Текст книги "Brawn"

Автор книги: Laurann Dohner

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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

“We’re taking you to Medical. We have excellent doctors,” Rusty said.

“I’m Becca. I’m Tim Oberto’s daughter.”

“We are aware of your name and who you are.” Rusty shot her a sympathetic look. “Tiger called ahead to tell us what happened and that you were on your way.”

Sunshine finally spoke from the backseat. “We know how it is to be locked up and under the control of others. We have lived it. We understand so you are not alone.”

Becca turned in her seat enough to give the other woman a grateful smile. “Thank you. It wasn’t so bad. Brawn was there so I wasn’t really alone.”

The drive to the Medical Center wasn’t a long one and they parked in front of it. It was a single-story building with large glass windows along the front but they were tinted to hide the interior. Inside were chairs and a small waiting room. A counter separated the room and behind it were a few desks. There were hallways that led to both the right and left of the reception area. A human guy waited by the door in scrubs and she assumed he was the doctor.

“I’m Paul, the nurse. Trisha is expecting you. She’s one of our doctors on staff here. Dr. Treadmont is handling the more severe case coming in.” He hesitated, glanced at the woman and pointed. “That way. Your escorts will be at your side, Miss Oberto. It’s standard procedure that you aren’t to be left alone with me.” He smiled. “I’m a dreaded male.”

Rusty snorted. “You’re a good one and we doubt you would molest her but our orders are to remain at her side to be supportive.”

“Just call me Becca,” she offered.

A short blonde woman wearing a white coat stepped into the doorway. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she smiled too. “Hello, Miss Oberto. I’m Trisha and I’ll be your doctor. Please follow me to an exam room.”

“It’s just Becca,” she repeated.

“Okay. Please come with me, Becca.”

The exam room was similar to every other doctor’s office one she’d ever visited and she sat on the paper-draped table as the door closed. It was just her and Trisha in the room. The doctor looked young, maybe thirty and her smile faded. “Where are you hurt?”

“I don’t need to be looked at,” Becca admitted. “I have some bruises and I think I may have a scratch on the back of my head.”

The doctor came forward, had her tilt her head and put on gloves. She touched her head, found the sore spot and stepped back. “It’s not bad. Any dizziness? Double vision? Let me see your cheek. I spoke to Brawn while you were being flown in and he told me you suffered a few falls and that one of the creeps who kidnapped you struck you in the face.”

“Is he okay?”

“He’s fine. He stayed behind to answer questions but he’ll be back here tonight. Please answer my questions.” She held up two fingers. “How many?”

“I don’t have a concussion. Two. I’m not dizzy and my vision is fine. To be honest, I kind of accepted the ride here just to get my dad to back off. He would have taken me to a hospital and raised hell for me to be seen. One of the New Species made it clear that it would be better if they handled this situation without having the cops notified. I appreciate your concern but I’ve felt worst after a trip to the gym than I do right now. I really am fine.”

“I was informed you were given a shot. Do you know what was in it? Did the doctor say? Brawn noticed the needle mark on your arm.”

That surprised her. “She took blood and swabbed my cheek. She wanted samples from me.”

“I hate those scientific freaks,” Trisha muttered while touching her arms, examining them. She lifted her nightshirt enough to check out her knees and finally the bottom of her feet before straightening. Her gaze held Becca’s. “Would you like to talk to someone? We could get you a therapist. You’ve been through an ordeal.”

“To be honest, I just want a shower, a hot meal and my own bed. That is what would do me a world of good.”

The doctor stripped off her gloves, tossed them at the counter and nodded. “I totally understand. I have some pills for you to take, just to prevent you from getting an infection. I don’t know if they used a sterile needle when blood was drawn but I’d rather not take the chance. Are you allergic to any medications? Are you currently taking any?”

“I don’t have any allergies and I’m not taking anything. I don’t do drugs and only drink once in a while.”

“Okay.” Trisha hesitated. “Um, Brawn spoke to me as I said. Whatever you say is confidential. Are you injured at all? Brawn told me the two of you had sex and he was concerned he may have been too rough. Do you want a pelvic exam just to make sure you’re okay? They don’t carry venereal diseases and I can assure you that he’s completely healthy.”

Becca blushed. “I’m fine. He didn’t hurt me and I’d really like to keep that a secret. You can assure him that I’m healthy too. I get regular checkups and I’m sure about that.” She wasn’t about to mention she didn’t have a sex life to expose her body to sexually transmitted diseases.

