New Species 13 Smiley (26 page)

Torrent sighed. “Again, there isn’t one inside the NSO.” He
fixed his gaze on Smiley. “Make it stop. Please? I’m not allowed to hit him
unless he strikes me first.”

“I’m not in charge.” Smiley drew closer to the human. “You
should be familiar with me though. You had to have seen me on television with
Vanni.”

It gave him satisfaction when the human paled. His eyes widened
too and he sat up straighter in the chair.

“That’s right. I’m the one who was drugged with her in that
hotel bar.” He lunged and grabbed the male, hauling him out of his seat. He
strode to the nearest wall, close to the glass, and slammed him against it.
Carl grunted but didn’t try to fight. He was docile for a male. It disgusted
Smiley and he glared down at him.

“Finally,” Torrent sighed.

Smiley ignored him and lifted Carl a few inches off the
floor. The male appeared terrified but he hung limply, not even struggling. He’d
wanted the male to fight but he didn’t even grab at him. His arms stayed at his
sides.

“Hit me,” Smiley taunted.

“No. You’re a bully.” Carl whispered the words.

Smiley dropped him on his feet and stepped back. “It would
be like hitting a female.”

“I’d still do it if I were allowed,” Torrent muttered. “Just
wait and listen to him. You’ll change your mind.”

Carl smoothed out some of the wrinkles from his shirt but
stayed against the wall. He stared up at Smiley. “That’s another violation.
Brutality.”

“You want to accuse me of brutality? What about what you and
your father did to Vanni? I know everything.”

“I’m not accountable for my father’s alleged actions.”

“You lured her to his home and knew they’d set a trap for
her.”

Carl crossed his arms over his chest again. “I did no such
thing. I deny that charge.”

“See?” Torrent walked over to the table and sat. “He appears
less female every time he opens his mouth.”

Smiley returned his focus to Carl. “Forget your laws. They
don’t apply here.”

“I demand to speak to a representative of the US government.”

“Like a damn parrot bird,” Torrent growled. “Stop saying
that, human. Fuck. I want to break your jaw. I’ve heard it two dozen times in
the last hour alone.”

Smiley reached out and grabbed the human by his throat. He
didn’t apply enough force to do damage but it was to make a point. He squeezed
just enough to make the male aware of his strength.

“Let me tell you a few things before you open your mouth
again. Vanni is mine now and I don’t give a damn about your court of law. You’ve
already been judged and found guilty. You lured her to that home and I know
about the life insurance policy you took out on her. I believe you planned to
marry and murder her for money. You didn’t care what was done to her as long as
there was a dead body to show to that insurance company to get your check.”

He leaned in and put his lips next to the male’s ear. “I’d
kill you but I don’t want Vanni to see it. You’re a piece of shit and you’re
never going to see daylight again. You never deserved her. She will be happy
while you learn what hell is.” He lowered his voice even more. “That doesn’t
mean she will always be on the other side of the glass. I can visit you at any
time. Let’s give you six months of living in a cage and I bet you will want to
hit me then. We are going to fight at some point. Know that.”

Smiley leaned back and saw fear in the male’s eyes. He let
him go and put space between them. “I suggest you start doing pushups in your
cell and pull-ups from the bars above your head. Get in shape. You’re going to
need to be.”

Torrent chuckled.

“You can take him away now.” Smiley glanced at the glass,
hoping Vanni wasn’t upset with him.

Torrent slid off the table, grabbed Carl by the arm and led
him out of the room. Smiley didn’t have long to wait. The big male who was
brought in next needed no introduction. He had a bandage on his neck that
extended upward to the crown of his head. He wasn’t a weak human. Torrent
stayed at the door, his body tense.

“This one throws sucker punches,” Torrent warned. “I have
hit him. He’s a decent fighter for a human.”

“Fuck you,” Bruce spat. “I have a concussion or I would have
beat you like a bitch.” He turned and glared at Smiley. Something flickered in
his eyes and he snorted. “Ah. I know who you are.” He gave him a once-over. “You
disappointed me.”

“What do you mean by that?” Smiley already hated the male.

“I would have messed that bitch up if I’d been you. Do you
know how hot it is to make them scream and bleed while you’re fucking them?
Hell, I got wood just thinking about drugging her again and stringing her up to
use but Gregory said to wait until we were done with her. When I get out of
here, and I will, I’ll video me giving it to that whore good and send you a
copy so you can learn something.”

Smiley was on him before he could consider what Vanni would
think. It felt good, slamming his fist into the human’s face. The male tried to
block it but wasn’t fast enough. The punch threw him toward Torrent whose
reflexes were better. He lunged out of the way and Bruce slammed into the door.
It groaned from the force of his weight. Smiley advanced.

