Worst-case scenario—Brawn might want to take the baby from her. Flame had said they wouldn’t do that but she knew enough about New Species to know most laws didn’t apply to them. Could they just toss her outside the NSO walls after she gave birth and keep her from ever seeing her baby again? Who would stop them? Their property was considered sovereign territory. They answered to no one, had their own laws.
Obviously Brawn didn’t give a damn about her but he might want the baby. More tears spilled and the idea of her father killing him didn’t seem that horrible anymore. She forced her mind to stop that line of contemplation. She didn’t trust men, they lied and pretended to be what they weren’t. She’d learned that painful, horrible lesson with her first marriage.
She’d never have pegged the big, fearless Species as an as**ole but she’d been wrong. He had a reason to return to her house—to collect his belongings—so they could talk in person after they’d been freed but he’d avoided the entire issue by having her father pack his things. He wanted to forget all about Becca and what had happened between them. The message had been loud and clear, a severely painful one for her.
The helicopter set down, bumped the ground hard and shook her from her thoughts about Brawn. Flame rose to his feet, tucked his head and walked to the door that opened from the outside before they reached it. Becca lifted her head, glanced into his eyes and swore she saw pity there.
She turned her head to stare outside, worried someone who knew her would be waiting. A female New Species stood there instead and smiled. She was tall, muscular and sported an NSO uniform. Her gaze fixed on Becca’s midsection and she had no doubt the New Species knew she was pregnant. Worry ate at her that word might be spreading far enough to reach her father but so far she didn’t think they knew her name. It was only a matter of time.
Two male New Species startled her when they stepped from each side of the open doors and reached up. Becca hadn’t known they were there. Once again Flame was gripped by his upper arms and lifted. The males placed him gently on his feet. The redheaded Species flashed them a thankful look.
Her captor strode toward a waiting black SUV and she looked over his shoulder to watch the female follow. When they were clear, the helicopter lifted off again. Becca jerked her head back around to avoid the rush of air from the big blades.
“It’s nice to meet you,” the Species woman called out, rushing to catch up. “I’m called Pink.”
Becca met the woman’s eyes. She’d only seen a few of the New Species women but they were very attractive if the ones she’d seen so far were an indication. The males were photographed sometimes but never the females. It was rumored they had to look pretty bad for them to be hidden from cameras. It just proved how wrong rumors could be.
“What is your name?”
Becca opened her mouth but then closed it. “Just call me Screwed.”
The woman blinked, her smile faded and her gaze dropped to Becca’s round stomach. “You certainly were at one point, to get in that condition.”
Becca suddenly laughed, unable to help it and liked the woman instantly. “Yeah. In so many ways. I’m sorry. That was rude of me. I’m just in a world of trouble and having a really bad day.”
“You’re safe here.” Pink smiled again. “No one is going to hurt you. You and your baby are welcome at the NSO and are considered family. Your baby is New Species and you are considered as such, as the mother.”
“Thank you. I mean that.” It touched her that strangers were trying to be so kind. She really wished they’d just let her go. That would be the best thing of all but it wasn’t going to happen. “Where are we going?”
“The Medical Center,” Flame answered as he waited for Pink to open a back door so he could place Becca in the seat. “Doctor Trisha is waiting for you.”
Becca turned her head to glance at the open terrain with tons of grass and a lot of trees in the distance. She’d never been to Reservation. No pictures of it were ever released and all helicopters and airplanes were banned from flying over it. The NSO guarded their home territories with relish.
Pink walked around the SUV to drive while Flame climbed in the backseat with Becca as if he worried she’d try to flee. It wouldn’t have done any good. She knew security walls totally enclosed the vast property of Reservation and she’d never get away. They drove slowly away, toward buildings that were within view.
Becca studied the two-story building they parked in front of. It didn’t have a wall of glass at the front like the Medical Center at Homeland. This building had small, blacked-out windows that were high above the ground. Flame opened the door of the SUV and slid out, holding out his hand to help her. His cat eyes stared at her grimly.
“Should I carry you or will you walk on your own?”
She hesitated. “Do you have a gun?”
He blinked. “It’s holstered at my ankle but you won’t be able to take it from me.”
“Could you just shoot me? Trust me. We’d all be better off.”
Pink laughed as she rounded the front of the SUV. “She’s Screwed.”
Becca nodded. “That’s exactly what I am.”
Flame wasn’t amused as he sighed and reached for Becca. She slapped at his hands. “I’m going. I can walk on my own.”
