New Species 12 Darkness (18 page)

“Stop that.”

“Just tell me.”

She nodded.

Missy grabbed her. “I hate you right now. No, I love you. I do. Was he good in bed? Don’t crush me.”

“A 15 on the 1-to-10 scale.”

“I knew it.” Missy grinned. “You lucky bitch.”

“Did I mention I won’t ever see him again?”

Her joy faded fast. “Shit. He won’t be coming to our door, will he? They don’t leave that place.” She rubbed Kat’s arm. “I’m so sorry. What a bastard. I will never go all fan-girl over them again.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. It wasn’t as if he didn’t tell me it was only sex. I just didn’t expect to feel so much and I really screwed up with my job because it pitted me against him. I chose him in the end.”

“I heard the NSO is kind of like a different country. I don’t think you sleeping with one is illegal and it wasn’t technically on US soil. I think you’re in the clear on that breach-of-conduct thing. I mean, you couldn’t be fired if you went on a trip to Mexico and hooked up with a resident there. You’re allowed to have sex.”

“I was on the job and I shared information with him that I shouldn’t have.”

“That’s bad.”

“I know. Robert Mason is going to have my ass if he finds out.”

“What are the chances of that?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’m getting the chocolate and the vodka.” Missy rose. “Right now.”

“Thanks.”

“Then you’re going to give me more details.”

“You can’t use it in a book.”

“Damn.” Missy narrowed her eyes. “That was me kidding. Think of this room like Vegas. What is said here, stays here.”

“Thanks.”

“Best friends forever, remember? I’m just glad you’re talking to me. You hold too much in, Kat. I worry about you all the time.”

* * * * *

Darkness slammed his front door. Kat had left Homeland. He’d reviewed the footage from Security. She’d hailed a cab after exiting the front gates. Justice and Fury had asked him why she’d left and he’d had to tell them something. He’d shared what she’d told him about the other agents but made it clear it could get her in trouble. He’d even volunteered the information that they’d argued. He just didn’t tell them about what.

He walked over to the couch and sat, slamming his boots on the coffee table. The wood creaked and he leaned to the side to stare at the new crack along the top.

“Fuck.”

He hated feeling as if he’d betrayed her trust. The agents who had posed as workers to fix the damaged front gates hadn’t been able to do anything more. The humans had peered around a lot, their interest too intense, but hadn’t attempted to leave the job site. He should have kept his mouth shut. Guilt and regret ate at him. So did another emotion. He’d never see her again and it left an empty space inside him.

He leaned back and closed his eyes, adjusting his arm along the side cushion. Something crinkled and he shifted, opening his eyes. A sheet of paper protruded from under the cushion. He pulled it out. It was from a notebook he kept on the kitchen counter to write down grocery lists when he ran low on supplies. The handwriting wasn’t his. He read it and cursed.

Jerry Boris. You trusted me. I’m trusting you. K

She must have written it when he’d gone into the bedroom to get her something to wear. He stared at the name, enraged. Why would the FBI be interested in Jerry Boris? It raised all kinds of questions and alarms.

He jerked his feet off the table and stood. He paced the living room, gripping the note in his fist. She’d be in trouble for giving him that information. Otherwise she would have given it up in the bedroom. Why had she?

He stopped and smoothed out the paper, rereading. It angered him. Why couldn’t she have just told him once she decided to share the name?
I would have tried to get more answers from her. I would have insisted she stay longer.
She’d intended the note be found only after she left Homeland.

“Damn it,” he hissed.

He walked over to the counter and snatched up the phone and dialed Fury’s extension. The male answered on the third ring.

“Fury here.”

“I’m in over my head and I need help.”

“Darkness?”

“Who else would call you to say those words?”

“Where are you?”

“At home.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“Thank you.” He hung up and resumed his pacing.

Fury must have left his office as soon as he hung up. The knock on the door came faster than expected. Darkness jerked it open and stepped to the side, allowing the male to enter his home. Fury’s nose flared and he turned, a speculative look in his eyes.

“What?”

“You need to open some windows.”

“Shit.”

“You had sex with the FBI agent. You didn’t tell us about that. I can still smell her. It’s faint but I can pick it up.”

“Put your canine nose away.”

“Is this the cause of the disagreement you had with her?”

“Did you come to help me or to be annoying?”

Fury spun and walked over to the couch. He sniffed and then sat. “What can I do?”

Darkness crossed the room and took a seat on the coffee table. He hesitated, not sure where to start or what would help.

“You want her back?”

Darkness scowled.

