Smiley

  Tim snorted. “No guy is going to still marry her after that video went viral. He’d be a laughingstock.”

  “Why?” Smiley thought that seemed insulting to Vanni.

  Tim met his stare. “Pride. She was all over you. No one would ever let him forget it.”

  Flame grinned. “Not to mention, would she still want to marry him after Smiley? That was one pathetic-looking human male.”

  “Flame.” Fury shook his head. “This is no time for jokes.”

  “I’m just saying the son looks puny.”

  “What if she got pregnant?” Jericho frowned.

  “She’s not. She is on birth control.” Smiley clenched his fists. “I wasn’t that out of it. I asked.”

  “What kind?” Bestial peered at him.

  “I’m not certain.” Smiley shrugged.

  “The breeding drug can override certain contraceptives.”

  Smiley felt sucker punched. “Are you certain?”

  The council member nodded. “Pretty certain. Condoms work but only if they don’t break. I don’t suppose you used one?”

  “No.”

  “Did you release inside her?”

  “Yes.”

  Bestial grimaced. “Then it’s a possibility we need to be aware of and make a contingency plan for.”

  Vanni pregnant with my child. Smiley bolted to his feet, unable to remain seated any longer. “We need her brought to Homeland. Where is she?”

  “Calm,” Jericho ordered.

  “What if she’s carrying my child? She’s out there alone.” Smiley refused to back down. “Our enemies could go after her to steal my son or kill her outright to prevent his birth. Tim said she’s in danger from that church. Someone from there set her up. We need to retrieve her now to secure her safety.”

  “Smiley?” Fury drew his attention. “We’ll keep a surveillance team on her but we can’t send a team to pick her up. It would seem as though we’re kidnapping her. That would be bad publicity.”

  “They said she was in seclusion at her home. Do we know if that’s true?” Smiley wasn’t even sure if she was okay or not.

  “Yes.” Tim nodded. “I have a two-man team outside her apartment masquerading as paparazzi. We went to the wrong address last night. The one listed on her driver’s license was outdated. She moved last month. We have visual confirmation that she and her roommate, an Elisabeth Goss, are holed up inside. They are refusing to take incoming calls or answer the door. The only reason we know for sure she’s there is because someone called the cops reporting a possible suicide.”

  “What?” Smiley snarled.

  “She’s fine. It’s a bullshit ruse some of the paparazzi pull to draw out whomever they want to photograph. It’s standard procedure for the cops to do a wellness check and interview the residents to make sure there isn’t a real problem. My men verified the call didn’t come from inside the residence. In this case the police had Travanni and Elisabeth talk to them on the doorstep after the apartment manager unlocked the door for them. They weren’t opening it up for anyone.”

  “Your team actually saw her? They are certain?” Smiley needed confirmation.

  Tim nodded. “Yeah.”

  That calmed Smiley a bit. “Did she look well?”

  “I don’t know.” Tim frowned. “She was talking to the cops and they left without calling an ambulance so I assume so.”

  Fury drew Smiley’s attention. “I can only imagine the stress you are under right now but this isn’t the time to pull her into Homeland for questioning. This is a media frenzy and all focus is on her. We need to wait for things to blow over a little before we make a move.”

  “She’ll pay for what she did,” Bestial promised. “We’re good with patiently waiting when we need to.”

  “Pay?” Smiley glared at him. “I’m not even sure if she did it. She denied drugging us.”

  Bestial blew out a breath. “She’s associated with a group that hates us. She also escaped rather than come here.” He paused. “How many Species ate and drank in that bar when she wasn’t there, yet nothing happened? She comes in and you’re drugged. Do I need to continue? It all points to her.”

  Smiley hated to admit that it did sound bad. He kept silent.

  “We aren’t certain if she was aware of the danger but no good comes of dumping a drug into someone’s drink. That female had to know it was potentially harmful.” Bestial inhaled and blew out a deep breath. “She’ll be prosecuted under New Species law.”

