Fury

“What’s up?”

Breeze looked grim. “We need to speak privately.”

“Oh.” Ellie suffered a moment of confusion. “Of course.”

She knew something had to be wrong. Breeze led her toward the bathroom, which stumped her more. Rusty and Kit waited by the door. Breeze shoved it open and Ellie followed her inside. Sunshine checked stalls to make sure they weren’t in use.

“All clear,” Sunshine announced. “We are alone.”

Ellie glanced over her shoulder as the door closed to find Rusty and Kit blocked the exit. Ellie shifted her attention to Breeze. “What is going on?”

Breeze sighed. “You can’t leave the dorm without one of us with you. I want you to sleep inside my room or one of us will stay inside yours. You are to never be without one of us near you.”

“Um…why?” Ellie arched her eyebrows as she glanced at each woman.

Breeze held her attention with a frown. “Fury is outside again. We didn’t want to frighten you but we’ve seen him examining the building on many occasions. Last night he came closer and we suspect he is testing the security to find a way inside.”

Shock rolled through Ellie. “Why would he do that?”

A loud alarm suddenly started to blast out sharp warnings, startling all five women. Ellie knew it wasn’t the fire alarm, the pitch was too high. It was the lockdown signal. She moved fast, fleeing the bathroom. Kit and Rusty were ahead of her as she ran to the front door but no one stood there attempting to break in. The alarm continued to scream. Ellie turned and saw a dozen New Species women rush toward her.

“Lockdown,” Ellie yelled. “Go.”

Ellie moved and grabbed the emergency phone from the wall. It rang once before someone at the security building answered. “This is Ellie Brower from the women’s dorm. What is going on?” She made sure the door had automatically locked by giving it a tug.

“We have a breach,” the security guard yelled over the phone, their fear apparent. “One of those activists groups have broken through the main gate. We have forces headed your way but make sure your women are secure and the doors are closed.”

“Son of a bitch,” Ellie ground out. She slammed the phone down and spun around to discover some of the women were still there.

“It’s those crazy assholes who have been protesting outside the gates about—” She pressed her lips together, finding no polite way to finish that sentence. “Go lock yourselves inside your rooms please. The main gate has been breached but security is on the way. We’ll be absolutely safe inside.”

Breeze cursed. “It’s the humans who think we should be killed, isn’t it?”

Ellie couldn’t deny it so she didn’t try. “They’re stupid. They should go home and wait for their alien spaceships to come get their crazy asses because I don’t count them as human. They should go back to their own planet and leave ours alone.”

Sunshine snorted as she strolled away. “I’ll be in my room then.”

Breeze showed her anger by wrinkling her nose. “We will wait here with you.”

Ellie shook her head. “You know its protocol to go to your rooms. I’ll be fine. I need to stand here to man the door in case some of our women need to be let inside. Some are still out there on the way back from school. Those assholes busted through the main gate and they might have guns. I want you safe. My job is to stay here and it’s yours to go upstairs.”

Breeze hesitated.

“Please? I’m fine,” Ellie swore.

Breeze jerked her head toward the women who still stood there, indicating they should go. Ellie blew out the deep breath she’d held, relieved, while she watched them head for the stairs. They avoided the elevators that wouldn’t work with the alarms triggered. She faced the door to stare outside, spotting nothing out of the ordinary.

She hated activists who targeted the New Species Organization. Ever since the news outlets had broken the story about the research testing-facility survivors, some hate groups had popped up, claiming the victims were nothing but animals, ones they believed didn’t have rights and should be destroyed. Ellie clenched her teeth. The only animals who needed put down, in her opinion, were the ones who threatened the well-being of New Species.

Ellie tensed when she heard an engine race up the street. She saw one of the security cars drive around a corner too fast, another vehicle following it—a large pickup truck that appeared to have been converted into a want-to-be tank. On the side of the truck the word “Hunters” had been spray painted childishly in bright red. Ellie watched in horror as the truck rammed the much smaller security car, causing it to lose control and fishtail. The tires on the smaller vehicle hit the curb, came to an abrupt halt in front of the building, and the truck locked up behind it. Ellie gaped at the sight of guns when two jeans-clad men jumped from the back of the truck. Worse, she saw the back door of the security vehicle thrown open and two women sprinted toward Ellie.

The two security guards who exited the car pulled their weapons and gunfire erupted. The men from the truck dived behind it and returned fire, giving the women time to run to the dorm. Ellie’s hands shook badly as she gripped the door and prayed hard for the sisters, Blue and Sky, to reach her safely. Ellie threw her weight against the door she’d opened and pressed her body tight against the glass to get out of the way of the two large women who barreled through the open doorway.

“Go to your rooms,” Ellie ordered them. She slammed the door closed and jerked on it to make certain the automatic locks engaged. When the door didn’t budge, she released it and lunged for the phone on the wall.

It was dead. Shit. More gunfire outside drew Ellie’s attention. In horror, she witnessed one of the security guards being struck by a bullet. He flew backward, sprawled on top of the hood of the security car then his body slumped to the street. He didn’t get up or move. The second security guard kept firing but he was outnumbered. A cry of anguish came from Ellie when bullets tore through the remaining security guard. His body spun from the impacts, blood bloomed over his face and chest before he fell out of sight behind the car.

Ellie reeled, horrified. The intruders laughed and two of them high-fived each other. They turned to face the building and approached, coming right at her. Shit. Ellie grabbed the emergency bar and slammed it down. It had been added as an extra lock in case security cards were stolen or someone managed to torture the code from a guard. They would need both to bypass the lockdown security measures to gain entrance.

“She don’t look like no animal,” one of the men stated loudly, glaring at her.

Another man, the biggest of the four, pointed his gun directly at Ellie and yelled, “Open up.”

Ellie knew the glass would hold. The building had been designed to withstand an assault. She raised her middle finger while pressing down the com button with her other hand to give them the ability to hear her clearly.

“Screw you. It’s bulletproof.”

“You fucking animal,” one of them shouted. He pulled a handgun, aimed at Ellie’s face and fired.

She flinched but the glass didn’t break. It left a small mark but it didn’t even crack. “This is just a meeting building and you can’t gain entry,” she explained. “You might as well beat your chests, you stupid apes.”

She knew she pushed them but as long as they stayed where they were, making threats, they couldn’t hurt someone caught outside. She hoped security would show up soon to arrest them before they realized she just wanted to distract them.

“I’m also not an animal. You should go look in the mirror if you want to see one.” Ellie gave all four of them a dirty look. “You’re a walking zoo, boys.”

The one with the shotgun cut loose with his weapon. Ellie winced and flinched from each loud blast. She released the button on the com but it barely muted the sound while the man kept firing. A few marks appeared but the glass held. She hated that she’d gotten an up close and personal test of bulletproof glass effectiveness. The jerk with the shotgun stopped firing.

Ellie remembered the wireless security camera and took a few steps back. The camera hung high on the wall and pointed down at the entryway. She kept her attention trained on it while frantically waving to get someone’s attention. She held up four fingers and then mimicked a gun with her fingers, moving her thumb to stimulate firing. She pointed to her watch to indicate it was happening now. She hoped someone at the security office who watched that camera had played charades before since those cameras weren’t wired for sound. She touched her arm where the guard patches were and sliced her finger over her neck to tell them two guards were dead, hoping they understood all that.

The men opened fire again at the windows, this time in unison, perhaps thinking multiple-weapon attack would break it. Ellie covered her ears to protect them from the loud noises. She backed farther from the windows and tried again to relay what intruders were doing for the camera.

The gunfire suddenly stopped. Ellie turned her head and watched the men form a huddle to talk. One of them broke away to run toward the vehicles. She wondered why he went to the security guards’ car and climbed into the driver’s seat. If he thought stealing one of the employee identification cards would help them get in, he would be disappointed.

Ellie had a bad feeling when grins split the men’s faces. They looked downright gleeful when they moved out of the way. The man behind the wheel of the security car started it and positioned the car on the street to point at the dorm. Her stomach churned, a sick feeling pitting there. She knew what he planned to do in that moment. The driver stomped on the gas. The car lurched forward, jumped the curb, and barreled up the sidewalk that led right to the double, glass doors.

“Shit!” Ellie screamed as she stumbled back.

The sound hurt her ears when the car crashed into the doors. She ended up flat on her ass on the floor. She watched smoke rise from the damaged front-end of the car as the engine died. The glass doors held but as her gaze lifted upward, to her dismay, she realized the impact had created a good five-inch gap of buckled doorframe at the top.

“Oh God.”Ellie muttered, stunned.

The windows hadn’t broken but the building holding them in place had. She continued to sit there until the three men pulled their buddy out of the trashed car. He looked dazed but the airbag had saved him from severe injury. The four men studied the damage to the top of the doorframe, grinned, and then started to push the smoking wreckage away from the dorm. They maneuvered the car off the sidewalk and onto the grass, clearing the way for another vehicle assault.

Ellie struggled to her feet and ran for the house intercom system. She knew those men were about to use the truck to push those doors completely down to gain entry. She hit the com button. Her heart threatened to explode from terror but she tried to keep her voice calm.

“Locking down emergency doors,” she stated clearly. “I repeat, locking down emergency doors. Get to safety now,” she ordered the women. “Go to the third floor. Everyone run, damn it. They are breaking into the building. I won’t hit the secondary emergency doors until the last minute but move it.”

She released the button and wrenched open the emergency panel box under the com system. On the second and third floors were steel doors for the stairwells, the elevator, and there were also steel shutters that would cover the windows. It was a last-ditch emergency resort in case the lower floor was breached after lockdown. The interior doors that divided the levels were ten inches thick, weighed thousands of pounds, and the exterior shutters were bomb proof. They would also seal off the floors inside the elevator shaft.

Ellie twisted her body enough to view the damaged wall section over the front doors but could still reach the panel. One of the men climbed into the big pickup truck, verifying her worst fear. The men laughed while they talked, having a good time plotting how to kill her. She grimaced and hoped they’d bullshit for a bit longer while her women moved to a higher floor. She knew time was up when the driver’s door closed, the truck engine roared to life, and it drove right over the body of a dead security guard. The driver maneuvered the truck to line up with the doors. Damn.

“Ellie?” Breeze’s voice came from the com speaker. “We’re all accounted for on the third floor. Get up here now.”

Relief swept through Ellie. “Are you sure you are all there? Are you positive? Sky and Blue ran in last.”

“They are here,” Breeze assured her. “Get up here with us or I’m coming down there to get you.”

“Protect yourselves. I’m safe,” Ellie lied.

She wished she could go up there with Breeze but someone had to activate the emergency doors from the panel where she stood. Whoever had designed the building had made that a flaw, in her opinion, as she stood there knowing how vulnerable it left her. They should have installed trigger panels for the blast doors on all the floors.

She punched the three digit code into the emergency panel and twisted the key. A loud siren blasted through the house in fast bursts. She knew steel doors and shutters slammed down on the upper floors of the building. The women would have been safe on the second floor but she wanted them higher up and harder to reach, just in case those men found a way to breach an interior door. She hadn’t thought the dorm could be broken into but she’d been wrong. She wasn’t taking any chances by making anymore incorrect assumptions.

Ellie slammed the emergency panel closed. She knew the security center had to be getting the signal by now about what she’d done. That system ran on a wireless connection with the cameras. It was a safety backup in case the phones weren’t working and the electricity went down so they could still monitor the emergency systems. It reassured her, thinking security had to know she’d just put in the last protocol of protection, which meant the dorm had been breached. They’d come faster to save her.

I hope. Please get us some help right now.

* * * * *

Rage gripped Justice. He found himself locked inside the main security control room watching the screens filled with images around Homeland. Fifteen trucks had driven inside after they’d car bombed the front gate. Shots were being fired, people were dying and he was trapped inside a steel box to watch it go down. His people were in danger and he wanted to help them.

“Calm down,” Darren Artino demanded. “The SWAT team and local law enforcement are on their way. The buildings have been locked down, everyone is aware there’s a problem, and your council has been secured inside a safe bunker. You’ve been watching everything just the way we have. It’s only my security force being killed out there. Your people are safe.”

“Sir,” a woman yelled. “Uh, there’s a big problem.”

“What,” Darren Artino snapped. “We have a hundred of them right now.”

“It’s the woman at the women’s dorm. She stopped trying to wave us down and she just put in the last protocol code. She’s triggered the Hail Mary doors.”

“The what?” Justice growled the words. He wondered if steam came from his ears. He’d never wanted to feel helpless again after he started his new life but he did at that moment. It infuriated him.

“Get me cameras on that building,” Darren Artino shouted. “The woman is too green and I bet she’s just panicking. I’m going to fire her ass when this is over.”

“I’ve got the East Street camera on line,” a man called out. “Screen fourteen.”

Darren Artino pointed to the right screen and knew Justice breathing down his neck. Both men focused their attention on the screen. They watched a truck accelerate toward the front entrance of the women’s dorm.

“Son of a bitch,” Darren spat.

“What are Hail Mary doors?” Justice grabbed Darren by the arm and spun him around.

Darren took a deep breath when he met a pissed-off pair of cat eyes. “Hail Mary is a prayer. It’s, ‘oh hell, it’s bad’. Reinforced doors have been activated inside the dorm and they cut off entire sections of the building.” He jerked his arm to break free of Justice’s grip. “Get every camera we have inside the dorm on screen and I want heat signatures being tracked on every floor, right now! Priority one to all frontal screens.”

Justice reached for his cell phone to place a call. “The women’s dorm is under heavy attack.” He hung up.

“Thirty-four heat signatures are on the third floor. The Hail Mary doors are down and secure,” a woman shouted out. “One heat signature is on the first floor and its moving fast.”

“There are thirty-five women living inside the dorms, according to our records,” a man called out. “All accounted for.”

Cameras normally inactive inside the dorm clicked on. One screen displayed women who sat or leaned against walls inside the hallway of the third floor.

“Those are my women.” Justice tensed. “Are they safe where they are?”

Darren nodded. “Very. Nothing can get to them. The steel doors are almost a foot thick. Not even a bomb could dent them. I told you they would be safe.”

“We have the front doors on screen ten,” a man yelled.

Justice and Darren looked at that camera view and Darren cursed. The glass doors were down on the floor. The damage along the top of the wall where they’d been anchored had been twisted inward.

“Son of a bitch! The glass held but the building didn’t.” Someone stated the obvious.

“We have movement with four new heat signatures,” a woman called out. “We are tracking the original single heat signature. It’s inside the kitchen. I’ve got all cameras on line now.”

* * * * *

Ellie ran into the kitchen. She’d heard the doors come down with a loud crash and knew she was trapped. She could either hide while she prayed help reached her before those men found her or she could fight. Her odds of facing off and winning against the four armed men weren’t good. Her main concern had been the New Species women and it comforted her, knowing they were safe. She’d understood it would be a dangerous job when she’d taken it but she never thought something this bad could happen.

She yanked open the knife drawer and grabbed the largest one she could find while she watched the open doorway over her shoulder. A she tried to quell her panic, knowing she needed a clear head. I need a place to hide.

Her focus immediately landed on the island and she moved to it, ducked down and got out of sight. She cracked open one of the cabinets and started shifting items inside, doing it as quietly as possible.

“Here, kitty, kitty,” a male voice yelled.

Are you kidding me? Ellie shook her head. They can’t even tell the difference between a human and a New Species. The idiots don’t even know what to shoot at. Hunters, my ass, she fumed, remembering that word painted on the side of their truck.

“Come out, kitty cat.”

The voice sounded closer. Ellie’s heart raced while she eased into the small space. There wasn’t much room but she managed to wiggle under the counter and get the cupboard door closed. She had her knees pressed to her body and her head bent in a balled position in the darkness. She tried to control her breathing to prevent them from hearing it. Her ears strained for the slightest noise. All she could do at that point was pray they didn’t find her until help arrived.

“I’m not going to kill you. I just want to talk.”

Ellie clenched her teeth. The guy obviously believed her to be a complete moron if he thought she’d believe him for a second. There was no way she’d attempt to talk to those insane jerks without bulletproof glass separating them. To allow them get close to her would be the fastest way to die and she wanted to live.

* * * * *

Justice continued to glance at different screens to watch what took place inside the women’s dorm. He flipped his phone out and hit speed dial. He’d just seen Ellie Brower hide inside a cabinet under the island in the kitchen. His gaze tracked the four intruders who searched the lower section of the house. They’d realized the elevators were out and they were blocked access to the second floor by a large steel door that cut off the stairs. The men split up and moved room to room on the first floor of the dorm, searching for Ellie.

“Our women are secure on the third floor but the human female is hiding inside the kitchen. It’s just a matter of time before they find her. She’s trapped. There are four heavily armed males inside and they gained entry by breaking down the front doors.” He hung up.

Darren Artino spun to frown at Justice. “Who were you talking to?”

“My security team is on their way.”

Darren’s mouth dropped opened and then slammed shut. “Security is my job. Communications are still down. I can’t exactly call my security guards and order them to give anyone permission to enter Homeland. They blocked off the front gates by using employee cars to barricade it to prevent anyone else from coming inside.”

“They are already here,” Justice growled. “They are my men, my people.”

Darren’s face reddened with anger. “My job is to protect New Species, not have them leave the safety of where they are to confront these crazy bastards. We almost have it contained. Call them back and order them to return to safety.”

“‘Almost’ won’t save that female.” Justice jerked his chin toward the screen showing the kitchen. He softly cursed. One of the intruders had just stepped into the kitchen.

Chapter Seven

“Kitty, kitty, kitty,” a male voice called out, as if she were a cat. He started yanking open cupboards on the other side of the kitchen.

Ellie’s entire body trembled and her hand clutched the knife hard enough for the wood handle to dig into her palm. She closed her eyes and listened as he slammed things. Suddenly something hit the counter above her. She bit back a moan of terror. Maybe he won’t think to look inside the lower cabinets, she feverishly prayed.

Her luck ran out as the cabinet door jerked open next to her. He reached inside and grabbed her left arm. A brutal grasp dragged her out of her hiding spot with one hard yank.

“Got you, you little cat bitch.”

“I’m not a cat,” she informed him in a shaky voice. “I’m as human as you are.”

He jerked her painfully to her feet and glared down at her. He appeared to be in his mid twenties, stood about five foot eight, with a stocky build. A tattoo peeked out from his T-shirt collar.

“I don’t care what you are, bitch. Now you’re dead. This is our country and you damn two-legged animals need to die.” He reached behind him to the waist of his jeans to withdraw a handgun.

Ellie saw the weapon and understood he planned to just shoot her. Pure terror flashed through her as she plunged the knife at his chest. She stared into his eyes when the blade struck him, slid through the shirt, into skin, and watched his green gaze widen with shock. He stumbled back, dragged her by the arm, and she tore her hand from the knife handle imbedded deep in his chest. Blood poured down the front of him and onto her. His arm with the gun rose as he tried to make a last-ditch effort to shoot her. Ellie grabbed his wrist with both hands and struggled to keep him from pointing it at her.

His hold on her arm tightened, caused her pain, but then it eased as he weakened. His knees gave out and he collapsed onto them to the tiled kitchen floor. A horrible moan, along with bright red blood, poured from his mouth. Ellie moaned in horrified distress as the man’s gaze locked with hers, his pain, terror and rage clearly displayed there. He lost his hold on her arm. He also released the gun, which crashed to the floor a second before he slumped backward.

