Текст книги "Smiley"

Автор книги: Laurann Dohner

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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 22 страниц)

His gaze lifted to the sky. Vanni would be flying over soon with Justice. It seemed like forever passed before the sound of the approaching helicopter drew his attention. It flew overhead and he turned, watching it land near the center of Homeland.

Vanni had arrived. He turned his back and kept a close eye on the ground for movement. The last thing he wanted was an attack to go down while Vanni visited the NSO. He was angry enough at that moment to kill anyone who dared try to breach the wall in his section.

Chapter Eleven

Vanni hated the way her stomach grew queasier when they finally reached Homeland. It might have been caused by not having eaten all day but nervousness mixed with the helicopter ride seemed more logical. Justice North smiled encouragingly when she looked at him. The helicopter landed and the uniformed guards opened the door. He motioned her to follow him.

Justice exited but then reached up to assist her down. Her anxiety increased when she glanced around the area. At least a dozen uniformed New Species stared at her, minus the helmets with tinted face shields. Their grim expressions weren’t welcoming or friendly. She followed Justice to a waiting Jeep.

“Take the passenger seat.”

She climbed in but tensed when two large New Species got in the back. Justice slid into the driver’s seat.

“I’m taking you to my office first. It will give my people time to prepare guest quarters for you and we still have a few questions.”

“Okay.” It wasn’t as if she could protest.

The drive was short but they passed a lot of New Species on the street. They turned to peer at her as the Jeep passed. It made her self-conscious and she second-guessed her decision to call the NSO. She’d never felt so out of place before in her life. Justice parked in front of an office building and she climbed out.

“This way.” He waved her toward the front doors where two intimidating New Species protected the entrance. The two guards from the rear of the Jeep took positions behind her. It made her feel as if she were under arrest. Fear inched up her spine and she struggled to remain calm.

“Where is Smiley? Is he here?” She wasn’t sure if she wanted to see him or not but a familiar face might help.

“We weren’t certain if you wanted to see him. He’s currently on duty.”

“Oh.”

“We can arrange for him to visit you later if you wish.”

Vanni just nodded, keeping pace with Justice. They entered a reception area and she got her first look at a New Species woman. The dark-haired, tall woman rose from behind her desk. “Jessie is in her office if you want a female present to make that one more comfortable.”

“Tell her I said thank you but everything is fine. Vanni, please follow me.”

Vanni smiled at the woman but received a frown in response. Her dark gaze wasn’t pleasant either. She hustled to follow Justice. Two men waited inside, both seated on a couch. They rose to their feet when she entered.

“This is Fury and Slade.”

She couldn’t help but gawk at Fury. She’d recognize him anywhere after all the news coverage of the press conference that had turned violent. For weeks footage had been shown of him saving the woman he loved by scooping her into his arms and running for safety after a gunman had opened fire. He’d been shot protecting Ellie. The couple had become an icon of true romance to a lot of women. “It’s an honor to meet you,” she managed to get out.

His eyes widened but he stepped forward and offered his hand. “Thank you. I think.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just that you’re Fury.” She managed to offer her trembling hand.

He had a firm grip and a brisk handshake. “I am.”

Vanni sealed her lips to avoid embarrassing herself further by having a fan-girl moment. She turned her attention on the second guy. He appeared to be canine with jet-black hair and striking blue eyes. He nodded but didn’t offer his hand.

“Why don’t you sit, Vanni?” Justice rounded his large desk and indicated she should take a seat in one of the leather chairs.

She gratefully collapsed into the nearest one. Justice took the lead. “Vanni didn’t willingly offer to participate in the Woods Church press conference. They held her against her will and made threats. Have you heard anything regarding their current status?”

“We did.” Fury resumed his seat. “They have delayed speaking to the press. We’ve gotten a lot of calls asking for comments. The Woods Church looks bad after not delivering what they promised.”

“Good.” Justice reached up and loosened his tie. “Tell them who drugged you and Smiley, Vanni.”

She swallowed and held Fury’s dark gaze. He had nice eyes and he didn’t glare at her. “The bartender. Gregory said they paid him to do it and he even told me the name of the drug.”

