“One of the guards did this. Brawn would never hurt me.”
Trey wrapped his arms around her again, yanked her right off her feet and hugged her tight enough to be considered a bear hug.
“Are you okay, kiddo? Tell me the truth.”
“Put me down.” She squirmed to break free, more than aware that her nightgown rose dangerously high and she no longer had panties on. “I’m great besides you trying to break my ribs.”
He laughed as he eased her back onto her feet. “I’m just so glad you’re alive. We were so damn worried.”
“Stop mauling her,” a deep, harsh voice snarled. “We have Species males in need of medical care while you are flirting with that female.”
Becca was stunned over Brawn’s anger. Trey totally released her and turned to face him. “You’re Brawn?”
“I am.” His chest puffed out as he filled his lungs with air. “I want a weapon.” He threw out his hand.
Trey marched over to him—stood shorter by some inches—and lifted his chin. “No offense, sir, but no. How are you? Were you drugged?”
“No.”
Gunshots sounded and Trey spun, rushed for Becca and took her to the ground. She gasped as pain exploded in her back from hitting the floor and his weight crushed her down. A roar sounded and she knew without being able to see that it had come from Brawn.
The weight was jerked away and she stared at Brawn, crouched next to her. He bared his teeth, snarled at Trey who was sprawled feet away, and she realized what had happened. Brawn had thrown her friend away from her and now looked ready to attack him. She sat up quickly, ignored her throbbing head, which had smacked the concrete when she’d been tackled, and put her body between them. Her gaze met Brawn’s.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Rage glittered in his eyes as he glared back, snarled at her and he lifted. “Don’t touch her,” he warned, turned his back and stood there.
Trey shot her a what-the-hell look and she shrugged, not sure why Brawn had attacked him but no more gunshots were heard. Another team rushed into the room from above and some rushed through the double doors the first team had disappeared through while the rest approached the cages.
Brawn spoke softly to a few of the Species males. Becca left the cage and Trey followed closely, almost as if he didn’t want to let her more than a few feet away. She glanced at 919 and found him cowering in a corner of his cage, watching the strangers with dread. Pity welled up. He was drugged out of his head and probably thought more people had come to harm him.
Curiosity made her turn toward the back of the room where they’d taken the other New Species. She wanted to check on him since no one seemed aware of his existence. She passed the wall that divided the room and found another cage. The sight that greeted her brought tears to her eyes.
A male was strapped to a medical bed, his black hair matted so badly it was shocking and he was hooked up to tubes and machines. She walked to the bars and gripped them. The male didn’t move at all. She could see a heart monitor and read the numbers from where she stood. Trey paused beside her.
“Holy fuck,” he hissed.
“Open the door.”
He hesitated. “No. We’ll get a medical team in here.”
“Open the door,” she demanded again. “He’s not moving and his heart rate is really low. He’s unconscious.”
“He’ll probably be dangerous if we wake him. I’m sorry but that door isn’t opening until we’re sure it’s safe.”
She turned to meet his gaze. “Call for help.”
He nodded, reached for his radio but realized quickly that he couldn’t get a signal to the topside. “Let’s go. I’ll send one of the guys up to relay that we need medics pronto.”
Becca hated to leave the male alone so she offered to stay. Trey balked at first but she pointed out no one was there to hurt her and the Species was locked up and tied down. He stalked away and she turned her full attention back to the poor victim inside.
Humans sucked at times and seeing what he’d been reduced to nearly broke her heart. His heart beat but she wondered if he’d survive. He was big but his skin color was really pale, he looked half starved, judging by the way his ribs showed.
It didn’t take long for Trey to return with medics and get the cage door open. She stayed long enough to overhear them state that he was in critical condition. They planned to call in a life flight. Depression hit and she just wanted to find Brawn. Trey grabbed her hand as she tried to ease past him.
“We caught all the bastards and the area is secure. They are going to transport the New Species to Homeland. Do you want a paramedic to look at you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Your father is being kept topside. You really should go see him. He’s been pretty frantic and I think his patience is wearing thin.”
“I just want to talk to Brawn and then I’ll find him.”
“Just hurry. He’s fit to be tied.”
Becca walked to where she’d been caged in time to watch two New Species males unlocking 919’s cage. He was still huddled in the corner, snarling at his rescuers and the human members of the team hung far back. Brawn stood watching and she moved to stand at his side.
“Think he’ll be okay?” She didn’t touch him this time in case he was distracted and hadn’t heard her approach.