The woman’s eyes narrowed. “Only myself, you and Brawn are aware of what happened as far as I know.”

“It’s my dad I’m worried about.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Have you met him?”

“Tim? Yes.”

“He’d have a cow.”

The doctor relaxed. “I see.”

“He’s protective as hell and he’d blow a fuse if he found out how close Brawn and I got inside that cage. He would make a big deal about it. Brawn is one of his new team members. Dad has this rule about how none of the guys are allowed to touch me. He’d just…” She sighed. “Be a dick about it. He treats me like I’m a little kid and he’d become a nightmare to Brawn since they have to work together.”

Trisha’s lips curved into a smile. “I understand. He seems pretty uptight.”

Becca slid off the exam table. “That’s being awfully polite. Dad is a tyrant when he’s angry about something.”

The door opened and Rusty stepped inside. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but my hearing is too good. Would you like me to take her to a room with a shower and have Sunshine get her some clothes? I already ordered food from the cafeteria. It will arrive in about fifteen minutes.” She held Becca’s gaze. “I’m the only one in the hallway who could hear what was being said and I won’t repeat that you shared sex with Brawn. I have met your father and I wouldn’t want him to know either. He yells at his men too much when they are holding meetings in security.”

Trisha laughed. “Welcome to my world. Their hearing is amplified about four times stronger than ours and the males have even better senses. Always whisper if any of them are around or run water to mute out the sound if you want to have a private conversation while you’re at Homeland.”

“Sorry, Doc Trisha.” Rusty chuckled. “I don’t mean to do it.”

“You can’t help it. Please take her down the hall to the nearest shower. I’m going to check on the incoming males.” Trisha reached out and brushed Becca’s arm. “I’m glad you’re okay and feel free to take us up on that offer to speak to someone if you struggle with anything. Just call Homeland and ask for me. Your father never has to know if we assign you a therapist. We have some great ones who work with us. I’ll have Paul bring you those pills. Just take them with water.”

“Thanks.” Becca meant it. “I’m fine though.”

She just wished she could talk to Brawn but knew he wasn’t there. It was still daylight. She had no idea what time it was, but suspected it would be a while before he arrived. She’d shower, eat something and maybe take a nap while she waited for him to find her.

* * * * *

Exhaustion made Brawn sluggish as he stood in the reception room at the Medical Center waiting for Tiger to return from checking on everyone. The male exited from a hallway and approached with a soda in hand, offering it to him.

“I figured you would enjoy this.”

He opened it and drank half of it in one swallow. “Thank you.” He glanced around to make sure no one was close enough to overhear. “Where is Becca?” He sniffed. “I smell her but the air-conditioning has me confused of the direction to take to find her room.”

Tiger frowned. “We sent her home.”

“What?” Anger deepened his voice. “I wanted to see her.”

“That’s not a good idea. She was kidnapped, held prisoner and I already informed Tim that having a Species live in the outside world was a failure. One of his team members will return your belongs in the morning. You’re staying here.”

“I want to see Becca.” He crushed the can in his hand and the contents spilled. He cursed, set it down on the counter and rubbed soda off his palm on his sweats.

“Brawn, be reasonable, my man. She doesn’t want to see you.”

“She said this?” His heart thundered and pain gripped him. “She refused to wait here for me? Was she informed I was coming and that I wished to see her?”

Tiger’s gaze narrowed. “You know it’s for the best. Tim noticed the bite mark on your chest and the scratches. He assumed they were from Becca. He told me that you aren’t allowed any contact with her and that he discussed it with her.”

“Did she refuse to see me?” The question came out in snarled fury. The idea of Becca leaving was bad enough but to refuse to speak to him was unthinkable.

“Calm down now. That’s an order.”

“I’m a council member and you don’t tell me what to do.” He spun and stormed for the door, but had no plan of how to find Becca. He’d think of one though, hopefully find a transport to take him to her home, and see her.

“Brawn? She doesn’t want to see you.”

That brought him to a jarring halt. He turned and Tiger nodded.

“I’m sorry, man. I wanted to spare you but Tim asked for a consult with a shrink before we arrived. I was just given the report he made when he took in all the facts.” He reached back into his pocket and withdrew the folded paper. “She was traumatized by the kidnapping, you were her only source of comfort and she only cared about you as a way of coping with the stress.”

He shook his head. “She is attracted to me. She admitted that.”

