Smiley

  Smiley’s face surfaced in her memory. “He wasn’t like either of them.”

  “He was a primate?” Beth leaned against the wall. “What do they look like? I haven’t seen pictures of them that really show their features.”

  “He had beautiful eyes.” She turned around and stepped into the shower.

  “Shit!”

  Beth scared her and Vanni spun, almost slipping in the wet tub. “What?”

  “I thought you said he didn’t hurt you.”

  “He didn’t.”

  Beth stepped into the bathroom and grabbed their small makeup mirror off the vanity. She approached and offered it. “It’s a good thing you are calling it off with Carl or he’d know some other guy nailed you. Check out the bruises on your ass. He has big hands.”

  Vanni grabbed the mirror and twisted, getting a look at her butt. Bruises were forming on both cheeks in the shape of handprints. “It doesn’t hurt.”

  Her friend accepted the mirror back. “Let me guess. He nailed you standing up, grabbing your ass. That takes skill.”

  A flashback struck her—Smiley pinning her against the SUV and his hands cupping her ass while he’d ground his pelvis against hers. “I just want to forget this night.”

  Beth returned the mirror to the vanity and took a seat on the counter. “This was your first one-night stand.”

  “Thanks for the reminder. Did you not hear me? I want to finish my shower, go to bed and just pretend none of this ever happened.”

  “You won’t. I know you too well. You aren’t going to tell Carl about having sex with this other guy, are you?”

  Vanni hesitated. “I owe him that much.”

  “Bad idea. He’s a prick, hon. You were attracted to this Smiley, drugged or not. I listened to you really closely since I was in stun mode and couldn’t talk at first. You should be more upset.”

  “I am.”

  Beth was quiet while Vanni showered. She turned off the water and grabbed a towel to wrap her wet hair and another to dry her body.

  “You like Smiley.”

  Vanni paused and met her friend’s concerned gaze. “He was nice.”

  “The sex was great, wasn’t it?”

  “It was the drugs. You have no idea what they did to us.”

  “Want to tell me?”

  “Not really.”

  “You’re not the casual-sex type. Something more happened than the two of you just getting it on. You felt something for him.”

  “I felt a lot of things and most of them weren’t good. That drug is awful. I don’t think I ever want to have kids. I can imagine what labor feels like now. It was that bad.”

  “He was that big? Are you sure he wasn’t a horse instead of a primate?”

  “Shut up.” Vanni wrapped the towel around her middle and limped out of the bathroom to the bedroom they shared. “I’m talking about the pain I felt when we weren’t…you know.”

  “Getting it on?” Beth followed her.

  “Yes, if you want to use that crude term.” She tugged on a nightgown and climbed into bed. “I’m so tired and I don’t want to face tomorrow.”

  Beth took a seat on the edge of the mattress. “You could just mail the ring back to Carl and avoid him completely. That’s what I suggest.”

  “I wasn’t thinking about that but thanks. It just reminded me that we sent out wedding invitations. I’ll have to contact everyone to tell them it’s off.”

  “It’s not a bad thing. Carl was a jerk, hon. I’m kind of glad this happened.”

  Vanni gaped at her.

  “I didn’t mean the drugging and having sex with a New Species. Carl wasn’t right for you. He just filled your ideal-husband checklist.”

  “I didn’t know I had one.”

  “He has a stable job and he wanted kids. He’s so damn boring that you know he wouldn’t be playing hide-the-brief with his office staff.” Beth smiled. “That was a lawyer joke. I’m trying to make you laugh.”

  “There’s nothing funny about this. My life is destroyed.”

  Beth shook her head. “It’s not. It’s just different now. You hated Carl’s father and everything his church stands for. We couldn’t even get through five minutes of his televised show. He was a blowhard. You’re not going to have to pretend to like him anymore when he shows up for visits or worry about Carl making you attend any of his sermons when you visit him.”

  “I got to see one earlier in person. Once was more than enough.”

