Everyone laughed except Justice. “He didn’t say anything about that to me.”
“Well, he sure did to me.” Jessie faced him. “I had to hear a fifteen-minute rant. I pointed out that Obsidian is twice her size and weight, stronger than three normal guys combined, and explained the Species sex drive to him. You’d think he’d know since he’s the NSO shrink. I told him we were glad she didn’t press charges against him. Species males go after what they want with about as much finesse as a bull in a china shop.”
Ellie laughed. “True but we happen to love stubborn men.” She leaned against Fury, winking. “I love you.”
One of Fury’s arms wrapped around her waist to pull her closer. “I love you too.” He glanced at Justice. “What did you say to the head shrink when he suggested we kill Obsidian? I hope you snarled a little and showed him how displeased you were.”
Justice shook his head. “I have to play nice with him. And don’t call him that term. I’ve been assured by him that it’s offensive.”
“Kregkor is offensive,” Jessie muttered.
Justice nodded. “Agreed.” He held Fury’s gaze. “I refused to agree to kill Obsidian. Kregkor argued but we came to a compromise. We have to pretend his opinion matters for a while. Our public relations team believes it would look good if we had him on our staff, considering what all of us have endured. It makes leery humans happy to believe we are all in therapy.”
“You all underwent that crap when the original four facilities were discovered.” Ellie frowned. “It wasn’t effective. It only made things worse from what I heard.”
“It wasn’t fun,” Justice agreed. “They didn’t understand us and wanted to hear about our feelings.”
“We were pissed,” Fury muttered. “They told us that was natural.” He had a disgusted look on his face. “It just annoyed us being forced to talk to the head shrinks and wasted our time.”
Justice hesitated. “That’s why we call them that but let’s agree not to say it in front Kregkor. He gets called that often by Species he requests to speak to and hates it.”
Fury snorted. “He doesn’t understand us. It’s a waste of time sending our people to him.”
“So what was the compromise?” Jessie rubbed his chest.
“Obsidian is territorial over Allison and he won’t allow anyone to get close to him either. I think some time apart would do him some good. We can’t have him attacking any male he finds threatening by attempting to kill them. Taking her out of the equation for a little bit will prevent that from happening. Kregkor demanded she leave Homeland immediately and I agreed to have her sent to Fuller.”
Jessie paled. “As a member of the staff, right? Not as a prisoner?”
He reached up and caressed her cheek. “Allison will work there.”
She blew out a relieved breath. “How long will she be gone? I got the impression her and Obsidian might have growing feelings. You can’t expect them to just forget about each other if that’s the case.”
“I didn’t specify a timeframe. Kregkor was happy she wouldn’t have access to Obsidian and I thought her being gone would help Obsidian bond with our people. We’ll see how he does without her and we can bring her back at any time if she works at Fuller. It will also give Allison a way to redeem herself for stealing Obsidian. Her motives were pure and she saved his life. I’d really like her at Medical again.”
“We had to punish her,” Fury concurred. “But that doesn’t mean it has to be forever. She is an excellent doctor who risked everything to save one of our males. We want her on our side.” He smiled at his son and kissed his forehead. “Besides, Salvation loves her and she makes him smile. I trust her with his life.”
“Kregkor is handling telling Allison that she must leave. Breeze insisted on being there. She also wants to be the one to tell Obsidian about the decision that has been made.” Justice watched the baby intently. “I agreed to both since I’d rather be here with my friends and mate.”
Jessie leaned in, her lips brushing his ear. “He is adorable. Do you want a son?”
He masked his expression before looking her way.
“You can’t hide anything from me. I see the longing in you to go over there and play with him. I think it’s about that time.”
A slow smile curved his generous mouth. “We should work on that.”
“You’re hiring Allison back for sure, right? She really is fantastic.”
He nodded. “Definitely.”
* * * * *
Obsidian wanted to go to Alli’s space but the female doctor had given orders that he couldn’t leave. Moon paced next to his bed in the small room, glancing at him from time to time.