Ellie stared down at him mutely. He sprawled on his back with his calves twisted under his thighs in that awkward bent position. His eyes were open wide, blood pooled on the white tile and he took a few more ragged gasps. A slight bubbling noise reached her ears. His hands jerked, twitched, and he blinked before he took his last breath. The knife handle protruded from his chest by his heart where she’d stabbed him. She swallowed the bile that rose up just as glass broke nearby. The sound had come from another room, forcing her attention from the dead guy at her feet.

Instinct took over. She dived for the gun on the floor. She grabbed it with both hands, the weapon cold and heavy, and struggled to her knees behind the island, peering over the counter at the only entries into the kitchen. The open archway to one of the living spaces and the archway to the dining area were her only escape routes. She used the island to shield her body and pointed the gun between those two openings. She planned to shoot anything that moved.

She didn’t have long to wait before someone made a noise from the dining area when they knocked over a chair. She trained the gun in that direction, made sure her body remained behind the island, and used the top of the counter to hold her hands steady in the double grip she had on the weapon. She trembled, scared, and she’d just stabbed a man to death. She pushed those facts from her mind, knowing she’d fall apart if she dwelled on it. She didn’t have time to face repercussions of what she’d had to do to survive.

The guy with the shotgun stepped into the kitchen, just waltzed inside as if he didn’t have a care in the world. That changed instantly when he saw her with the gun trained on him. His mouth opened, his eyes widened and then he reacted. He seemed to move in slow motion when he started to lower the muzzle of the shotgun toward her. His mouth compressed into a tight line of determination to shoot but Ellie pulled the trigger first. The sound deafened her when the weapon fired.

He threw himself back into the dining room and disappeared from sight. The shotgun poked around the wall and he fired it but it ended up hitting the ceiling somewhere behind Ellie. Something soft that reminded her of snow rained down over her head. She screamed in reaction and fired at the wall he hid behind, next to the arch.

She wasn’t sure if she’d hit the bastard or not but she hoped so. She realized she must not have hurt him when the shotgun barrel extended again. He blindly pointed it her way as he pulled the trigger. The cabinet near Ellie blew to pieces. She threw her body to the floor, almost right on top of the dead guy.

She slipped on thick, wet blood when she tried to push up from the tile. Her knees skated in the slick substance, she gasped, and her hands shot out from under her. She slammed down onto her stomach with a grunt. She had to roll to get away from the blood staining the floor.

She saw movement from the corner of her eye and twisted toward the motion. The guy with the shotgun rushed her, ran right at the island. She pointed the gun and fired while lying on her side. He ducked behind the other side of the counter and slammed into the cabinets with a loud crack as the thin wood took the impact of his body.

“Drop the gun, you bitch,” he demanded. “And I won’t torture you before I blow your fucking head off.”

Ellie’s terrified stare fixed on the cabinet he’d hit with his last gunshot blast, proof of its destructive force. The wood had a fist-sized hole in it and bits of it had exploded on impact to scatter across the tile floor. She took a deep breath, realized she had to get away and find somewhere new to hide. What she really needed, she decided, was for the son of a bitch with the shotgun to shoot himself.

“Ellie? We hear gunfire on the coms. Are you all right?”

Shit. She had forgotten to turn off the com system. Breeze’s voice sounded worried but Ellie couldn’t answer her. She took comfort in knowing Breeze and the other woman were safely locked two floors above. Only the head of security and the director knew the codes to open those steel doors once they’d been activated. Ellie didn’t even have that kind of access once the Hail Mary doors were triggered. The men could torture her, but she didn’t have the information they needed to reach the women.

“Ellie?” He snickered behind the island but he’d given away his location. “What kind of stupid name is that for an animal to get?”

Ellie eased open the cabinet door. He had to be right behind it on the other side. She peered inside and took aim.

“I’m going to fucking kill you slow for what you did to Eddie.”

Ellie pulled the trigger and fired in his general direction until the gun clicked, empty after a few bullets tore through the wood. Ellie spun away in case he returned fire and crawled to the far left. The gun would be useless except as something to pitch at him.

Silence met her ears while she strained to hear anything. She hesitated at the corner to peek around the island, her heart pounding. A groan sounded from the other side of the island.

Had she hit him? She couldn’t be that lucky. She crawled forward on her hands and knees. The dead man’s sticky blood covered her hands, making it a slippery action. She inched forward, terrified, but knew there were two other men who could show up at any time, drawn by the gunfire. If she stayed put they’d definitely kill her.

The guy with the shotgun had to be messing with her, perhaps playing hurt to get her to stick her head out so he could shoot her. She had a bad feeling until she saw blood flowing across the floor along the grout line.

Ellie held her breath and then took the chance to stick her head out and glance at the side of the island. His body sat leaning against it. The shotgun rested on the floor next to his legs while he stared straight ahead toward the dining room. He blinked. Blood covered his chest and ran down his left arm, revealing that she’d hit him at least once. She continued to watch him.

“Buck?” A man’s voice called from the living room. “Eddie?”

She sprang to her feet and sprinted for the dining room. If Buck was the guy with the shotgun, she prayed he wouldn’t have the time or the ability, with his injuries, to grab his weapon to shoot her as she dashed away. She made it out of the kitchen without getting shot in the back.

The safest place would be the library. If she could make it there without getting caught she had a chance to barricade herself inside. Heavy furniture filled the large room. She could shove it into place to block the double doors. With that new plan in mind, she made a mad dash for it. A man swore as she darted past an open doorway to one of the rooms. She knew he’d seen her and ran faster. All the other downstairs rooms were too open or had limited ways to seal off sections.

Ellie made it to the library and slammed the door closed. She leaned against the wood, heard the guy following right on her heels. She had no time to grab furniture after all. She panted, totally out of breath, looked down and grimaced at the sight of her hands, arms, and her shirt covered with blood.

“This way,” a man yelled. “She’s in here.”

“Buck and Eddie are dead,” a man screamed. “She fucking killed them. That animal bitch killed them both.”

One of the men tried to open the door. Ellie screamed and shoved back with all the strength she had. She heard a vicious curse and then someone slammed hard enough into it that the impact shoved her a few inches from the hard surface her back pressed so tightly. She frantically searched for something she could reach with her foot to drag over to help block the door but she had no such luck.

I need a weapon. The large room contained a few couches, some tables, and comfortable chairs. The fireplace sat across the room. Books lined all the shelves surrounding the room. Her desperate attention flew back to the fireplace and the tool set next to it. Her focus zoomed in on the poker.

Both men slammed their combined weight against the door. The force was hard enough to send Ellie flying away from it. She hit one of the couches, slid over the side of it and tumbled to the floor behind it. She clawed frantically at the carpet to find purchase to get back to her feet.

“Get that bitch,” one of the men yelled.

Ellie grabbed the fire poker and spun to face her attackers. She struck the man closest to her using the metal rod as if it were a baseball bat. Pain shot through Ellie’s hands from the sharp impact when it made contact with the man’s body. He howled in pain and jumped back but stared at his torn shirt where blood appeared on the damaged material.

The man glared at Ellie. “You’re going to pay for that,” he hissed.

The other man unsheathed a hunting knife from his waist as both men moved apart. Ellie kept her back to the fireplace and waved the fire poker between the men, trying to keep them back. They inched apart more to make it harder for Ellie to keep an eye on both of them. Both rushed her. She swung. Ellie managed to hit one of them right before the second one tackled her. She hit the floor hard with a heavy weight crushed down over her. She gasped, tried to scream, but she couldn’t even draw breath.

“You bitch,” the one she’d hit roared. “I think she broke my fucking hand. You got her, Roy?”

The man on top of her grabbed her hair at the base of her neck and smashed her facedown against the carpet. She tried to fight but couldn’t get away from him. He shoved her harder against the carpet and a knee dug painfully against the back of her leg.

“I got the rabid bitch, Chuck.”

He adjusted enough for her to turn her head. Ellie inhaled air and instantly regretted it. The man had putrid breath. He kept her pinned down and held her head in place with his fisted grip on her hair. She couldn’t get out from under the heavy man. He had to be close to three hundred pounds.

“Let me cut the bitch up,” Chuck whined. “I think she really broke my hand. It hurts like hell.”

Roy grunted. He shifted and Ellie cried out in pain when his body pressed flush with hers, pushed tighter against her until her ribs threatened to break. Something poked into her ass cheek. The other guy tore the fire poker from her hand.

“Help me get her up,” Roy rasped. “I know how to show this bitch her place in society and then I’ll let you slice her damn throat like she’s a rabbit. We’ll watch her twitch until all the blood drains out.”

Ellie could only manage to buck and squirm when she tried to fight. The object pressed against her ass wasn’t a mystery anymore. Roy was horny. She had a horrible idea what he planned to do to her to show her what her place in his messed-up idea of society would be. Sheep, rabbits, she guessed anything breathing was the asshole’s speed.

Hands grabbed her ankles and a second later Roy shifted his weight off her and let go of her hair to grab her other wrist. They hauled her up by her arms and legs, carried her between them, her back inches above floor. Ellie screamed and fought, tried to kick out at the man who held her legs, but they wouldn’t let her go. Chuck sure seemed to have no problems holding her ankles in a crushing hold for a guy with a suspected broken hand.

“Toss her over the couch. Then move on the other side of it to grab her hair.” Roy panted, out of breath from restraining her while she struggled.

They swung Ellie’s body and she hit a coffee table. Sharp pain exploded in her side. She wondered if they’d broken her rib when it hurt to gasp air into her lungs. The men swung her again, this time she hit the couch, and they twisted her body with brutal hands. Roy had her arms and Chuck dropped her legs.

She attempted to kick at Roy when they bent her over the back of the couch. Roy slammed his body down on hers instead, crushed her under him again and pinned her tightly to the couch. She screamed into the cushion when hands grabbed her hair and pressed her face tighter into the material. Sheer panic shot through her when she realized she couldn’t breathe. They were suffocating her.

“Hand me the knife.” Roy sounded excited and breathless.

One of the hands left Ellie’s hair. She twisted her face, gasped air into her starved lungs, and screamed when she exhaled. Roy grabbed the back of her shirt and the knife slid along her spine. Numb with terror, she didn’t know if he cut her too. She tried to kick at him but she couldn’t get any real force behind the motion.

She blindly reached out, trying to claw Chuck. A brutal hand gripped her hair again but she grasped his arm. She dug her fingernails into skin as he shoved her face back into the cushion, attempting to suffocate her again. She heard his savage curse and Ellie sucked in a large gasp of air when he tore his hand away to stop the pain she inflicted.

Her pants were shoved down her legs, leaving no doubt they planned to rape her. Ellie fought harder, screamed, and then suddenly the weight was torn away from her. She threw her body away from the couch the second Roy’s body moved. She tripped and collapsed to the floor on her ass. She sucked in precious air while gaping at the men around her. She instinctively yanked her pants back up.

Roy lay sprawled on his stomach on the floor with a gun pointed at the back of his head. Chuck had his hands up and looked absolutely terrified. Four men dressed in black SWAT-styled outfits with NSO printed in white lettering on their vests stared down at her. Their faces weren’t totally human and she identified them immediately as New Species. They held guns and had large knives strapped against their thighs. She heard movement from behind her and jerked her head toward the noise. Fury stood there, bristling with rage far darker than the black outfit he and the other men wore.

Something ugly twisted inside Fury. He’d pushed his men hard to reach the women’s dorm the second Justice had called the team and stated Ellie was in danger. He’d been terrified he’d arrive too late and damn near had. When he’d rushed into the room to see the scene before him, those men ready to do horrific things to his Ellie, a murderous impulse hit him. It took everything he had not to roar out in wrath and kill them. His animal wanted to watch them bleed and die.

He breathed hard, his gaze fixed on her face as she gasped for air while attempting to right her pants. Her hair tumbled around her bruised face, her shirt cut apart in the back, and he could see bruises forming on her pale, delicate skin. The scent of her terror clung in the air, making it more difficult for him to gain control of his urges to tear her attackers apart with his bare hands.

He darted a glance toward the cameras and their presence helped him hold his composure. He knew, if they weren’t there, he would have murdered the humans without a second thought for daring to touch Ellie. Even now, he was tempted, consequences be damned. They’d gone after his woman and had harmed her.

He took a threatening step toward one of the men but then Ellie softly moaned. His gaze zoned on her instantly and it forced him to rethink his decision. Caring for her became his first priority. He could kill those bastards after he made certain she wasn’t acutely injured.

He took breaths through his mouth to help dilute her terrified scent and he fought his animal for control. He glanced at each of his men, acknowledged their rage as well, and knew they were looking to him for guidance on how to handle the situation. That assisted him as well to calm down as he forced his fists to unclench. He gave hand signals to his men to secure the assholes responsible for the attack. He didn’t trust his voice.

Fury tried with great difficulty to appear composed, something he definitely wasn’t, as he approached Ellie. He wanted to drop to the floor and cradle her in his arms and give comfort. It reassured him that he’d reached her in time but then the male human scents mingled with hers.

It enraged him, smelling them on her. She was his, damn it, and he’d fought hard to stay the hell away from her after Justice’s warning. He had, except for a few nightly trips to glimpse her from afar, and now she’d nearly died. Orders be damned, he’d touch her now. He moved with care not to startle her. He needed to make certain she was really all right even if he had to strip her to inspect every inch. He wouldn’t settle for less.

Fury knew he had to keep a cool head. Ellie had to be leery of him after the incident at his house and he didn’t want to show her how much she meant to him. The last thing he needed would be Ellie understanding how badly she could hurt him.

Keep it cool, he ordered himself. Act as if I can control myself in her presence. He hoped he could anyway. She would be safe and he would remain with her since she’d been traumatized. To have her worry that he’d toss her over his shoulder, carry her back to his house, and tie her down on his bed again wasn’t something she needed at that moment. No matter how much that was exactly what he wanted to do. He’d keep her safe even if it meant he’d guard her around the clock. He knew he really couldn’t do it but it soothed his animal to at least consider doing exactly that.

He needed to be with her right now, to talk to her, to stick close to her until he had no doubt she’d be okay. Otherwise he’d breach the edge of insanity knowing how close she’d come to death and how he could have lost her forever.

Ellie stared up into Fury’s intense, dark gaze when he crouched down in front of her. He hesitated a second before his finger curled under her chin. He wore black gloves, leather from the feel of them, and his touch gentled while he examined her. He turned her head to study her neck and face. He released her chin. Without any warning or word, he grabbed Ellie’s arms under her elbows, and gently pulled her up, to stand.

She realized the back of her shirt parted and exposed her skin. Fury’s hold tightened on her as she nearly collapsed when her legs wobbled. A soft growl came from the back of his throat and rage once again gripped his features. It frightened Ellie’s, wondering why he’d made that scary noise directed at her. His hands eased their hold from her arms but in a heartbeat he leaned down, gripped behind her legs and back. He swept her into his arms to secure her tightly against his chest. He didn’t look at her.

“I’ll clean her up and check for injuries. Hold ground with them outside.” Fury snarled the words. “No one comes inside the dorm.”

A fierce-looking man with long black hair nodded. “Understood.”

Fury strode forward. Ellie hesitated a second before wrapping her arm around his neck. She was tired, hurting, and too traumatized to care where he took her. She rested her cheek against his shoulder and closed her eyes. For whatever reason, he and his men had come to save her from a horrible death at the hands of the two assailants. Another few minutes… She shivered at the thought of what would have happened to her. She burrowed closer against Fury and didn’t miss it when his body tensed. He kept walking though.

Ellie opened her eyes when he paused and kicked something. He pushed open the door to carry her inside the women’s bathroom. He frowned, glanced around, and then headed for the long counter of sinks. He gently set her down so she perched on the edge, facing him. She had to let him go when he slowly backed away.

Fury spun and glanced around the room. She followed where he searched and realized he looked up into the corners. She immediately knew what he searched for.

“There are no cameras in here,” Ellie informed him softly. “Security wanted to install them but I argued about the women’s privacy.”

Fury nodded and turned his attention to the sink next to her. He stripped off his gloves and tossed them onto the counter. He waved his hands under the faucet, activating it to turn on. As water started to flow he washed his hands then moved away to a paper napkin dispenser. Ellie watched him with raised eyebrows as he yanked fistfuls of brown paper towels out and piled them next to her on the counter. He completely emptied the dispenser and moved to the next one.

“I think that’s plenty.”

Fury frowned at her. He put the rest of the napkins down and stalked toward her in a graceful way that reminded her of a cat about to pounce. “Take your clothes off now.”

A gasp tore from her lips and she had to close her gaping mouth from the shock of his demand. “I won’t.”

He growled softly at her. “You’re covered in their stink and blood. I can’t tell what is yours and what is theirs. I’m going to wash you and find your injuries. If you can’t undress I’ll do it for you.”

Ellie relaxed, understanding why he made insane demands now. “You want to clean me up to treat my injuries? That’s all?”

His eyes narrowed. “Would you prefer I send one of my males inside here to strip you down? Your security is still trying to retain order.” He snorted. “We might be here for a while. One of us is going to remove your clothes and clean you to see if you are hurt and how badly. Decide now if it will be me or one of my men. I don’t want to waste time and that’s what you’re doing.”

Ellie clenched her teeth. He could be such a rude bastard at times. She’d just gone through the worst trauma of her life and he didn’t need to be so abrupt. “I think I can manage.”

“I caught you before you fell. You can’t even walk.”

“I just killed two men, could have been brutally raped, and they were going to murder me. Excuse the hell out of me for being a bit weak-kneed.”

He moved closer to her. “You killed two? I didn’t search the house since I heard you struggling and knew where to find you. I just rushed to your side.”

“They didn’t trip and kill each other.” She trembled still. The reality of what she’d done to survive sank in. The blood drained from her face and a wave of dizziness made her sway where she sat. “I killed them. I really killed them.”

Fury growled out a soft curse. “It was self defense. Don’t go there, sweetness. You had no other choice and they had it coming. You did the world a favor by taking them out. They would have killed you without a second thought.” He closed the remaining distance until only inches separated them. He grabbed the front of her shirt and yanked it up until her shirt peeled from her body. It made it easy for him to do with the back already sliced open. “Do you understand? They aren’t worth that haunted look in your eyes. Argue with me, talk to me, but think about something else. Don’t fall apart because I can’t stand to see your tears. Call me names instead and get angry.”

She blinked her tears back. He was being kind and it only served to draw her emotions closer to the surface. He had the most beautiful eyes in the world. The urge to throw herself into his arms and cling to him became almost overwhelming. He tore his gaze from hers before she could act on it.

“I need to get you cleaned up now. I really can’t stand smelling their stench on you. It’s a New Species thing but it makes me have to fight my rage.” He paused, glancing at her. “I have instincts that were a side effect from what they did to me and sometimes I have to fight those urges. It’s worse when I’m angry, agitated, or afraid. If that stink isn’t gone from you soon I’ll be obligated to go out there to rip their heads off.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “As much as I wouldn’t protest someone doing that to those jerks, I don’t want it to be you. You’d get into trouble.”

Ellie realized her bra had been sliced along with the back of her shirt and made a grab with both hands to cup and cover her bare breasts. Fury grabbed her wrists before she could hide them from him and yanked her arms out wide. He didn’t look at her chest but instead inspected her bloody hands.

