of police, answered the stallion, but he’s out of uniform and seems rather friendly.
-Ask him if he’s alone before he comes up.
-He says he is. Where would you like to see him?
-My office, I guess, I replied. I’ll be there shortly, if you can buy me a few minutes.
-Sure thing! See you soon.
-By the way, did they call you anything else then Ulrich in Brazil?
-Leopardo comes to mind, I said. I kind of liked it too.
-Then buenas noches, leopardo.
I clicked the hang-up button before telling my friends what ha d conspired and threw on a dress shirt before heading off to my workplace. I had time to open the door and flick on the lights, but as I was making myself at home, I saw the form of my visitor at the door, a tall jaguarondi in a grey suit and sport jacket. I waved for him to come in and stood to shake his hand before we sat to talk.
-Good evening, said the cat with a heavy Latin accent, my name is Jose Oliviera, chief of police in Tijuana.
-I’m Ulrich Luther, I answered, special envoy for Rockwell-Sheppard. Can I offer you something?
-Oh, nothing, thank you, your friend downstairs already gave me a glass of cognac, much appreciated too. Things are a bit more exciting on the streets of the city then I’d like, and it takes a toll on the nerves.
-So I heard. What could I do for you then, chief Oliviera?
-Please, call me Jose. Actually, it’s about those things that I’d like to discuss. You see, I have certain friends in the Family here, and exchange favours with them sometimes. One of them I called in to know more about the shooting that took place at the seafood restaurant down the way yesterday. Apparently, you might have had a hand in it?
-There’s a possibility, if I know that you have no interest in using that information against me.
-I don’t, I swear. I just like to know who’s taken care of whom while I’m not looking, if you pardon the pun.
-No problem then. Yes, I took out the late Don of the Urchins, and took steps to make sure that benevolent leadership was returned to them instead of an idiot’s iron fist. If anything, I expect that you’ll see a drop in the crime rate, because his kind tend to be more violent then more reasonable and civilized Dons.
-That’s wonderful news! Unfortunately, there’s a second part to my visit here…
-Which would be?
-To offer you a contract, said the chief of police. You see, as you said, there was a lot of violence here in the last few years, and the government sent an investigator here to look into it and make recommendations as for the rectification of things. That would imply that not only would myself and a good handful of ranking policemen be out of a job, but there would be a deeply-entrenched battle between the government and the Family here.
-Indiscretion in business does that, I sighed. And what would you have me do?
-Find a way to get the investigator to leave without making a mess of this town. It may be a mess already, but it’s one I’m used to and can handle. If things escalate…
-It won’t get any prettier, I understand. Very well, I’ll pay him a visit. Do you have his address, or a name I can follow up on?
-I have to correct you there. It’s ‘her’, not ‘his’. To answer, yes, I know where’s she’s staying. She has a room at the Regina, aside the airstrip outside of town, and she’s well looked after by a few personal guards that came with her.
-How many?
-I counted four when I saw her come off the plane. Maybe more came, but I wouldn’t be able to tell you about them.
-All right, I’ll look into it.
-The sooner the better, added the jaguarondi. Thank you to accepting, Ulrich. As for payment…
-I’ll see what I have to do before I can tell you about that. Just peace and quiet for my time here would suffice, though.
-There won’t be a single traffic ticket on your windshield, laughed the cat.
-I’ll contact you tomorrow, I said. By then, I should have an idea.
