“I’m going to tell them about you when I get out of here. They’ll find you.” It was a promise she made.
140 sighed. “There is real hope of them coming for us, isn’t there? That we could go live in peace with our kind away from our enemies?”
“Yes. I did mention the hate groups, right? There aren’t many of them but they are annoying. Most people are good, not like the assholes you’ve dealt with, and they are as horrified as I am over Mercile Industries.”
Footsteps sounded and Mark returned carrying plastic bags in his hands. He stopped near one of the cages. “Move back.”
The golden-haired New Species edged to the back corner of his cage. Mark reached in and dropped a bag, moved to the next one and left another bag. He finally stopped at Lauren’s cage. 140 moved, pressed against the back of the cage, while Lauren didn’t budge. He set down two bags and backed away. His gaze fixed on Lauren.
“I was told you’re dating a New Species. Is that true?”
“Yes. Are you going to insult me too?”
He glanced behind him and lowered his voice when he faced her again. “I want a deal. When you get out of here, will you talk to your boyfriend for me? I’m willing to give them the address of this place in exchange for a million dollars, total immunity against any crimes and safe travel out of the country. I didn’t know they had their own justice system. They can make deals, right? I never signed on for any of this shit but they’ll kill me if I don’t do what Mary says. The only choice they gave me was to stick around Mercile to be arrested or go with them.”
Lauren bit her lip, her mind working, and hope filled her. “To agree to your terms they’ll want all the New Species back alive.”
“We have four of the men and one woman. Mary and her sister were researchers at one of the facilities. They took these five and we helped get them out after the search warrant was served. We all thought it would blow over but it didn’t. Mary just wanted to protect her research with these ones but now it’s all gone to hell. Our place got busted. We’re probably wanted by the police and I can’t even contact my parents or sister. I’m sick of living in this dump and being treated like shit. I just want my life back.”
Lauren felt zero pity for him but he was desperate and she was willing to take advantage of that. The bastard had worked for Mercile and was still holding New Species in cages. “I’m a mate,” she lied. “I can negotiate a deal with you and they’ll accept it.”
Hope filled his eyes. “Really?”
“Yeah,” she bullshitted. “A million dollars, immunity and a helicopter ride to the nearest border is a bargain for the lives of five New Species. I know they will agree.”
“Okay.” He nodded. “How can we do this? If anyone here finds out they’ll put a bullet in me.”
“Do you have a phone?”
“Yeah but I’m afraid to give it to you. They could trace that shit. I’m not stupid.”
She plotted fast. “It takes at least three minutes to trace a call.”
“I’ve heard that.”
She had no idea if it were true or not, didn’t care either, but he needed to get a message out. “Call Homeland, keep it under three minutes and tell them you know where five New Species are. Give them your terms and tell them I made a deal with you. My name is Lauren Henderson.” She paused. “Tell them my code word is Jasper’s. That will assure them it’s for real and we actually spoke.”
“Code word?”
“You know how parents give their kids a safe word? New Species use code words and mine is Jasper’s.”
He paced as he contemplated her offer and finally nodded. “Okay. Mary is gone for a few hours, the guys are taking off in a bit and I’ve got access to the office. They keep cell phones in there. Homeland, you said?”
“Yes. Call Homeland.”
He walked away and Lauren began to pray he actually made that call and that someone got her secret message. It was a long shot but a lot of humans worked with Wrath. One of them might remember Jasper’s. It had been a popular club once.
“Was that the truth?” 140 drew her attention. “Will the NSO make a deal to buy us?”
“They’ll do anything to get you back.”
140 smiled. “I like you.”
Chapter Sixteen
Wrath paced, too worried about Lauren to sleep. He heard footsteps running down the hallway and spun just as his door was pushed open. Shadow burst into the room.
“Come with me now.” He spun and bolted away.
Wrath was on his heels a heartbeat later, terrified something bad had happened. The NSO had assured him they’d meet whatever demands the kidnappers made to get Lauren back safely but humans were unstable. They could have changed the terms.
Shadow ran down the hallway into the main living area and slowed. Wrath paused at his side. Tim and some other humans were sitting at the table with Brass, who pointed at the phone that had been brought into the room.
“We will do that,” Justice North stated from the speakers on the phone. “This female is very smart. We know they have five Species and now have a way to get them returned to us.”
“He’s talking about Lauren,” Shadow whispered.
Confusion filled Wrath but Brass gave him and Shadow a signal to be silent.
Tim sighed. “Are you able to get that kind of money? The guy wants it in a few hours.”
“That isn’t a worry,” Justice replied.
Tim was grim. “The exchange is going to happen in the middle of the night. Where the hell can we get that kind of money? The banks are already closed.”
Justice laughed and so did Brass. Tim shook his head. Wrath wondered what was going on and why there was a meeting about Lauren. He also noted the mention of the exchange possibly happening before dawn and five Species were involved now.
“What is so damn amusing?” Tim slammed his palm on the table. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Brass cleared his throat. “Lauren rescued Wrath when my team was captured and she called Homeland for assistance. One of males told her that they have the ability to quickly trace all incoming calls there. He didn’t believe she really had an unconscious Species with her and accused her of being one of those humans who harass us. He identified her location to prove his point. She talked one of the humans holding her into calling Homeland directly.”
