“Oh.” He calmed a bit. “That’s a good plan.”
Jericho crossed his arms over his chest. “Just shoot me.”
Vanni gaped at his friend. “What?”
Jericho didn’t look at her but glared at Smiley. “He understands what I mean. I’d rather be shot than suffer foolishness.”
Smiley faced forward and turned his hand, lacing his fingers with Vanni’s. He cringed a little inside but was grateful Vanni didn’t question him. She let it go. He knew what Jericho meant. The male would rather take a bullet than fall in love with a female.
He wasn’t exactly being a good example to his friends. He’d been moody and rash since meeting Vanni. Everyone seemed to appreciate his good humor so he needed to show her more of that. A few deep, calming breaths helped. He’d be on his best behavior while taking her shopping and show her how much fun he could be. Females appreciated a male who could make them laugh.
Chapter Fifteen
Vanni wasn’t a fan of Miles Eron. The sixty-something head of the NSO public relations team wasn’t the friendliest guy. “Look happy at all times,” he demanded, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “I’m not sure I like that outfit.” His gaze scanned Vanni. “Cindy? Get your ass over here.”
“Yes?” A woman with unruly curly hair—the mass was barely contained in a ponytail on top of her head—stepped forward.
“What the hell were you thinking? Her shirt barely fits. Give her yours.”
“I disagree. She looks fantastic. Craig did her shopping though, not me. I stand by his choice. It’s a good look for her.” The woman lifted her chin, openly regarding Miles with contempt.
“The shirt is too damn tight. You’ve got massive boobs but take yours off and give it to the girl.” Miles waved his hand. “Now.”
“Vanni looks perfect.” Smiley glowered at Miles. “Don’t ask your female to disrobe in the company of males.”
“As if I’d do it,” Cindy muttered. She raised her voice. “This isn’t 1950, sir. Women are comfortable and flaunt their femininity. She is a pretty woman with a gorgeous figure. Let it go.”
“Who pays you?” Miles pointed at his own chest. “I’m the boss.”
“You’re a chauvinistic ass,” Cindy muttered.
“What did you say?” Miles advanced.
Her voice rose. “I said I know you’ve got an eye for class.” She paused. “But with all due respect, you’re wrong on this one. That’s why you hired me, remember? I’m the voice of the younger generation.”
Justice chuckled. “Enough, Miles. Vanni looks fine. They need to leave.”
Smiley tugged on her arm and led her out of the building. Vanni looked back and caught Cindy waving goodbye. She felt sympathy for her as she returned the gesture.
“Wow. Is that Miles always such a jerk? I couldn’t work for him.” She looked to Smiley for an answer.
“He can be abrasive but he’s good at what he does. You look perfect. That female was correct. He’s an ass.”
“And apparently a little hard of hearing.” She grinned. “That was kind of funny.”
Smiley laughed. “Cindy does it often when we have meetings. We crack up because he has no idea what she said or why we’re amused.”
A little jealousy rose in Vanni. “You know her well then?”
“Cindy is a nice female. She accompanies Miles to a lot of our joint meetings when media issues arise. They mainly work at Reservation but came here last night to help us handle the situation.”
“Great. I’m a situation.” She didn’t like the sound of that.
Smiley helped her into the SUV. He kept touching her. “You didn’t cause this problem. Place the blame where it belongs. The Woods Church has had it in for the NSO for a long time.”
Jericho took the seat next to her. The big primate flashed a half-smile, making him look less menacing. She wanted to ask Smiley if he’d ever dated Cindy but didn’t want to do it with four other New Species in the SUV with them. Flame and Slash sat up front. Wager took the third row seat. She glanced back at him but he was staring out the rear window.
She leaned against Smiley. “What’s he doing?” She jerked a thumb toward Wager.
“He’ll make sure we aren’t followed and he has a weapon at ready in case it’s needed.”
Vanni regretted asking the question. “Weapon?”
Smiley took her hand and clasped it. “It’s standard procedure.”
“I have a weapon too.” Jericho unfastened the strap on his Kevlar vest and reached inside, pulling out a handgun. He showed it to her and then returned it, replacing the strap. “The safety is on. We’re well trained.”
“We sometimes hide them in public when we leave NSO lands.” Smiley squeezed her hand.
“You’re not on duty?” She’d noticed everyone in both SUVs, except Smiley, wore NSO uniforms.
“No. This is our outing and it’s their job to protect us.”
She was glad Smiley wasn’t carrying a gun. They scared her. “Do you think it’s really necessary for them to be armed? I mean, we’re just going to a clothing store, right?”
“Standard operating procedure.” Slash spoke from the front. “We need to be prepared to defend our lives at all times when we’re not at Homeland or Reservation. A lot of the officers carry weapons at Reservation though, even when they are off duty. The walls are vast and always expanding. It’s possible an intruder could breach one but Homeland is smaller and more secure.”
It saddened Vanni that they had go to those extremes. She couldn’t imagine living in a world where the majority of society had to keep guns strapped to their bodies. Smiley lifted her hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. She stared up at him, a little awed. He did the sweetest things when she least expected.
