It had taken Ellie an hour to calm the woman. Afterward, Ellie had to make phone calls to the security office, to Darren Artino, and to Justice. She had requested that no male security guards be allowed in the dorms unless an emergency took place until the new group of women adjusted to being around men. It had been an ordeal to get security to agree but Ellie had won that battle with Justice’s help. To make it worse, she had come home to face Nurse Bitch and all the stress that came with her.
The bathroom door suddenly jerked open. The door hit the wall so hard Ellie jumped. She grabbed for the shower door and yanked it open. Fury stood inside the room, anger darkening his features. Ellie grabbed for a towel and then flinched, pain shooting through her hand, and looked down. She saw a scratch from hitting the top of the corner of the metal, it had sliced her palm slightly. Blood rose up but she ignored it. It was tiny and her concern fixed on Fury.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Fury slammed the bathroom door closed, sealing them inside together. “That woman has to leave!”
Ellie wrapped the towel around her body and stepped out of the shower. Water dripped everywhere but she ignored it. “Nurse Bitch? You’re preaching to the choir.”
“That one, yes!” Fury trembled and had paled as he stared at Ellie. “I did not kiss her. She grabbed me and put her lips on mine. She tried to push her tongue inside my mouth.” He snarled. “I shoved her off me and she started to undress.” He snarled, enraged. “I came in here. I want her out of my house.”
Now Ellie was angrier than Fury. “She kissed you?”
“She gave me a shot and changed my bandage. She suddenly tried to kiss me when she threw herself on my lap. Get her out of here or I will hurt her, Ellie.”
“Stand in line.”
Ellie dropped her towel and yanked her nightgown off the hook by the door. She didn’t want to take the time to go in the other room to get fresh clothes and she didn’t want to put her dirty ones back on. She studied Fury, taking note of his tense features. He watched her silently.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“I did not flirt with her to provoke that.”
Ellie nodded. “I believe you.”
Fury suddenly grabbed Ellie as she tried to storm past him. He pulled her into his arms and cupped her face. “Kiss me.”
“Let me take care of her first.”
“Kiss me,” he snarled. “I have her scent on me and I can’t stand it.”
Understanding dawned. She knew how sensitive Fury’s sense of smell could be and he liked her scent a hell of a lot, always rubbing against her just to get it on his clothes. It was a little strange but great to know he wanted to smell her wherever he went.
She turned into his arms and kissed him. She rubbed her body against his. He didn’t seem to care that she was damp and it seeped through her nightgown to his clothes. She ran her hands along his face and neck. She made sure to rub anywhere that she thought Belinda might have grabbed him.
Her feet left the floor and the wall pressed against her back suddenly. Fury’s hands slid down to her hips. He lifted her higher, spreading her legs, until they were wrapped around his waist. Reality intruded and Ellie struggled inside Fury’s arms. She released his face and let her legs drop.
She tore her mouth from his. She instantly saw a smear of blood on his jaw and cheek from her forgotten injury. “Let me go. I bled on you.”
Fury instantly looked worried. “You’re bleeding? Are you hurt? I was too distracted to notice and was trying not to inhale that woman’s scent clinging to me.”
She blushed. “I just scratched my hand on the shower door. I guess I caught a rough edge. I just need a bandage and then I’ll deal with Belinda. I also have PMS so she’s going to be sorry she screwed with you today.”
Something in Fury’s eyes changed. Fury inhaled. “I don’t smell that it’s your time.”
“That is so freaky. Breeze warned me that you guys can smell a woman on her period from half a mile away. She told me how to deal with that when it happens.”
Fury softly growled. “She needed to.”
“She said otherwise I’d never make it home without being sniffed after.” Ellie suddenly smiled. “She was joking, right?”
“It’s a turn-on,” Fury growled, passion darkening his gaze.
“Why?”
“Have you ever let a man touch you at that time?”