  “Well, that’s a good thing since you and Carl are done.”

  Vanni couldn’t argue with that.

  “And you finally got laid.”

  “That’s not funny.”

  Beth teared up. “Sorry. You know I handle stress with humor.”

  Vanni crawled across the bed and clasped her hand. “Don’t you dare cry or I’ll start.”

  “Are you okay? Don’t bullshit me. I hate when you act all tough and in turn, I try to act just as tough. I can’t imagine what you must have gone through. We’re both avoiding the ‘R’ word but that’s kind of what it was.”

  “He was drugged too. We were both victims in this.”

  “Are you sure? I mean, how do you know he didn’t spike your drink?”

  “The NSO thinks I did it.”

  Beth paled. “What?”

  “I guess I was the only one who sat next to him.”

  “That’s insane. You’d never drug a guy to have sex. What is wrong with them? You were drugged too.”

  “I know.”

  “I’ll call them tomorrow myself and set them straight.”

  “Don’t.” She was instantly fearful. “They were taking me to Homeland when I slipped away.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah. I don’t know if they were just going to get me medical treatment or arrest me. Smiley seemed to believe me when I said I didn’t do it but I’m not sure about the guys with him. I overheard two of them talking when I woke up in the backseat. It scared me.”

  “We’ll hire a lawyer.”

  “They don’t know who I am. I mean, I left my purse in the hotel room and only told them my name was Vanni. The room was in Mable’s name. That’s Gregory’s assistant. I couldn’t even sign for coffee this morning. I was just a guest in her room.”

  “That’s good. Maybe we should go to the police and tell them what happened.”

  “No!” Vanni was horrified at the idea. “I just want to forget.”

  “Your shit is still at the hotel. Does Carl even know you’re gone?”

  “Crap. No. He might raise hell in the morning when I don’t show up for breakfast.”

  Beth released her and stood. She walked to the dresser and lifted her cell phone. “I’ve always got your back.” She called a number and put her finger over her lip to motion Vanni to silence.

  “Hi, Carl. It’s Beth. I just wanted to let you know I picked up Vanni and she’s home with me now.” She paused. “She ate something and got a bad case of food poisoning. She didn’t want to bother you since she knows this was an important weekend for your father.” She paused again, listening, and stared at Vanni.

  Vanni was grateful. She did worry when her best friend gritted her teeth.

  “Just have her things packed up and get someone to drop them off at our apartment tomorrow. She’s sleeping now that she puked her guts up. Thanks for being so concerned for her health and not obsessed about some stupid breakfast she’ll miss.” Beth hung up.

  “He took it that badly?” Vanni suspected he would.

  “It’s official. He’s a total asshole. He didn’t even ask how you were but ranted about some press photos you were supposed to take with him at breakfast. He said it’s going to make him and his father look bad. I just threw that in at the end so he felt like an ass, if that’s even possible. You dodged a bullet with that loser.”

  Vanni nodded.

  “It’s going to work out.”

  She really wanted to believe that.

  “Don’t look
so sad. Carl isn’t worth it. I don’t think you ever really loved him. It was just the idea of the white picket fence.” Beth glanced around. “Bright side, we’ll save a lot of money on this new place since we downgraded to a one-bedroom so I wouldn’t be stuck paying for that two-bedroom after you moved out. Maybe we can use the spare money and finally take a trip to Hawaii. That would be cool.”

  “I’m so sorry, Beth.”

  Her best friend sat on the other bed a few feet away. “For what? I’m the one who got to pick this place. I love it. It’s cozy. I like sharing a room with you. It’s like summer camp every night.” She crossed her legs and leaned back against a fluffy pillow. “Remember? We’d stay up all night and drive those camp counselors insane with our giggling.”

  It lightened Vanni’s mood. Those were some of her fondest memories. “We don’t have to share a bathroom with eighteen other girls. I hated those hikes in the middle of the night just to pee.”

  “Or the mosquito bites on our asses from those suckers hiding in the toilet.”

