“You took off the tie again and started stripping to avoid getting blood on your fancy suit?” A smile tugged at Moon’s lips and his gaze softened. “Is the Gift okay?”
“She’s fine. Safe. Shadow and Beauty mated.”
“Good. I’m glad this shit wasn’t for nothing. What is my condition besides being fucked?” He glanced at Joy then, before staring at Justice. “I could have killed her. Why is she here?”
“We thought you’d just been tranquilized but you woke feral. Our doctors are consulting with specialists all over the country.”
“A Mercile concoction? Those bastards are the ones who tried to grab the Gift?”
“It was the rich prick who once owned her but we believe he’s working with Mercile.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Why is
she
here?”
Justice hesitated. “We were desperate to try anything. I sure wasn’t going to allow Kregkor near you. I know how you feel about him.”
“Thanks.” Moon released Justice and stepped back. “I’m not sure how long I have before I lose it again.”
“Are you sure you will?” Justice studied him. “Maybe it’s over.”
“I don’t think so. I have a headache and a bad feeling.”
“What kind?” Justice asked.
It hurt Joy that he’d answer his friend but had ignored her questions, making it obvious that her help wasn’t welcomed by Moon. She remained silent as the two of them talked.
“I don’t know, but I’m worried I’ll lose my sanity again.” He lifted one arm, staring at the restraint on his wrist then let it drop. “Keep me confined. It’s better to be safe than sorry. My memory is not real clear. There are fuzzy gaps. Besides biting a few people and kicking some ass, have I done any real damage to anyone?”
“No.”
“Apologize for me, will you?” Moon took another step back. “It gets all screwed up in my head. I can’t tell what is real and what isn’t. I am confused most of the time and believe I’m back at Mercile or in the desert. I feel pure hatred to the point that I could hurt anything that moves.” He paused. “Murderous rage. Do you understand? That’s the emotion driving me.”
“We’re doing everything we can and we won’t give up.”
“I know that.” Moon hesitated. “I’d be noble and ask you to put me down but I’m not ready to toss in the towel yet. I want to beat this shit and get my life back.”
“We wouldn’t do that,” Jessie assured him, moving closer to the cell. “We’ll hunt down the sicko who created the drug and make him tell us how to reverse the effects.” She’d holstered her weapon. “Even if I have to go at him. I can be pretty mean when I’m pissed and I’m livid.”
Moon grinned at the redhead but it appeared strained. “Are you working with the task force again to track him down?”
“No. I was pulling guard duty because you believed you were at site four. It’s the only uniform I have.”
“I’ve been with her,” Justice softly added. “You wouldn’t have gotten the chance to cause Jessie harm. I was inside the elevator the entire time, ready to come to her aid.”
“Don’t put your mate at risk.” Moon pressed his back against the wall and reached up, rubbing his temple. “Damn. It’s getting worse. It feels as though my head is being squeezed.”
“Call Treadmont,” Justice ordered.
Jessie grabbed her cell phone. “On it.”
Moon’s gaze lifted and he stared at Joy. Fear gripped her that he’d order her to be sent away but he didn’t say anything. Jessie’s voice was soft as she explained the situation to whoever answered and requested a medical team be sent downstairs.
Joy knew her time with Moon was limited. Dr. Treadmont would probably demand to examine Moon in privacy. She slowly approached him while they continued to stare at each other. Justice didn’t try to stop her. She paused a few feet away from the man she loved.
“I’m not leaving,” she whispered and hated the tears that once again filled her eyes. “Please don’t ask them to keep me away from you.”
He surprised her by reaching out and cupping her face. His thumb was gentle as he stroked her cheek. “We have unfinished business, sweetness.”
The tears slipped out but she didn’t wipe them away. It gave her hope that he didn’t hate her after all.
“You’re the only one who can reach me when I’m lost.”
She wanted to lunge and hug him, relieved that he acknowledged that something special was between them. It took a huge effort to resist the urge. His hand dropped away and he broke eye contact to stare over her head at Justice.
“Don’t give her the key to my restraints again. I bit her. Keep bars between us from now on. That’s the only way she can stay with me. Am I clear? Send her upstairs to have the wound checked.”
Frustration and worry were two emotions Joy could live without. They seemed to be her constant companions since she’d been escorted by Jessie to the elevator. The male nurse had cleaned the bite, bandaged it, and given her an antibiotic shot. Stitches hadn’t been required.
“How is Moon? Is he still lucid? It’s been four hours since Dr. Treadmont and his team went downstairs.”
Paul, the nurse, frowned at her from across the desk. “We’re still waiting for word.”
“Can’t you check? May I go see him?”
“Ted said to keep you here.”
“Of course he did.” The jerk was territorial and didn’t like her.
Sex therapist!
Anger burned at that insult.
“I could call for an escort to take you back to your housing.”
“No. I’m not leaving Medical.”
“Then we wait.” The nurse opened a drawer and offered a pack of gum. “Want a piece?”
“No thanks.”
He returned it and glanced at his computer. “You could sit at that other desk. We have a few games loaded on these things.”
“I don’t want to play draw poker.” She leaned forward to glance at the screen, having noticed that it kept most of his attention. “Is this what you do all day?”
“It is when we’re shut down for the most part. Trisha is treating people at her house if they need something minor. Only emergencies are cleared to enter Medical.” He smiled. “I patched you up since you were already here or you would have been sent to her house too. It’s been a slow day, luckily.”
“Moon is locked in a cell. There’s no way he could get up here to hurt anyone.”
“It’s not why Medical is still shut down. He howls when he’s in a mood. It upsets anyone within hearing distance. Species can’t stand to hear their own suffer. We had a few incidents.”
“What kind?”