Justice growled softly and Vanni glanced at him, alarmed. He looked furious. “You didn’t tell me that part.”

“Sorry. Gregory said they paid someone almost seven hundred thousand dollars for B-47. He didn’t tell me the actual drug name but that’s what he called it. He said something about a batch and he made it clear that he didn’t think much of the guy he bought it from. He never said a name.”

“The bartender worked there for three years with never any complaints against him. I double-checked all employee records for anyone working in the room at the time of the incident.” Slade removed his cell phone from his shirt pocket. “I’ll text Tim to pick him up.”

“Do that,” Justice agreed. “Quietly.”

“Of course.” Slade focused on his phone.

Justice cleared his throat. “Are you well, Vanni? You’re pale.”

“I’m out of my element,” she admitted. “Am I under arrest? I swear I didn’t know anything about what they planned to do at the hotel. I only found out about the bartender and all that last night after Carl and his father refused to let me leave.”

“You’re not our enemy. We’re willing to believe you and you’re currently our guest at Homeland.” Justice’s words were comforting until he spoke again. “Unless we discover you’re lying to us.”

“I’m not. Everything I’ve told you is the truth.”

“We’ll get to the bottom of it,” he promised.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have come here. I saw the way some of your people looked at me.”

“The Woods Church has been unkind to the NSO and we weren’t certain if you were a member or not. Word will get out why you’re here and they’ll warm to you.” Justice paused. “I am curious about something. Why haven’t they used Smiley’s name yet? It hasn’t been mentioned at all during any of the television coverage.”

“Bruce asked me his name this morning but I lied to him. I told him I didn’t remember. He didn’t believe me but then those horrible women showed up so he didn’t have time to force me to talk.” She went into more detail about her ordeal before her rescue. “I told my best friend to get lost and asked her to tell my parents to do the same. You don’t think Gregory will have someone go after my sister or brother, do you? They are in other states.”

“We can send out teams to secure them if you wish. They’ll be relocated to a nice hotel and put in protective custody.”

She hesitated. A week before she’d have laughed if someone had inferred that Gregory was a danger to her life and to the people she loved most. She’d never have guessed he was capable of everything he’d done so far. “Please. I’m worried about them. My sister is home alone with her two kids while her husband is at work. I don’t worry that much about my brother since he’s a cop and I know they live in a very secure building. Beth is fine where she is and so are my parents. Gregory won’t be able to find them.”

Justice withdrew a pad from a drawer and pushed it across the desk with a pen. “Write down directions so we can reach your siblings. I give you my word they will be comfortable and secure.”

She wrote down her brother’s and sister’s addresses. Her parents would have fled to her father’s best friend’s cabin. They vacationed there every summer. She pushed the information across the desk to Justice and returned the pen.

“Thank you.”

Slade approached and lifted the pad. “I’m on this.” He left.

“We need to stop the rumors the Woods Church has created,” Fury stated.

Justice nodded and stared at Vanni. “They informed every press outlet that you were going to announce you’d been drugged and raped by a Species male. They want Smiley prosecuted in your human courts.”

“That was on the news?” It horrified her. “That’s not true!”

“We’re aware.”

“Gregory is insane. Around-the-bend, toss-a-net nuts.” She sighed. “I never liked him but Carl seemed so different from his father. I’ve had my eyes opened. Carl does whatever his father tells him to do. He just walked out and left me there with his father and Bruce. He could never have cared about me at all to be able to do that. They seem obsessed with destroying New Species at any cost.”

Justice’s features softened. “Gregory Woods and his followers truly hate the NSO. We try not to take it too personally. Perhaps you should do the same. You weren’t the female they meant to drug.”

Vanni couldn’t follow his advice. It was personal, at least after she’d been held prisoner and threatened. Carl had sworn he loved her but he hadn’t batted an eyelash when she was in danger. She wanted to get back at them and make them pay for what they’d done.