“I hope so. It’s his mental state that holds my worry.” He turned and met her gaze. “Becca, I—”
A howl sounded and someone shouted. Becca jerked her head in time to see 919 tackle one of the New Species males, throw him out of the way and slam a fist into the second one. He rushed out of the cage, a wild expression on his face and his gaze located her. Pure rage twisted his features and he barreled forward.
“No!” Brawn shouted and threw his body between them, nearly plowing into her as 919 attacked.
Becca scrambled to get out of the way but it was too late. The enraged, drugged-out New Species punched Brawn in the face. Brawn staggered and 919 howled again as he lunged her way. She didn’t even get a scream out before brutal hands grabbed her. One hand wrapped around her throat, cut off her air and the other one held her arm so tightly she was sure it would snap.
A roar was the only warning before Brawn attacked. All three of them went down in a tangle of bodies, the hand was torn off her throat and 919 screamed in pain. Becca tried to roll away but her legs were pinned under their combined weight as they exchanged blows.
Someone grabbed her arm, she looked up to see Trey’s pale face and he jerked hard enough to make her cry out when he dragged her free. He kept pulling her along the floor until a good ten feet separated her from Brawn. She stared at the sight of him fighting with 919. It was brutal and the sounds they made were flat-out terrifying.
“Get that human out of here,” Brawn snarled. “He is out of his mind.”
Trey cursed, bent and scooped Becca into his arms. She twisted when he lifted her up and jogged for the door. She watched in horror as Brawn and the male kept fighting while no one seemed to help him. Her mouth opened to yell that someone needed to pull them apart but by then Trey had taken her from the room and bounded up the stairs.
“Put me down.”
He panted, kept moving and ignored her order. He slowed as they neared the top and she was grateful for that because all that jostling wasn’t easy on her stomach or her bones.
“Rebecca!”
She’d know that shout anywhere as she turned her head, searched the crowded warehouse filled with team members, New Species and some of the teams medics. Trey halted and eased her down onto her feet.
Tim nearly slammed into her but he skidded to a stop before they crashed together, wrapped his arms around her and encased her in a hug. “Baby.” His voice broke. “Thank God you’re alive.” He rocked her in his arms. “Are you okay?”
Tears filled her eyes and she didn’t try to stop them as her face was smashed against her father’s shirt. “I’m going to be fine.”
“Get a medic!” he shouted, making her wince.
“I’m fine.”
“Sir,” a man reported, “let her go and let me see her injuries.”
Her dad eased his hold on her and she glanced at Bucky, one of the team medics, happy to see another familiar face. The redhead reached out, cupped her jaw and stared at her face.
“Let’s get her to a truck.”
“I’m fine.” She pulled away from his touch.
His gaze lowered down her body, seeming to take note of everything. “Are you sure?”
She stepped back from her dad, looked up at him and smiled. “I’m really okay, Dad. A few bumps and bruises but I’ll live.” Her shoulder ached and her head throbbed some from when she’d crashed to the floor but she wasn’t going to complain about that.
“Shit!” Bucky grabbed the back of her head. “You’re bleeding.”
She froze as his gloved hands touched something that made pain lance through her scalp. “Ouch!”
“We have helicopters about to land.” A New Species male stepped up to her father. “We’ll take your daughter to Homeland. Our doctors are standing by there to treat the injured.”
Tim shook his head. “I’ll take her to a hospital, Brass.”
The tall male frowned, glanced at Becca and addressed her dad. “That will involve your law enforcement. We’d prefer to keep this a Species matter.”
“I don’t give a f**k what you want.” Her dad’s temper showed.
Brass cringed. “They will want us to turn over those we’ve arrested here today. Do you really wish for them to face charges in your courts? They won’t be as harsh on the offenders, your daughter might have to go into a court to testify and we’ll have to explain why we breached this building without consulting them first.”
The idea of any of those monsters responsible for everything she’d survived getting a lighter sentence or a drawn-out trial had Becca’s temper flaring to life. She stared at the tall Species guy until he met her gaze.
“Your laws are harsher?”
“They worked for Mercile once from what we understand and they tortured New Species. They won’t walk away from that.”
That was good enough for her. “I’ll go with you.”
“No.” Tim gripped her arm. “I’m taking you to a hospital.”
She reached out and gripped his fingers. “I don’t want them to get away with what they did. I’m going with them to see their doctors. Let them handle this, Dad. Please?”
The loud sound of a helicopter came from outside and it seemed to land on the street or somewhere nearby. She tugged on her dad’s fingers to urge him to let her go.
“It will be fine.”