“I shouldn’t have listened to Darkness when he said to allow you both to work it out with fists.”
“The male wanted to fight and he accused me of abusing my female.” An emotion close to regret filled Obsidian. “I didn’t mean to harm him so bad.” Maybe not but he was less burdened by guilt after he’d been told the male would fully recover within a week.
The door opened and Dr. Trisha North stepped inside. “Good news. You didn’t dent your head any worse than before. You don’t even need stitches.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I do need to give you a shot though.”
“No. I want to go to Alli. I’ve been here for hours.”
The door opened again and a familiar female stepped inside. He remembered her and her threats. “Breeze.”
“Obsidian. I like the name and I see you remember mine.” She held a tray in one hand. “Don’t be a baby and take the shot.” She stared at him defiantly despite his angry watchful gaze. “I’m not here just to see you get poked. We need to talk about Allison.”
“Breeze,” Trisha warned, removing the syringe from the metal surface.
“Take the shot.” The Species female continued to regard him. “Then we talk.”
“No.”
“What is it for?” Moon joined the conversation.
Trisha licked her lips. “Doctor’s orders. You’re not leaving here until you take this. Do you want to stick around a while longer, until you decide? That’s fine with me but I’m going home after this.”
“Give it to me.” He just wanted to see Alli. She had grown pale when she’d seen his blood and he hadn’t enjoyed the way she’d stared at him after learning he’d fought for her.
The doctor swabbed the skin on his upper arm and he clenched his teeth, expecting pain when the needle pierced his flesh. The Mercile technicians always made sure they inflicted as much pain as possible when they gave injections. Obsidian was surprised when he felt only a slight prick before she withdrew the needle and tossed the syringe into a box on the wall.
Breeze stepped closer. “How do you feel?”
Spots appeared before his eyes and lightheadedness made him sway where he sat on the edge of the table. A low groan filled the room and he realized he’d made that sound. Firm hands gripped him and he fell back, landing on the bed instead of the floor.
“What the hell?” Moon growled. “What did you do to him?”
“We needed him to remain calm,” Trisha whispered. “I gave him a strong sedative. I’m out of here now. What is said is none of my business. I can’t repeat something I didn’t hear.” She stopped by the door. “Good luck, Breeze. I’m rooting for him and your plan.” The doctor left, firmly closing the door behind her.
“What plan? Why have we drugged Obsidian?” Moon hovered closer, his voice deepening with anger. “What have you done, Breeze? This joke isn’t funny.”
“Notice me not laughing. Shit has hit the fan. The head shrink has labeled your angry friend as a dangerous threat to all of us.” Breeze bent over him, holding his gaze. “Don’t panic, Obsidian. You’re safe.” She stared at the other male.
“What?” Moon sounded shocked.
“Worst-case scenario with a newly freed male.” Breeze nodded, her expression harsh. “He threatened to attack Justice and Fury, fought with Jericho, and now this
shit with Destiny.”
“Destiny challenged him and was insulting. He practically begged to get his ass handed to him with some of those taunts.” Moon growled. “This is bullshit. Sure, Obsidian shouldn’t have tried to kill him but he’s still figuring things out. We came from a kill-or-be-killed existence. What the fuck does the head shrink expect? Water balloon fights and slap matches when we grow angry at one another?”
Obsidian struggled with his body but couldn’t move. He flashed back to waking with Alli’s unknown scent that first time. He couldn’t even move a finger this time or control the rise and fall of his chest. They’d given him a strong drug. He had no choice but to seethe as he listened to the conversation.
“Nobody wants it to come to that.” Breeze glanced down at him again. “I asked Trisha to dose you. I knew you’d be very angry and male when we had this discussion. In other words, irrational and violent.” She glanced at Moon. “This is kind of cool. I wish I could have all of you restrained when I have to break bad news.” Her gaze dropped to him. “You’re so docile it’s cute. I’m almost tempted to see how it feels to pinch your cheeks the way mothers do to their young on television.”