“We have no crime within our society. When we encounter it, it usually involves humans. It’s rare to have anyone breach our walls. It’s more of a precaution.”
He could read her too well. It was kind of nice though. “I just hate that you have to live like that.”
“It’s our way of life and we enjoy the freedom. That’s the cost of it. There are a lot of humans who don’t wish us harm.”
Flame chuckled. “The mate hunters.”
“What are those?” Her interest was piqued.
“Never mind.” Smiley shook his head. “Just humans who are a little too friendly.”
“Or wish we were.” Slash chuckled.
“Now I’m really curious,” Vanni admitted.
“They are females who flash their breasts at our officers.” Jericho snorted. “They think we’ll be driven insane with lust and take them home.”
“Oh.” Vanni had no idea the NSO had groupies.
“We tend to ignore them.” Smiley lowered his voice. “They aren’t the kind of humans you take home.”
“Why not?”
“They are crazy,” Jericho answered. “One of them is a ninety-six-year-old female. She’s a regular at the gates. That is a sight I could have lived without.”
Wager laughed. “She wore nothing and opened her long coat to flash Darkness. He ordered one of the task force members to take her a warm cup of coffee. It seemed to him that she must be cold.”
Smiley’s chest rumbled and she liked that cute sound when he was deeply amused. A grin lit up his face and she smiled back.
“What about you? Have you been flashed?” She didn’t really like the idea of women chasing after him.
“I stick to the outer-region walls when I walk them. The humans tend to gather at the main gates.” Smiley shrugged. “I mostly do interior duty.”
“Smiley is good with humans,” Flame offered. “He’s had some very important assignments and is respected by all.” He released the wheel with one hand as they exited the main gates and tapped Slash. “Tell her.”
Slash turned in his seat. “Smiley is a great guy. He’s intelligent and very tame.”
“Enough,” Smiley ground out.
Vanni gl
anced between the two men. Smiley seemed angry. Slash faced forward and muttered something under his breath that she didn’t catch.
“I don’t need help,” Smiley stated.
She bit her lip and fought a laugh. It didn’t take a genius to figure out they were talking him up to her.
“I would never use the word tame.” She couldn’t believe that came out of her mouth. She darted a glance at Smiley to see his reaction and felt heat rise in her cheeks at the way he his eyes widened. “I wouldn’t,” she insisted.
“What word would you use?” Smiley arched an eyebrow.
“Amazing.” She was flirting with him and enjoyed it.
He smiled. “I like that one better.”
She ducked her head and rubbed her thumb against his. Holding hands seemed like such a silly thing but it felt good. He’d brought over clothes to stay with her. The note he’d left implied he wanted more than just sex. Walking into that bar might have seemed like a nightmare right afterward but she was almost grateful she’d been the one to sit next to him. It had brought Smiley into her life. She didn’t regret it.
At least not right now. I hope I still think that next week or next month. She pushed back the negative thoughts. No relationship was a guarantee to a happily-ever-after. She’d learned that the hard way, twice. It had hurt deeply to know the first love of her life was a cheating bastard who’d led her on for years with no real intentions of settling down or being the type of man who’d make her happy. He’d just been an excellent liar and actor. Losing Carl hadn’t hurt though. It had taught her never to settle for someone just because she was lonely.
She lifted her chin and peered at Smiley. He was watching everything they passed. She studied his profile. He was a handsome man but even better, he was a good one. They’d gone through a traumatic experience together and he’d seemed more concerned about her welfare than his own. It showed strong character and a good heart.
A slow burn of anger built inside her. Carl and his father wanted to hurt New Species. She glanced forward at the two men in the front seat then at the one next to her. They were scary-looking, admittedly, with their altered features and muscular bodies. That didn’t make them bad people. They were all there to protect her, a stranger. She hadn’t met too many people in her life who would take risks for someone they didn’t know.
Vanni realized how bad things could have been if the other woman had taken the seat next to Smiley that night in the bar. The Woods Church would have made him out to be some rapist who drugged his victim. They’d spout those lies to anyone who would listen, damaging the NSO, who’d all been nothing but kind to her and didn’t deserve to be slandered.
She debated whether the media would believe her if she told them what had happened when she’d returned the engagement ring to Carl. Gregory Woods and men like that horrible Bruce shouldn’t get away with their evil deeds. It wasn’t right. They could do it again and pull some innocent into it as they’d done with her. No one should ever go through being locked up overnight and threatened with death.
“Vanni?” Smiley reached over and caressed her arm.
She stared up at him. “Yes?”
“Are you okay? Don’t worry. Your safety is my top priority. I wouldn’t allow anything to happen to you. This will be fun.”
“I believe you.”
“We’ll buy you clothing. Don’t look at price tags. Money isn’t a concern.”
“All right.” She’d pay them back though, if she ever got her wallet and credit cards returned. She made a mental note to cancel them later. She’d been too disorientated to really think about those things until that moment. The last thing she wanted was the Woods Church charging purchases in her name.
“We’re almost there.” Smiley squeezed her hand.
