Lauren hesitated and decided to just tell her friend the truth. “I didn’t peek while you were changing. I’ve showered with him.”
“No! Get out! You’re lying just to make me jealous.”
“We spent last night together.”
Amanda let her eyes roam up and down the man on the pink inflatable mattress. Her gaze returned to Lauren. “You are my hero, girlfriend.”
Lauren stood and entered the kitchen. “I’m getting hungry. How about you?”
The doorbell rang. Lauren instantly felt fear as she spun and her gaze flew to Amanda’s. “What if it’s the jerks from my work?” she whispered.
Amanda hesitated, paled, and whispered back, “How would they know where I live?”
“We work in real estate. Duh! We do title searches all the time.”
“Do they know my last name?”
Lauren shrugged.
Amanda rose to her feet and tiptoed closer to the door. “I’ll peek.”
Lauren grabbed the largest knife in the kitchen and a rolling pin. She ran for the door too, ready to do battle if they tried to break down the door to steal Wrath. Amanda frowned and glanced at the things Lauren gripped in her hands, before rising up to peek out the tiny hole in the door. Amanda jumped back, spun, and looked terrified as she met Lauren’s gaze.
“Two really large men wearing all black with sunglasses are out there. They look huge,” she whispered.
“Lauren Henderson?” The male outside spoke loudly. “You called the NSO. We are here as you requested. We know you aren’t a crazy female anymore and we’ve come for our male. Will you please allow us in to see Wrath? We mean you no harm.”
Lauren eased closer to the door, rose on tiptoe and peered through the tiny hole. The two men were really large but the glasses and prominent bone structure assured her they weren’t trying to trick her. She dropped back.
Amanda gave her a questioning look.
Lauren nodded at her. “Let them in.”
Amanda shook her head. “Did I mention they are really badass looking and huge?”
“Open the door. Damn it, Amanda. Wrath needs help.”
“Fine but I am going to annoy the shit out of you in the afterlife if you get us killed.”
Lauren rolled her eyes. Amanda unlocked the door and slowly opened it. She jumped back, almost tripped, as two very tall, wide men wearing all black stepped into the room. They had long hair, down past their shoulders, and were wearing identical sunglasses. They closed the door behind them.
One of them frowned and slowly reached up to remove his sunglasses. Lauren was shocked when she met a pair of catlike eyes. He blinked at her before his attention dropped to her hands.
“Are you going to cut us or try to beat on us with those?”
Lauren realized she was still holding the knife and wooden rolling pin. She flushed and put them down on the nearest table. “I’m sorry. We were afraid you were the men from my work. Wrath is over there.” She pointed.
They had to walk around the couch to see the unconscious Species. The man who’d spoken to Lauren suddenly laughed. “Is that a pink castle?”
“It’s my niece’s,” Amanda admitted. “She loves to sleep in my room so I bought her that. It’s got a princess under him.”
The man grinned. “I’m Flame and this is Slash.”
Slash was as tall as Flame, about six foot three, but he had streaked, light-brown hair with silver highlights. He removed his glasses. He had the same catlike eyes and they were an odd shade of blue. The man nodded at Lauren and Amanda.
“What happened?” Flame focused on Amanda.
“Talk to her. I’m just the getaway driver. I didn’t know what he was or I might have at least bitched more on the drive here but she’s my best friend so what else could I do? She said to drive and I put the pedal to the metal.”
Flame turned to Lauren. She quickly explained everything that had happened and retrieved the dart she’d saved, handing it to Flame.
“This was what they stuck him with. I kept it in case you could test it to tell what drug they used.”
Flame took the dart and sniffed it. He cursed. He dug out a cell phone and quickly dialed someone. “We need a helicopter out here now. Wrath has been tranquilized with a heavy dose of sedative and a paralyzing agent. There’s a park half a block from here. We’ll meet it there.” He hung up and stared deeply into Lauren’s eyes. “You did really good, human female. The sedative lasts longer with the paralyzing agent. It’s a trick those bastards discovered to stop our bodies from working through their drugs as quickly. His heart could stop if they overdosed him.”
