Smiley turned. “It’s down the hallway. This really is the honeymoon suite. There are two of them in the hotel. Most of the suites have two bedrooms. I requested this one specifically because it faces the back of the hotel and has a balcony.” He strode down a short hallway and passed through open double doors. He paused there.
“Wow.” Vanni stared at the huge bed but the Jacuzzi bathtub and second fireplace quickly distracted her. It was a massive tub, big enough to fit four people at least.
“That’s for later. You fell asleep last night so we are going to find out if we enjoy sex in water.”
“Sorry. You might have mega stamina but I guess I was tired. I told you that you could have woken me up.”
He chuckled. “You were too damn cute sleeping in my arms. Let’s eat.” He spun and headed back to the living room. “We missed breakfast and I want you to relax a little before we go to Security.”
She wasn’t sure if she could eat. Her nerves were on edge. “I’m not sure about seeing Carl, his dad and Bruce.”
“You don’t have to go.” He set her on her feet next to the table and pulled back a chair. “No one would blame you. I would actually prefer that you didn’t.”
She sat, grateful for his manners as he pushed her chair in and took a seat across from her. “I need to.”
He lifted both lids and just put them on the floor. There was a full spread of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. The tantalizing smell revived her appetite. She unwrapped the silverware and carefully placed the napkin on her lap.
“There’s a cafeteria on the first floor. They serve good food. I hope this is okay. I could order something else. They always have a buffet open but I thought it would be best to eat in private.”
“This is fantastic. Thank you. You think of everything.”
“Good.”
“Speaking of which—any word on how we’re going to get Beth here today?”
“They are going to send a team to pick her up at the address you gave us, after confirming a time with her. The task force will drive her to Homeland and fly her to us. How did she take the news?”
Vanni grinned, remembering the crack-of-dawn phone call she’d placed right after Smiley had left. “She was surprised but took it pretty well.”
“She isn’t upset that you are mating a Species and will live at the NSO?”
Vanni wasn’t sure if Smiley would appreciate Beth’s sense of humor but risked it. “She said, and I quote, ‘thank god it’s not Carl’.”
His eyebrows rose.
“That’s Beth-speak for she’s okay with it.”
“Beth-speak?”
“She is someone you have to get used to. We’re opposites. She’s very outgoing and kind of has a twisted sense of humor. She sounded excited though, and promised to jump through whatever hoops it took to get here. I told her to expect a call from Homeland. I also swore her to secrecy. Thankfully, Elvis wasn’t there. I was surprised since I woke her up but she didn’t go into details. She seemed irritated with him. I think she was kind of relieved to be coming here instead of staying there any longer.”
“Isn’t the male her boyfriend?”
“It’s complicated.”
Smiley arched an eyebrow.
Vanni struggled for a way to explain it. “She really likes spending time with him but she’s not in love. I know they were sleeping together last year and I thought it was getting serious but then she called it quits. She said he wanted more than she was willing to give. Now they go out every once in a while but she doesn’t want to hurt him by leading him on.”
“To what?”
Vanni grinned. “To thinking she’s serious about building a future with him when she isn’t.”
“Oh.” He ate some of his food. “She just wants to share sex with him without bonding.”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad you’re not like her. I’d never be able to give you up.”
“I’m glad too.”
They smiled at each other before finishing breakfast. Smiley rose to his feet. “I’m going to make a few calls to make certain everything is arranged at Security and that they are ready for us to visit.” He held her gaze. “You know you don’t have to go with me.”
She placed her napkin on the table and stood. “I’ll regret it if I don’t. I’ll feel like a coward. I need closure.”
“I just don’t want you upset.” He glanced down at her stomach, then up.
“In case I’m pregnant?”
“It crossed my mind. I won’t deny that. I want to protect you either way.”
“It’s not like I’m going to get into a physical altercation with anyone.”
Smiley made that deep rumbling sound and his hands fisted at his sides. She inched closer to him.