  Jericho cut Smiley off before he could speak. “Either way, she needs to be brought in for questioning at the first opportunity.” He flashed Smiley a warning look to keep him silent. “She can link this crime to the Woods Church. We have to locate that drug and make certain all of it is destroyed, otherwise none of us are safe in the out world. They could launch more attacks.”

  “Agreed,” Fury stated. “We’ll wait until the media hype dies down and have Tim’s team grab her.”

  Smiley stewed in anger. The meeting broke up and he stormed out, needing time to think. Jericho caught up with him and gripped his arm.

  “She did drug you. Don’t forget that.”

  “Vanni was frightened and she suffered. I don’t want her sent to Fuller. She paid enough even if she was the one who did it.”

  “I spoke to Ned. He said the three of you entered the bar and you sat alone at the counter. No one approached you except her. That female was the only one who sat next to you. He noticed you turn in your seat a few times and it would have given her an opportunity to dope your soda.”

  He couldn’t deny that. “There can be no crime if there is no victim. I’ll refuse to state otherwise.”

  “You can’t deny what happened, Smiley. You weren’t hurt this time but who will be the next victim if we don’t stop this now? This concerns all Species.”

  “Perhaps she was forced. Just consider that possibility.”

  “Stubborn male,” Jericho grumbled under his breath. “You’re going to pull a True, aren’t you? Should I prepare for that? Will you take her from our custody when she’s brought here and make your home her sanctuary?”

  It was a good idea. “Are you going to try to stop me if I do?”

  “Damn.” Jericho’s expression softened. “I don’t want you hurt. I’ll make a deal with you.”

  “What kind?”

  “You don’t sign mate papers if they ask you to.”

  Smiley frowned.

  “They asked True to sign mate papers when he kept Jeanie in his home. I’ll argue your case if you take her. Just promise not to do anything rash. I don’t trust this female and I don’t believe you’re being completely rational. I want to make sure you get to know her before you possibly make a mistake.”

  “I agree.”

  Jericho nodded. “She also needs to help with discovering where more of that drug is. I doubt the Woods Church only had two doses for your drinks.”

  “She’s kind, Jericho. I know she’ll help. She wouldn’t want what happened to us to happen to others.”

  “You hope she’s kind. You barely know her, Smiley.”

  He couldn’t argue but his gut instinct screamed that she was.

  Chapter Seven

  “I’ll go with you. He’s a dick. Who knows how he’ll react after seeing that video clip.”

  “He’s not going to hit me, Beth.”

  “I wouldn’t put anything past that asshole.”

  “You’ve never liked him.”

  “With good cause. He’s selfish and never thinks about you. That thing he has going on with his dad is creepy as shit too. He’s a grown man but it’s as if he’s so far up his dad’s ass he can’t think for himself. He said he wasn’t part of that church but he’s never publically opposed them either. I checked online. He was photographed a lot with his daddy before you dated him. I think he hid the association because he knew you wouldn’t date him otherwise. He sure as hell wouldn’t want to marry one of those insane groupies that hang with that ch
urch.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Beth sighed, looking frustrated. “They are a bunch of paranoid idiots. You were perfect, Vanni. Your brother is a cop, your sister is the poster child for housewives and your parents have been married forever. You clean up nice and have no criminal history. The perfect wife, image wise.”

  Vanni shrugged. “He did ask me to marry him against his father’s wishes.”

  “I bet that old son of a bitch is happy as shit this happened.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Is he going to be there? He’s so nasty.” Beth frowned.

  “No, Gregory isn’t there. Carl said his dad is too busy at the church to get away. This is a nightmare for them too, with all the reporters. I’m just going to drop off the ring, grab my stuff and get out. He said he had to hide there from reporters.”

  Beth lifted one hand, fisted it by her shoulder and pinched the thumb and forefinger of her other hand together, swinging it back and forth. “That’s me playing the violin.” She dropped her hands to her side.