Lauren nodded. “Will he be all right?” She was worried.
Flame nodded. “I believe so. His breathing is steady and strong. Grab some clothing quickly. We are taking you with us.”
“But—” Lauren started.
“Let me grab my bag,” Amanda said at the same time. Amanda shot Lauren a dirty look. “They want to take us with them. Be a friend, shut your mouth and let’s grab some clothes.”
Lauren frowned.
“Duh! Hunky guys. Move your ass, Lauren.” Amanda was already turning, running for the stairs. “Don’t leave without me!”
Lauren glanced at Flame and couldn’t miss his shocked expression or widened eyes.
“Did she say hunky guys?”
Lauren sighed. “She’s single and looking.”
Flame frowned. “Looking for what?”
“She doesn’t have a man in her life and she wants one. You’re both men.”
Flame relaxed and laughed. “Oh.”
Slash made a weird noise. “What does she want one of us for?”
Flame grinned. “She’s looking for a mate.”
Slash shook his head. “Not me. Females are trouble and I don’t want a mate.”
Flame chuckled. “One wouldn’t want you either.” He stared at Lauren. “The helicopter will be arriving in fifteen minutes and we must leave here in seven to meet it. You may want a spare set of clothing.”
Lauren ran upstairs to find Amanda in a fit of packing. Lauren shook her head, staring at three open suitcases on the bed and her friend tossing clothes at them.
“Put the cocktail dress down. We’re leaving in a helicopter and that means one bag.”
“But I have to look good. Did you see the both of them?” Amanda fanned herself. “So hot.”
“They either fit you inside the helicopter or all those bags you’re packing. How badly do you want to leave with them?”
Amanda hesitated. “Right. I can do one bag.” Her voice lowered. “Who knows. Maybe I won’t need any clothes.” She winked. “Dibs on the talker. He’s got the deepest, sexiest voice, and did you see those eyes? Meow! I totally want to rub him.”
Lauren lowered her voice too. “They have really good hearing and he probably just heard what you said.”
“Then he knows how I really feel. Life is too short not to go after something you want. I’ve learned that.”
“I know you have. Let me help you. One spare outfit, something to sleep in and we should be good.”
“You can borrow whatever.”
“Thanks.”
They returned downstairs and Lauren immediately went to Wrath’s side to check on him. He was breathing slowly and deeply, his coloring was good, but he still didn’t rouse. She was really worried about him. She turned her head to find both Flame and Slash a few feet away watching her intently.
Flame stepped forward. “I’ll take Wrath. Please don’t try to run. You will be safer with us than staying here. The people who shot him may be looking for him.”
“Oh, we won’t run,” Amanda assured sincerely as she smiled up at him. “Try to lose me—it won’t happen. I don’t want to leave your side.”
Flame grinned. “I like you, female. You are direct.”
“That’s me.” Amanda winked. “Direct and single but you could change that.”
Lauren stood and allowed the other man
to bend down where she’d been. It stunned her when the large New Species just lifted Wrath as if he weighed nothing, shifted his body, and straightened with the other New Species draped over one broad shoulder.
“Let’s go.” He turned and his partner opened the front door.
“Holy shit,” Amanda gasped.
Flame turned, eyeing Amanda silently. Amanda stared at him.
“He weights a ton and you just lifted him like he’s a body pillow.”
Flame wrapped an arm around the back of Wrath’s legs to keep him secure. “We are strong.”
Slash walked forward and put Flame’s glasses back on his face, hiding his eyes.
Slash put his own glasses back on. “Let’s go.”
Flame nodded. “Females, let’s go.”
Amanda grinned at Lauren. “We’re females.”
Lauren shook her head and sighed. “Really? I thought you were a drag queen.”
“Bitch.” Amanda chuckled, elbowing her.
“Geek,” Lauren mouthed back. She noticed the two New Species men were watching them silently. “We’re ready.”
“So…” Amanda smiled. “Where are you taking us?”