“Don’t touch yourself with their blood. Get down and face the sink. I will clean you.”

Fury’s soft, husky tone made her relax and not fight with him when their gazes met again. She inched off the edge of the counter, not wanting to argue with him. He tried to distract her from the pain of reality and she realized it was almost sweet. She also hadn’t missed the fact that he’d used an endearment by calling her “sweetness”. It warmed her a bit from the shock she suffered.

Her feet touched the floor and her legs wobbled. Fury turned her until he hovered at her back and released her arms. He reached around her waist and waved his hands under the faucet, activating it to turn on again. He gripped her wrists gently and shoved them under the cool water. Ellie looked down to watch the water change color as blood washed from her wrists and hands. She closed her eyes tightly to fight the sick feeling that gripped her at seeing the water turning red.

“Why the hell don’t they have showers down here?” Fury growled.

“We have our own private bathrooms with showers inside our apartments. No one ever thought the dorm could be breached.”

He sighed. “Well, you need one now and all I have are these sinks.”

Ellie kept her eyes closed, grateful that he kept her mind busy by asking questions. Fury leaned against her bare back, his clothes a bit scratchy, and his arms brushed against the side of her ribs while he rubbed the blood from her skin. He ordered her to bend forward and she didn’t hesitate. He kept cleaning her by spreading water up her arms all the way to her shoulders. Water trickled down her body and soaked her pants. There was nothing to be done about it, nor did it matter since her clothes were already soaked with blood.

“Kick off your shoes.” His voice whispered near her ear.

Ellie complied, toeing off her slip-on flats that had once been white but were now bloodstained. She’d slid in blood in the kitchen, crawled through it, and knew her shoes were destroyed. She forced those thoughts away. Fury’s hands eased her cotton pants down a few inches but then hesitated.

“I’m just cleaning you. Be strong for just a while longer. You’re safe and no one will hurt you, Ellie. I won’t allow it. They’d have to go through me to reach you and it wouldn’t happen.”

She believed him. “Okay.”

She kept her eyes closed to prevent seeing if Fury stared at her body. His hands were gentle when he tugged her pants the rest of the way down and hooked her panties with his thumbs to remove those too. She lifted one leg and then the other to help him when she realized he wanted them totally off her body until she stood naked. Fury turned the water back on and dumped water over her body with cupped hands. When every inch of her from the neck down dripped with water, he used wet paper towels to softly scrub at her skin while Ellie held unnaturally still.

“That’s the best I can do,” Fury said in a deep, tight voice. “You’ll need a shower but I can’t see any more blood. You managed not to get it in your hair from what I can see and smell.”

Ellie opened her eyes finally when he didn’t touch her in any way again. Her gaze instantly found his image reflected on the mirror and her mouth opened in shock. Fury had his back to her while he removed his vest and unbuttoned his shirt to peel it from his broad shoulders.

“What are you doing?” Surprise sounded in her voice and she hated it.

“You need something dry and clean to wear. I thought I’d give you my shirt and briefs.” He glanced over his shoulder and met her gaze in the mirror. “Do you want to leave this bathroom naked?” Dark eyes narrowed. “I won’t allow it so don’t even think about it. If you’d told me to send in another male to help you get undressed that wouldn’t have happened either.”

She shook her head and crossed her arms over her breasts to hide them from his view. “Please lend me the shirt and your briefs. I’d appreciate it.”

He turned his head away. “You don’t have to watch me strip.”

Ellie realized she stared as he unbuttoned his shirt and removed it to expose a tan, muscular back. She squeezed her eyes closed, her only choice since she faced a mirror and turning around would just be facing him in the flesh. She listened as he undressed and it seemed like forever before he finished and spoke.

“I’m decent. Here.”

Ellie opened her eyes to find Fury closer, nearly touching her back. He faced away and held his shirt and a pair of blue boxer briefs over his shoulder toward her. Ellie turned and reached up to take them from him. She noticed again how much taller he stood than her.

“Thank you.”

“I owed you.” He growled the words.

Anger flared over his gruff taunt about their strained relationship. She clenched her teeth to avoid snapping out a rude response. She didn’t need to be reminded of that now. She dressed quickly instead. The boxer briefs were soft cotton, still warm from his body, and hung baggy, low on her hips. I have a fly now. She smirked at that thought while she put on his shirt. It smelled of him, held his warmth, and she was happy to be covered up again.

“You can turn around now.” She finished buttoning the borrowed shirt.

He slowly faced her. He looked sexy with just the vest on with his form-fitting pants. His arms were totally exposed, big, thick muscles showcased by the tight vest that looked too small for his impressive frame. She tore her gaze away from those biceps and rolled up the sleeves of the shirt until they didn’t fall past her hands. Fury stepped forward to help her by brushing away her fingers to do the task. She stared at his vest where NSO had been printed in large letters across it.

“I didn’t know you guys had your own security team.”

He inhaled deeply. “Yeah, well, we can’t trust humans to totally protect us. We’ve been training in secret and none of your people knew until now. Look what an incompetent job they did today. Mercile gave us strength, reflexes, and the ability to take a beating but remain fighting beyond normal endurance. The ones of us with any skills are teaching the others. We’re fast learners.”

“Why do it in secret? It’s your Homeland. You can do whatever you want.”

“Tell that to your people.” He hesitated. “They denied our requests when we asked for a space to train just for such a purpose or to have their instructors train our males in fighting skills. Now we do it ourselves in the men’s dorm out of their sight. We have removed all cameras inside. We tore them out when security refused to comply.”

She frowned. “Mike doesn’t tell on you to the director?”

“The dorm father?” Fury shook his head. “He drinks smelly alcohol every evening. After nine, a bomb could go off inside his apartment and he wouldn’t move. He has no idea what we do at night.”

“I’m sorry you have to do that.” She didn’t know what else to say. “If your women want to train here, I won’t tell on them. They won’t have to hide it from me.”

He shrugged. “We work around the roadblocks they throw in our path but thank you for the offer to the women. I’ll pass it along. One way or another, we’re going to become self-sufficient.”

“I know you will.”

He reached up but then froze midair, his fingers inches from her face.

Ellie couldn’t resist inching closer until the tips of his fingers brushed her check. Fingers curled around the curve of her face, slid into her hair, and she pressed her face against his palm. His touch soothed her. She wouldn’t say it aloud but she’d been happy to see him even under horrific circumstances.

Ellie raised her gaze to his. “Thank you for saving me.”

His dark eyes were beautiful and some unknown emotion flickered inside them for a heartbeat. “I told you I don’t want you dead anymore.” He caressed her face. “I was worried about you.”

She hesitated. “I’ve been told by a few of your women that they’ve seen you outside watching the dorm. Why are you out there?”

His cheeks flushed as if it embarrassed him but then his features blanked. His hand pulled away, dropping to his side. “I like to know where my enemies are. Come,” he growled. “The blood wasn’t yours. You have bruising and some scratches but you will live. I have a job to do. I need to see what is happening.”

It felt as though he’d slapped her with his out-of-the-blue harsh words, letting her know they weren’t even friends. She tore her gaze from his. “I’ll put on my shoes.”

“Don’t. They have blood on them and I just cleaned you. I can’t do that again. I’m not that strong,” he muttered.

What does that mean? Ellie wasn’t sure as she walked toward the bathroom door. Fury stayed at her side but didn’t touch her as he slid his gloves back on as they crossed the room. He opened the bathroom door for her and then walked away, leaving her to follow him. She stared up at the back of his head, wondering what his thoughts were. He had been nice to her up until the enemy comment.

The four NSO officers guarded the damaged entrance. Darren Artino and a dozen of his security guards waited. He glared at Fury.

“Your men wouldn’t allow me to go inside.”

Fury gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He showed sharp canine fangs. “You may enter now.”

Artino uttered a foul curse and waved his men into the dorm. His angry gaze traveled down Ellie’s body and he visibly tensed. His focus zoomed in on the men’s briefs she wore, just an inch or so of them displayed at the bottom of the shirt, and his mouth gaped. He spun to glare at Fury.

Fury shrugged. “She needed clothes. You should put showers and towels inside the bathrooms on the lower floor if you have shitty security. When the people you fail to protect need to clean up the blood that was spilled, they can do it in comfort after they save their own asses. Paper towels weren’t going to cover her modesty afterward but my underclothing was much preferable to walking around naked.”

Ellie put her hand over her mouth to hide the smile. Artino’s face reddened as the words sank in. The head of security could be a real self-righteous prick sometimes and she enjoyed him getting a good verbal kick. She let her hand drop as she watched Fury nod at his men. They walked out of the women’s dorm without a backward glance.

Artino faced her. “Can you believe he said that to me?” He glared at Ellie in outrage.

She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. She wasn’t in a position to tell him his security had failed big time. “You really should put in at least one shower and real towels on the first floor bathroom. It would have come in handy.”

Ellie tore her gaze from his stunned expression to head over to one of the couches. She collapsed onto the soft material. Exhaustion and the need for a good cry set in. Or a stiff drink. Maybe all of the above.

* * * * *

Fury paused outside on the sidewalk to face his men and to stare over their shoulders at Ellie. She sat on the couch looking tired and pale from her traumatic ordeal. It had taken every ounce of his willpower to leave her when he really wanted to wrap his arms around her to give comfort. If she burst into tears he knew he’d go back inside regardless of how stupid it would be to cuddle her until her fear eased.

His phone rang and he snatched it up. “Yes, Justice?”

“What did you do with the human female while you were inside the bathroom? The cameras followed you when you carried her there but there is no footage inside. Are things well?”

“Yes.” Fury tensed.

“You should have sent one of our men with her if she needed assistance. We’ve had long talks about her, my friend. Are you all right?”

He lowered his voice. “They touched her and hurt her but I kept my cool.”

“Good.” Justice paused. “You did a damn good job, Fury. I’m proud of you. The humans are a tad upset that our team saved the woman. They weren’t happy when they realized we have our own security now.”

“It’s our Homeland. We were told by the President of the United States that this is our home and, when we’re able, we can run it ourselves.”

“I know. They feel guilty for funding Mercile Industries without knowing exactly what they paid for. They want to make it right with us and it would be very bad publicity worldwide if we pointed a finger at them. We need to tread lightly still until we’re in a position to govern ourselves. The conversation with Darren Artino appeared unfriendly. What was said?”

“He wasn’t happy we succeeded where his security failed. It displeased him that I ordered my team not to allow anyone access to the dorm until I made sure of Ellie’s safety and well-being.”

Justice hesitated. “Are you in control? I need you to be. Our people need leadership and guidance the most right now while we learn to thrive in the world outside captivity. I chose you to be my second in command because you’re respected, you usually keep your emotions on a tight leash, and you want what is best for our people as much as I do.”

“You have nothing to worry about,” Fury swore, his gaze still locked on Ellie. “I know I can’t have her.”

“I wish you could.” Justice sighed softly. “You deserve happiness. Return to the male dorm. I’ll be there soon to address our men.”

Chapter Eight

Director Boris glowered at Ellie. “I want an explanation for your refusal right now.”

She glared back at him, furious, and beyond ready to tell the man off in a rude way. “What is to explain? Don’t make me go over this again. I already have a hundred times and nothing is going to change just because you have a problem with them having their own security officers. Officer Fury helped me clean up inside that bathroom. I shook too badly to walk from being that upset. I had to kill two men, I’m not military, and I don’t have that kind of background.”

“I know that,” he snapped.

“I was shaken up that day those crazy freaks broke into Homeland and I couldn’t even walk. If you saw the videos of what happened then you know Officer Fury had to carry me. My clothes were bloody and he just lent me his briefs and a shirt. He did the decent, kind thing. What is your problem?” She rose to her feet and resisted the urge to smack the offensive asshole.

“He inappropriately touched you and I want a formal complaint filed by six o’clock today. We need to show them they can’t do whatever the hell they want. They didn’t get authorization to do what they did.”

Unbelievable. Ellie gaped at him. “I won’t do it. He didn’t inappropriately touch me. If you want to have a pissing contest with someone to show who’s in control, don’t pull me into it. I don’t even have the right equipment.”

He ignored her sarcastic comment. “That man carried you into a bathroom where you stripped naked in front of him and he stripped naked in front of you, obviously, to give you his damn boxers. That is totally unacceptable. Write that report now. That is an order.”

“There are no cameras inside that bathroom. You don’t know what went on in there!” Ellie yelled, beyond furious.

“I can guess. Is that it, Ms. Brower? Do you have the hots for Officer Fury? Did you two do more than exchange clothing? Did he fuck you?”

She took a step back and her hands balled into fists. She wanted to deck him so bad she had to struggle to get hold of her temper. She couldn’t. He’d gone too far.

“You’re a dirty-minded asshole, Director Boris. That man and his team saved my life. Where the hell was your security when those men were using vehicles to ram down the front doors of the dorm? Where were they when they chased me through the first floor and I was forced to kill two men? Where were they while those jerks manhandled me and planned to brutally rape me in front of your cameras before they killed me? Let me tell you where they were. They were watching from their safe control room. The NSO security officers saved my life and Officer Fury, for your information, stepped into a stall while I cleaned myself, kept his back to me the entire time, and his eyes closed. He never saw me naked,” she lied. “And I never saw so much of an inch of his skin except his arms,” she lied again. “Don’t tell me to commit perjury on some bogus report because you’re pissed they saved the day when your shitty security measures were a joke.”

Director Boris rose to his feet. “You’re fired. Get your shit and get off Homeland immediately. I’ll personally have you arrested for trespassing in one hour if you are still here and let my shitty security toss you onto your ass out the front gates. I’ll have the local police waiting to give you a new home inside the city jail.”

She nodded. “You’re a spineless prick.” She spun and stormed out of his office.

Ellie choked on tears as she headed for the outer door. She only had one hour to gather everything she owned and leave the only home she had. She’d have to call security to ask them to bring her car to the dorm to load her belongings. All personal vehicles were stored inside a secure parking lot at the back of Homeland. It was a standard security measure to prevent their cars from being messed with. She had no home anymore, only a few thousand dollars in her savings account, and no job. What hurt most would be that she’d miss the women she’d grown closer to. She reached the security guard at the door that lead outside and he moved suddenly to block her path with a grim demeanor.

“Director Boris ordered me to take your security card and escort you directly off Homeland. He stated your personal possessions would be packed into your vehicle and brought to you within the hour at the front gate.”

Shock tore through her that she wouldn’t even be allowed to say goodbye to the women or pack her own things. My prick comment has probably driven Director Boris to a new level of asshole. Shit. Her next thought centered on Fury. I’ll never see him again. Pain lanced through her. She might not be his favorite person but to never lay eyes on him again left her feeling miserable.

She nodded grimly as the security guard put his hand on his gun in case she argued the point. It would only make the impossible situation worse. She unclipped her security card to hand over. He released his gun but grabbed her arm instead.

“I can walk myself, thank you.” She tugged to break his grip but he didn’t let go.

“I’ve been told if you put up any kind of resistance to arrest you and have you transferred to civilian officers of the law when we reach the gate.”

She didn’t struggle but she wanted to. She lifted her chin instead. She fought back more tears as the man yanked on her arm roughly and pulled her out into the bright sunshine. Two more security guards waited outside, one of whom snatched her security card from her hand.

Director Boris had really rolled out the angry red carpet for her, it seemed, since she’d been assigned three security guards. Asshole. The two new men took front and back positions while the guard still gripping her arm stormed to one of the security cars. He practically shoved her into the back seat. She closed her eyes when the car moved, knowing they drove her to the gate, and out of Fury’s life forever.

Ellie was shoved outside the gate into a group of protesters. Nervousness ate at her as she stood there to wait for her car. She glanced at the anti-New Species group and looked away quickly when she met suspicious glowers aimed at her. The protestors didn’t know her association with the New Species but they’d seen security escort her out. She inched closer to the gates when a few of the protesters approached.

“Back away,” one of the guards demanded, reaching for his weapon.

Ellie froze. “I’m waiting for my car. They don’t like me.” She jerked her head toward the people behind her. “Can’t I wait here so I’m safe until my car comes? Is that too much to ask?”

The security guard smirked. “Move back to the line now or I’m going to have to make you.”

He looked totally sincere. She spun away and moved ten feet back to the line painted on the ground. Some of the protesters were within a yard of her now. One of the men glared at her and walked closer. He was a burly thug sort and he appeared to be a reject from prison with badly inked tattoos on his bare arms.

“Who are you? You came from inside. Are you one of those bleeding-heart animal lovers?”

She swallowed. “Please leave me alone.”

A woman protester glared at her and turned to face one of the guards. “Who is this woman?”

The guard didn’t even glance at Ellie. “She worked inside but just got canned.”

Ellie gaped at the guard for ratting her out and instantly sensed the hostility that came from the people around her. She again moved closer to the gate, fearful. Some of them belonged to the same group who’d stormed Homeland. The guard with the shotgun shook his head at her.

“I ordered you to get back.”

“Yeah,” one of the protesters yelled at Ellie. “Why don’t you come over here, bitch? We’d love to have a chat with you.”

Ellie studied the crowd. They weren’t walking around anymore, carrying their hate signs. They watched her and drew closer together, mob style. Their signs were gripped as if they were baseball bats and terror filled Ellie. She faced the gates again and grabbed at the bars.

“I will sue every one of you if you let them harm me and you will be canned right along with me.”

“So leave,” one of the security guards snorted at her. “They can’t attack you if you aren’t here.”

“I can’t. My car and my personal belongings are being brought to the gate. I don’t even have my purse.”

He shrugged and smiled coldly. “It’s not our job to protect you anymore. You’re an ex-employee so fend for yourself and back away before we have to force you.” He paused. “And roughing you up would be my pleasure. We heard you want us all fired so those New Species can take our jobs.”

“What is going on here?” An angry male voice came from above, from the catwalk.

Ellie peered upward. She didn’t know the New Species by name or by face. His features revealed him to be one though and he also wore a black SWAT-type outfit with the letters NSO across his chest.

“Nothing,” the security guard called up.

The New Species frowned as he met Ellie’s gaze. “I’m an NSO officer and I’m in charge. Why are you out there?”

“I’d been fired.” Ellie glanced over her shoulder at the crowd behind her. “I have to wait for my car to be brought to me before I can leave. Security refuses to allow me to wait inside and I’m really kind of in a jam here.” She looked back up at him. “I’d really like to be safe while I wait.”

Someone threw something and hit Ellie on the side of her arm. She winced and spun around to see what had nailed her. A soda can lay on the ground and dark liquid sprayed from where it had ruptured. Ellie backed away from the protesters, inched along the gate as someone else threw something. She barely ducked out of the way as a full water bottle bounced off the metal bar next to her head.

“Get her inside,” the NSO officer ordered. “Now!”

“She’s been fired,” the security guard explained. “She’s not our damn problem.”

“I am ordering you to do it now,” the NSO officer snarled. “Secure her to safety. Don’t make me say it again.”

Relief flooded Ellie as one of the security guards glared at her but pointed to the entry section of the gate. Something else flew and hit her shoulder. She didn’t see the object but it hurt. The gate opened as the crowd pitched something else but it missed this time, barely, as she lunged to get on the other side of the fence. She rubbed her shoulder where she’d been struck and looked up, intending to thank the NSO officer, but he’d disappeared.