He opened his mouth but Brass held out his hand. “I’ll escort you myself and guard you. You’ll be perfectly safe, Miss Oberto.”
“I’m going too,” Tim demanded.
Brass took her hand. “Wouldn’t you rather transfer the prisoners to Homeland? Your daughter will be there when you arrive.”
The indecision on his face assured Becca that he was torn.
“Do that, Dad. Make sure they get there and are locked up.”
“I’ll be there within four hours.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Brass’ hold was gentle as he led her out of the warehouse. It was sunny outside, it blinded her a bit after being kept inside. The wind tore at her hair as they approached the helicopter.
“You will be fine!” Brass yelled to be heard over the engines of the helicopter.
He lifted her inside and helped buckle her into a seat and took the one next to hers. She watched them lift in the injured New Species who’d been hooked up to machines. He was still unconscious. She didn’t know the medic’s name—he was one of the newer members of the task force team she hadn’t met yet. Her gaze searched for Brawn but he didn’t join them when the doors closed and the helicopter lifted off.
Where is he? She hoped he was okay since he would have been flown to Homeland if he needed medical attention. The sound inside the helicopter was too loud for her to try to interrogate Brass. It would have to wait until they landed.
The big New Species next to her opened a blanket and turned in his seat, offering it to her. She gave him a grateful smile, wrapped the soft material around her body and leaned back against the seat. They’d been saved. She buried her face in it and let the tears fall. It had been a hell of an ordeal.
Chapter Eleven
It felt like a long ride to Becca but the helicopter finally landed. She’d never been to the NSO Homeland before. Her father had said it was a nice place when she’d bugged him about it out of curiosity. The engine cut off and the doors opened. They removed the gurney with the unconscious male first and shock tore through her when two large, tall females suddenly appeared.
They had to be at least six feet tall and had the altered New Species features with their well-defined cheekbones. One had catlike eyes that reminded her of Brawn but her hair was shocking—a mix of different colors. Both women wore black uniforms with NSO printed in white letters above their left breasts. They smiled timidly.
“It is safe,” Brass assured her. He stooped to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling and helped her unfasten her belt. “This is Rusty and Sunshine.”
He got out first and reached back to gently lift her down. The two women kept their smiles in place. The redheaded one had yellowish eyes—they were pretty, but eerie in a way. She waved to a Jeep.
Trey wrapped his arms around her again, yanked her right off her feet and hugged her tight enough to be considered a bear hug.
“Are you okay, kiddo? Tell me the truth.”
“Put me down.” She squirmed to break free, more than aware that her nightgown rose dangerously high and she no longer had panties on. “I’m great besides you trying to break my ribs.”
He laughed as he eased her back onto her feet. “I’m just so glad you’re alive. We were so damn worried.”
“Stop mauling her,” a deep, harsh voice snarled. “We have Species males in need of medical care while you are flirting with that female.”
Becca was stunned over Brawn’s anger. Trey totally released her and turned to face him. “You’re Brawn?”
“I am.” His chest puffed out as he filled his lungs with air. “I want a weapon.” He threw out his hand.
Trey marched over to him—stood shorter by some inches—and lifted his chin. “No offense, sir, but no. How are you? Were you drugged?”
“No.”
Gunshots sounded and Trey spun, rushed for Becca and took her to the ground. She gasped as pain exploded in her back from hitting the floor and his weight crushed her down. A roar sounded and she knew without being able to see that it had come from Brawn.
The weight was jerked away and she stared at Brawn, crouched next to her. He bared his teeth, snarled at Trey who was sprawled feet away, and she realized what had happened. Brawn had thrown her friend away from her and now looked ready to attack him. She sat up quickly, ignored her throbbing head, which had smacked the concrete when she’d been tackled, and put her body between them. Her gaze met Brawn’s.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Rage glittered in his eyes as he glared back, snarled at her and he lifted. “Don’t touch her,” he warned, turned his back and stood there.
Trey shot her a what-the-hell look and she shrugged, not sure why Brawn had attacked him but no more gunshots were heard. Another team rushed into the room from above and some rushed through the double doors the first team had disappeared through while the rest approached the cages.
Brawn spoke softly to a few of the Species males. Becca left the cage and Trey followed closely, almost as if he didn’t want to let her more than a few feet away. She glanced at 919 and found him cowering in a corner of his cage, watching the strangers with dread. Pity welled up. He was drugged out of his head and probably thought more people had come to harm him.
Curiosity made her turn toward the back of the room where they’d taken the other New Species. She wanted to check on him since no one seemed aware of his existence. She passed the wall that divided the room and found another cage. The sight that greeted her brought tears to her eyes.