Flame kept close as Becca slid off the seat and stood. Pink kept a few feet away but the New Species remained on each side of her, probably worried she’d bolt. They had reason to worry, Becca admitted, and was tempted to try. Reality set in though and she lifted her chin. There was no way to avoid facing what awaited inside. She took a hesitant step and then another, feeling like a condemned person.
Flame opened the door and ushered her inside. Becca stepped out of the sunshine into an air-conditioned, large waiting room. It was totally empty, silence greeted her and it felt a little eerie.
“Trisha had everyone leave,” Pink informed her softly. “She cleared out the human and New Species staff. She wanted you to feel safe. We are taking you to an exam room where she can make sure you are well and plans to look with her machines at the baby. She said this will be good for you to get to see your child on the monitor.”
Becca’s legs felt like they were filled with sand as she took every step through reception and down a hallway. She caught a glimpse of the doctor. Trisha’s back was to Becca, her blonde hair in a ponytail and she spoke to a tall New Species male with streaked hair. He was smiling at Trisha and he leaned down to plant a kiss on the doctor that was a lot more than friendly.
Flame cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds but here she is. She won’t give her name and she resisted coming.”
The New Species male released Trisha and she slowly turned. Becca met her gaze and watched recognition register as the doctor’s eyes widened. She instantly turned to the male she’d been kissing.
“You better call Justice and tell him to get here right now. Lock down the Medical Center and tell him shit has hit the fan. No one goes in or out, Slade. No humans near her, period. None. And especially not the task team.”
He frowned and glanced at Becca. “Why?”
Trisha stared at Becca. “This is my husband, Slade. Slade, meet Rebecca Oberto. She’s Tim Oberto’s only daughter, the one he brags about. The one who is in Europe. He showed me the postcard he got from her two weeks ago. Call Justice, damn it. We’ve got a bigger problem than we thought.”
Chapter Fourteen
Becca managed to stay on her feet but her knees felt a little shaky. Her secret was out, at least to the people in the room and she blinked back tears. No words came at first. She just stood there trying not to be sick. Her stomach churned from nervousness and fear.
Slade frowned while studying Becca grimly. “She doesn’t seem to be in Europe.”
“Nope,” Trisha agreed. “You should have told us right away, Rebecca. How did you send your dad postcards anyway?”
“My late husband has family over there and I asked a few favors.” Becca blinked back tears. “Just let me leave. I have money and can disappear again. My father…” She paused, pleading with Trisha with her eyes. “He can’t find out about this. He is going to go ballistic and he won’t let this go. He is going to be out for blood and we know whose he’s going to want. He’ll blame him for touching me regardless of it being consensual. He’s never reasonable when it comes to me. Just let me go and let’s end this right now before it’s a full-blown nightmare.”
“We can’t, Rebecca. That baby is going to need to be here where you’re safe. Did Flame tell you anything about what to expect from the pregnancy? A full-term New Species baby develops in about twenty weeks. You’re what? Eight weeks along?” Trisha took a step closer.
“Nine.”
“You’re almost halfway through your pregnancy. It’s why you are showing and can feel the baby move. I have a son with Slade. The New Species’ altered genetics are strong and override everything so the baby will be male and he will have the New Species physical traits. You can’t just have this baby and hide it. Your dad is going to have to find out at some point unless you were going to lie and say you were staying in Europe forever.”
“I sometimes fantasize about making up something about a car crash and possibly faking my death.”
Trisha’s eyebrows arched. Becca shrugged.
“I didn’t have all that planned out. I’ve been kind of trying to live day by day to avoid the stress.” Her hand rubbed her distended belly. “I think about it and yeah, stress. I know that’s not good for the baby.”
“We have to inform the father of the baby, Rebecca.”
“No.” Becca shook her head. “It’s my baby.”
“We have to. Your dad will find out at some point and you know that. He’ll go after him. You said so yourself. He needs to be warned at the very least. Would you like us to bring him here to give you the opportunity to tell him in person?”
Becca shook her head firmly again. “We have nothing to say to each other. I can’t stop you from telling him but if you do, I don’t want anything from him except to stay away from me.”
“You blame him for what happened?” Trisha’s face paled. “He was a victim too.”
“I know that and that’s not why I don’t want to see him. Just tell him I don’t want anything from him but for him to stay away. I was stripped of the choice to come here or not. Please don’t force me to see him too. Please?” Becca hated that tears filled her eyes. Hormones and the fear of what would happen were making her highly emotional and taking their toll. “Don’t I have enough to deal with already?”
