New Species 04 Justice (34 page)

could have had him as your mate.”

* * * * *

Justice paced the living room at Reservation. Memories of Jessie haunted him. He

was always given the same hotel suite when he visited, it was considered his second

home and his gaze lingered on the couch where she’d given him a massage.

He missed her. It was a constant ache that never faded, a pain that made his heart

hurt and a deep sadness that wouldn’t leave him. Jessie Dupree had changed his life

and attempting to forget her seemed impossible. He cursed, ran his fingers through his

hair and hated life.

The computer screen beckoned him and he sat on the edge of the couch, close to the

exact spot he’d been in when Jessie had put her hands on him. He clenched his teeth.

The news had run with the story about a Species male marrying a human. They didn’t

know Valiant or Tammy’s names but it hadn’t stopped the press from going to print or

television.

He read report after report of incoming phone death threats, a few copies of gate

incident reports at both Homeland and Reservation when the protesters grew rowdy

after hearing about the wedding and finally the assessment level the human task-force

team had sent. They were at high alert for an attack.

The cell phone rang and he snatched it up, flipped it open and pressed it to his ear.

“Justice here.”

“Sorry to call so late,” Brass said and sighed. “Were you sleeping yet? I know you

just arrived an hour ago and have a meeting first thing in the morning.”

“I’m still awake. What is wrong?”

The hesitation on the part of the other male made him tense. It had to be pretty bad

for Brass not to want to share the information or to call him at that late hour.

“Tell me. I’ll imagine far worse.”

“I doubt it. Your meeting has been moved and they are coming here to your office

instead of you going to them. Miles Eron called, their offices were broken into and

though they didn’t get access to our files, it was clearly their intent.”

A headache formed and Justice leaned back, his free hand rubbing his forehead.

“How do they know that? Maybe it was just a human crime.”

“Miles said he keeps all our information locked in a safe and they weren’t able to

break into it but they spray-painted graffiti on the walls. It was geared against us.”

“What did it say?”

“Just the general stuff and how they are angry that Miles and his company work for

us. He said the damage was minimal but he’s afraid you coming there would be a risk

to your safety. He’s driving here instead.”

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“Damn.”

“They are either humans who hate us or it was vultures looking for the names of

Valiant and Tammy. Some of our officers have reported that some paparazzi have come

to the gates to offer them money for information on the couple. They have been heavily

harassed by them all day and evening. It’s ongoing. I wouldn’t put it past them to break

into Miles’ offices and make it appear as if a hate group did it. He agreed with me and

so did the police investigating since the damage wasn’t bad and nothing was stolen.

They targeted the safe as if they knew where to look.”

“Just what we needed.”

“I also have another issue.”

“Terrific. What else is wrong?”

“We had two breaches at Reservation. They were caught before they cleared the

walls but they did reach the top before they were apprehended. One of them had a

camera and is known from his police record for trespassing to take photos of celebrities

to sell to the tabloids. The second male was armed and ranting about killing the woman

who would dishonor herself by allowing a minister to marry her before God. We had

them both transferred to the local sheriff. One is going to jail while the other is being sent to a hospital for a mental evaluation.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes.”

Justice sighed loudly, thinking of Jessie again. That man with a gun could come

after her if anyone found out they’d been seeing each other. It just proved being with

him put her in too much danger. He might miss her and it tore him up but she was safe

at least.

“Justice?”

“I’m here.”

“Miles will meet you in your office here at nine o’clock. I’m sorry for disturbing

you.”

“It’s my job.”

“Good night and try to get some sleep.”

“You too.”

He hung up and stared at the spot where Jessie had sat on the back of the couch.

His eyes closed and he allowed the pain to grip him. His fingers curled tighter around

the phone. The desire to call her house was so strong he nearly gave in to it but it would only make things harder. He would talk to her tomorrow after he returned to

Homeland. He’d do it before the event at the bar tomorrow night, which had been

planned to help Species relations with humans.

A decision had to be made about whether he should have her continue to live in the

house next to his. It was too tempting to be so close to her but the idea of Jessie

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anywhere else was just too hard to consider. He might not be able to be with her but

knowing she was so close would have to do.

He rose to his feet, turned everything off and headed to bed. He doubted he’d sleep.

His thoughts were too fractured between the safety of his people and the fact that he

wished a long-haired redhead waited between his sheets.

Images filled his head of what he’d do to Jessie if she were there. He’d touch and

kiss every inch of her body. His cock twitched just considering the possibility. He swore he could almost smell her. He sniffed the room, sure her real scent had long faded. No

trace lingered. It was all in his head.

Some males who had mated reported being obsessed with the need to be close to

their mates. It stopped him cold on his way to the bathroom.
Oh God. She’s not my mate.

Stop it! Don’t go there! It’s bad enough already without those crazy thoughts
.

He walked into the bathroom, flipped on the light and gripped the counter to lean

forward. He peered deeply into his own eyes, their appearance so different from

humans and a constant reminder that life had handed him difficult challenges.

If any other male had wanted to take a human for a mate he’d strongly back them

on it. He’d happily deal with whatever headaches arose from the fallout. They’d plot

the best way to deal with whatever threats arose and handle them. They didn’t mind

challenges—life would be simpler without them but they didn’t shy away from battles.

Of course it hadn’t been his female who’d been put in danger. Jessie would be the

one with a target on her back, he’d be putting everyone out, and he’d sworn to do

everything in his power to make life easier for Species. Anger tightened his hold on the

edge of the counter and it cracked under his strong hands. He glanced down, saw the

damage, softly cursed and released it.