“You think you’re the only male who allowed a female to walk away and then regretted it? Should I make a list of names that come to mind? I could remind you about my history with Ellie.”

“Spare me. I’m not like other males.”

“Bullshit. You mounted her. That says it all. Do you think I don’t make it my business to keep tabs on you? You wouldn’t have let her get that close unless you couldn’t refrain from giving in to your desire to have her. You think you’re different but few males actually want to find themselves dependant on a female. They fight it. It’s Species nature in most cases.”

“That’s bullshit.”

Fury smirked. “We have trust issues. It’s tough to admit we need or want anyone enough to risk pain. That’s a common thread all Species share. Did you fall in love with her? Do you want us to get her back?”

“No.”

Fury didn’t look convinced.

It annoyed Darkness. “I don’t want her to pay for trusting me.”

“You do have feelings.”

“I admire her and don’t want her to be hurt because she took risks for me.”

“We went over this. It’s not as if we’re going to call the FBI and ask them why they sent agents to Homeland. They want to pretend it didn’t happen and we’re good with that. We’ll just be more careful, intensify our screening procedure and do more extensive background checks from multiple sources. We’re always upgrading. All we can do is hope to prevent them from doing it again.”

“I didn’t tell you everything in Justice’s office.”

Fury sucked in a breath. “Okay.”

“This is where it gets dicey.”

“Shit.” Fury leaned forward. “I’m listening.”

“I want to protect her. I want that made clear. I got the impression she’d be in a lot of trouble and her career could end.”

“Understood.”

“Can I trust you? This might cause tension with the NSO. I’m asking you to keep this information between us. I don’t know what to do.”

Fury’s eyes narrowed. “In other words, you’re asking me to sit on information that should be shared.”

“Yes.”

The male leaned back and blew out a breath. “I love the NSO and I’d do anything for Species but there’s one exception. That’s my family. They always come first and foremost. You fall under that category. I won’t betray your trust.”

He stood and crossed the room, retrieving the paper he’d left facedown on the counter. He walked to Fury and held it out. The male took it and read the words. He paled. Darkness took a seat again on the coffee table.

“Kat implied she was given orders to search for a male at Homeland and help him leave. Those agents she identified at the gates may have been under the same orders.”

“Why would the FBI want Boris?”

“She didn’t know. I believe that. She seemed confused as to why the person who sent her here wanted that male but she thought it was personal.”

“You think Boris screwed over someone in the FBI or that he might know something potentially damaging to them?”

Darkness shrugged. “It’s a dilemma, isn’t it?”

“That’s putting it mildly.” Fury leaned forward and laid the note down. “She trusted you not to share this information. I see why you called me. You’re torn between us and not betraying that trust.”

“I want access to Boris again.”

“Why?”

“He has the answers. He’d know why the FBI has an interest in him. Give me an hour with that male and we don’t have to involve anyone who could harm Kat in any way. Official channels would put her in harm’s way. They can’t get to him and discover she gave up his name to me.”

“Does she know he’s in Medical? She took a few tours. Did she see him?”

“She wouldn’t have been allowed access to the basement area where he’s being held and I kept close tabs on everyone she spoke to. I interviewed them to see what she talked about, trying to figure out why she was really here. She never asked about humans besides the mate hunters. Sunshine had that discussion with her. She never toured Medical either. I double-checked.”

“We need to tell Justice.”

“He might talk to the Senator and ask him to make inquiries. No. You said I could trust you.”

“This is bigger than the female losing her job. Boris seems to be more of a problem than we thought. What if he had help from inside the FBI with his extortion scheme against the NSO? We paid him a lot of money to recover other Species. We need to find out everything we can to make certain that isn’t a possibility.”

“I don’t know enough about Kat to understand all the risks she faces but I won’t chance it. I refuse to allow her to pay for leaving that note. She wanted to help me.”

Fury shoved his hair back, the frustration clear in his features. “Fine. You want access to Boris?”

“Yes.”

Fury stood, paced. “I got an update today on his condition. He’s not stable enough to leave Homeland and be transferred to Fuller.” He paused, studying Darkness. “He could die if you aren’t careful. He’s not in the best health, especially after the last time you had a talk with him.”

“Understood.”

“I wouldn’t mind if he died but I’d hate to try to explain why you were covered in his blood or why I put you there. We’d both be in front of Justice. Do you understand?”

“You’d tell him everything.”

“No.” Fury shook his head. “I’d break his heart by remaining silent. I gave you my word.”

“He’s your best friend.”