“We’re returning to Homeland,” Flame informed them, leading them out of the condo.
A black SUV waited at the curb and the driver opened the doors and the back. He wore sunglasses too but Lauren just knew he wasn’t New Species since she could see his nose clearly. He reminded her of Brian and worry ate at her.
“Did you guys find Brass, Shadow and Brian? Did you save the two women I work with? They were being held hostage.”
Slash shrugged. “That is not our mission. We don’t know. We were sent here to pick up Wrath and whoever was with him.”
Flame put Wrath in the back of the SUV and then he, Lauren and Amanda sat in the backseat. The driver and Slash took the front seats. Lauren turned, watching Wrath. She reached over and touched him to make sure he kept breathing.
“Why are you keeping your hand over his chest?” Flame asked.
Lauren turned to him, not knowing what to say.
“Oh, they spent last night together,” Amanda chuckled. “She’s seen him naked.”
Lauren blushed. “Shut up, Amanda.”
Flame chuckled. “Really? You and Wrath?”
Lauren ignored him and Amanda. She turned her attention back on Wrath. Why isn’t he waking up? If the drugs were going to kill him, wouldn’t they have done that by now? She kept her hand on him, feeling him breathe, as they drove down the street.
Chapter Eleven
The NSO Medical Center wasn’t like anything Lauren would have imagined. It was a large building with a glass front. Inside were chairs lined along the wall, a long counter, and behind that were desks and open space. She saw hallways on each side of the room. Wrath had been wheeled down the one on the right and Lauren waited with Amanda. Slash left with their bags, stating that they needed to be searched, but Flame sat down with them in the chairs by the windows.
“What is your association with Wrath?” He removed his glasses and studied her.
“I met him yesterday. I was kind of taken against my will to where they were staying. Headquarters? Whatever that is. Wrath was assigned to take care of me and watch me. I had an incident with one of your kind. There was a fight between him and Wrath. I spent the night in Wrath’s room with him.”
“Tell me you did something with him,” Amanda urged. “Please tell me you didn’t let an opportunity like that go.”
Flame frowned as he stared at Amanda. “What opportunity? To share sex with one of my kind?”
Amanda smiled at him. “Your kind? Hell, I’m talking about a cute guy.”
Lauren wished a hole would open up under her. “Amanda has been single for a long time. She thinks if a good-looking man is interested that I should be interested too.”
Flame nodded. “I see. It is not a race issue but just a male issue?”
“I don’t care what race you are,” Amanda flirted. “You’re hot.”
Flame laughed. “Thank you. You are attractive as a female too.” He glanced at Lauren. “Have you shared sex with Wrath?”
Her face warmed more. She was totally uncomfortable where the discussion had headed. “That’s none of your business.”
“She admitted to seeing him naked.” Amanda chuckled. “She had sex with him if she’s smart. She’s been single a long time too and she’d really be dumb if she had the chance and didn’t take it.”
“Amanda, stop. He’s going to think you’re nuts.”
Amanda smiled at Lauren. “Shut up. I’m flirting.”
Lauren pressed her lips together and was grateful Flame seemed amused by her friend’s outrageous behavior. Lauren tuned them out while she stared down the hallway where they’d taken Wrath. An older man with white hair entered the hallway and walked toward them. Flame stood.
“How is he?”
“919 will be fine.”
Lauren frowned. “919?”
“That was his testing-facility name.” Flame nodded at the doctor. “Thank you, Dr. Treadmont. Is he awake?”
“He is. He’s showering.” He paused and studied each of the women. “Would one of you be Lauren?”
Lauren’s heart did a somersault. “That’s me.”
The doctor met her gaze. “He asked about you. He wanted to know where you were.”
“She’s here.” Flame hesitated. “He has taken the name Wrath.”
The doctor nodded. “I’ll update his files. It’s good that he chose a name.”
“Tell him the female is here and safe.” Flame shifted his stance. “He’ll rest easier knowing that.”