“It would only harm her if you forced this issue. Do you want to cause her more stress?”

“No.” Brawn’s knees weakened. He was hungry, tired and injured. His body only functioned on adrenaline and the need to seek out Becca. He locked his legs. “I would never hurt her.”

“I know. You don’t even like human women.”

“I like her.”

“You’ll cause her pain, my man. She needs time to heal and recover.”

“She’s injured?”

“Emotionally. The shrink recommended you make no contact with her at all. Let her come to you when she’s ready if she ever wants to discuss what happened.”

“She was well? The doctor checked her over completely?”

“Yes. Trisha personally took care of her.” Tiger hesitated. “She gave her the pills.”

“What pills?”

The hesitation in answering angered Brawn. “What pills? Was she sick?”

“You shared sex with her. It was decided to give her medication in case you got her pregnant. It will end any pregnancy that may have occurred.”

Brawn snarled, pure rage gripped him and stepped toward Tiger before he even meant to. Tiger stumbled back a few steps and lifted his arms.

“Stop!”

He did. “She wasn’t in heat when I mounted her. I told you this! You told her classified information? I understand now why she is angry. I couldn’t tell her that I could get her pregnant while we were locked up. It was too risky in that place. Is she angry with me? Is that why she refused to wait? I am sure she is on some kind of preventative drug to prevent being impregnated. Most human females are.”

“Not according to what she told Trisha. Becca wasn’t told what the pills really were. She thinks they are antibiotics to prevent infection from the needle used to draw blood from her arm. She isn’t angry or upset with you for not telling her the truth before you shared sex.”

“We shared more than sex.”

Tiger’s expression showed pity. “I’m sure you did but seeing you will only remind her of the trauma she suffered. She was locked inside a cage with you, forced to take your semen and it was a grim situation. She’s safe now and if she ever wants to see you, she’ll let you know. Give her time.”

His chest hurt and it had nothing to do with his bruised ribs, which had been injured when he’d fought with 919 to protect Becca from the drugged male. “We shared more than sex,” he stated more firmly. “I know it would be difficult but I want to spend more time with her. I have feelings.”

“She’s Tim Oberto’s daughter. He leads our task team and while he likes us, he sure as hell wouldn’t be down with you doing his daughter.”

“Where did you learn to speak that way?”

Tiger sighed. “I’m spending a lot of time with the task team. We’ve been training together and I’ve gotten to know them. Tim is very protective of his daughter. He wouldn’t welcome any kind of relationship between you and his daughter. He made that very clear.”

“It doesn’t matter what he likes. I have feelings for Becca.”

“It’s not just about you. It’s about her too and she needs to come to you if or when she wants to see you. Respect that, Brawn. You are a council member but this is about the best for all of us. We can’t make an enemy of the man who heads the task team. We need him.”

“I want her.” His fists clenched.

“She isn’t a pet you can collar and take home.”

“I know,” he snarled.

“You’re tired and hungry. You need ten hours of sleep and then we’ll discuss this, okay? Be rational.”

He fought his anger and tried to calm. “This discussion is not over.”

“I understand. We’ll have it tomorrow after you get some rest and good food.”

The door opened at the front of the Medical Center and Flame stepped inside. “I’ve come to take you home and someone is bringing you food, Brawn. We hope we timed it right to give you time to shower before it arrives. You ready?”

Brawn shot a glare at Tiger. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

* * * * *

Becca sat inside her bedroom but the feeling of being safe inside her own home was gone. Her dad sat at the end of her bed watching her grimly. He’d shadowed her since some of his men had driven her from Homeland to the house. He’d been waiting in her living room.

“Are you hungry?”

“They fed me.”

His gaze studied her intently. “You’d tell me if they made one of those New Species touch you, wouldn’t you?”

“I swear none of them hurt me, Dad. How many times do I have to say it?”

“Tiger and Trey wouldn’t tell me much, no matter how much I threatened. What the hell was going on down there?”

“There was a woman doctor who used to work for Mercile and she had a bunch of goons working for her. They planned to sell the New Species to someone in Europe so they could earn enough money to flee the country. They knew they are wanted by the police. They have some buyer over there who wants a set of them. I guess there are three types of New Species and the doctor only had one so she had Brawn kidnapped and plans to kidnap another one.”

“Feline, canine and primate. I read the report and we’re trying to find the leak.”

“Good. Can I ask you something?”