“You’re my brother.” Fury hesitated. “Even if you won’t admit the link, I’d stand by you and that means protecting your female too.”

“She isn’t mine.”

Fury shrugged. “She’s the first thing you’ve really given a damn about and put your ass on the line for. I owe her for that alone.”

“She isn’t mine,” Darkness repeated. “You’re making too much out of it.”

“We’ll see. Just keep in mind that we do know a Senator and could obtain her real name if she didn’t give it to you. That means we could locate her and have her brought back.”

“Why would we do that?”

“In case you decide letting her go was a mistake.”

“It was for the best.”

“For who?”

“Both of us.”

“Let’s go to Medical.”

“You have a plan?”

Fury shook his head. “I’ll just say I want to see Boris and you follow me in. I’ll offer to give the officer guarding him a break.” The male frowned. “You may not have an hour but we’ll see how much time we can get. Work fast and try not to kill him.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“You know you’re going to owe me for this.”

Darkness clenched his teeth. “What do you want?”

“Answers.”

He nodded abruptly. The time had come for them to talk about the past. “Afterward.”

“Of course.”

Darkness approached the cell that held the human. Boris lay in a hospital bed, the machines monitoring him making no sound as the male slept. Fury stayed near the elevator. Darkness unlocked the door.

Boris stirred. “It’s about time. I need more morphine. I’m in pain.”

“You won’t be getting any relief from me.”

Jerry Boris’ eyes opened and he stared in horror at Darkness. “HELP!”

Darkness paused by the end of the bed and smiled coldly, making certain his fangs showed. “No one can hear you. I’m glad you remember me because we’re not done yet.”

Boris’ fearful gaze darted frantically around the room, probably searching for the officer who was usually stationed outside his cell. It was easy for Darkness to read when the male realized no one was there to help him. Tears filled the human’s eyes. No pity surfaced inside Darkness.

“What do you want?”

Darkness gripped the bars of the foot rail and rattled the bed a little. The male cringed and tried to pull his legs up as far as possible. “Let’s talk about the FBI.”

Boris panted and some of the blood drained out of his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes you do.” Darkness released the foot rail and straightened, inching around the bed. He studied every visible inch of Jerry Boris. “I was disappointed with our last conversation.”

“I told you the truth. That cat girl is exactly where I said. You had to have found her. I bribed one of the guards on that estate and he verified she was there and that she was alive.”

“I’m not here about the Gift.” Darkness reached behind his back and withdrew a nail file he’d tucked into his waistband. He lifted one hand and used the tip to run along his thumbnail. “I was disappointed you survived.” He paused and examined the metal point. “No one here likes you. I’m sure you don’t have friends at Fuller either.”

“You’re going to kill me.” Jerry’s voice broke. “You said you wouldn’t if I talked.”

“I said I wouldn’t as long as you gave me the information I wanted and didn’t lie.”

“I told you the truth!” The male scooted to press his body against the side rail opposite Darkness. “I told you everything I know.”

“You didn’t mention the FBI. I’ve been busy since we spoke, looking into everything about your life. They sent agents to attempt to take True’s mate. You remember her, don’t you? Jeanie doesn’t like you either.”

“I don’t know why they wanted her.”

Darkness lunged and grabbed the male’s hand. Boris fought but not effectively enough to jerk out of his hold. “What did I say about lying to me?”

“HELP!” Jerry screamed again. The high-pitched sound was painful to Darkness’ keen hearing.

He used the nail file tip to press just under the male’s index fingernail. “Don’t you hate dirt under your nails? Allow me to help you with that.” He jabbed the point into the tender skin.

The male screamed again and flopped on the bed. Darkness glanced at the heart monitor, watching the numbers spike. He grinned and leaned in. “Tell me about the FBI, Boris.”

The male whimpered.

“This is me being congenial. Do you want to see me pissed off? I could remove each fingernail and then start on your toes.” He removed the metal and released the male’s hand, wiping the bloody tip on the sheet. “Or perhaps one of your eyes. It’s not as if you’ll ever see daylight where you’ll be sent, if you survive this conversation. Keep telling me lies and you definitely won’t.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Darkness chuckled. “Let the fun begin. I like hearing you scream, little man.” He leaned over and grabbed the male’s head. “Right or left eye? Do you have a favorite? I hate both of them so I’ll allow you to decide.” He waved the nail file in front of Jerry’s nose. “Take a good look at me, human. Do you think I won’t do it? I’m no longer amused.”

Sweat broke out on the male’s forehead and panic showed in his eyes. “Please, don’t do it.”