Justice spoke. “She remembered and hoped we could track the signal. She went even farther to ensure that we’d be able to pinpoint the location.”
“It just takes longer to trace a cell phone signal, which the human male used when he called to make his demands but we have bought the best technology there is. We were able to pinpoint the cell tower used where the call originated.” Brass grinned. “Tell them, Justice.”
“This human called and had to explain the deal Lauren made with him. She not only talked him into calling but convinced him we’d agree with any deal she made with him. To prove it, he told us her specially assigned Species code word.” Justice chuckled. “Which we don’t have and that tipped us off that it must be a message.”
A new voice came on the line. “It’s Tiger. I immediately called the local police authorities in the area of the cell tower and asked them if her code word meant anything to them. I had them pull in all their detectives to pool their resources and as soon as they heard it, one of them remembered a club. Her word was ‘Jaspers’ and do you want to know what the name of that club once was?”
“Jasper’s.” Tim smiled.
“Exactly,” Justice chuckled again. “It was turned into a restaurant but eventually it closed down. According the police the building has been unused for a few years but they were kind enough to place a call to power and water for us. Someone is paying to keep the lights on.”
Tim stood fast enough to almost knock his chair over. “I’ll get a team ready immediately. We’ll breach the building.” He snapped his head in the direction of his men. “Find out if we can get the blueprints on it and I want current satelli
te pictures.”
“Yes sir.” The guy fled to do Tim’s bidding.
“Is Wrath there?”
He stepped closer to the table and the phone. “I’m here, Justice.”
“Your female is very smart. You should be proud of her.”
“I am.” He paused. “I just want her back safely. Wouldn’t it be better to exchange her for what they want, rather than go in after her in an assault?” He glanced at Shadow, seeing worry in his friend’s eyes too over that concern.
Silence stretched but Brass broke it. “We’ve interviewed the human female Mel. She’s unstable and we fear her sister is more so. There’s no guarantee she’ll keep her word, Wrath. We think this is the best option. We’ll hit them fast and hard. Justice is sending both helicopters our way with our people. It will be a joint venture.”
“Her safety is as paramount to us as are our people,” Justice swore. “We want to get them all home. We have two humans trying to make deals with us, both of them want different things, and that implies they aren’t aware of it. They could figure out they are betraying each other and kill your Lauren. It would also give them time to move our people before dawn. We really thought this out.”
“Okay,” Wrath conceded. “I will be there.” His body tensed. “I insist.”
Brass gripped his shoulder. “We agreed you should be with one of the teams going in but you need to keep in control. Do you understand me? One sign that you’re losing it and you’re out of there.”
“When do we leave?” He wanted it to be right then.
“We’re set to go in an hour,” Justice stated. “The helicopters should be setting down in the parking lot in about fifteen minutes. That should give Tim time to plan the mission. We don’t want to rush in there without a plan in place. We’re going to hit them hard and fast, but effectively.”
Wrath grimly nodded. “Agreed.”
* * * * *
Lauren watched the men eat and tried to hide her aversion. It wasn’t cooked at all, just bags of totally raw chunks of meat. She declined when 140 offered her some.
“You need your strength.”
“I can’t eat that,” she admitted. “Really. It makes me sick.”
He frowned and offered it to her again after he used his teeth to tear off a small strip. “One.”
She took it and popped it into her mouth. The metallic taste of cold blood was horrible and it was chewy. It took a while but she managed to choke it down.
“Eat another.”
“Nope. That was it for me. Trust me on that. You don’t want to see it come up.” Her stomach churned. “I’m good until breakfast.” Hopefully I’ll be out of here by then.
140 sighed, appeared slightly disappointed with her, but didn’t argue. He divided her portion of the food into fours, which he split among the other men. They didn’t talk even after they finished their quick dinner and Lauren leaned back against the cage wall. She was tired and it seemed as if a lot of time had passed.
Footsteps drew her attention and Mark walked out from the hallway. He stopped about six feet from her cage. “I called them and they accepted the deal. They are getting the money and my immunity paperwork in order.” He puffed out his chest. “I told them I insist on it being on paper so I have proof. They are planning on having it all done by three. I’m going to leave and they’ll come right after I give them the address.” He pulled out a small little camera and waved it slowly at the cages. “My proof that you are alive and well.”
“Is that deal for all of us?” Lauren worried about that.
“Yeah. You, them, and the woman in the basement.”
Lauren glanced at 140 and he seemed relieved his mate was included. She didn’t blame him. He’d said the woman was sick and she hoped it would be something simple that a full medical staff could handle. The NSO would make sure she got the best doctors. They took really good care of their own.
“I’m going to go pack,” Mark informed them. “I have to think of where I want to live.”
He left quickly and turned off the lights. She wished he hadn’t as darkness settled around them. The bastard no longer cared what happened to them as long as he got his deal. Hope swelled in her chest that he’d remembered to give her code word and that someone would run a search on it, figure out there used to be a club, or that they’d call Amanda to ask her what it might mean. Her best friend would instantly remember their old hangout.