The chief got up and shook my hand with vigour before heading out, giving me a moment to reflect on the project. I wouldn’t like to be forced to do something too nasty. After all, if an envoy that the government send comes back in a cardboard box, that would be the signal to call in the army and take the place apart. No, diplomacy would be the better option. She wanted to know what was happening here? She’d find out, but from me. I returned to my room to tell the others about the contract, but worded it more as a surprise visit to the inspector then a TKO. Taking along another clip’s worth of munitions, I left the hotel in the darkness to catch a cab farther down the street out to the Regina. It wasn’t the nicest hotel, not by a long short, but it was isolated and probably the best option for a VIP like the inspector. Her security was more important then a sauna and spa facilities, after all. I saw two men in the lobby of the hotel, which let me take an educated guess that the others were standing watch outside her door in case anyone managed to sneak past their colleagues downstairs. There was always her window, I thought, and to date, those had served me quite well indeed. I circled around to the back, looking at the windows with a careful eye. All of the lights were out, save for one on the second level and another on the ground floor. Chances were that they’d put her on the topmost floor, well away from street traffic, and whatever else would be interested in her. I mantled up on the first-floor balcony, catching the ledge of the second and pulled myself up, my arms complaining until I could get a paw down on the concrete slab and stand on my feet. I crept to the glass and looked inside, seeing a female jackal at the desk on the opposite side of the room, writing on a laptop. I grunted and slowly and silently, I opened the deadbolt on the doors and pushed them open, creeping up slowly on the woman until I was crouched only a few paces from her. In a flash, I had my hand holding her muzzle close and the other wrapped around her arms, her smaller stature working to my advantage as she tried to give a muffled scream. I hushed her and asked her to stay quiet and calm until, realizing that there was no way she could break my grip or get help, she nodded her consent. I released her and she spun around to look at me, her eyes shifting as she seemed to recognize me.
-Who the Hell are you, she asked, her tone not aggressively loud but still energetic, and how did you know I was here?
-Here in Tijuana, people know where those who interest them are, I replied.
-So you were sent to kill me, she stated coldly, the colour in her face changing to a different, paler shade.
-No, that’s not the case. Can we talk without the threat of being interrupted?
-Why should I listen, asked the jackal. Why shouldn’t I simply have you arrested by my guards?
-Because you want to know what’s been happening here in Tijuana and I can tell you, before you meet someone unreasonable who doesn’t have the good manner to leave nice jackals alone.
-All right, talk then, said the inspector, turning to face me. There aren’t any more seats here, so I’m afraid you’ll have to stand, though.
-God gave me paws to stand on, I said with a smile. Have you ever been assigned to a situation where a Family and Dons are involved?
-No, I haven’t. If you have to know, this is the first time I’m assigned to this kind of appointment, answered the jackal, letting her guard down somewhat. So is that the case here?
-Yes. You see, Families don’t destroy cities; they build them. With money, influence, and sometimes, yes, a rough hand, they push things into being that it would take private companies or governments much longer to make happen. Take any large city, and there’s a city inside it that was built from the ground up by a Family or their associates. Dons own businesses, offices, everything you could imagine. This place, being so special in its placement and history, attracted one, who called itself the Urchins, and are doing quite a good job in helping it survive and even grow a bit. Unfortunately, a few years back, the Don at the head of the Urchins was assassinated, and his successor, his murderer as it would be, was a lunatic, who did everything that a twisted, dishonest soul could do. Hence the crime that you were sent here to focus on, I understand.
-Yes, that’s right.
-Well, last night, that Don was himself taken out, as well as his closest cronies, which means that his chapter in history is no more. The new Don is a good, caring creature, as a Don should be, and swore to right the Family as it was before its fall into decadence. So, the short of it is, the situation that you were sent to right, had been righted.
-But if there’s still a Family and they’re able to do what they want, that’s not what I was told to leave behind me!
-The alternative is not to anyone’s advantage, I commented. If they leave, then a lot of businesses will go bankrupt, and the city will suffer. Worst, if you decide that force should be used, then I can assure you that associates in the family are just as well equipped as any SWAT unit, and Tijuana would become a war zone. If you will, this is a delicate balance, and trying to tip the scales without thought into the consequences would wreck any hope of it returning to equilibrium. The police takes care of petty criminals and the usual crowd they are specialized to address. The Family takes care of more dangerous people, and assures that no one does anything foolish on their watch.
-I think I see where you’re going with this, said the jackal, but I’d seem very suspicious if just lifted camp and high-tailed it back to the capital without so much as a recommendation.
-You can put what I told you in your report, worded correctly. A Crime Boss was behind this, he was killed, and everyone lived happily ever after. As for going back to the capital, why don’t you stay around for a while? No point in being in a nice city like this and now letting loose a bit.