  They smiled at each other.

  Beth spoke first. “Tell me your deepest, darkest secret and I’ll tell you mine.”

  It was a game they used to play. Vanni licked her lips and said the first thing that came to mind. “I really liked Smiley.”

  “Oh hon.”

  “He was so sweet, Beth.” Tears filled her eyes. “He should have been pissed, thinking I drugged him, but he wasn’t. I was scared and in pain but he took care of me. I didn’t have to have sex with him but I wanted to. I initiated it.”

  “He was hot, wasn’t he?”

  Vanni wiped away her tears. “Very hot.”

  “I knew it. Was he good in bed?”

  “The best.”

  “Did you fall a little for him?”

  “Probably.”

  Beth lay down and curled on her side, holding her gaze. “Do you wish you could see him again?”

  Vanni wasn’t sure how to answer.

  “It’s okay if you do. I won’t judge. You know that about me. He sounds amazing, besides how you met, I mean.”

  “I don’t think he’d ever want to see me again.”

  “You can’t be sure unless we try to contact him.”

  “No. I need to forget this night ever happened and get on with my life. It’s your turn. Tell me your deepest, darkest secret.”

  It took long seconds for her to answer. “I really hated Carl.”

  Vanni smiled. “I knew that.”

  “Listen to your best friend next time. That’s all I ask.”

  “Deal.”

  “Sleep. I’m right here. You’re home. It’s going to be fine.”

  Vanni closed her eyes but all she could think about was Smiley. She hoped he was okay, wherever he was.

  * * * * *

  Smiley entered his apartment at the men’s dorm and locked the door. The drug had passed through his system. His dick no longer ached from a constant erection and he had worked out his aggression on a punching bag. The silence inside his corner apartment was absolute. The male who lived next to him had gone to Reservation and the one across the hall had taken a mate. They now lived together in another section of Homeland.

  He grabbed a cold drink from the fridge but stared at the cherry soda in his hand. It reminded him of Vanni. He put it back and removed a bottle of water instead. He drank half of it and walked to the balcony. He didn’t open the door or step outside, just stood there staring into the darkness.

  Vanni was somewhere out there. He considered the constant worry for her to be a form of torture. The cell phone he’d taken from Security on his way home sat heavily in his pocket. They’d promised to call him if they found her. It remained as quiet as his surroundings.

  He put his open hand on the glass. “Where are you, babe?”

  He spun away, pacing the carpet in front of the couch. They hadn’t known each other long but all he could think about was Vanni. Her image seemed permanently imprinted on his thoughts. He’d showered and changed clothes but he could still smell her.

  A soft knock was welcome and he lunged toward the door, twisted the locks and swung it open. It was possible they hadn’t wanted to call if the news was bad. They’d want to tell him in person but it wasn’t an on-duty officer who stood there.

  “Hi, Jericho.”

  “I heard what happened. May I come in?”

  It beat being alone. “Sure.” He stepped aside. “I’m fine.”

  The male closed the door and leaned against it. “Would you say otherwise?”

  That comment surprised him. “The drug is out of my system.”

  “It must have left you with a lot of difficult memories.”

  “It wasn’t that bad. I mean, I remember it all and the pain didn’t come close to what it could have been.”

  Jericho rumbled deep in his chest. “You and I are different from the rest.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Yes, you do.” He tilted his head. “We keep our emotions closer to the surface. I’m better at hiding it than you are. Your feelings show in your eyes. You appear sad. That’s unusual for you. This does affect you. Talk to me.”

  Smiley hesitated. “I’m worried about her.”

  “The female who drugged you?”

  “She said she didn’t.”

  “The team stated otherwise in their report. Are you certain she wasn’t responsible?”

  “No but I’m sure she didn’t know what was going to happen.”

  “How?”

  “I saw the fear in her eyes. The shock.” Smiley ran his fingers through his hair and began pacing again. It helped. “She had no idea what was about to happen to us.”