He tensed but gave a firm jerk of his head. “You’ve earned some answers after what you’ve gone through. What do you want to know?”

“What is going to happen to them?”

“The males are under a doctor’s care. The New Species have a few specialists working for them and they’ll do whatever they can. They’ll call in consulting doctors if they think someone can help. Those guys will get the best care possible now that they are home.”

“I’m glad to hear that but I meant the ones who took Brawn and me. Are they going to pay for what they did? That’s what I want to know.”

He reached out and rubbed her foot through the blankets. “New Species law is brutal. You were right to leave on that helicopter. I wasn’t thinking straight or I would have sent you to Homeland myself. Those sons of bitches are never going to know freedom again.”

“The NSO can give them a trial and sentence them to life in prison?”

He hesitated.

“Tell me. Please?” Tears pricked her eyes. “I’ll sleep better at night. They killed Tina and Mel. They came into my home and—”

“We have a prison, baby. It’s not known, it’s not for general population, but one that only holds people who have committed crimes against New Species. Justice North is a damn smart man who negotiated some impressive deals.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Mercile was funded in part by the US. It’s not widely known but the public would be pissed if they knew where their tax dollars were being spent. Everyone involved wants to keep it that way. New Species could sue the United States and win in court the way they’ve gone after Mercile to be compensated for the years they were imprisoned. It was cheaper to settle and better for public relations to just keep it under wraps. They were given Homeland, the money to start it up, and my task team to hunt down Mercile employees who weren’t captured and to recover New Species still out there. We have found five testing facilities and there could be more. We don’t know but some New Species were given to investors.”

“Given to investors?”

He looked down. “Women, baby. The company traded money for flesh.” His gaze lifted and his mouth grimaced. “Sexual slaves. We try to find them.”

Tears fell. “Oh my God.”

“Yeah.” He rubbed her foot. “That’s what my team is mostly for. We hunt those sick bastards down who bought them and try to find out if the women are still alive.”

“Have you found any?” She hoped so.

“Some. Usually it turns out bad. I won’t lie. Justice demanded to have a task force put at his disposal with full resources to track them down and I was assigned to lead it. We can do what most law agencies can’t, don’t have as many rules as they do and that includes starting up our own prison. We take the ones we arrest there and they aren’t getting out. There’s no such thing as parole or time off for good behavior.”

“It’s at Homeland or Reservation?”

He shook his head. “No. It’s at another location and I’m not telling you where. Some of the people who used to run Homeland before New Species took control are now in charge of that facility. It’s not a resort, let me assure you. They aren’t mistreated but they sure aren’t watching cable or getting visitors.”

“New Species now get to hold the people prisoner who once kept them locked up. That seems fair.”

“No. Justice didn’t want to put any of his people in that uncomfortable situation. The prison is completely staffed by us.”

“Your team?”

“Humans.”

“They are human too, just not completely.”

“That’s true but they call us humans. It’s starting to rub off on me.” He smiled. “I’m going to sleep downstairs on the couch tonight unless you want me to sleep on the floor in here. I could.”

She was touched that he’d offer. Usually he drove her nuts but after what had happened, she didn’t really want to be alone. “You’re too old to sleep on the floor,” she joked. “You’d never get up. My couch pulls out into a king and the mattress is pretty comfy. Thanks, Dad.”

He released her and stood. “I’m just downstairs. Do you want me to leave the light on?”

Becca admitted to being tempted to do just that but she shook her head instead. He was being really sweet at the moment but she didn’t want him using her moment of weakness against her later. Her dad had a way of doing that. Before she knew it he’d be trying to talk her in to moving back into the main house.

“When is Brawn returning?” She really wanted to see him.

“He’s not.”

Shock struck, quickly chased by pain. “What? I was under the impression when I reached Homeland that they’d take his statements and afterward he’d be coming back to my house.”

Anger deepened Tim’s voice. “Tiger is in charge while Justice is on vacation and he deemed it a failure having one of their men live here. They were pretty helpful today getting you back but it’s just not safe for them to live outside those walls. It puts anyone they are with in danger.”

“It wasn’t his fault.”

“I know but I’m glad he’s not coming back. I have a meeting in the morning to go over different scenarios to get some of their guys to integrate with my team. I just have to figure out how to do it safely.”

“I’d like to talk to Brawn,” she braved, risking her father’s temper.