Trisha hesitated, looked uncertain, but then blew out a breath. “Let’s go look at the baby and check you out. We’ll worry about that first and the rest later. Why don’t you go inside and strip everything off? I’ll be there in a minute.”
Becca nodded grimly and stepped into the exam room. She shut the door the second she was alone, leaned against it and closed her eyes. They were going to tell Brawn and her father the truth. The thing she’d worked so hard to avoid was a total bust. As in I got busted. Damn. Damn. Damn. She put her hands over her stomach and rubbed. The baby moved and she knew at least one thing was right in her world.
Flame frowned. “You know who the father of her child is?” He peered at Trisha, waiting for an answer.
She nodded. “Don’t tell anyone who the father is until he is informed first. Hell, this information is considered completely classified so he’s the only one you tell. You heard her. She won’t tell him herself. I need you to do it, Flame.” She glanced at Pink. “Not a word to anyone about this. We’re the only ones who will know besides Justice when Slade calls him.”
Pink nodded.
Flame hesitated, looking grim. “Who am I going to go give the happy and shocking news to?”
Trisha glanced at her husband before addressing the Species male. “Find Brawn. He was forced to share a cage with her when he was kidnapped and they shared sex. This is going to be…” Trisha sighed, at a loss for words.
Slade put his arm around her. “Difficult for all.”
“Son of a bitch,” Flame cursed. “I think I know where he is. I heard some of the females discussing something this morning at breakfast, before I left for my work shift. I’ll go now.” He spun, noticed Pink’s shocked expression and totally understood that emotion. He stormed toward the doors.
* * * * *
Brawn danced closer to one of the females, happy to be distracted. He’d spent another sleepless night, a day with too much paperwork and hoped he’d wear his body down enough to rest. Breeze grinned at him, bumped her hip against his and her hand curled around his arm.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” He spun her, dipped her body until her hair nearly reached the floor and yanked her upright.
“For agreeing to come with me. Isn’t this fun?”
He had to admit it beat staring at walls. “Yes.”
“You’re taking me to dinner later.”
He hesitated.
“You are. I learned a new saying. All work and no play makes males boring.” She chuckled. “Or dull. Either way you need to have fun. You are grumpy and snarl at everyone.” She leaned into his chest and peered into his eyes. All humor fled. “I worry about you. We’re friends. You’d do the same for me.”
He couldn’t refute her words. He nodded. “I am aware.”
Obviously Brawn didn’t give a damn about her but he might want the baby. More tears spilled and the idea of her father killing him didn’t seem that horrible anymore. She forced her mind to stop that line of contemplation. She didn’t trust men, they lied and pretended to be what they weren’t. She’d learned that painful, horrible lesson with her first marriage.
She’d never have pegged the big, fearless Species as an as**ole but she’d been wrong. He had a reason to return to her house—to collect his belongings—so they could talk in person after they’d been freed but he’d avoided the entire issue by having her father pack his things. He wanted to forget all about Becca and what had happened between them. The message had been loud and clear, a severely painful one for her.
The helicopter set down, bumped the ground hard and shook her from her thoughts about Brawn. Flame rose to his feet, tucked his head and walked to the door that opened from the outside before they reached it. Becca lifted her head, glanced into his eyes and swore she saw pity there.
She turned her head to stare outside, worried someone who knew her would be waiting. A female New Species stood there instead and smiled. She was tall, muscular and sported an NSO uniform. Her gaze fixed on Becca’s midsection and she had no doubt the New Species knew she was pregnant. Worry ate at her that word might be spreading far enough to reach her father but so far she didn’t think they knew her name. It was only a matter of time.
Two male New Species startled her when they stepped from each side of the open doors and reached up. Becca hadn’t known they were there. Once again Flame was gripped by his upper arms and lifted. The males placed him gently on his feet. The redheaded Species flashed them a thankful look.
Her captor strode toward a waiting black SUV and she looked over his shoulder to watch the female follow. When they were clear, the helicopter lifted off again. Becca jerked her head back around to avoid the rush of air from the big blades.
“It’s nice to meet you,” the Species woman called out, rushing to catch up. “I’m called Pink.”
Becca met the woman’s eyes. She’d only seen a few of the New Species women but they were very attractive if the ones she’d seen so far were an indication. The males were photographed sometimes but never the females. It was rumored they had to look pretty bad for them to be hidden from cameras. It just proved how wrong rumors could be.
“What is your name?”
Becca opened her mouth but then closed it. “Just call me Screwed.”