  “Perhaps not to what extent.”

  That halted him in his tracks. “What do you mean by that?”

  “The team is certain she dosed both drinks. She had no form of identity. There was only a room key from the hotel. Don’t you find that suspicious? Humans always carry ID, especially to a human bar. She also didn’t have a room in her name but her key card was registered to a room that was paid for by the Woods Church. We’ve been dealing with them for a while. They aren’t our friends.”

  He couldn’t deny that the evidence seemed damning. “Maybe she was pushed into it somehow. Forced.”

  “You shared sex with her and remember the details so I imagine it was intense.”

  Smiley didn’t like where the conversation was headed. “You believe I might feel a protective bond to her because of the extreme physical responses?”

  “You did threaten team members with harm when they attempted to examine her. You also refused direct orders from Brass when he was willing to knock her unconscious to transport her here. You really wanted that female.”

  “Because I was drugged.”

  “You stated you were in control at the time. Which is it?”

  Anger stirred. “Did you come here to argue with me?”

  “No. I came to talk to you because I’m concerned.”

  Smiley calmed and dropped onto the couch. He placed the water bottle down on the side table. “Sit if you plan to stay.”

  Jericho chose to sit in the chair opposite him. “I don’t want your feelings hurt because this wasn’t directed toward you. You were the only Species in that bar and that’s why you were the target. Tell me you understand that.”

  “I do.”

  Jericho regarded him with his red-hued brown eyes.

  “I do,” Smiley repeated. “It could have happened to anyone.”

  “The canines would have smelled the drug in the drink.”

  He clenched his hands in his lap.

  “That’s not your fault. Their sense of smell is just better. That’s genetics.”

  “Why bring it up?”

  “I’d be thinking that, partially blaming myself for making an easy target. I am trying to put myself in your shoes. We’re not the weakest Species here. I also think about that sometimes.”

  “You have g
orilla DNA. I’m probably from a chimpanzee.”

  “They can be vicious creatures.”

  Smiley snorted.

  “They are. Do your research. They are very territorial and are good fighters.”

  “I don’t have inadequacy issues, head shrink.”

  “Good. I’m glad to hear that. We have our advantages over the canines and felines.”

  “We are better climbers, although I envy the felines for their ability to leap.”

  “Don’t make light of this,” Jericho grumbled.

  Smiley sighed. “We’re all Species. We’re family. I never take the time to really ponder our differences.”

  “You should right now. We tend to be more emotional, the way humans are. We grow attachments faster. I’ll be blunt.”

  “I wish you would be.”

  “The only females you and I share sex with are canine or feline. They have told me how I’m different and I’d bet they do the same with you. We need more than just sex. It’s about the touching and the sense of the bond we share with them during intimate moments. I’ve avoided humans for that very reason. You probably do the same.”

  “I just haven’t met any I was attracted to who felt the same way about me or I would have attempted it.”

  Jericho shifted in the chair and rested his arms along the arms. “Our females know when to push us away but humans don’t. I read the report, Smiley. You were caring for this female and she allowed it. I can only imagine how that affected you but it was probably pretty powerful. That, mixed with the breeding drug’s effects, could pose a problem.”

  “You lost me.”

  “You’re too concerned in the wrong way about finding this female. You’ve made it clear that it’s not about making sure she’s punished for what she did to you but rather your fear for her safety. I’m worried you believe there’s a bond there that doesn’t really exist. Do you understand? I don’t want you hurt more.”

  Smiley wasn’t sure how to respond.

  “This female walked into that bar with the intent to harm us.” Jericho kept his voice low and steady. “There were reporters everywhere to cover Justice’s speeches revealing our plans to expand Reservation to accommodate the wildlife we’ve welcomed from rescue operations. That is important to all of us because we know what it is like to be viewed as dangerous animals. It would have harmed our public image if you’d attacked her in front of all those witnesses. This isn’t about you. That attack was directed at the NSO.”