-It seems that you have a plan for me, the jackal said with a grin. Would I stay here?
-Well, you know, I do work for the RS resort just downtown, and there are a few rooms available. Colour TV, spa and both outdoor and indoor pools…
-Right, she smiled. Are they available now?
-Sure! What? Is the bed that bad here?
-Three broken springs, for starters, and I’ll skip the details. Just let me pack up, eh? By the way, the name’s Starlight, Edwina Starlight.
-Ulrich Luther, pleased to meet you, Edwina. Need a hand?
-If you can manage it, she returned.
We did short work of returning the jackal’s things to her suitcases, though I was replacing a few books in a bag shed’s passed me, she addressed me in a distracted tone.
-You seem very confident that you cloud trust me not to put you behind bars or that I wouldn’t turn on you after you’d given me your story. If I may ask, why is that?
-A person in your profession has a natural preoccupation for both the welfare of people and justice. I thought I could satisfy both those callings and trusted you not to resort to deceit to get your way with me. It was a gamble, perhaps, but a sensible plan in my opinion.
-Better then that others would have thought of, muttered the jackal. I take it that you weren’t approached with this method in mind... Would you have done it?
-Pardon?
-Be honest with me, Ulrich, said Edwina, putting her hand on my shoulder and turning me to look her in face. Would you have taken my life? Say, if there had been no other way?
-No, I truly wouldn’t have, I replied, shaking my head and patting her back. I’ve never taken an innocent life, and God forbid that I ever do. If anything, I was eager to meet you and get things right before anyone else decided to try an alternative.
-Then I suppose that I should thank you, she jackal said, giving me a peck on the cheek. I didn’t know what I was walking into here and it almost cost me everything. I didn’t think there was anyone like you watching out for my tail.
-And such a fluffy tail it is, I replied with a wink, giving it a swipe.
-Hey, leave my fluffy tail out of this, laughed Edwina, pinching my chin fur. I’d better go tell the bodyguards how great a job they’ve been doing and that we’re relocating.
-I’ll just stand over there...
The jackal laughed as she opened the room door and talked to one of the men protecting the way for a moment, exchanging a few harsh words with him as to his skill in covering the building in an acceptable way. After a few seconds, she introduced me and I popped into sight, the bodyguard seeming less then pleased about my surprise appearance, but sighing and offer his excuses to the jackal before radioing the other men to get ready to go. Edwina nodded to me as we rolled out her suitcases and made our way to the parking lot where two anonymous cars were waiting for us, both driven by some of the humiliated guards, eager to get the move over with and forget about their shortcomings. The jackal was kind, and her conversation very educated as we rode to the RS, where I showed the group in, leaving a message for the horses as I led them to the third floor, which was completely inaccessible save for two stairways, and there were no well-placed balconies like the ones I’d used myself to intrude at the airstrip’s motel, to the bodyguards’ relief. I helped Edwina get comfortable in her new apartment, though the first thing she did was to childishly jump on the bed with a loud laugh, letting herself crash on it while I worked.
-Anything else, I asked, putting down her emptied bags in the hall closet, refreshments and an extra pillow?
-I think that’s just fine, said the jackal. Just come here for a minute, though.
-Sure, I said, walking over to crouch aside the bed and look at her. What is it?
-Get on here, she said, patting the mattress. If you don’t mind, that is.
-I’d better do it, I replied. I heard jackals get mean if you make them upset.
-You heard right, said Edwina as I sat aside her. Actually, no, that’s not true. I’m really not quite sure how come I was assigned to this project. I was a pencil-pushing investigating officer back at the capital in a cushy desk job. Then, out of nowhere, I’m given this can of worms. Maybe it was someone who didn’t want the truth to come out and thought I’d just be too innocent and stupid to catch on.
-Well, that’s not that it’s the case.
-Oh, come on! If you wouldn’t have come to see me tonight, Ulrich, chances are that by this time tomorrow, I’d be lying somewhere without much of a pulse.
-I’m glad that’s not the case. It’s not nice to do bad things to good, kind jackals.