“Stay by the gate,” the security guard closest to her ordered.

She nodded. She’d happily wait there for her car while she watched the protesters from safety. They glared at her and still hadn’t resumed their circling protest. Assholes, she thought, and turned her back on them. She wished she could sit down but the ground didn’t appeal to her. She closed her eyes, hugged her body, and hoped she wouldn’t have long to wait.

“Ms. Brower?”

Ellie opened her eyes, surprised to see Fury approaching with the NSO officer who’d ordered the security guards to allow her back inside the gate. Fury wore jeans, a black long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of boots. His hair had been pulled back into a ponytail and he looked furious. Her heart immediately started to race at the mere sight of him. Despite his angry, tight expression, he looked sexy in his casual outfit that displayed his broad shoulders and trim waist. He stopped about four feet in front of her with the NSO officer on his immediate right.

“What is going on? Slade here informed me what happened outside.” His gaze ran up and down her body, examining her. “Were you hurt by anything they threw at you?”

She shook her head, deciding not to mention her throbbing shoulder. She forced her gaze away from Fury to glance at Slade. The NSO officer who’d saved her just peered at her curiously.

“Thank you for making them allow me to wait here for my car. It was getting ugly out there.”

He nodded. Ellie’s attention returned to Fury. She bit her lip, indecisive for seconds, and then made a decision. He needed to be warned and she wanted him to know what had gone down inside the director’s office. She also wanted to say goodbye to him.

“Can we speak privately?” She glanced at the security guard standing very close to them who obviously listened to every word.

Fury frowned but nodded. “Is this a private matter between you and I or can Slade be included?”

Ellie smiled at Slade. “He’s more than welcome to be a part of this conversation.”

Fury spun around. “Follow me.”

The security guard next to Ellie suddenly grabbed her arm. “She stays right here. I’m under orders from Director Boris that she is to be kept outside. I’m already in violation of those instructions by allowing her on this side of the perimeter. She goes no further.”

Fury spun back around. “Get your hand off her.” Fury growled the words. His irritation showed. “I give the orders above your director. The woman walks with us and you stay put. Understand? Don’t touch her again.”

The security guard looked stunned but he released Ellie to step back. Fury waved her to walk in front of him and Slade. She took about twenty steps before she faced both men who were right behind her. She darted a glance around the area to make certain no guards were close enough to eavesdrop.

“What is it you wanted to say privately?” Fury’s gaze met hers, softened, and his tense, angry features relaxed.

“I wanted to warn you that Director Boris has it out for your new security teams. He tried to make me file a bogus complaint today against you and your men. I’m sure if he did that with me, he’ll try to do it with other people. He’s really pissed that you are taking control of your own community. I just wanted to let you know.” She paused. “You guys saved me the other day and I think you’re better than the present security. I believe you were dead-on right about how he’s going to try to keep command of Homeland. I just wanted to give you a heads-up.”

Fury studied her but nodded after a few long moments. Slade’s expression turned stony. He didn’t reveal what he thought. She may as well have been talking about the weather. Fury took a deep breath.

“What kind of report did he want you to file against my team?”

The ground suddenly became really interesting to Ellie. She was unable to look at him. “He tried to make a big deal about you helping me clean up inside the dorm bathroom. He implied some pretty messed-up things.” She glanced up at him before focusing on the ground again. “I refused to write the complaint and told him he couldn’t make me commit perjury. I just wanted to warn you what he attempted.”

She could sense Fury watching her as the silence stretched. She finally looked up at him to see a few frown lines around his mouth. “Is that why you were fired? I was just informed that happened.”

Word sure travels fast. “That and it may have had something to do with me calling him some not-so-nice names when he got really angry about my refusal.” She smiled sadly. “He probably would have let me pack up my own belongs before I made some choice insults.”

Fury’s lips twitched but he didn’t smile. “I see.” He paused. “I need your address and your home phone number in case Justice wants to have a word with you. Just tell me and I’ll remember the information.”

Ellie’s shoulders slumped, hating to admit her situation to him. “I’m going to get a motel room in town and go job hunting. I moved from another state when I relocated here to work. I’m homeless right now. I can give you my cell phone number though if they pack it with my things. Otherwise I could always call the office to leave my motel number for Justice if you really think he’ll want to speak to me. I have no idea what motel I’ll be staying at yet.”

Dark eyes blinked and Fury’s mouth tightened into a firm line. He stared down at her, seemed to be studying her for some reason she couldn’t fathom. She forced her gaze from Fury’s when Slade spoke.

“I’m sure that will be fine, Ms. Brower. Please don’t forget to call the office with your contact information.”

Ellie nodded. “Well, again, thank you for making them let me back inside.” Her gaze returned to Fury. She realized it would be the last time she’d ever speak to him and sadness filled her over that fact. He stared down at her mutely. She wanted to say so much to him but could only think of one thing that summed it all up.

“Please be happy and thank you for deciding I shouldn’t die.” She gave him a sad smile before she returned to the waiting security guard by the gate. She sensed his gaze on her the entire way but she kept her back turned. She didn’t want to watch him walk away for the last time. He had his freedom now and they were even.

Half an hour later her car arrived at the gate. She took the keys, noticed they’d put her purse on the front seat, and climbed in. Depression hit her hard. She’d never return to Homeland or Fury. She had no idea where to go or what to do with her life at that moment.

The guards opened the gates and pushed back the protesters to give her access to the street. Someone threw something and it hit the side of her car. She flinched but drove away without checking to see if they’d caused any damage. That was the least of her problems.

* * * * *

“You did the right thing.” Justice put his hand on Fury’s shoulder. He stared at the gate his friend had been watching for nearly forty minutes. “I know it was difficult for you to let her go.”

Fury fought his emotions, a complex thing to do, and met his friend’s concerned gaze when he turned his head to end his vigil. “I did as you asked when you informed me she’d been fired. I allowed her to walk away. She’ll be safer now that she’s not at Homeland, in case more assholes attack us.”

“Our enemies could have killed her,” Justice reminded him. “I know this is difficult for you.”

“I can’t imagine never seeing her again,” Fury admitted. “I feel pain.”

Regret tightened Justice’s features and he squeezed the shoulder he gripped once more. “I didn’t know it was that strong.”

“It is.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I realize she’s better off in her world than here. She said she has no home though. What will she do? Maybe I should have asked her to stay. We could have forced the director to keep her on at the dorm.”

“We can’t make waves right now, Fury. There’s a time and a place for everything. You did the best thing for our people. I’m sorry that it comes at such a price since she means so much to you. The only thing I can say is you can offer her a job again when we’re ready to totally take control of Homeland.”

Some of the pain eased inside Fury’s chest. “I want her to come back.” He needed her. To never see her smile again or hear her voicethat concept left a bitter taste in his mouth. A bleak future loomed in his mind’s eye. “I believe she was fired for standing up for us. It doesn’t feel right not to do the same for her.”

“Then definitely offer her the job she held as soon as you’re able to. It won’t be too much longer. We just need to learn enough to do things right. There’s so much though that we don’t know yet. Every day brings us one step closer to controlling our own destiny.”

“What if she doesn’t want the job? What if she never wishes to return? She could find another job out in her world.” A flash of grief sliced through Fury. “I might never see her again.”

“Then you let her go, Fury. You try to get over your feelings.”

Fury said nothing but the burning pain inside his chest spread. He didn’t want to let Ellie go and he sure didn’t believe he could ever get over the emotions he experienced when it came to her. She was in his blood, a part of him, but now she would no longer be a part of his life.

“Come,” Justice urged softly. “We’ll take a walk together. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

Fury hesitated, glanced at the gate, but knew she wouldn’t be back. He nodded.

“Thanks.”

* * * * *

Ellie cursed viciously while staring at the spray-paint job on her car, knowing that one of the protesters must have followed her to the motel. She’d looked for a tail but hadn’t seen one after she’d left Homeland four hours before. Those assholes are sneaky, damn it. And obsessed jerks. They knew what motel she’d checked into and had vandalized her car because of her association with the NSO. She really hated bigoted idiots.

Ellie stomped to her room, angry that she’d have to call the police, file a report, and contact her insurance carrier. She sure couldn’t drive a car around town with those bad words sprayed in large letters along the side of it. It would make for a really bad impression when she showed up at job interviews. She snorted and gripped the bag of fast food tighter as she fished for the motel-room key in her back jeans pocket.

Ellie pulled the key out and tried to shove it into the lock but something prevented it from going inside. She bent to peer at the small keyhole, her eyes narrowed as she examined what appeared to be green gum crammed where the hole should be, and wondered what kind of troublesome kid would go around screwing up doors that way. The door next to her room suddenly banged open.

She turned her head in time to watch three big, mean-looking men step out onto the walkway to glare at her. Fear slammed her when she realized they were totally focused on her. She released the handle of her door and stumbled back. Ten feet of space separated her room from the next one, not nearly far enough, in her opinion, from those guys, and it was confirmed when the lead man lunged fast.

“We got you,” he gasped and grabbed Ellie when she tried to run.

“Drag her in here, Bernie,” one of the men muttered urgently.

“What the hell is your problem?” Ellie latched onto the railing with both hands while panic gripped her as tightly as the cruel hands on her hips. “Let me go!”

“My problem,” the man hissed against her ear as he slid his arm around her waist and jerked, attempting to yank her free from the rail, “is we got word you’re screwing one of those animal things and we’re going to save you. You’ve been brainwashed.”

Save me? At least they weren’t trying to kill her. That’s something, she thought. The idiots believed she’d been forced to change her way of thinking. She screamed and kicked hard at the bigger man. Her gaze frantically darted around, seeking help. She saw a few people lingering in the parking lot below and they gaped up at her. Someone yelled from the distance for the guy to let her go.

“Damn,” a man yelled from the next room. “People are seeing!” He sounded panicked. “Run.”

The arm around Ellie suddenly released her waist. All three of them bolted the opposite way. She panted, hurting from the struggle, and sagged against the railing. The big crazy jerk who’d assaulted her had been strong. She twisted her head and watched while the three men reached the far corridor, nearly fell down the stairs in their haste, and fled from the parking lot to disappear around the building. She nearly crumpled to the walkway but managed to lock her knees to keep upright. She trembled all over. A door opened and she spun toward the noise, expecting another threat. A woman holding a baby stood there looking pale.

“Were they muggers?”

Ellie relaxed. “No.”

“The police are on their way,” a man shouted from the parking lot. “Are you all right?”

Ellie had to clear her throat. “I’m fine. Thank you!” She saw her fast food bag on the ground where she’d dropped it when she’d grabbed the railing. She leaned down to pick it up and winced at the ache the movement caused around her sore middle. She cursed under her breath, hoped the jerk hadn’t left bruises with his little tug of war with her body, and staggered back to the stairs. She sat down hard, darted glances at the people staring at her, and noticed a crowd gathered to gawk at her. Her heart pounded still from her scary ordeal but she was safe and hungry. She reached inside the bag. She might as well eat while she waited for the police.

Ellie munched on her burger and twisted the lid off her flavored water, glad she hadn’t bought a soda since it wouldn’t have survived being dropped. She wiggled her fingers into her back pocket to dig out her cell phone. She’d already left a message just an hour before with Homeland to let Justice know her cell number but his secretary had insisted on her leaving an address as well. She could no longer stay at the motel since the nut jobs knew where she’d rented a room. She hit redial to connect her to Justice’s office. She wanted to reach someone before they left for the night and her watch stated she only had minutes before five o’clock.

“Hi,” Ellie said after finally getting transferred to a woman who claimed to be Justice’s secretary. “I think we spoke before. I’m Ellie Brower. I left my motel information in case Mr. North wanted to contact me but I’m afraid that information isn’t any good anymore. I have to switch motels. I guess I’ll call you tomorrow morning with the new information. You have my cell number so you can reach me still, right?”

The woman on the other end of the line went silent for a moment. “Why would you change motels?”

“Uh…” Ellie spotted a cop car turn into the parking lot. “I had some problems. I promise I’ll call in the morning with my new address. I really need to be going now. The police have arrived and I need to pack quickly to get a safe escort out of here when I leave. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Ellie hung up.

* * * * *

Fury paced his office. Ellie wouldn’t ever come back, he’d never see her again, and he needed to get a grip on that painful bit of reality. A knock sounded on his door. He took a deep breath, schooled his features, and cleared his throat.

“Enter.”

Brass, his friend, and the man he’d placed in charge of scheduling classes for the Species to learn different skills, walked in. He closed the door behind him and leaned against the wood.

“We have a problem.”

“What else is new? What is it this time?”

“Some of the human guards have been flirting with our females. Our males are very protective of them.”

A grin curved Fury’s mouth. “Our women can handle a human. I’ve yet to meet a human who could take down a Species, male or female, when they are angry.” The smile died. “Is it harassment or just typical flirting?”

“Typical flirting but our males may start fights over it. None of the women feel threatened or have filed a complaint. I wish to avoid conflict between the humans and us. If our males start busting the heads of humans who wink at our women it may cause a lot of tension.”

“I’ll talk to them. Call a meeting.” He glanced at his watch. “Let’s say in two hours?”

“Sounds good.” Brass flashed a grin. “You realize you’ve become a father figure to everyone. You give advice and deal out harsh threats when we misbehave. Justice is our mother figure—protective, nurturing, and nesting to make our new Homeland a home.”

Fury’s hand lifted and his middle finger extended. “There’s your lesson today, son.”

A bark of laugher filled the room. “I decline if that is an offer. You aren’t my type.”

“No one is.” Fury chuckled. “Our women are too smart to choose to mate with you.”

Brass pushed away from the wall and took a few steps closer, his smile fading. His eyes narrowed as he studied Fury.

“Speaking of women, I heard the little human you saved has left Homeland.”

All humor fled. Fury nodded. “The director fired her and Justice asked me not to get involved. I wanted to overstep the director’s authority, give her job back, and keep her here. I saw the danger it placed her in to be associated with us after the attack we suffered. Justice made me understand she’d have a better life without me in it.”

“If you’d pulled rank on that pompous asshole, he would realize we’re aware of the power we yield.”

“That’s what Justice said. I felt conflicted, Brass. I didn’t want her to go but I have responsibilities to our people as well. I’m torn in half. The only way to have her stay was to take on the director. That action would have undermined our plan for our community.”

“You really care for this female?” His eyebrows arched. “I saw her plenty of times and she’s very unlike our women. She’s small.”

“I am aware of our size difference.”

“And she’s human.” Brass frowned. “She also worked for Mercile. I’m aware of why she did, everyone has been briefed that she worked there undercover to gather evidence, but I also heard you had a personal issue with her. I was in that conference room, Fury. I feared you’d kill her in front of a room full of humans.”

Fury sat down hard on the edge of his desk, crossed his arms over his chest, and sighed loudly. “Something happened between us and I felt betrayed by her. I completely lost my control.”

“No shit. I’ve never seen you so feral. What did she do to you?”

He paused. “She is the one I told you about when we were freed and detained inside those motels while we waited to be moved here. She’s the human who came into my cell and killed Jacob.”

“Shit,” Brass muttered, at a loss for more words.

“I have never reacted to anyone as strongly as I do to her. I’m…” He searched for a way to express his emotions. “I’m obsessed with her. She smiles and I melt. I want to hear her voice and just be close to her.”

“Shit,” Brass repeated.

“I want her back. I couldn’t be with her but I drove by the dorms nightly and at least got to watch her interact with our women from a distance. Now I don’t even have that. It…hurts me.”

The silence stretched. Brass finally spoke.

“When we take over Homeland you could invite her back. You’ll be in control of security. We won’t have to worry about how the humans react. Can you just hold off until then?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I just want her back. I want her near me.” He paused. “I need her close even if I can’t truly be with her. All I can think about is what she is doing right now, where she will go, and…” His voice deepened into a snarl. “If human males are attempting to touch what is mine.”

Brass’ eyebrows shot up. “Yours?”

“Mine.” Fury nodded. “It is how I feel when I think of her.”

“Hang in there. Our people learn quickly and we’ll be able to completely run Homeland soon. You’ll be able to invite her back. I hope for your sake she accepts your offer.”

“I do as well.” Fury stood. “Make those calls and set up the meeting. I’ll talk to our males and schedule extra training sessions to give them an outlet for their anger. The humans within our walls aren’t our enemies, for the most part.”

Chapter Nine

Ellie finished packing her bag after the motel clerk had jimmied her door open to allow her to retrieve her things. She was grateful she hadn’t unpacked yet. She studied the policeman at her door, watching her every move. “Thank you. I’m done and ready to go now. I appreciate you babysitting me.”

The policeman shrugged. “It’s my job.”

Ellie gripped her purse and her suitcase. The policeman moved out of her way and closed the motel door for her. She walked down the stairs, trying not to notice that some of the guests of the motel were still outside, gawking at her as though she were the evening’s entertainment. She sighed. She didn’t like being the main source of morbid amusement for strangers.

She winced at the words on her car. The police had made a report of the damage, had taken pictures, and given her a card with the police report number. The policeman unlocked her trunk while she lifted in her suitcase. She closed it and forced a smile when he handed the keys back.

“Would you like some advice?”

She nodded. “Sure.”

He glanced at the car and then at her. “Go get a rental car and leave this inside the parking lot of the rental company. This is a small town. If these morons are set to harass you all they have to do is drive around to motels and hotels looking for this. You’d be pretty easy to find until your insurance company has it painted.”

Great, Ellie thought. Her finances were going to be tight until she found another job. She could almost mentally see money burning but he made a valid point. “Thank you. I think that’s a great plan and I will do that.”

“I can’t wait for these morons to leave this area. Ever since the protestors showed up it’s been like this. The locals were happy about accepting Homeland, for the most part, and we welcome those poor people out there into our community. It beat having a military base as a neighbor. I lived next to one as a kid and they were always tearing up the town when they drank in their off hours. The New Species don’t do that. Then these Humans for Pure Humans jerks showed up on the scene. You’d think they’d have something better to do.”

Ellie gave him a grateful smile, the tension easing from her body. It was nice to hear someone agree with her views after her ordeal. “Yes. The New Species have been through enough without those racist morons.”

“I’ll drive behind you for a few blocks to make sure you aren’t followed.”

“Thanks.”

Ellie stepped to the driver’s door of her car but paused when a large, black SUV pulled into the parking lot. She froze, staring. It looked very similar to the ones Homeland used, with all the windows tinted black. It stopped right behind Ellie’s car. Ellie tensed while the cop beside her reached for his gun with one hand, his radio with the other.

The driver’s door opened and Ellie stared warily at the man who circled around the front of the SUV. He wore a business suit and dark glasses. He stopped, his head turned toward the cop, and then he seemed to be looking at Ellie by the way his face lowered in her direction. His hands were open at his sides and he spread his fingers, moving his hands away from his body to show the cop he wasn’t armed.

“Ms. Brower? I’m Dean Hoskins. Mr. Fury sent me. You called Mr. North’s office and he has been made aware that you were having some kind of situation.”

Fury? Ellie relaxed. “It’s okay,” she assured the policeman.

Dean Hoskins let his hands drop as soon as the policeman released the butt of his gun. He reached up, removed his sunglasses, and it revealed he had green eyes in a nice face.