Ellie shook her head. She hadn’t. Her ex-husband had been disgusted by it and Ellie hadn’t really had a desire to press the issue. She didn’t exactly feel sexy at that time of the month, between the bloating and cramps.
“You’re hotter and wetter inside.” He moved closer to Ellie, pressing her tighter against the wall. “Did I mention it’s a turn-on?” He growled at her and then firmly pinned her against the wall again.
“Fury, back off.” Ellie laughed and gently pushed at his shoulders to put some space between them. “I haven’t started it yet. My palm is still bleeding and I need to go talk to that nurse. Hold that thought. It shouldn’t take long and we can resume this.”
Fury growled deeper, refused to back away and kept her pinned tightly. Unease inched up her spine. She shoved at him harder.
“Fury? Please? You’re crushing me. You need to let me go.”
He backed off but looked as though he didn’t want to. Ellie inched her body between his and the wall until she broke free.
Ellie shook her head at him. “Back off, big guy. I mean it. I have some nurse ass to kick out of this house and then we’ll get you back into bed.” She rubbed him. “I’ll take care of you then. You’re still not completely healed. You heard Trisha. If you took me standing up you might open up your stitches. Just a few more days and we can have sex any way we want but for now we still have to take it real easy, on a bed.”
Heat boiled through Fury’s system, and he fought hard to control it. He frowned, fighting the urge to howl. He breathed hard, watching Ellie move around the bathroom. It wasn’t directed at her but he got really angry all of a sudden.
He wanted her so much it actually hurt. His body burned with the need to grab her, pin her to the wall again, and take her. His hands fisted at his sides as he fought the urge. She’d said no and he’d never hurt Ellie, never force her, but he battled his desire to grab her.
What the hell is wrong with me? No answer came to him as he breathed in and out. The hot flash grew stronger and as he inhaled Ellie’s scent his dick hardened until it throbbed painfully.
It has to be a reaction to that woman coming on to me and touching me. He knew he’d become seriously addicted to Ellie’s scent, needing it around him, or he longed for it. He just didn’t realize how strong that compulsion had grown until another woman had touched him.
This has to be one of those animal traits rearing its ugly head. He needed to get a grip on it for Ellie’s sake but the longer he stood there the harder it was to even try to conceal his need to fuck Ellie. He wanted his cock inside her.
The urge to taste her blood made him drool a little as the scent of it teased his nose. It shocked him, left him a little scared—horrified even. He backed up, his breathing increasing to pants and tried to get control of his mind.
The urges built until he couldn’t contain them any longer. Fury spun suddenly and punched the wall. The agony of pain shooting up his arm helped. The anger receded enough for him to think again.
Surprise froze Ellie for a second at Fury’s violent outburst but she understood how upset the hellish nurse could make someone. She could easily relate to his reaction. “Still mad about what she did? Did nailing the wall help?”
He turned, shaking out the hand he’d just slammed into the drywall. “No. I’m mad that I can’t touch you the way I want.”
“I know but we don’t want you to have to go back to the hospital, Fury. Now go back to bed and I’ll handle Nurse Kissy Force. We’ll have sex after, on the bed, real slow so you don’t strain anything.” She shoved a adhesive banda
ge over her palm. “I’m getting rid of her once and for all.”
Fury snorted and then yanked the bathroom door open. Ellie followed him into the bedroom, left him there, and went in search of the nurse. She didn’t take the time to put on panties since her nightshirt fell to her knees. It wouldn’t take her long to tell Belinda Thomas to pack her shit and get out. She’d never seen Fury so agitated.
Ellie found the nurse sitting on the couch looking irritated, holding the remote control to the television. Tiger reclined on a chair by the door, flipping through a magazine. His eyebrows rose as Ellie walked into the living room wearing her nightgown.
“Little early for bed, isn’t it?” Tiger glanced at his watch. “It’s only four.”
“You,” Ellie pointed at Belinda, “are no longer needed. You’re fired. You’re done. Call it whatever you want but go pack your things and get out.” She faced Tiger. “Get her off Homeland grounds pronto or I swear she’s going to the medical center on a stretcher. She’s not to come back here ever again.”