-Hold me, can you? I need company right now. I don’t know, but I felt like I was in the middle of a free-fire zone when I arrived and until my dark visitor came called, completely alone. Now I have a friendly kitty.
-Purr purr, I said, putting my arms across the jackal’s shoulders.
-I’m tired, muttered Edwina before using her inertia to swing us both backwards. Oh, this feels good. You’re a bit hot, aren’t you?
-Yes, and I feel warm too, I said with a grin.
-You’re silly, kitty. Mind if I... get comfortable?
-Oh... eh, if you want. I guess what they say about cats and dogs isn’t true.
-Well, I’m not a dog, I’m a jackal, and you’re not a cat, you’re a black leopard. That puts those words darn out of luck, eh?
Edwinda rolled on her back and undid her blouse, rolling back to let me slip a hand around her under the shirt, letting out a hum and closing her eyes with a smile. Opening one, she quickly popped the buttons on mine and returned my gesture, letting her fingers drag on my sides before feeling my abs.
-Nice, she commented. One, two three... they’re all there.
-I feel something, and it’s not soft jackal fur, I said, pulling at the clasp of her top.
-Get rid of it then, she replied.
I undid the attachment as she rose up to pull the undone clothes over her head, letting a pair of small, round canine breasts hang as she returned to her side. I slowly grasped them, teasing her black teats between my index and major, an exquisite moan coming from Edwina as I did. Her hands dropped to grab my rear before she asked for me to take my pants off, feeling the exercised muscles move under my inch-long fur. With the sensation in mind, she left hers as well, her smooth, shapely paws ornate with two-toned fur, save for their inside which held a longer white coat, ending in the hidden confines of her panties, her only cover at this point. Mine were the first to disappear however, as in a furious movement, she pulled my briefs away, her eyes locked on my now erect member. Holding it with an almost curious air, she licked at it until I’d reached Durometer hardness and she rolled to look down on me.
-Ulrich, I have to tell you that I’ve never gone so far, said the jackal.
-Do you want to, I asked almost feeling the question unnecessary.
-Does this answer your question, said Edwina as she pulled her underwear down and lay on her stomach. Just go slowly, please.
I smiled and gave her a cool kiss before I raised her tail and massaged under her, feeling her black-lipped clit soaked. The jackal breathed heavily and huffed at my provocations until I held her open with one hand and guided myself in with the other. She’d told the truth, but was so wet that I could enter her without the shred of pain of a first time. Edwina gave sharp yelps of pleasure as I moved around in her and started to hump her. I reached under her and held her bouncing breasts, kissing the back of her neck and whispering nasty comments, getting only howls and barks in return as the jackal let herself go and surrendered to a long orgasm, followed by two shorter ones as I pinched at her urea, the last ending with a low growl as I finished.

I gave a slow-winding roar as the light of day hit my eyes, finding a note from Edwina telling me she’d left early to go see the sights in town bright and early before the American crowd came in for the day. Putting it aside, I was glad that the last conscious act from the previous day was to have called the police chief and tell him that she wasn’t to be bothered and was a friend now, or at least a neutral observer. As I was trying to get on my side and out of bed, the tableside phone gave a ring, the tone of an outside call echoing slightly in my ears as they twitched from the sudden noise. My paw missed three times before I got a solid hold of the receiver and took the speaker to my ear, giving an incomprehensible groan instead of an actual greeting, hearing Nereid laugh on the other end.
-Looks like I’m tearing you out of bed, Ulrich!
-No, no, I was just getting up and coming around.
-Coming, that seems like a perennial sport for the slutty Don, eh? I put one and one together when I saw the inspector leave the resort this morning. Don’t worry tough, I made sure that the word got around that she wasn’t to be touched. Well, other then by you, that is…
-Right… that being said, how’s the new job?
-Murder, laughed the dolphin. I’m just making sure that all’s going on track. Only one little problem left, in your neck of the woods, as it would be. Would you mind..?
-Who what where, I asked, and how much?