“You’re so hot in a sexy way when you get angry.”
He relaxed. “I am?”
“I think it’s so romantic that you want to kick someone’s ass over me.”
He reached up and brushed her hair away from her cheek, caressing the side of her face with his thumb. “I’d do anything for you.”
Her belly quivered and her nipples tightened. “Now you’re just turning me on.”
He turned his head and looked at the clock on the wall. “They are expecting me to call.” He appeared undecided. “We could stay here rather than go.”
“You have your heart set on kicking a little ass.”
“You’re more important.”
“I know, but this is too. We both have some questions that need to be answered.”
“Exactly.” He reached down and took her hand. “And I want to punch them.” He smiled. “A lot.”
She laughed. “Make your calls. I’m going to use the bathroom. We’ll leave in a few minutes.”
“Hurry.” He released her.
Vanni used the bathroom and washed her hands. She stared at her reflection in the mirror over the sink while taking a few deep breathes. She wasn’t sure how she’d hold up to facing Carl, his father or that horrible Bruce. Part of her was tempted just to stay at the hotel but she stiffened her spine. The other part of her knew she needed to be there with Smiley. The Woods Church and her ex-fiancé had thrown them together. She wanted the satisfaction of telling them how that had worked out.
Some of the queasy feeling passed. She reached down and touched her stomach. A little excitement rose at the prospect of being pregnant. The idea was growing on her. It was a long shot but there was always next month or the one after. She had stopped taking her pills since she’d been kidnapped. She hadn’t even remembered that until Smiley had told her she might be pregnant. A little guilt surfaced. She should have told him about it when she realized.
“Tell him later. After this ordeal,” she muttered and exited the bathroom.
* * * * *
Smiley positioned Vanni in a chair facing the glass wall. The occupants about to be led into the next room wouldn’t be able to see her. He’d made her aware of that fact so she felt totally at ease. He crouched down, studying her eyes.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes.”
She was brave. He knew the next moments weren’t going to be easy on her. His gaze drifted to Jericho. The male nodded grimly. He’d promised to stay with Vanni and tend to her if she became emotionally distressed. Smiley trusted the male with his mate. He looked at Vanni and leaned in closer, taking her hand.
“You can leave at any time. Jericho will be here with you. You just tell him whatever you want or need and he’ll make sure it happens.”
She held his gaze and tried to smile. “I know. You told me. I’m good. Stop worrying about me.”
“I might hit them.” He wanted her prepared. “I know you are tenderhearted about violence.”
“Not as much as you think. I’ve grown as a person since this has happened.”
He wasn’t sure what that meant. She seemed to understand his confusion.
“I bashed Bruce over the head w
ith a glass bottle after assaulting him with makeup products. It felt good. I’m not as fragile as you seem to think.”
She amused him. “Okay. Just tell Jericho if it becomes too much.” He glanced at the male again.
“I’ll take care of her,” Jericho promised.
Smiley brushed a kiss on the back of her hand and released her. He stood and left her there, allowing his temper to build as soon as the door closed. The first male was being led into the room when he reached it. The sight of Carl Woods in person stunned him. The male really was puny. He wasn’t very tall and had almost no muscle.
Torrent shoved the male into a chair but there were no restraints placed on him. Smiley closed the door, glaring at the thin blond human. He stared back but showed no fear. It irritated Smiley.
“I’m a lawyer,” Carl stated. “I’ve made a mental list of every one of my civil rights the NSO has violated.” He crossed his arms over his chest and his chin rose in stubborn defiance. “I can’t wait to get you assholes in a court of law. You can kiss your asses goodbye.”
Torrent flashed his fangs in a grimace and his leather gloves made a slight noise as he fisted both hands and then flexed his fingers. “Believe it or not, this is the least annoying of the bunch. He’s not wailing or pretending he’s Species.”
Smiley knew his eyebrows shot up.