“Breeze,” Moon growled. “Don’t screw around. What are we going to do?”
Her expression clouded with severity. “Sorry. Rare moment I had but I’m over it.” She took a deep breath. “I’m going to talk and you are going to listen. I’d ask if that is all right but you don’t have a choice.”
He was going to growl at her when the drugs wore off. He’d enjoy frightening the female to gain retaliation.
“Once upon a time in a land right here,” Breeze whispered.
“Damn it, Breeze!” Moon grabbed her, yanking her away. “That’s not funny!”
“I wasn’t trying to be. We all heard fairy tales when we were children. I think he could relate to why we have worst-case scenarios of newly freed males if he understood what happened to cause it. He needs to hear the story.”
“I’ll do it.” Moon bent, staring into his eyes. “Here’s the condensed version. Some of us were really screwed up in the head by Mercile and a few of them plotted together to kill Justice because they didn’t agree with him choosing a human mate. You can relate to that because of how you want Dr. Allison.” He sat on the edge of the bed, using his arms to brace on both sides of him. “They almost murdered him and his mate. They died trying and it made us realize that not all of us are right in the head. We’d do anything to protect our mates and our friends. That includes killing the ones who are a danger to them. You would kill to protect Dr. Allison.”
“Your version is too blunt,” Breeze muttered.
Moon shot her a disgusted glance. “Be quiet. That’s how males relate to each other. He understands me fine.” He snapped his head back to hold Obsidian’s gaze. “You beat on Jericho, threatened Justice and Fury, and now almost killed Destiny when you should have just beat on him until he couldn’t get up or hit you back. You’re considered dangerous and that’s a real bad thing. We can’t have someone walking around who might kill other Species.”
“Now it’s my turn,” Breeze pushed Moon. “Move.”
The male hesitantly stood, stepping away from the bed. “Be blunt.”
“Fine.” She bent, her hair falling to create a curtain around his face. “They sent Allison away to be a doctor. She is fine but on her way to somewhere far from here where you can’t see her.”
Rage boiled and he struggled frantically, mentally screamed his frustration. His body didn’t respond to the command to get up and find her. Instincts hammered him to hunt for her.
Hands gripped his face firmly, making him aware of the Species female.
“Your eyes are rolling back into your head. Look at me and focus.”
He wanted to hit her but his hands wouldn’t curl into fists. She stood in his way—everyone did—to reach Alli.
“You can’t get her back unless you learn to join our society.”
No one would be able to keep him apart from Alli. He’d leave Homeland if they’d taken her away. It didn’t matter how long or how far he had to go but he would find her.
“I can imagine what you’re thinking and plotting. I would be doing the same. They will have to kill you before they allow you to escape Homeland. You’re dangerous and the humans would panic having a wild Species on the loose in the out world. They have weapons you’ve never seen before and your strength wouldn’t matter. You wouldn’t survive a day. You want her back? You can get her returned to you but you must control your temper.” She smoothed the hair from his forehead. “You can either die or you can learn what you need to survive here. We’ll get Allison back to you if you show them you aren’t dangerous.”
Moon suddenly walked around the bed, flipped Breeze’s hair back and bent his face close in able to be in his line of vision. “We are on your side and we’re going to help you. You need to leash down your urges. Think back to the times you wanted to kill a technician but resisted because it would cause your mate harm.”
Obsidian more than remembered—he’d done it countless times.
“It’s going to kind of be like that. Seem cool and controlled, reasonable when you aren’t, and we will be able to have her returned to you.”
“We aren’t your enemy. That’s something you need to learn. You made everyone afraid and now you need to show them you aren’t so damaged that you can’t fit in with your own people. We’re family, Obsidian. I know you’re enraged but the only way you’re going to get Alli back is by fitting in. It’s not fair, it wasn’t our decision, but that’s the truth.”