-A guy that Frederico had let into town to start a custom drug ring. Real dirty stuff, nothing I’d ever touch, or you, I suppose. The clientele isn’t who I’d recommend. Plus, that son of a bitch sent two of my boys to the doc with nasty wounds when I sent them to tell him to get his suitcases ready. He’s a bulldog, about six-three, built like a brick wall, can’t miss him. He has a place a block from you, down the road.
-Call me back in a second, I said, I’ll just get my longbow ready.
-If you hit him from there, supper’s on me!
-I’ll have a salmon steak with a spot of caviar, if you can manage it!
I hung up with a smirk and hurried back to my room, hearing Boreale and Cherry in the cat’s room, assuring me peace and quiet while I took care of business. I pulled my case out and assembled my rifle in time to have the phone ring again, picking it up as I opened the window a crack and set myself up.
-So where’s his place, I asked, over the smoke shop there?
-That’s where my guys went, answered the dolphin. What’s he doing?
-Oh, he has a nice lab in there, I replied, taking a nice look at the chemical equipment behind the dog. Looks like LSD for breakfast, and meth for snack time.
-How’s the view?
-Clear as day, except for a building corner, but that’s nothing, there’s a ten mile wind against it. Now, let’s wait for a moment… there, I said after having resolved my aim and sent a single projectile through the drug maker’s temple, redecorating his laboratory somewhat. Did you hear that?
-Did you crack on off, kitty?
-Meow, I giggled. Nope, but your friend there won’t be making his four o’clock appointment.
-Aw, shucks, laughed Nereid. A few less ODs on the street tonight. That’s life, eh? Your salmon will be ready at seven sharp and bring friends because I have to dump some old vino. Oh, and while we’re talking, you see that blue and white truck in front of the resort?
-Yes, what about it?
-Just wave at them and they’ll come say hello. I hear you were looking for some plaster and metal work for your place. You won’t get much better deals out there then them, I can assure you.
-Thanks a bundle, Nereid.
-Talk to you soon, kitty. Oh, and what’s you Don name, officially speaking?
-Attila, I replied. See you at seven!
I returned the phone to the table and my firearm to its case, whistling a bit as I went down to the turnabout and waved at the contractor’s truck, which drove to met me, then men inside introducing themselves and assuring me of their credentials before I showed them to the parking. By ten o’clock, I’d gotten a formal quote from them, a ridiculously good deal without any loopholes, and they’d started doing the main hall as well as parts of the dining room with absolute efficiency. Alex and John, not expecting the work to start so early, came down from their offices to see what the noise was about, mouths gaping as I showed them the contract I’d sealed with them.
-You have to be kidding, said John. That’s just for materials, right?
-Materials, work, and the kitchen sink, I corrected. It should be done within the week, which means I’ll be able to get the painters in and purchase some of the larger pieces for the décor. By two weeks, this floor will be ready. All that’ll be left are the rooms, and I got a nice price for packs of the replica paintings, lamps, drapes and knick-knacks from a Venezuelan company, which should be coming in tomorrow. I think there’s room to stock it in the basement in the meantime.
-I’ll be damned, said John, giving me a loud slap on the shoulder, you’re something else! First you need time to figure this place out, and we’re biting at our hooves here, then you pull off these little miracles.
-It’s what RS hired my on to do, I said. Anyway, I have a seafood supper engagement with a few opening for friends. Care to join?
-I’m game, called Alex, how about you, bro?
-In, of course, shrugged the stallion. Hope they have a good Caesar there. I’ve had this craving for a good salad for a while…
I watched the work start off for a few minutes, but seeing the men’s eagerness and practiced hands follow the plans and start their art, I trusted that they were more then worthy of the trust that Nereid had put in them. Boreale and Cherry were already in the office when I walked in, both looking at their computer screens with a detached air, turning to greet me as I slumped into mine.
-So what’s on the table today, asked the bat. I take it we don’t have that much left to do until something falls on our lap.
-True enough, I nodded. Let me check my mail though… looks like we’re in trouble.
-How so?
-The national bank will only forward us two thirds of what I’d asked from them, due to a well-placed limiting mechanism in their lending policy. We’re a few hundred thousand short, say eight.