“I want you to tell me everything. I already know some of the details,” he bluffed. He shifted the nail file and ran the tip over the male’s cheek and down to the side of his mouth. “Lie once and you lose something. It’s going to be painful. I would have brought a knife but you don’t deserve being cut up quickly. I want you to feel everything.”

The male whimpered again. “What do you want to know?”

“I want the name or names of your contacts in the FBI. I want to know why they give a shit about you. I want details. Why would anyone want to retrieve you from us? That plan failed, by the way. There is no rescue for you, Boris.”

The male swallowed. Darkness dug the metal tip into the man’s skin, opening a small cut on his chin. Jerry cried out. Darkness paused.

“Talk.”

“My brother-in-law,” he blurted. “Robert Mason. I was married to his sister. He’d try to help me.”

“Why?”

Jerry grabbed hold of Darkness’ wrist but failed to tug his hand away to remove the nail file from his face. It was a useless attempt since the human was weak. It angered Darkness though. He released the male’s head and applied pressure on two of Boris’ fingers until he felt bones break. Jerry screamed and lost his grip on Darkness’ wrist.

“Don’t touch me again,” Darkness warned. “I’ve seen what you like to play with when you’re alone. Keep talking and don’t stop until I have heard enough. Otherwise, I’ll take one of your eyes.”

“Robert knew I worked for you.” Jerry rushed his words. “He knew what happened while I was the director at Homeland. He sent some of his people to arrest Jeanie Shiver because I told him she was a lying cunt trying to help New Species get me fired from Fuller. I told him the NSO held a grudge against me because I had tried to prove they were incompetent to run Homeland.” He sucked in a breath. “I warned him you assholes would make me disappear. And I did but he knows I’m here.”

Darkness eased the pressure on the nail file against the male’s face. “Keep going.”

“I don’t know what else you want me to say. Robert is family. He’d do anything he could to help me. He knows you bastards had it in for me.”

“You extorted blood money for information to rescue our people. That’s on you.”

“You owed me!” Jerry cradled his injured fingers against his chest.

Darkness snarled. “You’re owed death for what you’ve done. You allowed Species to needlessly suffer while you played games and tried to shift the blame to a female who only wanted to help rescue my kind. That makes you a piece of shit.”

“Robert will get me out. He’ll have a federal judge order you to hand me over to his custody.”

Darkness straightened. “It’s just paper here. Your laws don’t apply.”

“He’ll get me. He knows where Fuller is. I told him.”

That news irritated Darkness. Fury’s soft growl was proof the Species had overheard their exchange. “Too bad you won’t be sent there then.” He lunged and gripped the male’s neck. It was tempting to snap the bone. One good squeeze and a twist would end the male’s life. He might need more information later though. He tightened his hold enough to choke off the human’s air supply, watching his face change color and his eyes bulge.

“Darkness, enough.” Fury spoke softly but his voice carried.

Several seconds passed before Darkness released the male and backed up. “You think on the matter. I’ll be back. I want more information.” He lifted the nail file to remind the jerk. “Next time I’ll bring pliers. You don’t need fingernails and you don’t need eyelids if you don’t have eyes. Or I could bring a sewing kit. I could practice putting stitches in you.”

Boris whimpered and his body quaked. Darkness backed out of the cell and locked the door. He spun and stomped across the room. Fury stood next to the elevator with his arms crossed over his chest. He said nothing as he inserted his key to open the secure elevator. They stepped inside and waited for the doors to close.

“Would you have really killed him?”

“No. I just wanted him to think it.”

“I smell his blood.”

“It is no worse than a few paper cuts. I did break two of his fingers. He grabbed me so I grabbed back. We have a name and an association. We need to run the name Robert Mason.”

“It will alert him if we look into him through regular channels. Word will spread among the medical staff about Boris’ new injuries and I’m sure the human will protest what you did. Justice’s father-in-law might be able to get information without raising any suspicions. Justice is going to find out either way.”

Darkness considered it as they left Medical. Fury had sent an officer down to watch Boris again. “I could say I stopped in to check on the male and got the name. We leave Kat out of this.”

“I assumed.” Fury paused by his Jeep. “Let’s go talk to Justice now. It’s better he hears about our little visit from us before the officer calls it in.”

Darkness climbed into the passenger seat. “Just remember that Kat stays out of this.”

“We’ll also ask for the names of all the agents who work with Mason. That way we’ll at least find out your girlfriend’s real name. I think the Senator would agree with that since this Mason might be a threat to the NSO if he’s trying to get his brother-in-law back.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.” He shot Fury a glare. “Are you going to drive or harass me?”