“Mr. Fury asked me to collect you and your things. I’ve been asked to give you a message. I’m not sure what it means but Mr. Fury assured me you would understand it. He told me to say that after saving your life, you owe him this time. He requests you follow me back to Homeland to talk to him in person. He would have come himself but regrettably, because of the situation outside Homeland, it wouldn’t be advisable for him to leave.”

No shit, Ellie thought. Fury wanted to talk to her. She wondered what he wanted to discuss. He may have regretted not really saying goodbye to her. He might even want to say he’d forgiven her for what she’d done to him. Of course he might just want to know what had happened. She didn’t want to get her hopes up that he just wanted to see her again. She’d never know unless she spoke to him. It would bother her, wondering, if she didn’t go.

She nodded at Hoskins. She had no doubt he was on the level. Only Fury would talk about who owed who. “All right.”

He placed his sunglasses back onto his face. Ellie turned to the policeman.

“Thank you so much for everything. I’ll go to the car rental place as soon as my meeting with Mr. Fury is over.”

Ellie climbed into her car and waited while Hoskins turned the large SUV around inside the parking lot. Ellie backed out of the space to follow the SUV back to Homeland. She hated the stares she received from other drivers and dreaded when the protesters got a load of what had been spray painted on her car.

The hateful words humiliated and embarrassed her. The guard who let her inside the gate gaped at her with raised eyebrows. Ellie softly cursed and resisted flipping him off. She had no choice but to drive her vandalized vehicle. She followed the black SUV to the main office to park next to him in the visitor section.

Ellie grabbed her purse as she exited the car. She wasn’t about to let her wallet out of her sight after already being tossed out of Homeland. She needed to have options if they kicked her out again without a car. Dean Hoskins studied her vehicle with a frown.

“Was this the trouble you ran into?”

“Partly. It seems some idiots think I’ve been brainwashed and three jerks were set on trying to supposedly save me. God only knows what they thought they were going to do if they’d gotten away with kidnapping me.” She shook her head. “Some of them are just insane.”

* * * * *

Fury paced while Justice watched him closely, studied everything about him, and it annoyed him. He stopped, shooting a glare at Justice. “What? She was in trouble. She mentioned police to your secretary and needed an escort out of there. Do you have a problem with my sending Dean to collect her? He works for us. What good are having humans help us if they don’t do anything?”

“I’m not disputing your reasoning. I believed she’d be safer in her world but I freely admit when I’m wrong if she’s experienced trouble so soon. I’m just wondering if you’re going to explode when she arrives. You look about ready to totally lose control again.”

Fury snarled, fought his rage, and met his friend’s worried gaze. “Every protective instinct inside me is battling. My first impulse was to jump into a Jeep and go out there to track her down. I am in control since I sent Dean.”

“Good to know.” Justice inched closer. “If it means so much, you can keep her here. I’ll smooth things out somehow with the director and if that doesn’t work, I’ll outright order him to allow her to stay. Under the circumstances it may not arouse too much suspicion from him that I’d go over his head. He’s very paranoid about how much power we flex and he’s attempting to retain absolute command of Homeland. He is being an ass by treating us as if we are children but the bottom line is, he works for us. I’m sure there is housing available at the visiting-human section. I’ll make some calls.”

Fury’s eyes narrowed. “And have the director go behind our backs again? You put me in charge of security. I won’t allow her out of my sight.”

Justice’s mouth dropped open. “Where will you assign her then?”

“I have two bedrooms. She’ll be safe inside my house. No one would be stupid enough to go after her there, and I can guard her.”

“You mean protect her.”

“It’s the same thing.”

“It’s a bad idea.” Justice shrugged. “But you are in charge. I have enough headaches trying to figure out the business side of Homeland, how to afford to pay for everything and where to find more funds for us to use after we start running it ourselves. While the president is generous, we’re bleeding out a lot of money with the construction costs for all the extra preventative measures we need in place after the attack. Don’t forget that you have a meeting in the morning with the architect. I want you to go over the plans carefully and it’s your call on whether what they have come up with will prevent another breach at our front gates.”

“I’ll be there.”

Justice moved forward, gripped Fury’s shoulder, and stared deeply into his eyes. “I know you will do your job. I’m more worried about your emotional state when it comes to this woman. It’s the only chink in your armor I’ve ever seen. Emotions can play hell on our kind.”

“I can separate my responsibilities to our people from my personal matters.”

“I know you can.” Justice released him. “Good luck with your human.” A grin split his lips. “I don’t envy you. Of course, they’ve got to be easier than attempting to handle our women.”

Fury snorted. “Not really. She’s very hard to understand since we come from two different worlds.” He hesitated. “I feel rage that she may have been harmed.”

“Try to keep it under wraps. They spook easily when we snarl and show teeth.” Justice chuckled, walking away.

Fury growled softly. He’d try to hear what happened to Ellie without letting his anger show. Dean had called to tell him she was following him to Homeland now but refused to tell him what had happened. Ellie hadn’t been harmed if she could drive and that was all that mattered. He strode from the office toward the parking lot where she’d arrive. He’d wanted to be there waiting but Justice had delayed him.

* * * * *

“They what?”

The deep voice behind Ellie startled her. She spun and dropped her purse. Fury had stalked right up behind her without her knowing it. He’d moved so stealthily he hadn’t made a sound to warn her of his approach. She clutched her chest as she faced him.

“Don’t sneak up on someone that way. I had no idea you were there. You almost gave me a heart attack.” Her arms dropped to her sides.

Fury moved closer. “Someone tried to kidnap you?” He bent down, lifted her purse from the pavement, and held it with his big hand while he straightened to his full height again. “How?”

Ellie’s racing heart started to calm. “I’m guessing one of the protestors followed me to my motel and they rented a room beside mine. They were waiting to ambush me when I returned to my room after grabbing some food. I screamed when one of the three men grabbed me. There were people around who started to yell and they ran away.”

The look on Fury’s matched his name. The name sure does fit him, Ellie decided. He became silent while he continued to stare down at her but then he softly growled. His canine teeth peeked out from his slightly parted full lips. She backed away, leery of his anger. What did I do? It wasn’t my fault. He looked as if he wanted to tear out her throat again.

“You aren’t safe out there,” he stated in a harsh tone. “From now on you stay here. Don’t argue with me.”

Dean Hoskins cleared his throat and pulled out his cell phone. “I’ll call guest housing to make sure they have a room for her.”

“Hang it up,” Fury demanded. “She is staying with me.”

Ellie gawked at him, trying to make sense of his offer. “With you?” she gasped.

He took a step closer. “You seem to know how to find trouble, sweetness. Or maybe it just seems to know how to find you. I have a guest bedroom and you are staying with me. That way I can keep an eye on you.”

Uh-oh. She watched as Fury tore his gaze from hers to turn his attention on her car. He paced all the way around it, examined every inch of damage, only stopping when he stood in front of Ellie again. He snagged her hand, holding it firmly inside his hot-skinned but gentle grip.

“Let’s go. My house isn’t far so we’ll walk there. I’ll have someone remove your things from that and tell them to fix what they did to it.”

“But my suitcase” Ellie tried to stall.

“Not now,” he snarled, tugging sharply on her hand, forcing her to move when she hadn’t meant to.

He pulled Ellie alongside him, giving her no choice but to accompany him. She noticed Dean Hoskins’ alarmed expression. She didn’t want to cause a scene or for Fury to get into any kind of trouble. She knew he was protecting her for some reason and she hated the idea of leaving Homeland more than living inside his house.

“Thanks for coming to get me,” she called out.

“Not a problem,” Hoskins mumbled.

Ellie glanced at Fury’s handsome but grim profile while she all but jogged along beside him as his long legs ate up ground. He still clutched her purse in a fisted hand. She gave her purse a worried look and hoped nothing inside it got crushed in his white-knuckled hold. Ellie didn’t protest as Fury kept going until they arrived at his house. He released her at the front door, reached into his back pocket, and used his key card to open it. His dark gaze fixed on her.

“Inside, now.”

Ellie hesitated. “Why are you so mad at me?”

“I’m not,” he growled. “Get inside.”

Ellie entered the dim interior, darting glances around to take in the room. The door slammed behind her loudly. She spun to face him. Fury leaned against the door, just dropped her purse onto the floor, and she flinched, hoping her cell phone she’d shoved in there survived the hard hit to the entry tile. Her attention returned to Fury only to find him staring at her with his dark, intense gaze. His sharp teeth peeked out between his slightly parted lips again.

“For someone not mad at me,” she stated softly, “you’re doing a hell of an impression of it. Could you please, at least,” she pointed to her own mouth, “put away the fangs?”

He growled.

She backed away a few feet. “Fine. Don’t. It’s just that when you show fangs and have that angry look, you tend to give people the impression, well, me at least, that you’re pissed at them.” She took a breath. “And the growling…” She shrugged. “Kind of implies you’re mad.”

“I’m furious,” he snarled.

“What did I do?” She took another step back.

“Nothing. It’s not directed at you. You were fired for protecting me. You were tossed out there into your world and because of us, you have been targeted as though you were one of us.”

“Well,” she relaxed, secretly thrilled she hadn’t ticked him off. “I worked at Homeland and knew I wouldn’t make friends with dim-witted people when I took the job. If I agreed with those jackasses I wouldn’t have been here at all and they know I’m pro New Species. It’s just a fact of life that they are jerks. Everyone has hate groups.”

“No one hates you because of where you come from.”

She smiled. “I’m originally from California before my family moved to Ohio. Half the country is sure every freak and weirdo in America lives or is born here in Southern Cali.”

Fury blinked. “How pro New Species are you?”

She wondered if he questioned whether she secretly didn’t like his people. “If you’re asking if I’m prejudiced, I’m not. When I heard the rumors about Mercile Industries and their kind of testing and the subjects they used, I was outraged. I instantly agreed to help bust them. It horrified me that I might somehow be a part of anything to do with a company that cruel.” She paused. “New Species are people to me, period, just like everyone else. You have the right to do anything humans do. Is that what you mean? I hate to even make the distinction.”

He pushed away from the door and took a step toward Ellie. He paused. “Have you heard the latest outcry against us? They are afraid we’ll start wanting to date humans. What do you think about that?”

“Did you not hear me when I stated that I think you’re just people? You have as much right to date or be with whoever you want to be with as I do.”

He nodded. “Would you be with one of my males? Slade is quite taken with you.”

Slade? Ellie blinked, remembering the guy who’d saved her ass at the gate. It came as a surprise that he might be attracted to her. “I don’t know him.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“You met him this morning.”

“Well, I know who he is but I don’t know him personally. I don’t know if I’d like to spend time with him or not.”

“But if you did like him, would you date him? Even knowing what he is?”

She watched Fury intently enough to spot his anger. She couldn’t figure the man out. “Sure. I guess. I don’t see why not. I haven’t really thought about it.”

“Our species aren’t totally compatible.” Fury took another step closer.

Ellie took a step in the opposite direction. He advanced while she backed away. She felt stalked. His anger radiated off him, making her certain that coming to his home had been a mistake. Is he still angry about what happened at the testing facility? Does he still want to punish me for it? She’d forgiven him and he’d done worse. She hadn’t terrified him, cut off his air, or kidnapped him from a park to tie him to a bed.

“Why are you backing me into the wall?” She glanced over her shoulder. She only had a few more feet of space and then she had nowhere else to go. She jerked her head around and stared up at Fury. “Could you please stop? You’re starting to scare me.”

“Would you be afraid of me if I were Darren Artino or a man like him? Human?”

She frowned. “If someone were angry and coming at me, yes, I would be afraid. Will you stop it?”

“I noticed you didn’t deny our species aren’t compatible.” He advanced.

Ellie took another step back and bumped the wall. She’d run out of space to put between them. “What do you want me to say? I don’t even know what to tell you. I know you’re mostly human DNA and I don’t understand your point. We’re both people.”

“I spent my entire life inside a testing facility.” His hands flattened over the wall on both sides of Ellie’s shoulders. He pinned her there between his chest and arms, not touching her.

“I assumed.” She couldn’t look away from his handsome face, hovering so close to hers. She inhaled that wonderful masculine scent of his and held still to avoid brushing against his body.

“We were constantly experimented on, changed, and tested,” he growled. “We are still learning new things about our bodies, what has been done to us, and we aren’t human enough to ever fool ourselves into believing we could be. There are too many animal traits present. You can see some of the changes by looking at us but they also are inside our bodies, in our DNA. I’m worried that if you knew how much of me isn’t human it would terrify you.” He paused. “It would scare most humans if they realized what we hid in the hopes of fitting in with them. We want to live together in peace, we hope for acceptance, and to just be left alone by the hate groups.”

Ellie peered up at him curiously. “What kind of animal traits do you hide?” It sure wasn’t growling. He does that often or maybe it’s just at me.

He hesitated. “I’m just not completely human. I won’t go into details. We are very different from your people though. We don’t even have parents and if we ever had them, we will never get to meet them. Those records weren’t recovered, leading us to believe they were destroyed. Our childhoods were completely different. So much so that we have very little common ground.”

“What was your childhood like?”

His jaw clenched. “I remember being afraid and being locked up. I remember the darkness that terrified me and then the pain. They would strap me down and inject me with all those damn needles. I remember,” he hissed, “pain and terror were my only childhood companions.”

Tears filled Ellie’s eyes. She reached up without thinking and put her open palm on his arm. “I’m so sorry.” She wanted to comfort him.

He closed his eyes, took long, deep breaths, and then opened them. “They changed me. I remember my shock when my baby teeth fell out and my new teeth were longer and sharper. I didn’t have a mirror but I could feel the difference. I could feel my face, knew I didn’t look like the technicians or the doctors. By the time I hit puberty I’d grown muscular because they were filling me with drugs to alter my body. I knew I wasn’t right, my body changed, and they were making me different with the drugs but they didn’t stop giving them to me.”

“I’m so very sorry, Fury.” She trailed her hand a little higher, then lower, rubbing him. “They were so wrong for doing that.”

“I know this. It’s little comfort to be told some of the research they did created drugs to help sick humans when a lifetime of painful memories haunt me. Now there are groups of people, thousands of them, who wish me dead just because someone tossed me into hell as a kid and forced me to endure that nightmare. We suffered for the benefit of humans and for Mercile to make money.” He cleared his throat. “I am tired of always feeling on the outside of life peering in. Being different,” he rasped. “I knew something made me unique for as long as I can remember. I’d look at them, feel my teeth and face, notice my body’s differences, and then I started to pay attention to what they would say. In time I was able to learn enough to figure out what had been done to us and why. I felt so alone and only saw humans until—” He clamped his mouth closed.

“I don’t blame you for hating everyone at Mercile. Doesn’t it help at all though to hear some good came from it?”

“No,” he snarled softly. “Maybe. I don’t know. I hate what was done to us.”

“I do too. What were you going to say about only seeing humans until? You stopped.”

His dark gaze narrowed, watched her, and he cleared his throat. “Until they brought a female into my cell. She was New Species and it was the first time I ever saw someone who looked similar to me. They wanted to see if we could breed.” He glanced at the wall next to her face, stared there. “They forced us to be together sometimes but it never worked. We weren’t able to produce children.” His jaw tensed before he met her gaze again. “I’m glad. We didn’t want them to succeed and bring new life into that hell.”

Ellie bit her lip and her hand stilled. “I heard something about that from the women,” she admitted. “It’s not fair what was done to you. They were wrong and just evil to do that, Fury. I call people like that total morons without a speck of intelligence or compassion.”

Fury searched her eyes, looking deep into them. “Are you afraid of me, Ellie?”

She hesitated. “I am when you’re angry, though you’d scare me if you had animal DNA or not, to be honest. You’re a big man.”

His whole body slumped, his tension eased. “I didn’t mean to hurt you on my bed by drawing blood.”

She hadn’t expected him to say that. She blew out the air she’d gasped in. Her heart raced and then she forced herself to calm down. Fury silently watched her.

“I believe you.”

“I don’t think I would have hurt you if it wasn’t for what they did to me. I wouldn’t have sharp teeth.”

Ellie didn’t know what to say. She just swallowed the lump that formed inside her throat. The attraction she held for Fury was strong, she admitted that, always had, since the day she’d laid eyes on him. She’d thought about what he’d done to her in his bed many a night, her mind filled with erotic memories while dreaming. It had been fantastic until that last part when he’d suddenly withdrawn from her and Justice had arrived.

“I just thank your God that I didn’t do the things I wanted to do to you.”

Ellie warmed all over suddenly. “What…?” She had to swallow. Her voice had broken. “What did you want to do?” The question came out a whisper.

His eyes flashed some emotion she couldn’t quite identify. “I really would have scared you. We aren’t sexually compatible in all ways.”

Ellie stared up at him. She opened her mouth to ask him what he meant by that. Fury suddenly pushed away from the wall and turned his back to her. He stalked away until a good eight feet separated them.

“Your room will be the first door on the right down the hallway. Make yourself at home. I’ll run by the security office and have a temporary pass made for you but for now you should stay inside. I’ll make sure your things from your car are on the way. There’s lots of food to eat in the kitchen if you’re hungry.” He stormed out of the house and slammed the door.

Ellie leaned against the wall for a long time staring at the door he’d disappeared through. What did he want to do to me that night? She closed her eyes, hugging her body. And why do I suddenly wish I knew really, really bad? Damn!

* * * * *

Fury left the house before he totally made a fool of himself by grabbing Ellie, burying his nose against her throat, and inhaling her wonderful scent. The urge to hold her, put his arms around her, and cradle her was so strong he physically ached.

He regretted telling her they weren’t sexually compatible. He’d just said it to shock her. She had been too close, they’d been alone, and he’d wanted to do a hundred things to her. That’s why he walked at a brisk pace to put distance between them.

He focused on his anger instead. She could have been kidnapped, taken for just being associated with New Species, and it infuriated him. She cared about his people, had risked her life to save his kind, first by working undercover inside the testing facility and again by protecting his women when the dorm had been breached. She’d stayed alone to face those violent intruders in order to activate the steel doors to secure the women.

That had been the first thing he’d ordered changed. Humans had screwed up that design by not installing enforced walls to slam down on the first floor as well as the upper floors. The main control panel also should have been installed where she would have been protected as well.

Her eyes haunted him, so blue and pretty, he could gaze into them all day and never get weary of the sight. His fingers ached to touch her soft, pale skin, and run through her soft blonde tresses. Her voice sounded as sweet as pure honey to him, soft and slightly husky. If he knew he could keep a handle on his desire to touch her, he would have stayed, and grilled her for more personal information. He needed to know everything about her but the urge to be closer to her had become too strong.

Now that she’d returned, would live under his roof, he wasn’t about to let her go. He could keep her and look out for his people at the same time. He wouldn’t let Justice down by not doing his job but Ellie would be there when he returned home. A small smile curved his lips.

She was inside his house. His speed increased. The faster he dealt with everything he needed to do, the sooner he’d be able to see her again. He just needed to go slow and avoid spooking her into running away. He could be patient. It wasn’t his best trait but he’d learn for her.

Chapter Ten

Ellie smiled at Breeze. “I’m so glad you came to visit me. I really miss all of you. I wanted to visit the dorm but Fury told me it wasn’t a good idea.” She glanced around the living room. “I’m kind of stuck inside.” Her attention returned to Breeze. “You’re saving me from going stir crazy. I’ve been here for three days and Fury has refused to allow me to leave.”