Everything he touched seemed to break when it came to Jessie. His jaw clenched

and a growl threatened to rise. “Not her, not for me. I won’t put the woman I love in

danger.”

* * * * *

Three beers later Jessie knew she’s passed well beyond drunk to flat-out bombed.

Breeze had taken down a six-pack of beer by herself and drank most of a bottle of wine

she’d found buried at the bottom of the fridge. Breeze studied Jessie.

“I’ve been thinking.”

“I can’t stand up.”

Breeze laughed. “Lightweight. Justice deserves you. You are wonderful and you

deserve a good male as your mate. He should take a chance and so should you. Maybe

your world won’t be as opposed to the idea as Justice thinks. For the most part they

took it well when Ellie and Fury married. It was bumpy at first but it seemed your kind

loved them after Fury nearly died protecting Ellie. Maybe they will one day find out

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about our children and not be disagreeable. Who really could hate a cute little baby?

You and Justice deserve to be together and be happy.”

“He won’t think so and I don’t like the part about Fury nearly dying. I don’t want

Justice to be shot.”

“Our males are stubborn sometimes and set in their ways. They won’t see reason

when they should. We should make him see that he should be with you despite causing

some trouble.”

Breeze blurred as Jessie watched her, pretty sure it was her eyesight and not the

woman melting. “I don’t think that’s going to happen. He doesn’t listen well.”

“There is a party tomorrow night at the bar we went to tonight. I’m going to get you

invited, Jessie. You are going to get dressed up and show Justice that he can’t ignore

you.”

Jessie laughed and nearly fell out of the chair. She gripped the table to keep upright.

One hand missed and she hit her thigh.

“Jessie? Look at me.”

Jessie did. “Which one of you? There are two.”

Breeze shook with laughter. It made Jessie feel motion sick and she groaned.

“Don’t worry. I will take care of all of it. We will make Justice realize you are the

female for him. You won’t cry anymore.”

“What does that mean?”

Breeze looked thoughtful. “I hope you are not shy.”

“Shy?” Jessie suffered a bout of lightheadedness. She tried to shift on her seat but

slumped over.

Breeze laughed as she caught Jessie before she hit the floor. “Lightweight,” she

chuckled, lifting her and tossing her over her shoulder. Breeze carried her into her

bedroom and dumped her on the bed. “Now let’s see if you own anything sexy.” She

approached the closet, a determined look on her face.

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“My head,” Jessie groaned.

Breeze laughed, making her head hurt worse. She’d swallowed two aspirin and

prayed desperately they would work soon. It felt as if someone were using a

jackhammer behind her forehead.

“You should never drink.” Breeze chuckled.

“Stop laughing. Please? It hurts.”

“I had to carry you to bed.”

“I don’t remember anything past the second beer. How many did I have?”

“Many more but I drank three times what you did. I didn’t pass out. I tried to get

you to drink wine after the beer was gone but you just said there were two of me.”

“Thanks for putting me in bed.”

“I brought you something.”

“What? Hopefully it’s a shot to knock me back out.”

Breeze walked out of the bathroom where Jessie soaked in the tub and returned

carrying a dress bag in her arms. “It’s a dress and everything that goes with it. Ellie

helped me find you something pretty to wear. You are her size but your boobs are

larger. This will fit.”

“I don’t wear dresses but thank you. Was I rambling about the damn things last

night or something?”

“You will wear this tonight.”

Jessie frowned. “Why? What is tonight?”

“You are going to a party with me. Don’t you remember?”

Jessie shook her head and regretted it immediately. Movement was bad. “What

party?”

Breeze grinned. “This is going to really be good. You don’t remember us talking

about it.” Her laugh sounded again. “You are going to a Species party as my guest.

Other humans will be there and it will be fun.”

“I don’t think so, Breeze. Justice was pretty clear that I’m banned from Species

social gatherings and my head hurts so bad I just want to climb back into bed until next

week.”

“I have made all the arrangements and you’re going. It is a done deal.”

“Did I mention I don’t wear dresses? My father is a senator and he dragged me to

so many benefits growing up that I can’t stand the sight of them.” Some of the pain in

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her skull eased, a sign the pills were working and she peered at Breeze warily. “Plus,

you know someone is going to mention to Justice at some point that I went to that

party. I don’t want to fight with him. When we talk I don’t want there to be yelling

involved.”

Breeze sat on the counter. “This one you will go to and you will wear a dress. I

want you to put on makeup the way your women do and we’ll have fun. It is settled

and I’ll howl if you argue. I’m mixed with canine and have been practicing.” She

grinned, obviously proud of that. “It’s loud enough to make your ears want to bleed, so

shut up, my friend. Now I will wash your hair for you and you will get out of the tub

before your skin wrinkles. We only have a few hours to get ready since you slept all

day.”

“What time is it?”

“Four in the afternoon.”

Jessie groaned. “It can’t be. I had to work today.”

“I told Ellie you would not be in today. She went on the internet, sent a human to

pick up the things she chose from the outside and they delivered it all to the gate. She

bought you everything for tonight. I had to come get one of your shoes and look at your

bra to get your sizes. I hope you don’t mind but I borrowed your key to the front door.

We went to a lot of trouble so don’t argue, Jessie. You are going to that party if I have to carry you. I did it last night and I’ll do it again. Now, scoot away from the edge and let’s wash your hair.”

Two hours later Jessie felt a hundred times better. The aspirin had fully kicked in,

the bath had helped and the headache was just a memory. Breeze had gotten ready with