The woman blinked, her smile faded and her gaze dropped to Becca’s round stomach. “You certainly were at one point, to get in that condition.”
Becca suddenly laughed, unable to help it and liked the woman instantly. “Yeah. In so many ways. I’m sorry. That was rude of me. I’m just in a world of trouble and having a really bad day.”
“You’re safe here.” Pink smiled again. “No one is going to hurt you. You and your baby are welcome at the NSO and are considered family. Your baby is New Species and you are considered as such, as the mother.”
“Thank you. I mean that.” It touched her that strangers were trying to be so kind. She really wished they’d just let her go. That would be the best thing of all but it wasn’t going to happen. “Where are we going?”
“The Medical Center,” Flame answered as he waited for Pink to open a back door so he could place Becca in the seat. “Doctor Trisha is waiting for you.”
Becca turned her head to glance at the open terrain with tons of grass and a lot of trees in the distance. She’d never been to Reservation. No pictures of it were ever released and all helicopters and airplanes were banned from flying over it. The NSO guarded their home territories with relish.
Pink walked around the SUV to drive while Flame climbed in the backseat with Becca as if he worried she’d try to flee. It wouldn’t have done any good. She knew security walls totally enclosed the vast property of Reservation and she’d never get away. They drove slowly away, toward buildings that were within view.
Becca studied the two-story building they parked in front of. It didn’t have a wall of glass at the front like the Medical Center at Homeland. This building had small, blacked-out windows that were high above the ground. Flame opened the door of the SUV and slid out, holding out his hand to help her. His cat eyes stared at her grimly.
“Should I carry you or will you walk on your own?”
She hesitated. “Do you have a gun?”
He blinked. “It’s holstered at my ankle but you won’t be able to take it from me.”
“Could you just shoot me? Trust me. We’d all be better off.”
Pink laughed as she rounded the front of the SUV. “She’s Screwed.”
Becca nodded. “That’s exactly what I am.”
Flame wasn’t amused as he sighed and reached for Becca. She slapped at his hands. “I’m going. I can walk on my own.”
Flame kept close as Becca slid off the seat and stood. Pink kept a few feet away but the New Species remained on each side of her, probably worried she’d bolt. They had reason to worry, Becca admitted, and was tempted to try. Reality set in though and she lifted her chin. There was no way to avoid facing what awaited inside. She took a hesitant step and then another, feeling like a condemned person.
Flame opened the door and ushered her inside. Becca stepped out of the sunshine into an air-conditioned, large waiting room. It was totally empty, silence greeted her and it felt a little eerie.
“Trisha had everyone leave,” Pink informed her softly. “She cleared out the human and New Species staff. She wanted you to feel safe. We are taking you to an exam room where she can make sure you are well and plans to look with her machines at the baby. She said this will be good for you to get to see your child on the monitor.”
Becca’s legs felt like they were filled with sand as she took every step through reception and down a hallway. She caught a glimpse of the doctor. Trisha’s back was to Becca, her blonde hair in a ponytail and she spoke to a tall New Species male with streaked hair. He was smiling at Trisha and he leaned down to plant a kiss on the doctor that was a lot more than friendly.
Flame cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds but here she is. She won’t give her name and she resisted coming.”
The New Species male released Trisha and she slowly turned. Becca met her gaze and watched recognition register as the doctor’s eyes widened. She instantly turned to the male she’d been kissing.
“You better call Justice and tell him to get here right now. Lock down the Medical Center and tell him shit has hit the fan. No one goes in or out, Slade. No humans near her, period. None. And especially not the task team.”
He frowned and glanced at Becca. “Why?”
Trisha stared at Becca. “This is my husband, Slade. Slade, meet Rebecca Oberto. She’s Tim Oberto’s only daughter, the one he brags about. The one who is in Europe. He showed me the postcard he got from her two weeks ago. Call Justice, damn it. We’ve got a bigger problem than we thought.”
Chapter Fourteen
Becca managed to stay on her feet but her knees felt a little shaky. Her secret was out, at least to the people in the room and she blinked back tears. No words came at first. She just stood there trying not to be sick. Her stomach churned from nervousness and fear.
Slade frowned while studying Becca grimly. “She doesn’t seem to be in Europe.”
“Nope,” Trisha agreed. “You should have told us right away, Rebecca. How did you send your dad postcards anyway?”