Dr. Treadmont walked back down the hallway and Lauren felt Flame’s gaze on her. She turned and lifted her head to look at him and found him grinning.
“What is that look for?”
“You shared sex. For him to ask about you right after waking up tells me this.”
“That’s my girl,” Amanda laughed. “Good for you. You’re not as dumb as you look.”
“Please stop embarrassing me,” Lauren almost begged.
“She doesn’t look dumb.” Flame gave her an up-and-down run with his gaze, looking confused.
“It’s because she’s blonde.” Amanda winked. “We tease blondes about being dumb but she’s actually really smart. She’s just kind of a prude.”
Flame chuckled. “I see. I know what a prude is. It was my word of the day not too long ago.” He turned to stare down at Amanda. “We are learning new words so we get a word of the day. Are you a prude too?”
“God, I am so not,” Amanda admitted.
“Should I leave the room so you can attack him?” Lauren was only half kidding.
“Attack me?” Flame frowned. “Why would she want to do that?”
“I meant it to mean making a pass at you. Do you know what that means?”
Flame grinned. “I do.”
Wiggling her eyebrows, Amanda grinned at him. “Would you be interested?”
Flame growled. “I would be.”
Lauren couldn’t miss the way her friend’s eyes widened when he made that slightly scary sound. “When they make noises like that, it’s a good thing. It means he’s interested.”
“Hot damn!” Amanda chuckled. “Way cool!”
“Please get a room first,” Lauren pleaded, not wanting to see her best pal in action with a guy, up close and personal.
Flame moved closer to Amanda. “I have a room. After my shift is over I will show it to you if you want to see where I live. It’s a one-bedroom apartment located in the men’s dorms. Females are allowed to visit there.”
“I’d love to see where you live.” Amanda smiled up at him.
“You will be assigned somewhere to stay if my people plan on keeping you here overnight or for a few days.” Flame pulled out his cell phone. “Let me call and see what they want done.” He walked away from them and across the room.
Lauren eyed Amanda.
“Are you sure you want to go to his room? You shouldn’t tease a man like that.”
“Who’s teasing? Look at him. I’d love to get him out of his clothes.”
Lauren sighed. “He’s definitely not a puppet type.”
“Definitely not.” Amanda agreed.
Lauren lowered her voice. “They growl when they get turned-on and have sharp teeth he might show you. No tail or fur so please don’t ask him about those.” She shot a glance at Flame, saw his back was turned and he seemed intent on his phone conversation, before taking Amanda’s hand. “Just don’t get your feelings hurt if this doesn’t work out. I hope it does though. He seems really nice but try to take it slow, okay? I can’t handle seeing you with a broken heart again.”
Amanda squeezed her hand and released it, suddenly very serious. “I can’t let what happened to me ruin the rest of my life. I just hope the scars don’t turn him off if I get him to that point.”
“I’m really proud of you for being so brave. Have fun but be safe.”
Lauren studied her friend and remembered getting that horrible call five years ago. Amanda’s live-in boyfriend had shot her and she was in critical condition. He’d turned out to be a real piece of shit who’d duped her best friend, taken out a hefty life insurance policy on her and then tried to kill her after making it appear as if a robbery had gone wrong. Amanda had fought him off long enough to reach help before succumbing to her injury. Lauren had stayed at her side for three days in intensive care until Amanda had started to recover.
Flame returned to them. “You were assigned a visitor’s cottage. It’s a two-bedroom. I hope you don’t mind sharing. We have some other human guests and the housing is full except for the one.”
“We don’t mind,” Lauren said softly. “Thank you.”
“I was told to escort you there now.”
Lauren glanced at the hallway. “What about Wrath? I’d like to see him before we go.”
Flame nodded. “I’m in no rush. It shouldn’t take him long.”
They waited until Wrath finally came walking down the hallway. Lauren stood and took a few steps toward him. Wrath smiled and walked right up to her, their gazes locked together. He’d changed from the camouflage fatigues into jeans and a formfitting T-shirt. Lauren didn’t miss noticing his well-defined muscular arms and wide shoulders.