A male was strapped to a medical bed, his black hair matted so badly it was shocking and he was hooked up to tubes and machines. She walked to the bars and gripped them. The male didn’t move at all. She could see a heart monitor and read the numbers from where she stood. Trey paused beside her.
“Holy fuck,” he hissed.
“Open the door.”
He hesitated. “No. We’ll get a medical team in here.”
“Open the door,” she demanded again. “He’s not moving and his heart rate is really low. He’s unconscious.”
“He’ll probably be dangerous if we wake him. I’m sorry but that door isn’t opening until we’re sure it’s safe.”
She turned to meet his gaze. “Call for help.”
He nodded, reached for his radio but realized quickly that he couldn’t get a signal to the topside. “Let’s go. I’ll send one of the guys up to relay that we need medics pronto.”
Becca hated to leave the male alone so she offered to stay. Trey balked at first but she pointed out no one was there to hurt her and the Species was locked up and tied down. He stalked away and she turned her full attention back to the poor victim inside.
Humans sucked at times and seeing what he’d been reduced to nearly broke her heart. His heart beat but she wondered if he’d survive. He was big but his skin color was really pale, he looked half starved, judging by the way his ribs showed.
It didn’t take long for Trey to return with medics and get the cage door open. She stayed long enough to overhear them state that he was in critical condition. They planned to call in a life flight. Depression hit and she just wanted to find Brawn. Trey grabbed her hand as she tried to ease past him.
“We caught all the bastards and the area is secure. They are going to transport the New Species to Homeland. Do you want a paramedic to look at you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Your father is being kept topside. You really should go see him. He’s been pretty frantic and I think his patience is wearing thin.”
“I just want to talk to Brawn and then I’ll find him.”
“Just hurry. He’s fit to be tied.”
Becca walked to where she’d been caged in time to watch two New Species males unlocking 919’s cage. He was still huddled in the corner, snarling at his rescuers and the human members of the team hung far back. Brawn stood watching and she moved to stand at his side.
“Think he’ll be okay?” She didn’t touch him this time in case he was distracted and hadn’t heard her approach.
“I hope so. It’s his mental state that holds my worry.” He turned and met her gaze. “Becca, I—”
A howl sounded and someone shouted. Becca jerked her head in time to see 919 tackle one of the New Species males, throw him out of the way and slam a fist into the second one. He rushed out of the cage, a wild expression on his face and his gaze located her. Pure rage twisted his features and he barreled forward.
“No!” Brawn shouted and threw his body between them, nearly plowing into her as 919 attacked.
Becca scrambled to get out of the way but it was too late. The enraged, drugged-out New Species punched Brawn in the face. Brawn staggered and 919 howled again as he lunged her way. She didn’t even get a scream out before brutal hands grabbed her. One hand wrapped around her throat, cut off her air and the other one held her arm so tightly she was sure it would snap.
A roar was the only warning before Brawn attacked. All three of them went down in a tangle of bodies, the hand was torn off her throat and 919 screamed in pain. Becca tried to roll away but her legs were pinned under their combined weight as they exchanged blows.
Someone grabbed her arm, she looked up to see Trey’s pale face and he jerked hard enough to make her cry out when he dragged her free. He kept pulling her along the floor until a good ten feet separated her from Brawn. She stared at the sight of him fighting with 919. It was brutal and the sounds they made were flat-out terrifying.
“Get that human out of here,” Brawn snarled. “He is out of his mind.”
Trey cursed, bent and scooped Becca into his arms. She twisted when he lifted her up and jogged for the door. She watched in horror as Brawn and the male kept fighting while no one seemed to help him. Her mouth opened to yell that someone needed to pull them apart but by then Trey had taken her from the room and bounded up the stairs.
“Put me down.”
He panted, kept moving and ignored her order. He slowed as they neared the top and she was grateful for that because all that jostling wasn’t easy on her stomach or her bones.
“Rebecca!”
She’d know that shout anywhere as she turned her head, searched the crowded warehouse filled with team members, New Species and some of the teams medics. Trey halted and eased her down onto her feet.
Tim nearly slammed into her but he skidded to a stop before they crashed together, wrapped his arms around her and encased her in a hug. “Baby.” His voice broke. “Thank God you’re alive.” He rocked her in his arms. “Are you okay?”
Tears filled her eyes and she didn’t try to stop them as her face was smashed against her father’s shirt. “I’m going to be fine.”
“Get a medic!” he shouted, making her wince.