“Do you need me to speak to the reporters?” She hugged her waist. “I’ve avoided them since the video was plastered all over the TV but I’ll do it if it clears Smiley’s name.” Her parents would flip out if they heard that on the news. They would wonder if she’d lied about the limited details she’d shared with them about that night. It had been easier to allow them to assume she’d just drank too much and hooked up with someone in a bar.

Fury spoke. “I’ve been on the phone with our public relations team all morning. I informed them Vanni was on the way to us and they recommended no direct contact with the media where they could ask her questions.”

“Wise advice.” Justice nodded. “They can be brutal.”

“Miles suggested an outing with the two of them but keep the press at a healthy distance. They can photograph Smiley and her together. That will discredit Gregory Woods when they are seen in a friendly setting.”

“I agree.” Justice studied her for long moments. “She’ll need clothing. We could send two support teams with them to take her shopping tomorrow. That will give us enough time to set it up and we won’t have to leak it to the press. Humans always report our sightings so that will allow about fifteen minutes before the paparazzi and news crews arrive on scene.”

“Good idea.” Fury shifted in his seat. “Never forget social media sites. Humans will snap photos of them and upload them from their phones. They will assume they are dating though if they are seen together again.”

Vanni listened to them converse, a little surprised at Fury’s statement. “But we aren’t.”

He frowned. “It’s better to allow them to assume you’re in a romantic relationship with Smiley than what they have been told so far.”

She couldn’t dispute the sense of that. “Yeah.”

“We’ll schedule the outing.” Justice stood.

“What will Smiley have to say about this plan? I mean, he probably doesn’t want to spend time with me after what happened.” It made her nervous just thinking about seeing him again.

Apparently, Justice didn’t need time to think about his response. “Smiley will be very agreeable to take you shopping. He’s been concerned for your well-being.”

Vanni wasn’t sure how she was going to react to seeing Smiley but clearing his name was important enough to her to agree to anything the NSO suggested. “Okay.”

“You’re safe here with us, Vanni.” Justice smiled. “Relax. You appear nervous and there is no need. We’ll assure your safety and keep the press far from you tomorrow. We deal with them often.”

“I’m sure you do. They are always saying something about you guys on television.”

“We’re glad to have you stay with us. We’d like our medical staff to take a look at you. You were given a version of the breeding drug and you told me you were Tasered.”

“I’m fine. I’d really rather avoid doctors right now. I just want to shower, eat and sleep.”

“Perhaps later you’ll agree.” Justice didn’t seem happy with her refusal but he didn’t argue. “I’ll have one of our males escort you to guest housing.”

She was dismissed. “Will you tell me about my family when you take them to a hotel? I’d like to know when they are safe.”

“Of course.” Justice inclined his head. “I’m sure they are worried about you, as well. We’ll assure them that you are safe.”

“Thank you.”

“We’d appreciate it if you gave them the impression you are here to visit Smiley. The last thing we need is your family assuming we’re keeping you here against your will and asking your police to intervene.”

She nodded. “Of course. They won’t be happy about it but I don’t want them to worry.”

“They don’t like Species?” Justice’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“It’s not that. They’ll be happy if they think I’m dating someone but they will worry that I jumped into a new relationship too fast. I was engaged a few days ago. They liked Carl. He had all of us fooled.”

“I understand.”

“I can sell it though.” She was sure of that. “I’ll just tell them how horrible Carl treated me at the hotel and they won’t be fans of his anymore. I don’t want them to know about the rest of it because it would upset them too much. I’ll tell them Carl and his dad made up those lies if they heard anything about what Woods Church leaked.”

“Thank you. We’ll forward their calls once we have them secured in a safe location,” Justice promised. “We’d appreciate it if you didn’t make any outgoing calls. You should know they would be monitored. All calls are. It’s not personal.”

She had no clue why they’d do that but she had nothing to hide. “I do need to call Beth. We’ve been best friends since we were kids and I want to make sure she’s safe with Elvis.”

Justice’s eyebrows shot up.

“Not the real one. He’s dead. It’s a guy she dates on and off. He impersonates Elvis for charity events. We just joke around by calling him that. His real name is Mickey.”