Torrent nodded. “A few of their security staff wanted to have a snarling contest. Literally. I think they figured the one with the loudest growl got to play alpha. It was so pitiful it wasn’t even humorous.” He glared at Carl. “This one just makes threats with human laws no matter how often he’s been corrected.”
“This asshole isn’t listening. I assume you’re in charge.” Carl addressed Smiley. “I demand to speak to my lawyer or to a representative of the US government.”
Torrent sighed. “Again, there isn’t one inside the NSO.” He fixed his gaze on Smiley. “Make it stop. Please? I’m not allowed to hit him unless he strikes me first.”
“I’m not in charge.” Smiley drew closer to the human. “You should be familiar with me though. You had to have seen me on television with Vanni.”
It gave him satisfaction when the human paled. His eyes widened too and he sat up straighter in the chair.
“That’s right. I’m the one who was drugged with her in that hotel bar.” He lunged and grabbed the male, hauling him out of his seat. He strode to the nearest wall, close to the glass, and slammed him against it. Carl grunted but didn’t try to fight. He was docile for a male. It disgusted Smiley and he glared down at him.
“Finally,” Torrent sighed.
Smiley ignored him and lifted Carl a few inches off the floor. The male appeared terrified but he hung limply, not even struggling. He’d wanted the male to fight but he didn’t even grab at him. His arms stayed at his sides.
“Hit me,” Smiley taunted.
“No. You’re a bully.” Carl whispered the words.
Smiley dropped him on his feet and stepped back. “It would be like hitting a female.”
“I’d still do it if I were allowed,” Torrent muttered. “Just wait and listen to him. You’ll change your mind.”
Carl smoothed out some of the wrinkles from his shirt but stayed against the wall. He stared up at Smiley. “That’s another violation. Brutality.”
“You want to accuse me of brutality? What about what you and your father did to Vanni? I know everything.”
“I’m not accountable for my father’s alleged actions.”
“You lured her to his home and knew they’d set a trap for her.”
Carl crossed his arms over his chest again. “I did no such thing. I deny that charge.”
“See?” Torrent walked over to the table and sat. “He appears less female every time he opens his mouth.”
Smiley returned his focus to Carl. “Forget your laws. They don’t apply here.”
“I demand to speak to a representative of the US government.”
“Like a damn parrot bird,” Torrent growled. “Stop saying that, human. Fuck. I want to break your jaw. I’ve heard it two dozen times in the last hour alone.”
Smiley reached out and grabbed the human by his throat. He didn’t apply enough force to do damage but it was to make a point. He squeezed just enough to make the male aware of his strength.
“Let me tell you a few things before you open your mouth again. Vanni is mine now and I don’t give a damn about your court of law. You’ve already been judged and found guilty. You lured her to that home and I know about the life insurance policy you took out on her. I believe you planned to marry and murder her for money. You didn’t care what was done to her as long as there was a dead body to show to that insurance company to get your check.”
He leaned in and put his lips next to the male’s ear. “I’d kill you but I don’t want Vanni to see it. You’re a piece of shit and you’re never going to see daylight again. You never deserved her. She will be happy while you learn what hell is.” He lowered his voice even more. “That doesn’t mean she will always be on the other side of the glass. I can visit you at any time. Let’s give you six months of living in a cage and I bet you will want to hit me then. We are going to fight at some point. Know that.”
Smiley leaned back and saw fear in the male’s eyes. He let him go and put space between them. “I suggest you start doing pushups in your cell and pull-ups from the bars above your head. Get in shape. You’re going to need to be.”
Torrent chuckled.
“You can take him away now.” Smiley glanced at the glass, hoping Vanni wasn’t upset with him.
Torrent slid off the table, grabbed Carl by the arm and led him out of the room. Smiley didn’t have long to wait. The big male who was brought in next needed no introduction. He had a bandage on his neck that extended upward to the crown of his head. He wasn’t a weak human. Torrent stayed at the door, his body tense.
“This one throws sucker punches,” Torrent warned. “I have hit him. He’s a decent fighter for a human.”