Breeze smiled back. “Think how difficult a time I had talking him in to allowing me to see you. I wanted to bring more women with me but he refused to give permission for anyone else to come.” She studied Ellie and cocked her head. “He must really be concerned for your safety.”

Ellie shrugged. “Why? Those crazy jerks outside the gate holding signs can’t hurt me while I’m safe inside Homeland.”

A strange look passed over Breeze’s face but Ellie caught it. She sat back on the couch and crossed her arms over her chest. “What am I missing?”

Breeze hesitated. “There are rumors.”

“What kind?”

“I know it isn’t true. I can’t smell Fury on you besides the faint, lingering scent that comes with living inside the same home with someone. It’s just that since he brought you to his house, some have presumed you and Fury are breeding.”

“Breeding?” Ellie’s eyebrows shot up. “You mean the gossips think we’re doing it?”

A chuckle escaped Breeze. “Yes. That’s the term. Doing it.”

“But we aren’t. I mean, we talk and then he avoids me as if I’m the plague.”

“The plague? Is that a religious fanatic group member?”

Ellie laughed. “It’s a deadly disease.”

“Oh.” Breeze grinned. “We’re still learning some English we weren’t exposed to inside the testing facilities. I hadn’t heard that word yet.” Breeze’s smile faded. “It is…gossip…that you and Fury are breeding. Doing it,” she corrected. “Not everyone is happy about that. There have been some problems with humans who work at Homeland over it. I think Fury is afraid for you.”

“He’s heard that crap being rumored about us?”

Breeze nodded. “Everyone has heard.” Her gaze flicked around the living room to the TV. “Is your television broken?”

“Television?” Ellie gasped. “It’s on the news?”

“Yes. Some of the employees must have heard and told some of the…what did you call them? Media vultures? They don’t know your names but there are media vultures saying a New Species and a human are living together.”

Oh crap! Ellie’s shoulders slumped. “No wonder he has refused to allow me out of the house when I mentioned leaving Homeland to go job hunting. I mean, how long can I live in the guy’s guest bedroom and mooch off him?”

“Mooch? What does that word mean?”

Ellie smiled. “It’s a term when you live with someone and take something freely from the person who has to work for it. It’s not a good thing. It’s hard to explain that one. I guess I could describe it as I’m a burden to him.”

“How? He already had a room you could have.”

Ellie struggled with her thoughts. Some words were hard to explain. “Yes. He did but usually you don’t live with someone unless you are a couple. Then it is acceptable if you share food and a home. If you aren’t, then both parties are supposed to work, similar to a partnership, be equal. I am not his girlfriend or his partner. He provides a home and food for me while I give him nothing in return. I’m a mooch.”

“I think I understand.” Breeze smiled. “And you are not a mooch. He doesn’t know what one is so therefore you can’t be what he doesn’t know exists.”

Ellie laughed. “I guess you got me there.”

“You should do it with him and you will feel better. You’ll give him something in return to avoid being a mooch.”

Ellie was glad she hadn’t taken a sip of the soda clasped in her hand or she would have choked. She gaped at Breeze. “Uh, you shouldn’t do it with someone unless you are in a relationship and care about them in a special way. If you do it with someone for food, money, or a roof over your head, that’s called prostitution. That’s bad.”

“Your world is too complicated.”

“Yeah,” Ellie agreed, taking a sip of her soda. “It is.”

“You should still do it with him. He likes you and I think you like him. He is very manly and sexually appealing. We all think we should do it with each other if we are mutually attracted. We had meetings about it.”

Ellie put down her drink. “You had meetings about sex?”

“Of course. We once didn’t have choices. We had to do it with whomever we were forced to be with. We hold all kinds of meetings where we discuss things. Doing it was one of those topics. We can do it with anyone we desire to do it with if they want to do it back.”

Ellie rubbed her hand over her mouth, trying to hide her smile. “That’s acceptable too.”

“We thought so. We even discussed doing it with you after the rumors started.”

“Fury and I were the topic of a meeting?” Shocked, Ellie knew her voice had risen. A blush warmed her cheeks. The NSO discussed me and Fury having sex? Dear God!

“Not you and Fury exactly but it was brought up about doing it with your people and ours.”

“Oh.” She relaxed as relief washed through her. Thank God. “How did that go?”

Breeze shrugged. “We don’t know if it will work. We have watched your people doing it on DVD’s and we do it different.”

Ellie tried not to laugh. She had to compose her features to hide her amusement. “You watched pornos? Is that what you are saying? Pornos are videos of my people having sex together.”

“Yes.” Breeze smiled. “We watched those.”

“Uh…” Ellie eyed Breeze. “Those videos are kind of…” She was at a loss. “Well, they don’t really, well, they aren’t really…” She sighed. “I don’t have sex that way.”

“You don’t? What is different?”

Where do I begin? This may be embarrassing but I’m here to help these women. Ellie kicked off her shoes to sit cross-legged on the couch. “The way they talk for starters. I never speak that way and if a man spoke to me the way they do in those films, I would probably get pretty upset.”

“Calling females offensive bad words and demanding they do sexual acts even though they don’t look that pleasurable for females?”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“We thought it kind of shocking. Some believe it’s downright rude.”

“Yeah, well, if a guy said some lines in those movies to a woman in real life, well, he’d end up being slapped or worse.”

“Understood. What else is different?”

Ellie shrugged. “I don’t know what you’ve seen. Most people don’t have sex with multiple partners to start with. We’re monogamous in general.”

“So I don’t have to invite a female friend to our bed if I want to do it with a fully human man or sleep with two of them at once? I had decided to never touch a human because of that. We don’t share well and I figure a capable male should be able to please a woman without needing help from a friend.”

“No!” Ellie closed her mouth, which had fallen open. “Stop watching those. Watch love stories. Porn movies are…well, they just…” She softly cursed. “Tell them to stop watching them and forget what they’ve seen. Please. Those are actors and actresses who are paid to have sex on film. They are given a script that someone wrote. Do you understand? They are made to be entertainment but not a ‘how to’ guide on sex unless you want to see how something is done without actually doing it.”

“Okay.”

“What is your version of sex? Maybe we can start there. It might be the same.”

“Well, we enjoy kissing. We love to kiss. That is new to us but we picked that up after we were freed. We love to touch. We say soft, appealing words, and growl to show our level of arousal. Is that all right?”

“Perfect,” Ellie admitted. The growling… She let that slide.

“We fight for dominance and whoever is tougher gets to decide the position we have sex. The male usually wins unless he is tired or weak from injury.”

“Uh…” Ellie’s mind blanked with that shocking news.

Breeze stopped talking. “Is that different from you?”

“Explain ‘fight for dominance’.”

She blinked. “It’s just the way it sounds.”

“Like wrestling?”

She nodded. “Very similar.”

Ellie shrugged. “That would be okay but we don’t usually enjoy pain during sex. You know that, right?”

“Okay. I’ll share that. So no fighting?”

“I’d skip that part. I’m sure some people would be into it but it’s not something you’d want to generally assume as okay to do.”

“So who gets to decide the positioning?”

Her mouth opened and then closed. Who indeed? Ellie smiled. “We talk and try to mutually agree on that. Sometimes we mix it up.”

“Mix it up? Explain.”

Ellie hesitated. “Well, let’s say I’m on top straddling a man and then after a while he could flip me over to be on top of me. Mixing it up. Is that clear enough?”

Breeze nodded. “Yes. We don’t do that. We get into a position and stay with it to the end.” She hesitated. “Why would you be on top? What man would lie there for that? Isn’t his pride injured being dominated that way?”

Ellie knew her eyes widened. “It’s…” Damn. I’m so glad I never had children if this is the kind of discussion I’d have to face. She was at a loss for words yet again but Breeze expected an answer. “It’s not about dominance with us. It’s about pleasure. Have you ever been on top during sex?”

Breeze appeared horrified by the question. “No. I refused to take a man when he was tied down and helpless. Even when the technicians threatened to punish me I would not do it. I would rather have taken the beating than harm the male’s pride.”

“Oh boy. Human guys don’t think that way. He would be thrilled for a female do that to him.”

“Oh. Our males wouldn’t be. They would get very angry. Fury would feel insulted if you even asked him to lay meek under you. Our men are dominant.”

She had nothing to say to that. Ellie just nodded. “I wouldn’t ask it of him,” she finally got out.

“Good. He would be very insulted. Our men would rather die than be submissive. That’s why, inside the testing facility, I took a beating before I would do what they wanted when they bound one of our men down.”

An image of Fury restrained against the floor while Jacob hurt him flashed in Ellie’s memory. She’d never forget seeing that sight or the horror she experienced at knowing what kind of hellish nightmare she’d walked into. God, she thought, hugging her chest tightly with both arms.

“Ellie? Are you cold?”

“I’m fine. So what positions do you like for sex?”

“We enjoy facing the men to keep eye contact but our men prefer taking us from behind. That is what we fight about.” She hesitated. “I’m quite shocked that Fury took you face-to-face. He must have been in a hurry or otherwise he would have set you free to mount you from behind. That is what our men do.”

An image of that flashed through Ellie’s mind. Fury naked, caging her under his big, sexy body, and maybe his arm wrapped around her waist when he entered her body from behind. Mounting. Wow. She bit her lip. “And what if a woman doesn’t want to be mounted?”

“Our men don’t touch us unless we are willing to do it with them.”

“I meant what happens if you want to have sex but not in that position?”

Breeze smiled widely, revealing sharp teeth. “Best sex ever.”

Ellie didn’t ask. She just nodded. “Well, that cleared up some things, didn’t it?”

Breeze agreed. “Yes. I shall share this information at the next meeting. Thank you, Ellie. You have told me many things I will pass along.”

“Could you leave my name out of it?”

Breeze laughed. “Yes. I understand. Your face is pink. You are shy about your sex.” Breeze stood. “I must go. The new dorm mother,” she spat that word as though it were a curse word, “has demanded we be inside to take attendance four times a day. She is a bitch.”

“I’m sorry.”

“If she doesn’t grow on us soon, which I can tell you now she won’t, she will be gone. We have a meeting planned in a few days about her.” Breeze smiled. “We have final say if she stays and we can replace her if it’s not working out.”

Ellie escorted Breeze to the front door and hugged the taller woman. Breeze laughed as she left. Ellie sighed loudly when she was left alone. Rumors were being spread about a couple shacking up. Damn. If they released Ellie’s name to the press she’d never be able to leave Homeland without fear of some moron harassing her or worse, making her a target of violence.

She headed for the kitchen after a quick glance at her watch. She noticed Fury usually came home to change his uniform around six in the evening. He tended to change into comfortable clothing, ask her questions about her day, and then disappeared out the door again as quickly as possible.

She had no clue where he spent his evenings after that. He just wasn’t staying at home with her. She opened the fridge to remove the package of chicken breasts she’d thawed. She hummed under her breath as she started to cook.

* * * * *

The smell of food made Fury’s stomach rumble as he stepped inside the front door. He’d missed lunch when meetings had run too long. Ellie knew how to cook, obviously, and he followed the tantalizing smell into the small dining area to find a nice dinner for two spread out on the table. He turned and froze in front of the archway as she stepped from the kitchen.

He wanted to groan over the sight of her smile directed at him. She appeared genuinely happy to see him. His hunger for food instantly changed into a desire to touch her. Her scent tempted him more than the smell of food, called to his animal side, and the urge to take her into his arms nearly overpowered him, weakening his will to resist. Lust roared alive inside his entire body.

Every smile she gave him melted his heart and every word she spoke fascinated him. The night before she’d sat down with him on the couch, just a few feet away from him, and he’d asked about her family. The sad expression on her features had made him happy not to have parents for the first time in his life.

She’d told him about her parents’ bitter divorce, putting her in the middle of it at the tender age of ten. He didn’t like her parents already and he’d never met them. He didn’t want Ellie around them after she stated they tried repeatedly to talk her in to reconciling with her ex-husband.

If he ever met Jeff, he’d beat the stupid human. Ellie had avoided his gaze when he’d asked her questions about her marriage. The idea of another male touching her had nearly sent him into a rage but he’d kept calm. The conversation remained inside his thoughts…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“How long were you with him?”

“It doesn’t matter. We made a mistake when we married. He had affairs and I didn’t know.”

“Affairs?” Fury had frowned, not understanding. “He went to events? What kind?”

A grin had spread across her beautiful, tempting lips and she’d turned to face him on the couch. “The event he went to was spending time with other women.” Her smile faded and anger glinted, changing her eyes to a darker blue. “He told me it was my fault when I found out about his cheating with other women.” Her chin rose, showing him the stubborn streak he admired. “What bullshit. I may have been overweight but he wasn’t thin either.”

Fury’s gaze had wandered over her body slowly, taking in every inch he found delectable. “You are not overweight. I think your curves are perfect.”

She’d reached over to place her hand over the top of his, rewarding him with a smile. “Thank you. I lost weight.”

“Even if you gained weight I would find you perfect.”

She’d stared at him for a long moment and he’d wondered if he’d said the wrong thing. She was Ellie. He’d want her regardless of her size. He actually wished she were bigger. Maybe, if I put more food inside the house she could gain back the weight she lost, he thought. She was too tiny in his opinion and he always worried that if she did allow him to touch her again he might accidentally harm her in some way.

“I know you don’t really mean that but it was great to hear.”

“I mean it.” He’d growled at her softly, slightly insulted that she’d question his word. Her eyes had widened in reaction. He cleared his throat. “I don’t lie.”

“There are lies and there’s saying things to be polite.”

He’d chuckled. “Haven’t you learned yet that I don’t say things just to soothe someone?”

His beautiful Ellie had laughed with him. “That’s so true. You’re blunt. All New Species are.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

She shook her head. “No. It’s a wonderful trait.”

“I’m glad. So he spent time with other women?”

“He had sex with them.”

Shock tore through Fury. “Why? What is wrong with him? He had you and needed no other.”

Little delicate fingers had wrapped around the curve of the back of his hand. “I believe you really mean that. Thank you, Fury.”

“I don’t like your ex-husband.” He growled. “I will change his mind quickly if he ever comes here and tries to get you to go back to being married to him. I wouldn’t mind using my fists a few times to make sure he left you alone.”

He instantly worried that his threat to the man she’d once married would upset her but he hadn’t censored his thoughts before it popped out of his mouth. She’d reacted with a laugh instead.

“Will you call me first if he does show up here? I want to watch if you punch him.” Ellie released him then, stood, and gave him a warm smile. “Good night, Fury. Sweet dreams.”

Her hips swayed when she left the room and he waited until he heard her bedroom door close before he released a pent-up, frustrated groan. It grew more difficult for him to resist his impulses to take her to his bed instead of allowing her to go to hers alone. He didn’t want to frighten her. She’d need time to learn he would never harm her in any way and he’d be certain that feat had been accomplished before he tried to get her back into his bed.

He smelled desire on her, which gave him hope that the memory of them together lingered inside her mind the way it did in his. He wanted to take her back to his room, spread her out naked over his sheets and touch every inch of her skin. He just needed a sign from her when she reached the point that she wanted to take their relationship farther…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He drew his thoughts to the present when she placed more food on the table. His fingers itched to touch her. He inhaled when she inched closer to him and had to force his body not to move at all or he’d close the distance and do exactly that.

Just give me a hint that you’re ready, he silently begged. He’d talked to some of the human security guards he’d become friends with. They told him that some women needed a man to make the first move. Some women enjoyed a strong male who took charge, and if Ellie were that type, Fury would be that man for her.

He glanced at both filled plates, realized that her making a meal for the two of them might be her subtle way of hinting she might be ready to deepen their relationship. Of course, he had given Breeze permission to visit Ellie. Perhaps that second plate of food wasn’t intended for him. He tried not to get his hopes up. If she planned to share dinner with him, he’d take it as a signal.

If he could get Ellie into his bed he might be able to seduce her into staying there. New Species females were strong-willed females with a preference to keep males at arm’s length except during sex. He needed to find a way to soften Ellie’s defenses and push for more, something deeper than just sex. He’d show her everything could be great between them and they could have that out of bed as well.

Chapter Eleven

Fury studied the table. “Is that for me?”

Ellie smiled. “Yes. I swear I’m a good cook. It’s safe to eat.”

His dark gaze fixed on her. “That was nice. What is the reason?”

“There isn’t one. I just wanted to do something nice for you. I love to cook. They delivered groceries yesterday. I cooked last night but you didn’t show up until late. Tonight you arrived on time.”

He studied her closely. “You wish to do something nice for me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I wanted to do something special for you. You have taken me into your home and you”

Fury moved so suddenly Ellie didn’t have time to react before he grabbed her. Strong arms lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the hallway before she realized where they headed.

“Fury?” Alarm jolted through her and she clutched at him.

He walked into his bedroom and dropped her onto his bed gently. Ellie gawked at him while he grabbed the front of his shirt, tearing it wide open. Buttons flew. She lowered her shocked gaze to his bare chest. Tan, muscled skin beaconed in the dim light from the fading sunshine through the thinly curtained windows.

“What are you doing?” Her voice trembled.

He reached for his belt as he toed off his boots. “I won’t hurt you this time. I have it worked out.”

Fury yanked open the front of his pants and threw the belt he tore from the loops behind him. The sound of it hitting the carpet tore her focus away from his tight abs and sexy black boxer briefs peeking from the vee of the pants that hugged lean hips. Her gaze lifted to his, watched him bend closer to shove his pants down, and her heart hammered. Fury tugged and stepped out of the pants to straighten in front of her again in nothing but his briefs. Her gaze lowered to take in that sight but he lunged suddenly.

Ellie gasped again when he bent over her, his hands gripped both sides of her shirt, and material tore. Air met skin. Surprise held her still as she stared into his eyes. He growled softly at her, his dark gaze taking in the view he’d bared—her stomach and bra.

“Fury?”

He shoved the shirt wider apart and his hands released it to grip her skirt. He didn’t bother tugging it down her body. Instead he gripped the waistband, his biceps bunched, and more material tore. He shredded it down the center to spread it completely open. Ellie couldn’t move, didn’t even breathe, until she gasped when his fingers slid into the front of her panties. The back of his hand was warm on her lower stomach. One good tug and he threw the destroyed silky material over his shoulder.

“Fury!” She tried to roll away from him. He’d nearly stripped her naked. Only her bra remained. “What”

His hands gripped her hips and flipped her back onto the bed on her backside. He dropped to his knees next to the bed, his body between her thighs, and yanked her toward him.

“I won’t hurt you this time. I’ll be more aware of my teeth.”

“Stop it,” Ellie panted. Her heart pounded but she wasn’t afraid, just shocked, and confused. She breathed as if she’d just run a mile.

His dark gaze locked with hers. “You enjoyed this part.” His rough-feeling palms caressed her inner thighs, pushed them farther apart, and he licked his full lips. “I brought you pleasure with my mouth.”

She swallowed with difficulty. His gaze lowered to his hands holding her thighs firmly apart. Ellie remembered. She shivered. Yeah, she’d loved the first part last time once she’d gotten over the shock of what he was doing to her. Temptation to urge him on gripped her but she tried to be reasonable.

“Let me go. We can’t do this again.”

His gaze jerked up to narrow on her. “Why not? I desire your taste, the sounds you make as my tongue teases your little bud and it swells with pleasure.”