  Vanni laughed. “You’re so mean.”

  “He’s holding your shit for ransom.”

  “I owe him the courtesy of doing this in person.”

  “I’m going with you.”

  “You are supposed to have dinner with your parents and go out with your sister tonight. I’m not ruining your plans.”

  “You think it’s going to make him less pissed that you cheated on him because you were drugged? You might need some backup.”

  “I’m not going to tell him about that.”

  “Why not? Are you nuts? Otherwise he’ll just think you’re a total bitch.”

  “He’d tell his father and he’ll twist it somehow against the NSO. He’s a dick like that.”

  “That’s true.”

  “I’d rather just take the heat and get out as fast as possible. He blew it before I ever did by pulling that stunt with the weekend getaway. I had my eyes opened that he’s kind of a jerk.”

  “I’d use stronger words like douche bag but all right. You call me if shit hits the fan and you need me to come home and eat ice cream with you.”

  “Deal. Right after I get my cell phone returned.”

  She grabbed her spare keys and hoped she didn’t get pulled her over since her wallet was with her purse. Her car was in the underground parking garage, which exited behind the building. Beth should be able to distract the press while she slipped away.

  The twenty-minute drive was uneventful but Beth’s parting words kept repeating in Vanni’s head as she drove up to the gates at the Woods estate. Don’t do this. It’s stupid.

  She’d only been there once with Carl when they’d first begun dating. It was when she’d met Gregory, who owned the reclusive vacation home in the hills. It hadn’t gone well. They’d disliked each other on sight.

  A man in uniform stepped out of the tiny guard shack and held up his hand. She slowed to a stop and pressed the window button. “I’m Vanni. Carl is expecting me.”

  He frowned.

  “He called and told me to come here to collect my things.”

  The guard used a two-way radio to contact someone at the house. “A Vanni is here to see Carl.”

  “Send her up,” another voice ordered.

  The guard hit a button inside the shack. The gates slowly rolled open and Vanni pushed down on the gas pedal. The paved, narrow road wound upward around a few turns and opened into a vast circular driveway. She parked in front of the house.

  Her nerves were a mess. The plan had been to return the engagement ring to Carl by mail but that was before he’d held her belongings hostage. The message he’d left had been clear. She could either come to meet him or not get her things back. It was possible he was afraid she’d keep the expensive ring that had belonged to his grandmother. It was insulting that he thought so little of her.

  She climbed out of her car and gripped the jeweler’s box in her fist as she climbed the stairs and rang the doorbell. Waiting for the door to open so she could finally face Carl was torture on her queasy stomach.

  The door opened and a man peered at her. He was a tall man with a blunt haircut and harsh features. It was difficult to determine because all Gregory’s people wore suits but he was probably one of their many bodyguards. “This way.”

  She blew out a breath and followed him down the hallway to an office. Carl sat behind the desk. He hung up the phone and stood.

  “Thanks, Bruce.”

  “No problem, sir.” He shot Vanni a dirty look. “I’ll be close.”

  She managed not to roll her eyes. It was ridiculous if he thought she was dangerous. The grim situation dampened her attitude though when she saw how tired her ex looked. Dark circles rimmed his eyes and his normally perfect hair was a bit mused.

  “Here’s your grandmother’s ring.” She set it on the edge of the desk. “I wanted to apologize. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

  He reached over and snapped open the lid and examined it.

  “It’s the right one.” His action irritated her.

  He closed the lid, opened a drawer and dropped it inside. “I don’t know what you’re capable of anymore.”

  Her lips remained sealed. I deserved that. Ouch.

  Carl kept the desk between them. “Why didn’t you just go to the room the way I told you to? None of this would have happened if you had.”

  She knew he deserved some answers. “I was mad at you for tricking me into going to that hotel for the weekend. The last thing I wanted to do was pace around the room after our argument or get more lectures from Mable about how I’m not good enough for you. I told you she’s mean. I just thought I’d have a drink, relax a little and then go to bed.”