He sighed and leaned back, staring at her. “They tried to go to him, thinking they could help. It only made it worse. He broke free a few times. It wasn’t pretty. We were keeping him up here at first. Even in the basement, if he raises a ruckus, well, Species have good hearing. It’s best if we keep the building cleared.”
She glanced at the clock. “What is taking so long?”
“I don’t know since I’m not there. They are using Species nurses with Moon now. He tried to kill me a few times so I’m not complaining. He’d want me to avoid him.”
Joy stood and paced. “I want to know what is going on.”
“We’ll find out when they come upstairs.”
The nurse’s nonchalant attitude drove Joy a little nuts but part of her envied him. Moon’s well-being was all she could think about. Had he lost touch with reality again? Was he talking and sane? She should be with him.
Footsteps sounded and she spun, watching as Justice, Ted Treadmont, and a few tall Species nurses entered the reception area. It took control not to lunge forward to demand answers. She didn’t bother glancing at the white-haired doctor, sure he wouldn’t tell her anything. Justice North held her full attention.
He met her gaze. “Moon needed to be sedated. His state of mind deteriorated.”
Pain sliced through her. “Did he attack anyone?” She glanced at all the men, not seeing any visible signs of an altercation.
“His headache grew worse until he stopped talking altogether.” Justice paused, running a hand through his hair. A grim frown marred his mouth. “It became clear that he didn’t recognize us anymore when he snarled and tried to take a bite out of Ted. I called it quits at that point. He needed rest.”
The older man scowled. “Moon’s condition is improving. His moments of lucidity are growing more frequent and lasting longer.”
“I’ll send these samples to the lab.” One of the nurses left the room carrying a case. The other two followed him.
“Blood samples?” Joy knew they took a lot of those.
“And hair.” Ted threw himself into a chair and sighed loudly. “I wish we could find the chemist who brewed whatever Moon was given. I’d love to know how he did it.”
“I only want to know how to cure him,” Joy added, trying not to take offense at Treadmont’s line of thought. He was not emotionally invested, as she was. The method of how something was done would be important to him, as well as how to reverse the effects. “May I go downstairs?”
“He’s sleeping.” Ted shook his head. “She’s not necessary, Justice. We should send her home.”
Outraged, Joy opened her mouth to protest but Justice spoke first.
“No, Ted. Moon responds to her.”
“Of course he does. Sex is a basic need to any man. Like food. Sleeping. Urinating. Any woman would do. We should use Species females instead of having her underfoot.”
Joy felt as if he’d slapped her. “It’s not only about sex. He’s talking to me. He—”
“Enough.” Justice’s voice deepened. “Ted, you’re being rude. I don’t believe he’d struggle to find his memories if just any female was sent to him. He had no coherent moments before her arrival. We were able to speak to him and carry on a lengthy conversation.”
“They had sex.” Disgust lined the doctor’s face. “Spare me the pretense that they didn’t. I don’t have your hyper sense of smell but even I could tell by the state of his bed and what remained of his sweats what went down.”
“I don’t care what they did. The results matter.” Justice’s hands fisted. “It’s not your call. It’s mine. She stays.” His gaze slid to Joy. “You may return to him but the door remains locked. Moon had me promise to keep bars between the two of you from now on. He was deeply upset that you were hurt. Keep out of his reach.”
She started to argue but he didn’t give her time to utter a word.
“That’s the rules. Accept them or leave. I gave my promise that he wouldn’t be given the opportunity to harm you a second time. I was willing to allow you to risk your life to save his but he made it clear that wasn’t acceptable. I have to respect his wishes.”
It was obvious that Justice had made up his mind. She nodded in agreement. It was better to be near Moon than to be asked to leave Homeland. “Okay.”
Justice’s cell phone rang and he withdrew it from his pants. “Hello?” He listened a moment. “Good. How far out are the SUVs?” He paused again. “I’ll meet the team when they arrive. Prepare an interrogation room.” He hung up, depositing the phone in his pocket.
“What happened?” Ted straightened in his chair.
A cold smile curved Justice’s mouth as his gaze hardened. “We couldn’t get the one who invented the drug Moon was given but we have someone almost as good.”
“Who?” Joy was curious.
“For the past few days the prison guards have questioned the Mercile employees we arrested. It took some convincing but we have just picked up one of their research team leaders. Four different prisoners gave him up. He will know what drugs they were developing.”
Ted stood. “I want to be there.”
“Of course.” Justice glanced at Joy.
“I want to see Moon.”
“Go ahead.”
She didn’t need to be told twice. She almost ran from the room. There was no guard at the elevator. The ride down was fast. When she entered the dim basement a New Species male she hadn’t met hovered just inside. He inhaled and waved her by.
“He’s been tranquilized. It will be a few hours before he wakes.”
She crossed the room to the bars. Moon had showered. His hair was wet and a new pair of sweats had been given to him. He lay on his side facing her, appearing too large for the cot with his knees slightly over the edge. His steady, slow breathing assured her he was fine.
She wished she could touch him. It wouldn’t happen any time soon, according to Justice. He’d made it clear she had to stay far enough away that there was no chance of any physical contact.
“You’re too close, female,” the male rumbled from behind. “Justice said you are to stay five feet from the cell at all times.”
Her shoulders sagged as she glanced back. “Moon is still sleeping so he can’t reach me. My name is Joy.”
“Smiley.” He walked closer. He had pretty eyes. She studied his face.
Primate.
She knew the feature distinctions. They weren’t as aggressive as the canines or felines, in her experience.
“Were you here when they were talking to Moon?”
“Yes.”
“How was he after I left?”
“Very clear that you aren’t to be put in harm’s way again.” He paused, his gaze slowly wandering up and down her body. “I agree that you’re fragile enough to easily be hurt. He was frustrated and angry over what was done to him. His headache grew worse until he became completely disorientated.”