He paused by her door. “That’s not going to happen. I was assured that he’s done with humans. I know something happened between you, you refuse to tell me the details, but I was assured he wants nothing to do with humans ever again.” He flipped off the light and closed her door.

Tears fell. Brawn was done with humans? As in he never wanted to see her again? She remembered how he’d reacted when she’d touched his arm and yelled at Trey to get her out of there. Maybe he’d lied and he was angry at her.

It hurt. She’d fallen for him but should have remembered he didn’t want to get involved with her. He’d made it clear, yet she’d hoped. Becca turned her face into her pillow and clutched it. She missed Brawn and it tore her up a bit that it was over without even getting to say goodbye to him.

Chapter Twelve 

Nine weeks later

Becca wandered around the cabin, bored and lonely. She finally settled on the couch, curled into a ball and used the arm of it for a pillow. She was due to contact her dad soon and she’d have to think up a new lie. He thought she was traveling through Europe and would be shocked if he knew she’d never left California. They kept in touch via her computer.

It was much easier to lie that way than to figure out how to route calls with her dad’s caller ID. She had friends and family who lived in France and Germany, they knew her dad was a tyrant and were sympathetic enough to send the occasional postcard his way to keep him fooled. They thought she just needed a break.

That part had been true up to a point. Her dad had driven her nuts after she’d come home and she’d needed a break from him charging into her home trying to draw her out. She’d been depressed after her kidnapping, had taken time from work and hated to admit she’d wanted to stick close to her phone in case he called.

The thought of Brawn made her sit up and clench her hands together over her thighs. She’d been sad at first when he hadn’t tried to contact her but as the weeks passed, it had turned to anger. How dare he not even check on her? It would have been polite to at least get in touch to see if she had recovered from their traumatic ordeal. The fact that he’d had sex with her made it twice as unforgivable not to make that effort. So much for being a team.

His belongings were taken away by one of her father’s men the day after she’d returned home. She’d had to deal with repairmen for two solid weeks, patching up her poor damaged house, and she’d closed the guest bedroom door after they’d left to avoid being reminded of him. It hadn’t worked though. Every single time she passed through the hallway to go to her bedroom, she caught her glance straying there.

Four weeks later she’d made a shocking discovery that had changed her life. She’d had to plot and plan, make up a bunch of lies and move to a cabin in Northern California. She’d worked quickly to make calls to set up an elaborate deception. She discovered she was good at it and believed she’d covered all her bases. Her dad would have tipped her off if he grew suspicious.

Worry struck hard and pitted inside her stomach at the thought of making a mistake. Even the memory of the dreaded phone call she’d made three weeks ago on her way to the cabin had her tense. I bought a disposable cell phone, paid cash, kept the call reasonably short and it was far from here. I even remembered to remove the battery from it and throw it in the trash in case someone tried to track the phone. She took deep breaths. You did it all right and no one knows it’s you. That calmed her a bit.

The phone had rung twice when she’d placed that call. The NSO operator had answered and she’d asked to speak to Doctor Trisha, had lied and said the woman was expecting her call. Becca had given a false name and even used a Texas accent. She’d lived in that state for five years when she’d been a kid while her father was stationed there as a combat instructor. She felt sure she could pull it off and believed she hadn’t forgotten to keep her voice altered.

Doctor Trisha had picked up after four rings. She would never forget the way her stomach heaved at hearing each ring, her heart had raced and fear had gripped her. It was too dangerous to make the call but she’d needed some answers to some important questions.

“This is Doctor Trisha.” The woman had a cheerful voice.

Becca knew that would change. “Hello,” she’d managed to get out. “I don’t have much time, I’m afraid you’ll trace the call, but we need to talk.”

“Um, okay.” The doctor’s happy tone changed to one of hesitancy.

“Is it true that some New Species are allergic to chocolate and it makes them really sick?”

The silence had stretched longer than Becca liked, every one of them counting since time was limited. They could try to track the phone but by the time someone got there, she’d have disabled the battery, been gone and planned to dump it somewhere else in a trash bin.

“You need to address all your questions to the public relations department of the NSO,” Trisha had finally responded. “Have a nice day.”

Panic gripped Becca. The doctor planned to hang up. “Wait! This is urgent.”

More seconds ticked but the line remained open. “It’s urgent that you know if they are allergic to chocolate? What kind of nut ball are you?” Anger altered her voice again.