“Fine.”

Someone entered the office and Vanni turned. Her mouth hung open as she gawked at the massively built New Species. He had an immense chest and bulky, muscular arms but it was his eyes that she couldn’t look away from. They were brown with red glints in them.

“This is Jericho,” Justice said as he pinned the man with an intent look. “I’m not sure why he’s in my office but I’d like to know the answer to that since this was a closed meeting.”

The guy didn’t look away from Vanni. His gaze lowered though, and he seemed to study every inch of her from head to foot. “I am Smiley’s friend. Is there a problem?”

“No. I was about to have her escorted to guest housing. Perhaps you would like that job?”

“I just wanted to make sure things were fine.” He crossed his arms over his chest and shifted his gaze to Justice. “It’s cool?”

“She’s not accusing Smiley of anything and is willing to help us solve this mess.” Justice sighed. “Tell Smiley he was right. I have phone calls to make. Can you arrange for transportation?”

Jericho’s tense stance relaxed. “This way, Miss Abris.”

“It’s just Vanni.”

She kept a few feet between them as she followed him out of the office, down the hallway and out the front door. The two guards were still stationed there. Jericho paused by one of them.

“Escort her to human housing and make sure she has everything she needs.” He turned to her. “I have something I need to do. Enjoy your stay here. This is Wager. He’ll treat you well.”

“Thank you.” Jericho was a friend of Smiley’s and she wanted to ask a ton of questions but resisted. He was a scary person with those unusual eyes. Her curiosity about Smiley’s welfare could wait.

She watched Jericho stride to a Jeep and drive away. Wager cleared his throat and she turned, staring up at him. He was blond, tall and had pretty catlike eyes.

“Welcome to Homeland, Miss Abris. I have a cart parked just over there and will drive you to human housing. Your cottage has been stocked.”

“Cottage?”

“It’s what we call the houses in the Species and Human housing areas.” He was cute when he smiled.

“Human housing? Aren’t you human too?” She regretted asking that but it was already out. “Sorry. I hope that wasn’t insulting.”

“It’s not. We encourage questions. We are human but we’re also more. I’m a feline Species.” He offered her his arm. “Let’s go, Miss Abris. May I call you Travanni?”

“Yes but it’s just Vanni. No one calls me Travanni unless I’m in trouble.” She was really out of her element. “I’m not in trouble, am I?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

She put her hand on his forearm and he led her to a marked golf cart. She noticed more of them nearby as she took a seat. “Do you have a golf course?”

“No.” He released her, climbed in the driver’s seat and started the engine. “We have three types of vehicles at Homeland and Reservation. The SUVs we use when we leave NSO lands but the Jeeps and golf carts are for traveling inside the gates. We tend to use more golf carts here at Homeland than at Reservation. The terrain there is harsher in some areas.”

She relaxed in the seat. “Thank you for being nice to me.”

He turned his head and flashed a grin. “I feel as though I partially know you.” He pressed the gas and took off, turning the cart around in the street.

“I don’t understand.”

“I saw you on the television with Smiley.” He glanced away from the road to run his gaze down her body. “You appear smaller in person than on my television.”

She cringed. “You saw that?”

“Everyone has.”

She looked away to stare at the buildings they passed but it only made her aware that they drew attention from New Species. Two men standing in front of a building openly studied her and then another one stopped his Jeep to get a better look at her. She started to regret calling the NSO. It was tempting to ask if Wager would take her to the exit but she had nowhere to go and with no money she couldn’t reach her parents. They’d just ask her a lot of questions that she didn’t want to answer.

For better or for worse, she was stuck at Homeland.

* * * * *

Smiley prowled the wall, alert for any movement on the other side. Vanni was safe at Homeland. Fury had made valid points but it didn’t sit well with him that he wouldn’t be there when she was questioned in detail about the Woods Church. She might be frightened.

The low groan that escaped his lips assured him it was probably for the best he wasn’t present. Vanni affected him too strongly. He couldn’t be logical when instinct urged him to protect the female.