She glanced out the windshield and realized Flame was driving the SUV into a shopping center. Her musings had left her unaware of how far they’d traveled. It put her at ease when she saw the name of the store they parked in front of. She had worried they’d take her to a fancy dress shop but this was one of the chain stores where she normally bought clothes. There weren’t a lot of cars in the parking lot since it had just opened.
“Are you ready? I will be with you.” Smiley studied her eyes. She knew he looked for any show of emotion and tried to gauge her mood.
She nodded, forcing herself to relax. Smiley opened the door and kept hold of her hand as she slid out behind him. The NSO officers surrounded them, putting her and Smiley in the middle. A car passed, the driver openly gawking at the team. The woman nearly hit another car before slamming on the brakes.
“So it begins,” Jericho sighed. “Expect the cell phones to come out.”
Smiley released her hand and pulled her against his side, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Just smile. They tend to want to take photos with us but we’ll keep them back. I don’t want anyone getting too close to you.”
“Don’t snarl at anyone,” Slash warned, his gaze locked on Smiley. “You smile. I don’t care what your instincts say. Got it?”
“I know.” Smiley complied. “See?”
“You look constipated but trying to look happy about it,” Flame muttered.
Vanni laughed. Smiley actually smiled then. It reached his eyes and transformed his features. He hugged her tightly as the human task force team members opened the doors but stayed outside. They took positions as if they planned to guard the entrance.
Customers and employees turned to gawk at them. Vanni straightened her shoulders and felt gratitude that Smiley was beside her. His arm around her waist was comforting.
Flame strolled over and yanked a cart free from a line of them and chuckled. “I love carts. I always want to jump inside one and be pushed.”
“You’d break the thing. No playing,” Jericho said sternly. “Keep a sharp eye out but look happy about it.”
Vanni noticed one of their group was missing. “Where is Wager?”
“He’s staying with the SUVs. No one will be able to tamper with the vehicles without him knowing.”
Smiley’s explanation killed some of her joy. She tried to hide her distress. Are they paranoid or has it happened before? She didn’t want to ask. They were supposed to be there to have a good time and be seen together in public to prove Gregory Woods a liar. That returned the smile to her face. She really hated him, his son and that church.
“Just toss everything at me,” Flame offered. “I’ll follow behind.”
“You’re having too much fun,” Jericho said and sighed. “You remind me of a hyper child.”
“You remind me of a grumpy father,” Flame shot back.
Slash shook his head. “Humans are watching. Behave!”
Vanni laughed and looked up at Smiley. “Are they always like this?”
“Yes.” He eased his hold on her and lowered his voice. “We have twenty minutes before this could get out of hand. We have to stay for at least ten to make sure enough photos are taken. Relax and buy lots. You’ll need everything from the skin out.”
In less than twenty minutes? She tried to hide her dismay. It was a reminder though, that he was a man, New Species or not. That amused her. He had no clue how long a woman could shop. She nodded. “Power shopping. Got it.” She turned her head to stare at Flame. “You ready? Stay close and I’ll just toss stuff in the cart.”
Flame gripped the cart handle. “You lead and I will follow.”
Vanni swept her gaze around the store, spotting the area where they kept her size. Smiley stayed at her side as she walked purposefully down the aisles. She even managed to make direct eye contact with other customers. They continued to gawk but one woman dug her cell phone out of her purse and lifted it.
Smiley gripped her arm and turned her in that direction. “Smile for her, Vanni.”
She posed with him. The stranger approached cautiously and took the photo. “Can I get a picture with one of you?”
Slash stepped forward. “I’d be honored.”
; The woman beamed. “Thank you. You’re so tall.”
He chuckled and crouched down a bit next to her. “Say cheese.”
Vanni was amused, watching the woman take a selfie with the New Species. He made sure she liked the picture and then backed away.
“We appreciate your support,” Slash rasped.
“My daughter and sister are going to be so jealous,” the woman gushed.
Slash beamed. “I’m glad.”
Smiley leaned down a little and whispered in her ear. “Let’s shop. I hate to remind you but we have to rush this a little.”
Vanni nodded and headed toward the clothes racks. Flame stayed right behind her with the cart. She just grabbed things that caught her eye, quickly putting together about eight outfits.
“That will do it.”
“You need panties and bras,” Smiley reminded her.
She blushed, gazing up at him with dread.
He winked. “Not that I’d want you to wear them but Miles had me memorize a list. People might talk about what you buy.”
She glanced away from him to the other New Species hovering around her. “In front of them?”
“They aren’t shy about those things.” He chuckled. “Only you are. I’ll help.”
She wasn’t sure if that made it better or worse as he clasped her hand and led her to the intimate-apparel section of the store. Vanni released his hand, located her size in bras and just grabbed a few that looked pretty. She was usually pickier about fabric and comfort but just wanted to get it over with.
She grabbed some boy-shorts-style panties but Smiley chuckled, drawing her attention. He held up a bright-blue thong. “I like this.”
Vanni just spun around and grabbed a few more pairs of underwear. “Done!” She turned and dumped them in the cart.
Smiley placed the thong in the cart, adding a few of the same style in other colors. “You should see your face.” He looked amused. “You’re so cute, my Vanni.”
She liked the way he called her that.
“You should never be shy about anything with me.”