“It is,” Moon agreed. “Think about it. Learn control while the drugs work their way out of your system. How you get out of that bed is going to determine if you live or die.”
Breeze nodded. “We want you to have Alli. She is depending on you to do this so they will return her. She didn’t want to leave you but they made her. She’s terrified you will die. You should have seen her tears. I promised her that we’d do anything to help you survive. Don’t let her down.”
That statement made him close his eyes. Is she being hurt? Who has her? Where is she? Is she afraid? He hated the helplessness he felt.
A masculine hand gripped his shoulder and he snapped his eyes open and stared at Moon. “Are you worried about her? She’s safe. No one would dare harm her. She just isn’t here anymore. No one is keeping her prisoner or abusing her. She’ll be given housing similar to what she has now. Relax. Prove you’re not deadly and no one will feel the need to protect her from you.”
He’d never harm his Alli.
“We’ll get her back,” Breeze swore softly. “She’s my friend and you’re going to be one too. You may be stubborn but so am I.”
His eyes closed again. He needed to think.
Chapter Nineteen
Three months later
“He looks really good.” Alli hugged her waist, overcome with so many emotions she wasn’t sure which one was the strongest. Obsidian played soccer with over a dozen males on the side yard next to the men’s dorm. His hair was down, the silky strands blew in the wind, and her fingers flexed from the desire to touch him.
He’d filled out more, judging by his arms and chest, which were displayed in the red tank top that also accented his tanner skin. He ran across the grass barefoot, kicked the ball and it made it past the goalie. He turned—she was sure he smiled and high-fived another male wearing the same-colored shirt.
“He’s healthier and stronger,” Breeze agreed. “He’s not as lean as when you last saw him. I told you all this when you arrived. Do you believe me now? Why are we hiding inside Smiley’s room spying on your male?”
That was the problem. Is he still mine? Fear wrapped its icy tentacles around her heart. She’d been a mess since she’d received the call three hours before from Homeland. They’d offered her the option to visit Obsidian. It had been a dream come true but at the same time, worry had nearly given her an ulcer.
Sixteen weeks and three days had passed since she’d been escorted by a few members of the NSO task force to one of their vans. Fuller Prison was less than an hour’s drive from Homeland. The new boss had been an asshole with a Napoleon complex—she’d barely tolerated him. The entire facility had been contained by high walls similar to Homeland but it was a lot smaller. The job sucked but she’d endured treating the prisoners, hoping to get “the call” saying she could see Obsidian.
“Allison?”
She refused to look away from the man she loved as he ran the length of the yard. “Yeah?”
“Are you well? Was it bad at Fuller?”
“I thought about him every day. It helped battle the loneliness.”
“You didn’t make new friends?” Breeze’s voice drew closer.
“No.” She pushed back unpleasant memories of the time she’d spent away. “It was a coin toss whether the prisoners or the guards were more offensive.”
“Did they offer to share sex with you?”
Too many times to count. The question did make her curious enough to turn her head and stare at her friend. “I was the only woman working there. What do you think?”
Breeze sniffed loudly. “I don’t smell a male on you. Is that it? Did you form a bond with someone else?”
“Hell no.” She took a calming breath, the sharp retort revealing too much of her anger. “Sorry. Let’s just say it isn’t the best job in the world. I’d be a billionaire if I got a dollar for every time one of them hit on me.” She gazed back out the window of the third-floor apartment to locate Obsidian. “Has he missed me?” Hope flared while she watched him kick the ball.
“He doesn’t speak of you at all.”
Ouch. The jab to her heart felt as though a knife had been shoved into it.
“He did at first, maybe two weeks. After that he stopped.”
“Oh.”
“I think it made him too angry.”
Alli glanced back. “At me?”
“At you being gone. He knows you didn’t abandon him. I left no doubt in his mind that you had no choice. Moon and I were very blunt with him.” She lowered her voice. “Although I wanted to break it to him more gently.”