Fury started the engine. “Do you think Mason helped Boris with his extortion scheme?”

“I don’t know but Boris’ heart rate was too high. I needed to end the interrogation or he might have had a heart attack. That is one out-of-shape male. I’ll go back later, when he’s more stable. I got the information I needed most.”

“We have a name,” Fury sighed. “That’s good.”

Darkness silently agreed. Mason would have to be in a position to give Kat orders. He hoped pictures could be obtained of the agents involved with Mason. Otherwise he’d have to guess when he saw the list of names.

The drive to Justice’s home was short. Fury parked at the curb, turned off the engine but hesitated. “Maybe I should call him outside.”

“Jessie will want to know what is going on and it’s her father we need to contact.”

“Agreed.” Fury slid out of the seat. “Let’s go.”

Darkness followed him to the front door and pressed the bell. Jessie answered. She grinned. “Hello. I didn’t expect you two. Come on in. Justice is on the phone but he’ll be off in a few minutes.” She waved them inside.

Darkness peered around the cozy living room. Pictures of the happy mated couple adorned every wall. The place smelled of freshly baked cookies and the lingering scent of shared sex. He studied Jessie, noticing her dress was creased in a few places and her hair mussed. He hid a smile. She noticed his look and arched her eyebrows.

“Don’t assess me,” she whispered. “He had a rough day and I wanted to make it better. I know you can smell what we did but you don’t need to be so obvious about it. You single males are too curious. Fury didn’t do that.”

“I’m smarter.” Fury chuckled. “And have a mate who greets me at the door when I have a bad day. We’ll avoid sitting on the couch. My nose tells me where you shared sex.”

“Don’t let your nose tell you anything else. Got it? Follow me into the dining room. I just took out some cookies. I’m baking a shitload of them for tomorrow.”

“What is tomorrow?” Darkness pulled out a chair at the table and sat.

“We’re flying up to Reservation in the evening. We’re going to spend a few days in the Wild Zone. Justice needed a break and I demanded he take a few days off. You’d be surprised how friendly the residents become when you bring them oatmeal cookies. They love them.” She smiled. “Do you want a few? By that, I mean a dozen. I know how you guys eat. I’ve been in the kitchen all day. I’m turning domestic. It’s scary.”

Fury grinned. “I’m taking over while they are on a mini vacation. You’re good for him, Jessie.”

“That phone has been attached to his ear, unless he’s been in the shower, naked with me, or sleeping.” She pointed a finger at Fury. “You better not call unless it’s major, mister. I mean it. I want him to relax. He needs to have some fun without hearing bad news.”

“I promise.”

“Then it’s your turn. You guys need a few days alone together. I’ll babysit. Ellie said you’re hardly home and you’ve been fighting with another male.” She glanced between them. “I hope you two worked it out.”

“We are getting there,” Fury assured her.

“Good.” She spun and went to the kitchen. “I won’t ask.”

“You’re a good female,” Fury called out.

“No need to kiss my ass. I said I’d babysit. I love kids.” She returned with a plate of cookies, setting them on the table. “Dig in. I’ll get Justice. I’m a pro at luring him off the phone.”

She headed toward Justice’s home office. Fury grinned at Darkness. He frowned back.

“What?”

“You should see the look on your face. You keep staring at everything.”

“I haven’t been inside Justice’s home since Jessie moved in.”

“Nor have you come to mine. This is what a mated home looks like. Did you expect something different?”

“I wasn’t sure what to expect.”

“Mine looks like this but with a lot of toys. They practically explode out of the boxes they are supposed to be kept in. You have to learn to watch where you step. Otherwise you curse often from pain and your child will repeat every word. Ellie has a sense of humor about it, luckily.”

“You’re going to allow Jessie to babysit?”

Fury nodded. “She does it whenever Ellie and I want alone time. Children can interrupt sex. Salvation does it often. We appreciate the break.”

“You trust her?”

Fury’s eyes narrowed. “Yes I do. I’d ask you to watch my son occasionally too but you won’t have anything to do with us.”

“You’d trust me with your offspring?”

“He’s your nephew.” Fury leaned back in his chair. “I would.”

“I know nothing about children.”

“You should learn. Salvation is pretty tough but you’d have to keep a close eye on him. He’s fast and is prone to finding trouble.” Fury chuckled. “He tried to leap off our roof after I dropped him off today. We visited Valiant and Tammy a month ago and he watched their son leap from one of the ceiling beams onto the couch. Noble is a terror with his claws and climbs everything.”