“You can’t tell me what to do.” Belinda glared at Ellie. “I’ve been hired by Justice North to take care of Fury. He’s the only one who can fire me.”
“Fine.” She stomped to the phone. She knew Justice’s number by heart now. She dialed quickly.
“Justice North here,” his calm voice announced.
“Belinda Thomas just threw herself at Fury. He’s killing mad and I’m worse. I just told her to pack her shit and leave but she informed me that you’re the only one who can fire her.”
He paused. “She what?”
“She threw herself at Fury. I took a shower and she mauled him on the bed. He came into the bathroom in a rage. I’m lucky he didn’t crush me trying to get her scent off him. He is beyond angry, Justice. I’ve never seen him so mad. We both want her gone and don’t need her anymore. I’ll take the next few days off work to care for him myself. Just please get her out of here.”
Justice’s voice deepened. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
“I’m fine. He is just enraged that she hit on him and was really aggressive, trying to get her scent off him to get mine back.”
“Did he hurt you? Did he have rough sex with you? Do I need to send the doctor?”
“We didn’t have sex. He just rubbed against me and almost crushed me against a wall. Who cares about that? I want this woman gone, Justice. He wants her gone. Will you fire her or do I have to break her arms to make certain she can’t work here anymore? Trust me, I’ll do it.”
“I’m on my way. Hand the phone to Tiger now.”
Ellie marched the phone over to Tiger. He appeared alarmed when he accepted it. Ellie glared at Belinda. Flames should have been shooting from her nostrils from the level of burning rage she experienced.
“Pack your shit. He’s on his way to fire you.”
Belinda stood. “You―”
“What?” Ellie shouted, totally pissed off.
Green eyes glittered with anger. “You’re going to get yours.” Belinda stormed down the hallway.
Ellie tried to force back her temper. She glanced at Tiger. He leaned against the front door, away from her, and the tense expression on his face made her frown. She stared at him as he hung up.
“Are you all right?” Ellie was concerned since Tiger actually appeared a bit pale.
“Ellie, come with me now.” He opened the front door wide.
She glanced down. “I’m not going outside in my nightgown. Why would you want to talk to me out there? That woman is packing and can’t overhear us from her room.”
Tiger stalked toward Ellie quickly. “Damn it, woman. Don’t argue with me. You need to get out of the house now.”
Ellie retreated a few feet. Tiger stopped and sniffed at her with a frown. “I smell blood on you. You told Justice that Fury didn’t harm you.”
“He didn’t.” She held up her palm to show off the pink bandage wrapped around the curve of her hand. “I sliced it a little getting out of the shower. Fury would never hurt me.”
He sniffed again. “I don’t smell much of your blood.”
“That’s because it was just a scratch. It didn’t bleed much.”
“We need to leave right now.”
She backed up more. “I’m not going anywhere with you. I’m not even dressed and if you think I’m leaving Nurse Bitch alone with Fury, think again.”
“Ellie,” Tiger hissed, “they pumped Fury full of our healing drugs to help him recover faster. We have been assessing him for signs of threat but now he’s acting hostile. You’re in danger here and need to go to safety.” He glanced at his watch. “He was given his medication about fifteen minutes ago, correct?”
Ellie glared at him. “Belinda told me she would give him his meds when I headed for the shower. Fury did say she gave him a shot. Why would I be in danger?”
Tiger moved quickly and grabbed Ellie around her waist, spun her, and clamped his hand over her mouth. Her feet left the floor. Tiger strode quickly toward the front door with her struggling, caught inside his arms. They were outside in seconds.
“Quiet,” Tiger growled next to her ear. “And don’t be afraid. He’ll smell it. You said he took your scent. Just take some deep breaths and I’ll explain it all to you, okay? You have to keep your voice down. Promise me?”