“I’m pregnant,” Becca blurted, clenched her teeth in regret but knew she’d have to reveal that fact to get the answers she so desperately needed. She took a calming breath to remember to talk with the false accent. “I slept with a New Species and I’m pregnant. I’m afraid that if I eat chocolate that I’ll hurt the baby. I need to know if that’s a possibility.”

“That’s not funny.”

“I’m not laughing.” Becca hesitated. “It’s true and I am afraid to go to a doctor, considering who the father is. Will a doctor be able to tell that right off? I know they take tests and give ultrasounds. Is it safe for me to go see someone or do I have to avoid that to prevent them from finding out?”

“Don’t you have better things to do than make prank phone calls? I do.” Trisha sighed. “I’m hanging up now.”

Panic gripped Becca again. She knew the doctor didn’t believe her but she needed to. “His sperm is noticeably hotter than other men. They are also well endowed, at least he was and he growls a lot during sex. He has sharp teeth, likes to grip skin with them and enjoys sex on the rough side.” She hesitated. “This isn’t a joke and he was circumcised.”

“Who is this?” Trisha’s voice came out soft. “Is this for real?”

“Yes.”

“You need to come to Homeland, just tell them you need to see me and they’ll escort you in. I’ll personally examine you. I don’t believe you since Species can’t breed but it will end this nonsense.”

“I am pregnant, the father is New Species and no way am I coming there. Just please answer my questions.” Becca hated the desperation she heard in her own voice. “Can it hurt the baby if I eat chocolate? I crave it but I’ve avoided having it. I’m taking over-the-counter prenatal vitamins but I’d like to see a doctor. Will he know if he examines me that something is off? It’s two questions, two answers and that’s all I need.”

The silence made Becca realize she’d wasted money on a disposable phone and making the call. No New Species baby had ever been conceived before, everyone knew it was impossible and the doctor didn’t believe her. She’d risked it though since she was on her own without medical help. It terrified her not knowing if the baby was okay.

Trisha finally spoke again. “That’s not possible.”

“Well, it is. I’m definitely pregnant and too afraid to go see a doctor. I didn’t want to risk a test coming back weird and them figuring out my baby is mixed race. Please just answer the question. I have to get off the phone soon. I don’t want you to trace the call. I know y’all can do that.”

“Why don’t you come to Homeland? I’ll personally examine you myself. It’s free if you’re worried about money.”

“I can’t do that.”

Trisha spoke fast. “This is a prank, right?”

Becca fought tears. “I wish it were but no. I’m scared,” she admitted. “I know about the hate groups and I’m the first woman to get pregnant by one of them, which would be huge news. I don’t want my baby to be the center of a freak show or to be targeted by idiots. I’ve rented a remote cabin. No one but you knows about this. I don’t trust anyone.”

“You need to see a doctor. Come to Homeland. It will be safe. No one will hurt you.” Trisha took a deep breath. “Or I’ll come to you if this is real. Just tell me where you are. No one has to know.”

“It’s not happening.” Becca hesitated. “I can’t let my family find out. It’s hard to explain and complicated but that’s how it is. The baby’s father is New Species. Is there anything special I can’t eat or drink besides the regular stuff? Do I need to consume more meat? I know they eat a lot of it.”

“Tell me something else so I know this is real.”

Becca bit her lip. “I’m gaining weight fast and showing already when I shouldn’t be. I had morning sickness within a few weeks of getting pregnant but I thought I caught the flu until I started gaining weight and my breasts grew tender. I’ve had friends who had babies and remembered them complaining about that when they were pregnant.”

“Tell me where you are and I’ll come to you. You need medical supervision immediately if you are pregnant and it’s a New Species. How far along are you?”

“I’d rather not say. You could ask who’s slept with a human woman and narrow it down to find me. I won’t take that risk.”

A soft curse issued from the doctor. “You don’t know how dangerous this could be if you are alone. Are you really going to a remote cabin? You can’t do that. You need medical help close by. I need to know how far along you are.”

“I have to go. Do I need to eat more meat or avoid any foods? Can I see a doctor safely without it ending up on the evening news? Just answer that. I don’t want to harm the baby by not giving it what it needs or eating something it can’t tolerate.”

The doctor softly swore. “Yes. Eat more red meat. Some New Species get sick on chocolate. I don’t know if it would affect a baby but it can make some of them really ill. Don’t chance it. A doctor would get odd results right away if it were a Species baby and think something was wrong with your pregnancy. He’d run more tests and they would figure it out quickly. Come to Homeland. You—”