-Any ideas?
-Off the top of my head, maybe I could ask Nereid tonight. With any luck, he could manage a short-term loan for us and we’d be all right. Otherwise, I’ll have to set something else up.
-The dolphin Don? It’s a plan, Boreale smiled. I wonder if there’s a way we’ll be able to fit that into our books though. We’re not going to have a line in our sheets that writes ‘mob loan’ if we don’t want some dicey questions from the higher-ups.
-Not a problem, I declared. Normally, they have a front to cover for their purely financial activities, in a more legitimate capacity. Anyway, until then, anyone up for a swim? The pool system’s has been online since ten this morning.
-Count me in, said Boreale. I’ll go change and I’ll be back in a few. How about the batty?
-I’ll come too, but I can’t really swim, said the mouse.
-Really, did you ever give it a shot?
-I did, giggled Cherry, flexing her wings, but can you imagine how much drag these make?
-Oh, right, that doesn’t help. We’ll let’s get some trunks on and hit the board!

Fifteen minutes later, I was swimming laps down the massive outdoor pool, my tail training along behind me, but even as I experimented, it didn’t serve when it came to trying to use it as a rudder. Boreale wasn’t much better equipped, but her thicker fur matted down against her as she floated on her back, dazed by the relaxing feeling of weightlessness. The bat had come into the drink for a while, but retreated to the poolside to one of the temporary white plastic chairs and was dozing off in the warm sunlight. After a good twenty laps, I took a deep breath and went under, swimming up to an unsuspecting she-cougar, and took a nice double handful of Boreale’s buttocks as I surfaced, her soft, yielding flesh under the Lycra deforming in my paws as she gave a short laugh.
-Ulrich, I ought to put a bell on you to make sure you can’t sneak up on me like that.
-That felt good, I whispered in her swivelling ear, and the laps were good too. Hey, looks like we have company.
-Who is it, asked the cougar, manoeuvring to get a vista on the pool access from the resort. Hmm, I don’t remember meeting her…
-That’s Edwina, the inspector from the government. Hola, Edwina, como va la jackal?
-Bueno, replied the canine, dressed in a minimal two-piece swimsuit. So who are these nice ladies, Ulrich?
-Edwina, this is Boreale, my secretary kitty, and that’s Cherry, the staff’s flying mouse.
-Please to meet you, said the jackal, shaking the cougar’s hand.
-So you were out for the day, asked Cherry, walking into the water to greet the new arrival. How did you like the city?
-Plenty of life, I’ll give you that! I wonder if it’s more fun to do things by yourself in the cabarets or watch the other tourists misbehave, though. Sorry about the suit, it’s the only one I brought along.
-No problem, I shrugged. I won’t complain.
-Naughty cat, chuckled Edwina. Can you pull me around a bit?
-Sure thing, I answered, taking her paws and walking around the shallower part of the pool, her long hair flowing behind her. Three mermaids in the water, eh?
-By the way, muttered the jackal, how’s the situation now, in the other side of the city, if you know what I mean….
-Oh, housekeeping, I said. Not much to worry about. Actually, I got an invitation from the Don, Nereid, for a supper engagement. You’re free to come along, if you want.
-That would be interesting, she smiled. I’ll have to count on you as my bodyguard if I come, though.
-You’re safe.
-Good to know, said the canine, looking around to make sure no one was watching as she pulled the top of her bottom tight. In the meantime, how about a little jackal camel toe?
-You’re forwards about it, but I’m always game...

Edwina grinned as I got out of the water, excusing myself under the pretext of having to place a few phone calls to the contractors about invoicing, though as soon as I had slapped a towel around me, I hurried off to the jackal’s floor, waiting by her door until her distinctive form appeared in the lift, walking towards me in a slow, dragging pace, her tail lazily waving from side to side. With a slip of my keycard, the door was open and we slipped inside, closing the door in time for our bathing suits to hit the floor. What followed was a no-holds-barred wrestling match, transgressing the limits of the imagination as our sweaty, hungry smells cut through the aroma of the chlorine.