Ellie was furious, not afraid, when she nodded against his hand. The body holding hers relaxed as he lowered her to the ground and released her. His hand left her mouth. Ellie spun to glare up at him.
“What was that for?” She hissed.
“Don’t you realize how injured Fury was?” Tiger frowned. “A human would have died. It’s been just over a week but he’s walking around. He’s been healing really fast. Didn’t you wonder about that?”
“You guys just do that faster. Fury told me it’s normal for New Species.”
“We do to a certain degree but not as fast as Fury has, without help. This is classified but as Fury’s mate, you’re considered New Species. You need to be told. Not all of the records were destroyed when we were discovered. Some of the doctors hadn’t kept all their notes and research on the computer systems they destroyed when the testing facilities were breached. In some cases we were even able to get the formulas and exact chemical compositions of some of the drugs they used on us.”
The news surprised her. “Why keep it a secret?”
He hesitated. “Did you ever wonder why the President and the United States was so eager to hand over a military base to us for our home? To be so agreeable with whatever demands we made? We had some humans who were very sympathetic, very happy to give Justice advice. They told him about sovereignty. We demanded equal human rights and were given them as well. New Species govern themselves on American soil, on the land we were given. We were also extended diplomatic immunity in many ways for New Species. We’re considered American citizens but given special concessions.”
“Of course you’re Americans. You were born here. It’s only right you are given a safe place to live. There are so many hate groups out there that it wouldn’t be safe for any of you to try to merge with regular society right off the bat.”
“Mercile Industries were given billions of dollars to help fund drug studies and research for decades. The President signed off on the last six years of the money given to Mercile. It came from military funds.”
Ellie stared at him, confused. “How does this apply to Fury right now?”
“Mercile promised to create drugs that would make the armed forces stronger, better fighters, heal faster after battle, and even heighten their senses. A pharmaceutical advantage that other countries wouldn’t have. They vaccinate our fighting forces to prevent them from catching diseases when they send them to other countries. Imagine giving them a shot that would make them stronger, faster, and harder to kill in battle situations. It would win wars easier, quicker, with a lot less casualties. No one knew Mercile had crossed moral and legal boundaries to gain the advancements they were pr
omising to develop. Every dollar they were given helped enslave us and paid for blood, sweat, and torture.”
People would be outraged if they discovered their tax dollars had been sunk into something so vile. Every human rights organization on the planet would be up in arms and some countries might accuse the government of horrific crimes.
“That’s awful,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry. What does this have to do with Fury and why you believe he could be dangerous? I want to get back inside, Tiger. Just get to the point.”
“They created a lot of drugs and a few of the recovered reports stated that some humans who volunteered to take them died. One batch of the drugs increased healing in New Species at a phenomenal rate.” He cleared his throat. “It also drove a small percentage of New Species temporarily insane when tested on us. The doctors didn’t drop the study. According to the few notes on it, they believed an insane, injured person on the mend was worth the temporary insanity. New Species who had that adverse effect of rage-driven insanity always recovered fully. The humans in that study weren’t so lucky. Either they died, or if their bodies healed, their minds were permanently destroyed.”
Her mind clicked. “You were worried Fury would go insane?”
“Yes. The notes weren’t complete. We don’t know a time frame on when the insanity strikes or how long it lasts if he’s one of the unfortunate ones. Aggression and murderous rages are part of those side effects.”
“And you believe he’s exhibiting them?”
“You said he was enraged and very aggressive, that he forced you against the wall when he scented you, Ellie. Tell me the truth. Is he acting normal for him? You know him well.”
She hesitated, remembering the scene inside the bathroom. “He didn’t hurt me and I don’t believe he will. Maybe he’s just mad because that nurse could piss anyone off. I’m not on experimental drugs but I still want to strangle her.”
“It’s best to be safe than sorry. You need to be taken away from him until we are certain he’s not a danger. The human side of Species seem to fade during the reaction and our animal instincts take total control. We’re natural predators and he may have scented you as prey, Ellie.”