The sound of an approaching Jeep drew him from his thoughts and he turned. Jericho parked near the base of a tree next to the wall and he waited until the male climbed up and leapt the five feet to land gracefully on the walkway beside him.

“Is she well? Justice and Fury aren’t intimidating her, are they? Fury promised they would go out of their way to tone it down.”

Jericho frowned.

“What?” Smiley tore off his helmet and gripped his weapon tighter. “Did something happen? Did the doctors find something wrong with her?”

“She didn’t agree to go to Medical but she is fine. Wager is taking her to human housing right now. I assigned him the duty myself.”

“Wager?” Smiley felt his rage building. “He’ll flirt with her. That male is always talking about how he wants to find a human to give him babies.”

“He’s not an idiot. Everyone has seen that video and he’ll assume you’d fight him if he touches her.”

Smiley frowned, debating whether Wager would be foolish enough to offer to share sex with Vanni. It would be a mistake.

“I’m going to go see her now.” He reached for his radio. “I’m calling in for someone to take my place at this post.”

“Why do you think I came? I’ll cover the rest of the shift.”

Smiley shoved his weapon and helmet at Jericho. “Thank you. You’re a good friend.”

“Go home, shower and don’t wear your uniform when you see the female.”

“Why?” He glanced down. “Do I smell? Look bad?”

“You’re not sweaty but I believe she’s seen enough of our officers today. You should dress casually so you’re just a male to her. She appeared a little overwhelmed. Give her some time alone first.”

“She’s frightened?” His gut twisted. “She needs me.”

“You’re not listening.” Jericho sounded annoyed.

“She is here alone. I’m the first Species she ever met. She was held against her will and had a traumatic day between escaping them and coming to Homeland. I need to let her know she’s safe.”

“You’re being irrational.” Jericho’s voice had deepened when he continued, “I’m your friend and you need to trust my judgment.”

Smiley didn’t enjoy hearing the advice.

“The last thing that female needs is to have you arrive with your emotions on a short leash. Shower, relax and then go see her when you aren’t in protective mode.”

“I didn’t frighten her before.”

“I listened in on everything that took place in Justice’s office. She sounded nervous about seeing you again.”

“You listened in?”

Jericho shrugged, cradling the rifle. “My hearing is good and I wanted to know if she was really as blameless as you believed. She doesn’t hide her emotions well when she speaks. She hides them even less effectively with her expressions. I see why you were convinced she didn’t drug you.”

“You spoke to her?”

“Not much. I could detect her emotions while she answered questions and then I saw her expression when I walked into Justice’s office. She wasn’t able to conceal her fear of me. She reads easily.”

“You frightened her?” Smiley tensed.

“It was my size and she seemed confused about my eyes. I get it a lot but humans attempt to hide their reactions after a second. She wasn’t able to. Follow my advice and be calm when you see her. Take it slow, Smiley. She isn’t one of our females. Don’t forget that. She reminded me of a spooked kitten. I didn’t spend time with her because I was aware of her fear of me. Wager puts humans at ease with his friendly personality so I passed her into his care. I tend to frighten humans when I do this.” Jericho grinned, showing teeth.

“You look menacing.”

“I know.”

Smiley took a deep breath. “I’ll go home and shower. Should I wear jeans and a tank top? Or slacks and a nice dress shirt?”

“Wear workout gear. She’ll appreciate your show of arm muscles. Humans seem to like those.”

He remembered her reaction in the bar when he’d removed his jacket and grinned. “You’re right.”

“Take it slow, Smiley. I know you want the female but she’s skittish.”

“Understood.”

He stepped around Jericho and leapt, landing on a thick tree branch and swiftly climbed down. He looked up and pointed to the Jeep.

“Take it,” Jericho called out. “I left the keys in the ignition. Your replacement will have a vehicle so I won’t have to jog home.”

Smiley slipped into the driver’s seat and started the engine. His first instinct was to drive to human housing but he pushed back the urge. He’d follow Jericho’s advice. He admitted to being a little irrational where Vanni was concerned. He couldn’t wait to see her again but a shower and change of clothes seemed like a good idea.