  He stared at her, his mouth a tight line of anger. She knew that expression well. Disapproval was something she often got from him. Their relationship was over but she felt no pain at the loss. Beth might have been right. It would have torn her apart if she’d really been in love with Carl but instead she just wanted to get away from him.

  “I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have been engaged to begin with. I concluded that over the weekend. You’re always saying mean things to me and I resented it more than I realized. It’s best for both of us that our relationship ended. I’m never going to be the kind of woman you keep trying to mold me into. I wish you a happy life, Carl. I’ll get my things and go. You’ll never hear from me again.”

  He inched around the desk. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”

  “I never meant to hurt you.”

  He stepped a little too close for comfort. “No excuses?”

  “It happened. I would have told you even if it hadn’t been all over the television. I had planned to see you tomorrow when you came home from the hotel. Obviously you had to leave early. I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say.”

  He appeared a little shocked and irate at the same time, while he closely studied her eyes. Vanni wasn’t sure what he hoped to see but he took a step back and anger won out when he cursed.

  “You can’t be that stupid.”

  “Excuse me?” That wasn’t a response she expected.

  “You were drugged. Why aren’t you telling me that? Didn’t you realize? Feel weird? You should throw yourself at my feet and beg me to still marry you. Dad said you’d do anything to gain my forgiveness.”

  The world tilted a little as she stumbled back a step. How did he know I was drugged? Has it leaked to the press? She hadn’t told anyone except Beth. Her best friend wouldn’t betray that secret. It was possible the NSO had released the details. She gripped the desk to steady herself.

  “Say something!” Carl yelled, making her jump. “Beg me to forgive you and tell me how it wasn’t your fault.”

  It took her a few moments to pull herself together. He appeared to be having a meltdown. It was a bit surprising since she didn’t think he’d take their breakup that hard. He’d been kind of remote emotionally the entire time they?
??d dated.

  “I wouldn’t do that. I slept with another man. I know it’s over. I don’t expect you to still marry me. I couldn’t go through with this wedding even if you somehow managed to get past what happened. I can’t.”

  His complexion reddened and he started to breathe faster, almost panting with rage. It scared her a little.

  “Where is my stuff? I’ll go.”

  “Just like that?”

  “What else do you want me to say? Neither of us can pretend nothing happened. Everyone is talking about it. I’m so sorry if this hurt you, Carl. I think I should just get out of here and you’ll never have to see me again. I honestly believe this is for the best. We wouldn’t have had a happy marriage.”

  “Did you know you were drugged?” He seemed to be working himself up into a temper tantrum.

  “I realized. It doesn’t change the outcome though.”

  “What are the police going to do about it?”

  “I didn’t go to them.”

  “Why not?” He advanced, getting too close again, and kept yelling. “You should want that rapist in prison!”

  “He didn’t drug me and it wasn’t rape.”

  Carl grabbed her arm. “What?”

  Vanni really wanted to get out of there. “You heard me. Just tell me where my things are. I want to leave.” She tugged her wrist, trying to break his hold. “Let go. You’re hurting me.”

  He released her and stepped back. His expression changed. The anger left, to be replaced by something cold and calculating. “You liked being fucked by that creature, didn’t you?”

  “My things,” she got out. “I’m leaving.”

  “I told you she was a slut.” Gregory spoke from behind Vanni. “I kept warning you she wasn’t worthy of being included in this family. Now you see the truth in my assessment.”

  She twisted her head, aghast to find him in the room. She hadn’t heard him enter and Carl had told her his father wasn’t going to be there. The older man eyed her disdainfully.

  “It’s not going the way you said it would.” Carl sighed. “What now?”

  Vanni glanced between them, a bad feeling rising. She wasn’t sure what was going on but wanted to leave. “Where are my things? I’m leaving.”