Wrath was smart and he’d figure it out. She definitely had faith him. Time had lost meaning and she couldn’t even estimate if it were still early evening or past midnight. All she could do was wait in the darkness. It sucked.
“Are you cold?” 140’s voice startled her.
“I’m okay. A little chilled but I’m not touching that blanket. It reeks and who knows where it’s been or what’s been done to it.”
He chuckled. “True. Come here and I’ll keep you warm.”
“No thank you.”
“I have a female. I won’t attempt to mount you.”
“You’re damn straight you won’t. I have a guy and I love him. No offense.”
“Come here. I will hold you. Our bodies are warmer than yours.”
She hesitated. “You won’t touch me in a sexual way?”
“No. I said I have a mate.”
“And that means what?”
“I do not want another female. I only want to mount mine.”
There is that mounting word again. She hesitated but nodded. “Okay. Where are you? I can’t see a thing.”
Big, gentle hands touched her waist. She gasped when he just dragged her closer, forced her to lie on her side, and he shoved an arm under her head. One arm tightened around her middle and jerked her closer to his body. She found herself spooned by a stranger. 140 just held her, didn’t try anything funny, and his body heat was nice. She relaxed against him.
“Thank you. You are warm.”
He rested his chin on her head. “You are chilled. Your skin is cooler than it was today.”
“You remember my skin temperature?”
“I noticed everything. It’s what we do.”
“Are we alone in here with just the other New Species men?”
He lifted his head. “Yes.”
“Can all of you hear me if I whisper?”
“Yes.” His body tensed. “Why?”
“Will anyone else hear me? Do you know if they have listening devices or cameras?”
“They don’t and none of them are nearby. I’d smell them.” 140 sounded sure.
She whispered. “I tricked that man into calling the NSO. I am hoping they will send help to us really soon. Homeland traces all incoming calls and they might know where we are. They will come get us before any scheduled exchanges. I don’t want any of you to be alarmed if that happens.”
The arms around her middle tightened noticeably, almost squeezing her to the point of pain. “Will they kill us?”
She knew he meant him, his mate, and the three other men in cages. “No. They are your people, 140. They are going to rescue you. They work with my people and I don’t want any of you to be alarmed if they show up.”
His hold eased. “I am afraid to hope for freedom.”
“I understand.”
Time seemed to stretch on forever. Lauren yawned, the stress of the day getting to her. 140 wasn’t Wrath but in the dark he reminded her of the man she loved. She wasn’t afraid to have hope. I’m getting out of here and I’m going to see Wrath soon.
* * * * *
Wrath wanted to go into the dark building immediately but Brass gripped his arm, shaking his head.
“Wait. They are setting up now. We need to do this right, hit it at once from all sides and take over as quickly as possible to avoid any fatalities. The infrared is showing a lighter heat signature near the hot spots. That means it’s a human.”
Tim watched the portable tablet device monitor in his hands and spoke. “We found her.” He looked grim when he lifted his head, seek
ing someone out in the group clustered around him.
Wrath didn’t like the way Tim held his gaze with a look of near pity. He glanced back down at the screen.
Brass addressed the issue. “What is wrong, Tim? Tell us.”
“We didn’t detect Lauren Henderson’s heat signature right off because another masks it. She’s with one of yours and they are lying on their sides. He is right against her. She’s smaller than him, at first it seemed a blurred image but we got a better angle. They are lying together real tight.”
Rage filled Wrath. “They’ve forced bred her to one of the males.”
Shadow gripped his other arm when he tried to spin around to rush to Lauren’s aid. Brass’ hold clamped down tighter as both of them held him in place.
“You don’t know that for certain,” Shadow rumbled. “Calm.”
“Calm or leave,” Brass agreed.
He took a deep breath to regain control of his anger. He nodded sharply to let them know when he had. “We need to go in there.”
“We have to wait until the lesser heat signatures are farther away from the hotter ones. They could have guns. The problem is that we’re picking up a human close to a Species.” Tim touched his screen and turned it to show the men around him. “This is the blueprint of the building. There’s a small storage basement and that’s where one of yours is being held.” He tapped the screen. “The human is damn close. It’s harder to read the heat signatures belowground but we’ve got them here and here.” He pointed.
“We need to create a distraction,” Brass suggested.
“That’s what I was thinking. We put an SUV in the parking lot to observe the back of the building. We could set off its alarm. That might pull the human to the back of the building to check out what is causing the noise. We can breach if they fall for it.”
“Do it,” Wrath urged, desperate to get in there and find Lauren.
Tim tapped his ear. “Trey?”
Everyone on the teams could hear any chatter on the coms and a male answered. “Yeah?”
Tim outlined the plan. “Everyone get ready to blow in on my command. We all go in at once, no delays, and remember we’ve got five victims in there. We’re assuming the four New Species have never been freed so wait for New Species assistance before you free them unless we hit a hot zone.” He released his ear and stared at Brass. “Are your teams ready?”