“I’m fine.”
“Sir,” a man reported, “let her go and let me see her injuries.”
Her dad eased his hold on her and she glanced at Bucky, one of the team medics, happy to see another familiar face. The redhead reached out, cupped her jaw and stared at her face.
“Let’s get her to a truck.”
“I’m fine.” She pulled away from his touch.
His gaze lowered down her body, seeming to take note of everything. “Are you sure?”
She stepped back from her dad, looked up at him and smiled. “I’m really okay, Dad. A few bumps and bruises but I’ll live.” Her shoulder ached and her head throbbed some from when she’d crashed to the floor but she wasn’t going to complain about that.
“Shit!” Bucky grabbed the back of her head. “You’re bleeding.”
She froze as his gloved hands touched something that made pain lance through her scalp. “Ouch!”
“We have helicopters about to land.” A New Species male stepped up to her father. “We’ll take your daughter to Homeland. Our doctors are standing by there to treat the injured.”
Tim shook his head. “I’ll take her to a hospital, Brass.”
The tall male frowned, glanced at Becca and addressed her dad. “That will involve your law enforcement. We’d prefer to keep this a Species matter.”
“I don’t give a f**k what you want.” Her dad’s temper showed.
Brass cringed. “They will want us to turn over those we’ve arrested here today. Do you really wish for them to face charges in your courts? They won’t be as harsh on the offenders, your daughter might have to go into a court to testify and we’ll have to explain why we breached this building without consulting them first.”
The idea of any of those monsters responsible for everything she’d survived getting a lighter sentence or a drawn-out trial had Becca’s temper flaring to life. She stared at the tall Species guy until he met her gaze.
“Your laws are harsher?”
“They worked for Mercile once from what we understand and they tortured New Species. They won’t walk away from that.”
That was good enough for her. “I’ll go with you.”
“No.” Tim gripped her arm. “I’m taking you to a hospital.”
She reached out and gripped his fingers. “I don’t want them to get away with what they did. I’m going with them to see their doctors. Let them handle this, Dad. Please?”
The loud sound of a helicopter came from outside and it seemed to land on the street or somewhere nearby. She tugged on her dad’s fingers to urge him to let her go.
“It will be fine.”
He opened his mouth but Brass held out his hand. “I’ll escort you myself and guard you. You’ll be perfectly safe, Miss Oberto.”
“I’m going too,” Tim demanded.
Brass took her hand. “Wouldn’t you rather transfer the prisoners to Homeland? Your daughter will be there when you arrive.”
The indecision on his face assured Becca that he was torn.
“Do that, Dad. Make sure they get there and are locked up.”
“I’ll be there within four hours.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Brass’ hold was gentle as he led her out of the warehouse. It was sunny outside, it blinded her a bit after being kept inside. The wind tore at her hair as they approached the helicopter.
“You will be fine!” Brass yelled to be heard over the engines of the helicopter.
He lifted her inside and helped buckle her into a seat and took the one next to hers. She watched them lift in the injured New Species who’d been hooked up to machines. He was still unconscious. She didn’t know the medic’s name—he was one of the newer members of the task force team she hadn’t met yet. Her gaze searched for Brawn but he didn’t join them when the doors closed and the helicopter lifted off.
Where is he? She hoped he was okay since he would have been flown to Homeland if he needed medical attention. The sound inside the helicopter was too loud for her to try to interrogate Brass. It would have to wait until they landed.
The big New Species next to her opened a blanket and turned in his seat, offering it to her. She gave him a grateful smile, wrapped the soft material around her body and leaned back against the seat. They’d been saved. She buried her face in it and let the tears fall. It had been a hell of an ordeal.
Chapter Eleven
It felt like a long ride to Becca but the helicopter finally landed. She’d never been to the NSO Homeland before. Her father had said it was a nice place when she’d bugged him about it out of curiosity. The engine cut off and the doors opened. They removed the gurney with the unconscious male first and shock tore through her when two large, tall females suddenly appeared.
They had to be at least six feet tall and had the altered New Species features with their well-defined cheekbones. One had catlike eyes that reminded her of Brawn but her hair was shocking—a mix of different colors. Both women wore black uniforms with NSO printed in white letters above their left breasts. They smiled timidly.
“It is safe,” Brass assured her. He stooped to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling and helped her unfasten her belt. “This is Rusty and Sunshine.”
He got out first and reached back to gently lift her down. The two women kept their smiles in place. The redheaded one had yellowish eyes—they were pretty, but eerie in a way. She waved to a Jeep.