She stared into his eyes. Yeah, Ellie, she asked herself, why not? Her belly quivered. She didn’t want to think about how else her body responded to what he wanted to do to her but she guessed he wouldn’t have to coax her with his mouth to make her wet. Just staring at him did that to her. She opened her mouth.

“Um…” Her mind blanked.

“I will not hurt you. I give my word. I’ll make you scream but it won’t be from pain.”

She bit her lip hard. Fury turned her on. She couldn’t lie about that. Even having him that close to repeating what he’d done to her last time had her stomach clenching and an ache started just above where his hands played on her inner thighs. Her nipples puckered.

“I know you want me, sweetness.”

She loved it when he used endearments with that soft growly tone of his. “You hope I want you,” she corrected.

He showed teeth. “Sense of smell. I know you want me. Your scent is so sweet when you are aroused. I want to lick you and feast on your desire. You’ve been torturing me for days.”

She knew the color drained from her face. Looking at him and being close to him always affected her but she’d thought he’d been oblivious. “Is that true?”

He growled. “Yes. I have lived with it taunting me. I’ve just been waiting for you to stop hiding it and give me some sign you were ready to be with me.”

“But—”

“I won’t have an affair on you. I am not the stupid male you once chose poorly to allow the honor of being with you.”

Ellie smiled, amused despite the tense moment. “Chose poorly is an understatement.”

He shrugged. “You are the only one I want or need, Ellie. I give you my word, I won’t touch another female. You are it for me. This isn’t a one-time thing.”

Sincerity shone in his intense gaze. Ellie hesitated and then nodded. “I do want you, Fury. I’ve wanted you since the day I first saw you. That’s never changed. It’s just that it’s so complicated between us.”

“It’s only complicated if we allow it to be.” A glint of determination flashed in his dark gaze. “Just feel.” His hands released her thighs to grip her hips.

He growled again, softly, as he pulled her ass down the bed to the very edge. Ellie gasped when he let his hands slide from her hips back to her thighs. He shoved them wider apart. His head lowered and in the next heartbeat he licked her. His hot, wet tongue zoomed directly for her clit. She tensed while she grabbed for the bedspread. Her fingers clawed the material.

He growled again as his mouth pressed tighter against her pussy. He lapped at the sensitive bud rapidly in a near frenzy. The pleasure shot straight to her brain and made her spread her thighs wider to give him better access.

“Dear God,” she panted. “You’re like a vibrator with a tongue when you do that.”

He chuckled against her and then he growled louder against her, drawing out the vibrations he created while his tongue applied pressure and slid along her sensitive bundle of nerves. He teased without mercy. She moaned and thrashed her head. Fury shifted her legs to hook loosely around his shoulders then changed positions from his knees to hovering over her pussy, pushing her knees higher, holding her wide open.

Ellie worried he’d kill her with raw pleasure. She couldn’t take the intense feelings he created. They were too strong to withstand. The man knew how to hit her “on switch” so hard she didn’t think anything could turn her off. She knew her fingers tore at his bedspread, her nails digging into the fabric. It took everything she had not to clutch at him, too afraid she’d scratch his skin.

“Fury!” she screamed. Her body jerked under his mouth as ecstasy tore through her, wave after wave. The climax hit so strongly that she screamed out again.

Fury released her with his mouth. He nuzzled his cheek against the inside of her thigh as he withdrew his face from between her legs and removed them from his shoulders to place her heels on the bed.

She lay there panting as she tried to pull her thoughts back together but couldn’t. He’d made her feel as though he’d blown her mind apart. The bed moved. Her eyes opened to watch Fury climb onto the edge of the bed to crouch over her on his hands and knees. When they were face-to-face he stopped to hover over her. Their gazes met.

“I won’t lose control this time and I will make sure I don’t draw blood with my kisses. Scoot up.”

Her attention roamed down his beautifully sculptured chest as she did as he instructed to reach the middle of his big bed. He still wore his briefs but they couldn’t hold down the proof of how aroused he’d become. She reached for the thick erection tenting the material. She felt the soft cotton under her palm when she slid it across the hard length of his trapped cock and then her hand closed over him gently, curving around the width of his shaft.

Memories were instant of the last time she’d seen him naked. He wasn’t freakishly large but definitely impressive and he’d brought her a lot of pleasure with his size. Her gaze lifted to his as she swallowed. Her hands worked his briefs down his thighs. He maneuvered enough to kick them away.

“You’re bigger than anyone…” She sealed her lips together when she saw his instant anger.

“I don’t want to hear about someone else who has touched you,” he growled.

She nodded. She could honestly say she wouldn’t want to hear about any women Fury had been with before either. Her intent had been to give him a compliment but he wasn’t a human guy, not fully, and she needed to remember that. She licked her dry lips. He growled softly.

“Roll over for me. Hands and knees. Just like me.”

She hesitated but rolled over under his body, onto her stomach. He helped her toss the remnants of her destroyed skirt out from under her and remove her bra. She didn’t want anything between them. He crouched over her. One of his hands slid under her hips to lift them up. She put her hands down to brace her upper weight. She had a good idea he wanted to mount her. That term fit. She remembered everything Breeze had shared about New Species men. When she positioned on her hands and knees, her body pressed up against his, she noted his hot body temperature. She inhaled that soft, wonderful scent he carried.

“Frightened?” His mouth brushed her ear. It tickled and she shivered in response, too turned on to laugh. His voice deepened into a very sexy tone. “Don’t be. I’m killing myself to be gentle with you. It isn’t a bad way to die.”

She turned her head to peer into his incredible eyes. His mouth moved next to hers, just a breath away. The urge to kiss him grew stronger. She pushed her back against his chest. He hesitated and then moved. He let her inch up against him, moving back as she did until he sat up and she leaned against his chest, nearly sitting on his lap.

“Kiss me,” she urged softly.

One of his hands flattened on her stomach. His hand opened wide and he slid his palm down her stomach and then lower, between her slightly parted thighs. His fingers teased her clit, rubbing her, and she moaned. Her mouth opened and Fury’s lips covered hers. His other hand cupped one of her breasts firmly. Their tongues met softly and then entwined.

Ellie moaned into his mouth while his fingertips traced the line of her sex, teasing her when his finger came close to entering her pussy. She pushed back against his body more, angling her hips to urge him to do just that. Fury growled into her mouth in response. His canine teeth slid against her tongue gently but Fury broke off the kiss. He breathed harsher when their gazes locked.

“I am going to lose control soon.” He lifted his hips against hers. He’d grown so hard his erection rubbed up against Ellie where his fingers were tracing the seam of her labia. He growled deeper, almost viciously. “Am I doing this right for you, the way you want?”

She nodded.

“I think you are so beautiful.”

“So are you,” she breathed. She thought of him as perfection.

He snarled, a scary sound.

She looked up at him to see his frown.

“What?”

“I’m not beautiful.”

She smiled. “I think you are. It’s a good thing.”

“Women are beautiful.”

“Men are too when they look the way you do.”

His frown deepened.

Ellie smiled. “Communication breakdown?”

He softly sighed. “Agreed.”

She laughed softly.

“You’re laughing during sex?”

“That’s a great thing. I’m having a good time.”

“I’m not. I want inside you so much it hurts.”

She bit her lip to avoid laughing again. “Breeze and I talked. She mentioned something about mounting.” She dropped forward to her hands to bend in front of him and turned her head to give him a sexy look over her shoulder. Her legs spread, her back arched, and she pushed her ass up. “Is this right?”

He draped his body over hers in a heartbeat, caging her inside his arms. His chest pressed tightly against her back. “Yes.”

“Go ahead.” Her gaze held his. “Mount me, Fury. I want you to.”

“I will be gentle.”

“I hope so. You’re pretty big. Go slow to give me time to adjust to you.”

He reached between them. Ellie closed her eyes to concentrate on the wondrous sensation of the crown of his cock sliding, teasing the length of her slick folds. It brushed her swollen clit, drew a moan from her, and then pressed against the entrance of her vagina. She was wet and ready for him, soaked with desire. He growled deep. His chest against her back rumbled from the sound as he started to press inside.

“Relax.”

She swallowed. “I am.”

His cock had appeared pretty thick and memory of their first time verified that. When he started to breach her pussy it resisted the broad tip, not wanting to admit something that size. Another growl tore from Fury’s throat. He pushed inside her more, made her body stretch to fit him, and Ellie fought a loud moan at the immediate satisfaction of him filling the ache there. She feared he’d mistake it for pain if she made a sound. Fury froze and withdrew a little. He pushed forward again, delved deeper into her pussy. He groaned.

“Talk to me,” he suddenly urged in a frantic tone.

Ellie’s eyes flew open and she twisted her head to see a pained expression on his face. “What do you want me to say? I can’t think when you’re doing that. Don’t stop. It feels good. I can take you.”

He bit his lip. “Tell me not to hurt you. Tell me not to lose control and not to force my way into you so hard and deep that I make you scream. You’re so tight I’m afraid I’ll tear you up by being too rough. I want to fuck you hard and fast.”

It stunned Ellie. “Is that what you want to do?”

He growled.

“Sit back.”

His entire body tensed. “Why?”

“Please?”

He cursed viciously and withdrew totally from her body. Ellie straightened up when Fury collapsed to sit on his legs. He gripped his thighs hard enough that his knuckles turned white. His eyes were nearly black in color and filled with a look of frustrated passion.

Ellie eased back and curled her fingers around his cock. He closed his eyes, groaned, and his big frame quivered. It amazed her that just her touch created such a strong reaction from his body. She shifted closer to him and positioned her hips over his cock with her bent legs between his, her back to him, nearly sitting on his lap. Their gazes locked when his eyes snapped open.

“Can you hold really still?”

“If it kills me,” he swore.

“Don’t go that far.”

Ellie lowered her hips until the head of his cock pressed against her entrance again. She wiggled until his cock slid into her pussy with less resistance but he still felt too big, the fit too snug. The feeling became nearly painful but pleasurable too. She rose up and lowered herself. She kept doing it, each time she’d press down, Fury’s cock filled her more. Soft noises rumbled from him as a fine sheen of sweat broke out over his skin from the way he fought to control that big body of his.

He kept his hands locked on his thighs. Ellie moaned, moved against him a little faster, adjusted to him, until she completely sat on his lap, taking all of him. The sensation was amazingly good with him buried there, a part of her, and she loved that connected feeling she experienced. Every steely inch of him inside her pussy caressed sensitive nerves.

“Ellie,” he rasped.

Ellie experienced a moment of shock when Fury suddenly moved. He pushed both of them forward until he positioned her on her hands and knees under him. He took control by thrusting into her faster. She moaned every time his hips hit her ass. He was incredible, powerful, and raw ecstasy bloomed with each thrust. His lips brushed her shoulder with a kiss. He lifted a hand from the bed, wrapped it tightly around her waist to hold her in place, and seemed to let go of what little control he’d kept.

Moans tore from Ellie. He hammered against her ass, rocking against her with powerful strokes and his cock seemed to grow larger. Her body tensed and she screamed Fury’s name. Heat tore through her as she climaxed and she swore she could feel him actually getting thicker inside her until the pressure became nearly unbearable. Fury’s body tensed, bowing hers under him, and a sound she’d never heard filled the room as Fury made a loud, animalistic noise that resembled a half shout, half howl. Fury stilled completely, except they were both breathing heavily. The pressure eased against her vaginal walls but she could feel his cock quiver deep within her pussy, little tremors that teased her.

“Did I hurt you?” he panted. “I didn’t attempt to bite you this time.”

“You definitely didn’t hurt me,” she chuckled. “That was amazing.”

He chuckled too as he forced her body lower until he pinned flat onto her stomach. His cock remained inside her, his chest and hips pressed against her backside, and his legs rested on the outside of hers. He used his arms to brace his upper chest to keep his weight from crushing her.

“Um, Fury?”

He brushed a gentle kiss onto her cheek. “Yes?”

She opened her eyes and turned her head enough to see him. “What just happened?”

His eyebrows arched. “We had great sex.”

Ellie nodded her agreement. “The best but I happened to be talking about the pressure at the end. It felt as though…” She had no words to describe it.

“Oh…that.” His grin faded. “Your doctors found that interesting when we were examined. Our cocks swell right as we ejaculate. It’s nature’s way of locking a male inside a female at the end of sex with some species. We were assured by the doctors that it wouldn’t harm a woman. We can’t swell past what we’re contained inside. I pulled out of you last time before that happened but this time I wanted to come inside you.”

She let that information sink in, trying to grasp the concept of it. “Contained in? You mean me?”

“Yes. You are so tight it almost caused me pain. I could have swelled more but your body wouldn’t allow me to. It’s also why I didn’t pull out right after I came. I love being where I am but I think I’d hurt you if I tried to leave your body. Give it a minute or two more before I try to ease out of you.”

She blinked up at him. “You’re wider now than you were in the beginning?”

His expression grim, he gave a sharp nod. “You feel like a tight fist around me and it’s almost painful. That’s why I’m not moving. It’s at the base of my cock only.”

Ellie wiggled her hips and instantly stopped. She felt fused to him in the best way. She wiggled again under him and Fury groaned.

“Stop it.”

She studied him. “Move out a tiny bit.”

“Am I hurting you?”

“No. I’m curious.”

He watched her intently when he used his arms to push back in an attempt to withdraw slowly.

“Stop!”

He froze.

Ellie stared up at him. “Let’s not do that again. The pressure…”

“Hurts when I try to pull out?”

She hesitated. “It just feels weird but not painful.”

He sighed. “Does this turn you off?”

She hesitated but smiled. “I guess this means if we do this again I can turn you into a cuddler.”

“A what?” A confused look transformed his handsome features.

She laughed. “You know. Cuddle. Hold me. You’ll have to talk to me after sex.”

His teeth flashed when he grinned. “You can definitely turn me into a cuddler. And we will do this again. Many, many times.”

“Oh boy,” Ellie laughed. “Lucky me.”

Fury’s amusement died. “I am the lucky one, Ellie. Thank you for trusting me. This means more to me than the sexual pleasure we just shared.”

She stared into his beautiful eyes and fought the urge to cry. He really meant what he said. She decided to change the subject before she turned into a blubbering mess. No guy wanted a woman to get all emotional after hot sex. It would make him regret what they’d done and she wasn’t willing to risk that.

“How come you didn’t tell me that would happen—about the swelling?”

“I didn’t know how you would react.”

Another unmentioned part of them having sex together suddenly came into her thoughts. “We didn’t use a condom. I don’t have any diseases but I’m not on anything. The Pill or any contraceptives,” she clarified. “I need to see a doctor if we are going to start having sex. We took a big risk.”

“I don’t use condoms and I’m certain I can’t get you pregnant.”

She searched his eyes. His voice held a sad tone but that emotion didn’t show on his face. “Why not?”

He slowly withdrew from her body and watched her features for any sign of discomfort. It didn’t hurt Ellie. He rolled to the side to stretch out on his back. Ellie turned her head and stayed on her stomach. Their gazes met.

“Ellie, inside the testing facility they spent years doing breeding experiments to make more of us but it never happened. They kept coming up with new drugs to make it possible for us to be fertile but they always failed. By the time they believed they had found a way around all the changes they’d made to our bodies with the DNA they added, we were rescued before they could test them out. The drugs they gave us have worn off. We will die out as a race when old age claims the last New Species that Mercile created.”

The reminder of what had been done to them haunted her. She had no words of comfort to give him.

Fury sat up suddenly. “Let’s shower. I’m starving and what you cooked for dinner smells really delicious. I’m glad you took it out of the oven when I walked in the door. It smells too tasty to have been wasted if it burned.” He refused to look at Ellie.

Fury walked into the bathroom and left the door open. Ellie softly cursed. She’d reminded him of his time in the testing facility. Maybe it reminded him of what she’d done, how he should hate her, and made him regret what they’d just shared. That left her cold inside. Water turned on inside the bathroom.

“Ellie? I’m waiting for you.”

She climbed off the bed to follow him into the bathroom. Fury stood holding the shower door open. His dark eyes met hers and he smiled.

“Allow me to wash your hair.”

Surprised and relieved that he welcomed her company, she smiled back at him. “No one has ever done for me before. At least not since I was a little kid.”

His smile widened. “Then you are in for a treat.”

* * * * *

Ellie finished loading the dishwasher. She listened to the quiet house. Fury had informed her that he needed to make phone calls after dinner when she’d started rinsing the dishes. She wondered who he had to call after eight o’clock at night but hadn’t wanted to be nosy.

Ellie flipped off the kitchen light and strolled into the living room. Fury stood in front of the wide-open front door and soft male voices greeted her. She spun away to head down the hallway to the guest bedroom, not wanting to eavesdrop on his conversation with whoever had come to see him.

She flipped on the television and sat on the bed. The local news station wasn’t hard to find. She wanted to know what they were saying about a New Species and a human hooking up. It certainly concerned her.

Fury walked into the bedroom a few minutes later. She turned her head to give him a tentative smile. He didn’t smile back, looking grim instead.

“I have to go out. There are some matters my people need me to attend.”

Ellie nodded, curious, but didn’t ask when he didn’t offer up the information readily. “All right.”

He hesitated. “I don’t want you to be here when I come home.”

Shock tore through Ellie as she mutely stared at him. He’d had sex with her, they’d showered together, laughed during dinner, and now he wanted to throw her out of his home? She couldn’t even form words. She felt physically and emotionally gut-punched.

Fury moved suddenly, charged at her, gripped her upper arms and jerked her to a standing position. “You have an expressive face. I meant I don’t want you staying in this room. You belong in my bedroom where I want you from now on. Do you really think I would ask you to leave our home? I meant I don’t want you sleeping away from me. You belong in my bed, sleeping in my room, with me.”

She could breathe again. She knew it bordered on pathetic, being so intensely relieved at the misunderstanding.

Fury growled at her. “Move your things into my room. I will hunt you down and tie you to my bed if you leave my house. I will mount you until you are too tired to even think about crawling away from me. Is that clear enough for you?”

She mutely nodded. The image of him wearing her out until she couldn’t even crawl turned her on. That was a whole lot of sex. She bit her lip and grinned at him.

Fury shook his head. “Women.”

“Communication breakdown.”

Fury’s hold on her arms eased and his gaze softened. “You think I’m beautiful.”

“I do.”

“Understand I mean it about tying you to my bed. Don’t leave me. I don’t want to lose you. I won’t.”

“I want to stay with you.”

Chapter Twelve

“No,” Fury roared.

Ellie heard the commotion after the doorbell rang. They had planned to spend Saturday together watching movies. Ellie had just finished a load of laundry while Fury made popcorn. At Fury’s outburst, Ellie ran from the bedroom where she’d started folding clothes.

Justice, two NSO security officers, and Fury faced off inside the living room. Ellie came to an abrupt halt when she realized how tense the situation appeared to be. She worried a brawl might break out between the men and stayed frozen by the doorway.

Justice crossed his arms over his chest. He wore jeans and a T-shirt. His dark gaze slid to Ellie. The enraged expression on his face surprised her. His features were tense and his lips pressed together to form a grim line.

“I said no.” Fury growled deeply. He backed up toward Ellie but he didn’t glance her way. “Ellie, come here now and get behind me.”