“Fuck you,” Bruce spat. “I have a concussion or I would have beat you like a bitch.” He turned and glared at Smiley. Something flickered in his eyes and he snorted. “Ah. I know who you are.” He gave him a once-over. “You disappointed me.”
“What do you mean by that?” Smiley already hated the male.
“I would have messed that bitch up if I’d been you. Do you know how hot it is to make them scream and bleed while you’re fucking them? Hell, I got wood just thinking about drugging her again and stringing her up to use but Gregory said to wait until we were done with her. When I get out of here, and I will, I’ll video me giving it to that whore good and send you a copy so you can learn something.”
Smiley was on him before he could consider what Vanni would think. It felt good, slamming his fist into the human’s face. The male tried to block it but wasn’t fast enough. The punch threw him toward Torrent whose reflexes were better. He lunged out of the way and Bruce slammed into the door. It groaned from the force of his weight. Smiley advanced.
Bruce took a swing at him. It went wide. Smiley plowed his other fist into the male’s gut. He made a loud sound of pain and doubled over from the blow. Smiley backed off and rumbled.
“Come at me.”
Bruce straightened. His face was red with anger and the blood that poured from his busted nose. He bellowed and pushed away from the door. He was slow for his size. Smiley easily ducked the fist directed at his face and plowed into the human’s center, taking him to the floor. He straddled the male and pummeled his face until strong arms wrapped around his waist and hauled him off.
“Enough,” Torrent snarled. “Don’t kill him. It’s what he wants. No one is that stupid unless they are suicidal.”
The door flew open and Vanni stood there. Jericho stopped behind her. Smiley quickly stood and stepped away, realizing what he’d done. Bruce groaned and rolled onto his side. Blood spread across the floor. Smiley nodded, letting Torrent know he was in cont
rol again.
“I’m sorry.” Smiley stared at Vanni.
She entered the room, keeping far from Bruce. “Don’t be. Are you okay?”
His hands hurt. He didn’t even glance at them. “I didn’t mean to lose it.”
She approached him.
“Don’t,” he cautioned her. There was blood on his hands. “I don’t want you contaminated.”
Her lips parted but Torrent spoke first. “That is one human who probably is diseased. Smiley needs to wash all that blood off before you touch him. We’re immune to disease but you’re not.”
Bruce sat up and Smiley moved, putting his body between her and the human. Bruce spit blood on the floor and glared at him as more of it ran down his lower face to his neck and shirt. One eye was already swelling shut due to the cut over his eyebrow. He snorted.
“Fucking pussy-whipped. You’re pathetic.” Bruce tilted his head, trying to get a look at Vanni. “Why don’t you come over here, you bitch? I’ll show you what a real man can do to you. You’ll like it.”
Smiley would have attacked him again but Torrent gripped his arm. “No. I told you. He’s trying to make you kill him. It would be over too fast. He deserves to suffer for years.”
Torrent was probably right. He nodded again, too angry to speak. Torrent’s hold eased. Smiley looked at Vanni. She was close enough to touch if he reached out but he didn’t. He cleared his throat and tried to calm.
“Go wait for me outside this room. It’s not safe.” He caught movement in his peripheral vision and tensed. He watched Bruce struggle to get to his feet. “Now, Vanni.”
“Okay.”
He didn’t dare look away from Bruce. The male might try to get around him to reach Vanni before she left. He heard Jericho gasp. Movement to his right startled him and shock held him still for a second. Vanni stopped next to him and lifted Jericho’s weapon.
“Do you like this, dickhead?” She fired. The Taser dart shot out and embedded in Bruce’s gut.
The way the human’s eyes rolled up into his head as his body stiffened from the electric current that pulsed through him assured Smiley the slight noise came from Vanni, who was holding down the trigger. Smiley gawked a little. He didn’t try to stop her, aware of the blood on his hands. She actually smiled, watching Bruce finally fall over. She released the trigger and turned her head, holding his gaze.