“My late husband has family over there and I asked a few favors.” Becca blinked back tears. “Just let me leave. I have money and can disappear again. My father…” She paused, pleading with Trisha with her eyes. “He can’t find out about this. He is going to go ballistic and he won’t let this go. He is going to be out for blood and we know whose he’s going to want. He’ll blame him for touching me regardless of it being consensual. He’s never reasonable when it comes to me. Just let me go and let’s end this right now before it’s a full-blown nightmare.”
“We can’t, Rebecca. That baby is going to need to be here where you’re safe. Did Flame tell you anything about what to expect from the pregnancy? A full-term New Species baby develops in about twenty weeks. You’re what? Eight weeks along?” Trisha took a step closer.
“Nine.”
“You’re almost halfway through your pregnancy. It’s why you are showing and can feel the baby move. I have a son with Slade. The New Species’ altered genetics are strong and override everything so the baby will be male and he will have the New Species physical traits. You can’t just have this baby and hide it. Your dad is going to have to find out at some point unless you were going to lie and say you were staying in Europe forever.”
“I sometimes fantasize about making up something about a car crash and possibly faking my death.”
Trisha’s eyebrows arched. Becca shrugged.
“I didn’t have all that planned out. I’ve been kind of trying to live day by day to avoid the stress.” Her hand rubbed her distended belly. “I think about it and yeah, stress. I know that’s not good for the baby.”
“We have to inform the father of the baby, Rebecca.”
“No.” Becca shook her head. “It’s my baby.”
“We have to. Your dad will find out at some point and you know that. He’ll go after him. You said so yourself. He needs to be warned at the very least. Would you like us to bring him here to give you the opportunity to tell him in person?”
Becca shook her head firmly again. “We have nothing to say to each other. I can’t stop you from telling him but if you do, I don’t want anything from him except to stay away from me.”
“You blame him for what happened?” Trisha’s face paled. “He was a victim too.”
“I know that and that’s not why I don’t want to see him. Just tell him I don’t want anything from him but for him to stay away. I was stripped of the choice to come here or not. Please don’t force me to see him too. Please?” Becca hated that tears filled her eyes. Hormones and the fear of what would happen were making her highly emotional and taking their toll. “Don’t I have enough to deal with already?”
Trisha hesitated, looked uncertain, but then blew out a breath. “Let’s go look at the baby and check you out. We’ll worry about that first and the rest later. Why don’t you go inside and strip everything off? I’ll be there in a minute.”
Becca nodded grimly and stepped into the exam room. She shut the door the second she was alone, leaned against it and closed her eyes. They were going to tell Brawn and her father the truth. The thing she’d worked so hard to avoid was a total bust. As in I got busted. Damn. Damn. Damn. She put her hands over her stomach and rubbed. The baby moved and she knew at least one thing was right in her world.
Flame frowned. “You know who the father of her child is?” He peered at Trisha, waiting for an answer.
She nodded. “Don’t tell anyone who the father is until he is informed first. Hell, this information is considered completely classified so he’s the only one you tell. You heard her. She won’t tell him herself. I need you to do it, Flame.” She glanced at Pink. “Not a word to anyone about this. We’re the only ones who will know besides Justice when Slade calls him.”
Pink nodded.
Flame hesitated, looking grim. “Who am I going to go give the happy and shocking news to?”
Trisha glanced at her husband before addressing the Species male. “Find Brawn. He was forced to share a cage with her when he was kidnapped and they shared sex. This is going to be…” Trisha sighed, at a loss for words.
Slade put his arm around her. “Difficult for all.”
“Son of a bitch,” Flame cursed. “I think I know where he is. I heard some of the females discussing something this morning at breakfast, before I left for my work shift. I’ll go now.” He spun, noticed Pink’s shocked expression and totally understood that emotion. He stormed toward the doors.
* * * * *
Brawn danced closer to one of the females, happy to be distracted. He’d spent another sleepless night, a day with too much paperwork and hoped he’d wear his body down enough to rest. Breeze grinned at him, bumped her hip against his and her hand curled around his arm.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” He spun her, dipped her body until her hair nearly reached the floor and yanked her upright.
“For agreeing to come with me. Isn’t this fun?”
He had to admit it beat staring at walls. “Yes.”
“You’re taking me to dinner later.”
He hesitated.
“You are. I learned a new saying. All work and no play makes males boring.” She chuckled. “Or dull. Either way you need to have fun. You are grumpy and snarl at everyone.” She leaned into his chest and peered into his eyes. All humor fled. “I worry about you. We’re friends. You’d do the same for me.”
He couldn’t refute her words. He nodded. “I am aware.”