Fear inched up Ellie’s spine immediately at the tone of Fury’s voice. She did as he demanded without thinking about it. One of his arms curved back and pulled her snugly against his back until she nearly hugged him from behind. His body felt rigid. Ellie didn’t know what had made him angry but when she moved her head enough to peer around Fury’s body, the fear rose. The NSO officers had their hands on their Taser weapons.

“Fury,” Justice growled. “Her people are concerned. I am just saying they need to see and talk to her. We will bring her back. No one will harm her.”

“I go with her or she doesn’t leave.” Fury snarled deep within his chest.

Justice snarled back. “The humans are being unreasonable but once they see her, are assured you haven’t hurt her, they will let the matter drop.”

“No!”

Ellie cleared her throat. “What is going on?” She looked to Justice for the answer.

“You aren’t leaving with them,” Fury ordered harshly as he glanced over his shoulder at her. “They won’t allow me come with them to protect you and I won’t let them to take you from me.” His dark gaze tore from hers and he glared at the men inside the living room. Fury took another step back, forcing Ellie into a corner with his body in front of hers.

Ellie’s heart raced from adrenaline. She realized Fury protected her by sealing her into a corner to prevent anyone from reaching her without going through him first. She rubbed his back with her hands, trying to silently calm him. She had to wiggle to see around Fury and her attention returned to Justice.

“Who wants to see me and why? What is going on?”

Justice flashed sharp teeth as his upper lip curled with disgust and then his shoulders straightened. He took a deep breath as he met Ellie’s questioning stare. “Some of your people think Fury is forcing you to stay here like some kind of…” He shrugged. “They are afraid he is raping and beating you, and whatever else they can think up that would be monstrous.”

“That’s not true.” Ellie huffed in outrage. “Who is saying that bullshit?”

Justice growled. “Your boss made those charges. Director Boris has everyone in an uproar over your supposed mistreatment.”

“Hey, he’s not my boss anymore. God, he’s an asshole.” Ellie stopped rubbing Fury’s back. She kept her body against his though and she curled a hand around his waist loosely. “Fury, it’s all right. No one is going to hurt me.”

“They aren’t taking you away from me,” Fury snarled. He backed up more, pushing Ellie into the corner tighter.

“She has to come with us,” Justice growled. “Look at how you are acting. What is wrong with you? She’s not a chew toy, Fury. You’re behaving the way they are accusing us of being. Calm down.”

“No one is going to hurt my Ellie.”

Justice’s eyebrows rose as surprise transformed his features. “Your Ellie? You’re breeding with her, aren’t you?” His voice softened. “You won’t let us get close enough to her to smell her. Is that why?”

“She’s mine,” Fury snarled.

Justice’s normally tan skin tone paled slightly. His gaze swung to Ellie. “Did he force you? Are you all right?”

Ellie flinched over the memory of Justice discovering her tied to Fury’s bed. “I’m great except for being crammed into a corner. Fury, you’re crushing me. Could you please stop pushing back? This isn’t a good way for you to pin me against a wall.” She relaxed when he gave her a few inches of breathing room. She locked her gaze with Justice’s surprised ones. “Fury hasn’t forced me to do anything—he never has. We’re great. We’re fine.”

“He didn’t just breed you. He mated you.” It was a grim-sounding statement Justice made.

Ellie hesitated. “We’re sleeping together if that’s what you mean. Yes. We’re great. Everything is fine and I want to be here. Fury wouldn’t hurt me. You know him so you should know that.”

Justice’s eyes narrowed. “What about last time? What he did wasn’t rational.”

A blush warmed Ellie’s cheeks. “We were working things out. He didn’t mean to hurt me. He accidentally scratched me with his teeth.”

Eyebrows rose. “How does one accidentally kidnap a woman from a park and tie her naked to a bed?”

“That part wasn’t an accident but you know that. I told you why he took me from the park.”

Fury stiffened against her and turned his head to stare at her with shock. She glanced at him, inwardly winced, and returned her full attention to Justice. She had a sinking feeling she and Fury were going to have a tense conversation in the very near future.

Ellie refused to acknowledge the two NSO officers. She wished a hole would open up under her. She didn’t want to discuss this but she knew Justice was concerned for her safety. He’d brought men with him who looked ready to possibly hurt Fury to get her away from him.

“You know we had some issues. He might have gotten me into his bed without my agreement but once there, it turned consensual. I told you he didn’t rape me and I wasn’t being dishonest or covering for him, damn it. He asked my permission before he entered me.”

Justice watched her closely, studying her for a long moment. He finally nodded. “I see. You were seduced until you couldn’t refuse him.”

She took a deep breath. “I’ve always been very attracted to Fury. He didn’t have to try real hard. Can we please drop this now? I’m here with Fury because I really want to be.”

Justice turned to the two NSO officers. “Go outside and guard the door.”

The two men closed the door behind them as they left. Justice ran his fingers through his hair and let his hands drop to his sides. A thumb hooked inside the front pocket of his jeans. He focused on Fury.

Fury hated to feel fear but he experienced it now. He knew he alarmed Justice with his gruff behavior and possessiveness of Ellie. Panic still coursed through him that somehow the humans would whisk her away from Homeland, out of his reach. He didn’t trust Director Boris. The human had beady eyes and failed to hide his dislike for New Species.

Some of the human employees weren’t happy over Ellie living with him and they resented a human being with his kind. Ellie had become his, making her a New Species, and humans had no claim on her anymore in his opinion. It was that simple. If he were allowed to go with her to see Director Boris, he’d feel more secure that nothing would happen but they refused to allow him to be present. That triggered every alarm inside him.

He’d assigned a New Species guard outside to protect Ellie from being taken while he worked. He’d go to any lengths to keep her safe. He met Justice’s gaze and didn’t look away. His friend knew how deeply his feelings for Ellie ran.

Justice watched him with curiosity. “I’m concerned because you act so differently when it comes to the female.”

“I am aware but I would never hurt her. Trust me.”

Justice’s cat eyes narrowed. “I do. I’m sorry for implying otherwise but you have to admit you’re not always yourself when it comes to your female.”

“I’m aware of that as well.”

The two men studied each other. Justice spoke first. “They are pressuring me to bring her to see them, to verify that she is fine. I have no choice and you know that we must appease their concerns.”

It was difficult to be reasonable when it came to Ellie but he knew Justice had a good point. The humans were still wary of New Species and they had to be concerned with her well-being. To be honest, if it were any other New Species male with a human female, he’d be closely monitoring the situation too. Fury sighed, calmed, and knew Ellie wouldn’t leave him willingly. He needed to allow the humans to see her.

“They want a doctor to examine her. They are worried. Hell, I’m worried. We’ve talked about crossing this line but I know of no one who has so far, except you and her.” Justice paused. “So we’re compatible sexually?”

Fury nodded. “A little different as we suspected but it works out extremely well. She doesn’t need a doctor. I would not hurt her.”

Justice frowned. “What about biting?” His gaze roamed her bared skin around her throat and shoulders. His gaze swung back to Fury. “They are more fragile than our women and they don’t heal as fast.”

“I don’t bite her.”

“You actually bite during sex?” That surprised Ellie. The discussion about her sex life with Fury embarrassed her but curiosity won out. “I didn’t know that.”

Fury looked at her and flashed his fangs for a split second when he lifted his upper lip. “I don’t think you would enjoy it.”

She studied his canine teeth. “Probably not.”

Fury snorted, amusement flickered in his brown eyes, before he faced Justice. “I will allow her to go but I stay at her side. Those hate groups have already attacked her for working here. I won’t risk her life now that it’s rumored she lives with me. It’s made her a bigger target.”

“I understand but Director Boris is adamant that you not be present. He is afraid you’ve dealt out severe enough abuse to her that she’d be too terrified to be truthful in your presence.”

“I don’t give a damn what Boris wants,” Fury growled. “She’s mine and not his. She is none of his concern anymore.”

Ellie shifted her weight, eased her body out of the corner, and wiggled around Fury. He let her move until she tried to step away from him. One arm snagged around her waist to prevent her from leaving his reach. He pulled her back against the front of him until she leaned back against his body. Ellie relaxed. She loved him holding her regardless of the circumstances. She curled her fingers around his forearm to assure him she didn’t plan to move.

Justice watched them with interest. “Did you mate her the first day you brought her into your home?”

“We mated last night.” Fury’s body relaxed. “I don’t trust Boris. I don’t trust anyone with her life. She’s mine, Justice. I won’t allow anyone to harm her. Not even you with your concerns.”

“I’d never harm her,” Justice swore softly. “I give you my word nothing will happen to her and I would defend her with my life. I need to take her with me to see the director. We’re close to taking over and he will be gone soon but for now we must work with him. I’ll bring her right back. They want a doctor to examine her first but I won’t leave her side. We need to set their minds at ease, Fury. They are concerned about our breeding habits combining with theirs. They are sure you bred with her and they will not leave this alone.”

“They don’t know for sure if Fury and I have been intimate, right?” Ellie spoke.

Justice nodded. “All it will take is one whiff to tell them the truth. Now that you are close to me I can smell Fury’s scent. You are covered in it.”

Ellie hesitated. “Guess what? We can’t smell as good as you guys do. All we can do is study things with our eyes and speculate.”

Justice slowly smiled. “I forget about that. We take it for granted.”

She nodded. “They can only hypothesize about what Fury and I have done together.”

The smile faded from Justice’s face. “You are living with him.”

“She’s mine,” Fury stated softly with a threatening tone. “She will continue to live with me. That isn’t up for debate.”

Justice studied Fury very closely. “Are you all right? You’re very possessive.”

“I’m fine. I admit I feel possessive. She is mine and it is that simple.”

Justice hesitated. “You definitely mated her. This is far beyond breeding with a female. I will take her to see Boris and then bring her back to you. I won’t leave her side.”

“You will protect her as if she is one of ours,” Fury demanded.

Justice nodded. “She is yours and that means she is one of ours.”

Fury’s arm eased its tight hold around her waist and both hands gripped her hips. He spun her to face him until their gazes met.

“I will get you back if they try to make you leave Homeland. No one will keep you from me.”

It startled Ellie at how fierce he sounded but she nodded. “I’ll be home really soon. I…” She wanted say she loved him but resisted. The level of emotion she felt toward him didn’t come as a surprise to her. “I will miss you,” she finally settled on saying.

Fury cupped her face with both hands and leaned down until their noses nearly touched. “You will be missed too.” His passionate gaze lifted from hers to stare pointedly over her head. “Bring her back soon and protect her at all costs.”

“I will,” Justice swore. “With my very life if need be. Let’s go, Ellie. You will want to put on shoes.”

* * * * *

Ellie darted glances at the intimidating big men who surrounded her and fought a claustrophobic feeling from too many bodies pressed tightly together. No one touched her but she knew if she lifted her arm she’d brush against an NSO officer. Justice acted as though her life were in extreme danger. It made her more than a little terrified until they entered the conference room. The shock at seeing the room packed to full capacity overwhelmed the fear. She clenched her teeth to prevent her jaw from dropping open as her glance darted around the room filled with at least sixty-plus people. It had to set a new record for attendance for a meeting.

Director Boris stood behind a table in the back. “Ms. Brower.”

Ellie’s gaze met his and anger surged. She glanced at Darren Artino, who stood next to the director. Other familiar faces were present but most of the people weren’t ones she recognized. Their seemed solely focused on her. It left her feeling as though she were a bug under a microscope. Justice motioned his NSO officers to spread out with a flick of his hand but he stayed at her side to address Director Boris.

“Here is Ellie Brower and you can see she is fine.” Justice’s irritation sounded in his voice.

Darren Artino cleared his throat while he studied Ellie. “It has been brought to our attention you might want to leave Mr. Fury’s home. We’re concerned about you.”

Ellie crossed her arms over her chest and thrust her chin out, really uncomfortable with everyone staring at her. “I’m fine. Mr. Fury has been nice enough to let me crash in his guestroom.” She paused, glaring openly at Director Boris, not bothering to hide her dislike of him. “I was nearly kidnapped by a few members of the hate groups who picket outside after I left Homeland. Mr. Fury is concerned about my safety. I’m much better off here than outside those gates.”

A blonde woman with her hair pulled into a tight bun stood. She wore a trim, black business suit. “I’m Doctor Trisha Norbit.”

The woman appeared too young to be a doctor but Ellie didn’t share her opinion aloud. “It’s nice to meet you.” She wasn’t sure what else to say.

“We were told you and Mr. Fury have become very close. I’d like to examine you to make sure you are in good health and we could discuss some things.” The woman glanced around the room and then gave Ellie a meaningful look. “In private, of course.”

“There’s nothing to talk about and I don’t need a medical exam.” Ellie sighed loudly, not wanting to spend the day there. “Look, I’ll get to the point. I heard the reports on the news. I know you believe Mr. Fury has hurt me or some other bullshit but that’s not true.” She shot another dirty look toward Director Boris and then turned her attention to the doctor. “I’m his guest who sleeps in the spare bedroom. I hardly see him and there’s nothing dirty going on. I don’t even know why I’m here but Mr. North said I had to show up so everyone can see I’m all right. My day was going great until I had to come here for everyone to gawk at me, imagining the worst.”

“Are you and Mr. Fury involved in a physical relationship?” A stranger spoke.

Ellie glared at him. “That is rude to ask a person, way out of line, but the answer is no. Didn’t I just say that? Mr. Fury is a perfect gentleman. I sleep in his guestroom.”

“But you are living with him.” The man glared at Ellie, his hostility clear. “We know you both are sexually active together.”

Ellie lost her temper. She took a step toward the rude man but stopped. “We’re roommates. Did you miss that part? Are you one of those stupid people who believe a man and woman can’t share a home without jumping into bed together?”

An older man sighed. “We didn’t mean any disrespect, Ms. Brower. It’s just that we need to know about it if you and Mr. Fury are having sexual relations. You would be the first couple between the two species who have had sexual intercourse that we’re aware of. We need to run tests and study this.” He shoved his glasses higher up the bridge of his nose. “There could be dangerous side effects. We’re looking out for your best interest and Mr. Fury’s. You wouldn’t want to harm him in some way, would you?”

Ellie frowned. “I understand what you’re saying but understand this. I am not with Mr. Fury in the way you’re implying. We aren’t having intercourse, as you put it. He’s just a really nice guy who allows me to live with him until I can find another job. I went outside the gates and my association with New Species nearly got me kidnapped by fanatical freaks. I’m safer here, living at Homeland.”

“Fine.” Director Boris sighed loudly. “You can have your job back at the women’s dorm immediately. We’ll send security with you to Mr. Fury’s home to collect your belongings.”

The floor may as well have opened up under Ellie. She gaped at Director Boris. That evil bastard. She had to calm down before she responded by shaking her head no, refusing to allow him to force her away from Fury. All eyes inside the room were scrutinizing her for a reaction and she knew it. Damn it. She forced her mind to work as she cocked her head to glare at the jerk.

“I would love my old job back, believe me, but the reason I lost it in the first place is because you were trying to force me to commit perjury. You didn’t like the new NSO security team who rescued me when Homeland guards couldn’t handle the attack. You ordered me to file a false complaint saying horrible things against them that weren’t true. They saved my life while your security guards couldn’t even get to me.”

She saw the color leave his face and many of the gazes turned from staring at her to fix on Director Boris. He appeared too shocked to do much but dart his gaze around the room.

“I don’t work for people who tell me to make up false accusations, nasty ones at that, and then fire me because I won’t do it. I would have quit if you hadn’t canned me. I refuse to work for you, Director Boris. I’ll find my own job where I’m not ordered to lie.”

“That’s not true,” Director Boris finally sputtered. He pointed a finger at Ellie. “Have her escorted out of here now and I want her removed from Homeland permanently!”

Justice glared at one of the security guards who stepped toward Ellie. She nearly backed into an NSO officer who’d inched closer to her. She realized all the NSO officers had surrounded her again protectively. Ellie froze in place and so did the security guard intent on removing her from the room.

“That is a good point,” Justice’s coldly stated. “Do you have a problem with my teams, Director? Unless someone lied to me, this place has been set up so we may structure our own community, create a real home for New Species, and that includes training our own security teams. Ms. Brower informed me about the conversation that took place between the two of you the day you fired her. Speaking of which, you had no right to do that in the first place without my consent. You really overstepped your bounds and here you are repeating that offense. This woman is under New Species protection yet you dare order her removed by force?”

An older man sporting a suit stood suddenly and moved around a table. He walked toward Director Boris, a deep frown creasing his face. “Jerry?” He obviously knew the director on a first-name basis.

“It’s not true,” Director Boris sputtered. “One of his men, that Fury she’s living with now, carried Ms. Brower into a bathroom and stripped her naked. He gave her his underwear to put on. She washed up at the sinks and he had to have watched her strip and bathe. I just tried to protect the woman by making her tell the truth and come forward about the abuse she suffered. We can’t have security forcing women into bathrooms to take advantage of them.”

The older man arched his eyebrow at Ellie. “Is this true?”

“No,” she ground out. “Yes, Fury took me into the bathroom since blood covered me. He stepped into a stall, removed his underclothing to lend me something to wear, while I washed myself privately. I had blood caked on my skin. The only other option involved walking around naked or putting my wet, bloody clothing on again. We were in lockdown and no other clothes were available. I told the director this clearly but instead he made horrible accusations that I’d been sexually molested or was some kind of mega slut who would do a guy inside a bathroom after the most traumatic experience of my life. Director Boris ordered me to write the report accusing Mr. Fury of horrible things but that’s not what happened. I refused to make up sick things like that just because it really angered him when the NSO security team saved my life.”

The older man studied Ellie silently with icy blue eyes. He finally nodded and turned to face Director Boris. “Jerry, I hate to do this but I’m replacing you immediately. There seems to be a conflict and this is too important a project to allow for any kind of misunderstandings.” The man addressed Justice. “I apologize. Obviously we’ve been given some incorrect information. I am the new director.” He paused. “Of course, only if that is acceptable to you.”

Justice nodded. “Fine, Tom. I have a telephone conference call with the president in ten minutes. I’ll be leaving now.” Justice nodded to his men. He held out his arm to Ellie. “Shall we, Ms. Brower?”

Ellie shot one last glare at Director Boris. Ex-director, she reminded herself, and linked her arm with Justice’s. The NSO security team surrounded them as they left the building.

“Remind me to never piss you off, Ms. Brower,” Justice softly chuckled as they walked outside.

She glanced up at him. “That wasn’t about being pissed off. I admit I’ve been a little angry but I was mostly scared.”

He stopped and peered at her with curiosity. “Of what? We wouldn’t have allowed any harm to come to you. They weren’t going to allow you to be tossed outside the gates again.”

She didn’t say a word. She couldn’t be sure if she could trust him.

He watched her for a long moment. “You thought they were going to take you from Fury? That was the source of your fear?”

Hell, she thought. Am I that transparent? She looked away from him to glance around the parking lot. Cars were jammed along the street that usually didn’t allow parking. She nodded.

Fury had been such an important part of her life since she’d first laid eyes on him. She’d have done anything for him. She’d dreamed about him, continued working undercover at Mercile despite her terror of being killed, and even taken a job working for the New Species in an attempt to right the wrong she’d done to him. She’d walked away from her family and her friends after the life-altering event of seeing Fury. Now her world centered on him and his people. They were together, a couple, and she didn’t want to lose him. It would tear her apart inside.