Bruce took a swing at him. It went wide. Smiley plowed his
other fist into the male’s gut. He made a loud sound of pain and doubled over from
the blow. Smiley backed off and rumbled.

“Come at me.”

Bruce straightened. His face was red with anger and the
blood that poured from his busted nose. He bellowed and pushed away from the
door. He was slow for his size. Smiley easily ducked the fist directed at his
face and plowed into the human’s center, taking him to the floor. He straddled
the male and pummeled his face until strong arms wrapped around his waist and
hauled him off.

“Enough,” Torrent snarled. “Don’t kill him. It’s what he
wants. No one is that stupid unless they are suicidal.”

The door flew open and Vanni stood there. Jericho stopped
behind her. Smiley quickly stood and stepped away, realizing what he’d done.
Bruce groaned and rolled onto his side. Blood spread across the floor. Smiley
nodded, letting Torrent know he was in control again.

“I’m sorry.” Smiley stared at Vanni.

She entered the room, keeping far from Bruce. “Don’t be. Are
you okay?”

His hands hurt. He didn’t even glance at them. “I didn’t
mean to lose it.”

She approached him.

“Don’t,” he cautioned her. There was blood on his hands. “I
don’t want you contaminated.”

Her lips parted but Torrent spoke first. “That is one human
who probably is diseased. Smiley needs to wash all that blood off before you
touch him. We’re immune to disease but you’re not.”

Bruce sat up and Smiley moved, putting his body between her
and the human. Bruce spit blood on the floor and glared at him as more of it
ran down his lower face to his neck and shirt. One eye was already swelling
shut due to the cut over his eyebrow. He snorted.

“Fucking pussy-whipped. You’re pathetic.” Bruce tilted his
head, trying to get a look at Vanni. “Why don’t you come over here, you bitch?
I’ll show you what a real man can do to you. You’ll like it.”

Smiley would have attacked him again but Torrent gripped his
arm. “No. I told you. He’s trying to make you kill him. It would be over too
fast. He deserves to suffer for years.”

Torrent was probably right. He nodded again, too angry to
speak. Torrent’s hold eased. Smiley looked at Vanni. She was close enough to
touch if he reached out but he didn’t. He cleared his throat and tried to calm.

“Go wait for me outside this room. It’s not safe.” He caught
movement in his peripheral vision and tensed. He watched Bruce struggle to get to
his feet. “Now, Vanni.”

“Okay.”

He didn’t dare look away from Bruce. The male might try to
get around him to reach Vanni before she left. He heard Jericho gasp. Movement
to his right startled him and shock held him still for a second. Vanni stopped
next to him and lifted Jericho’s weapon.

“Do you like this, dickhead?” She fired. The Taser dart shot
out and embedded in Bruce’s gut.

The way the human’s eyes rolled up into his head as his body
stiffened from the electric current that pulsed through him assured Smiley the
slight noise came from Vanni, who was holding down the trigger. Smiley gawked a
little. He didn’t try to stop her, aware of the blood on his hands. She
actually smiled, watching Bruce finally fall over. She released the trigger and
turned her head, holding his gaze.

“That hurts like a son of a bitch. I figured he should
experience it firsthand. Don’t you dare feel bad for hitting him. I wish I
could have.” She broke eye contact and looked at Torrent, offering the weapon
to him. “Do you want this? It’s heavier than I thought it would be.”

Torrent grinned and accepted it. “Good shot.”

“Not really. I was aiming for his balls.”

The male laughed outright. “Do you want another try? We
could wait for him to recover and ask to borrow another officer’s weapon. I don’t
have one since we’re not allowed to carry while transporting prisoners from
room to room. They might attempt to take it.”

Vanni bit her lip, seeming to consider it.

“No, she doesn’t.” Smiley was still stunned. “Vanni?”

She looked at him. He saw uncertainty there.

“Are you angry at me? I just saw Jericho’s sidearm and
realized what it was. Bruce shot me with one so I wanted to return the favor.”

He never wanted to see that look from her again. “I’m never
angry at you.” He lowered his voice. “I’ll teach you how to shoot better. I
really want you out of this room though. His blood is everywhere and Torrent is
right. He probably is diseased. He’s insane too. I don’t want you in danger.”

“Okay.” She turned and walked calmly out of the room.

He watched her go and Jericho shrugged, as if to say he hadn’t
expected that. He grabbed the door handle and closed it, staying with Vanni on
the other side.

“I like her,” Torrent admitted.

Smiley whipped around, glaring at him.

“Not that way. She’s your mate. I just like what she did.
That’s all. Want to help me pick him up and drag him back to his cage? He’s out
cold.”

“I still want to speak to Gregory Woods.”

“Let’s deal with this one first and do a little cleanup
before we bring him in here. That male cries like a little girl. He’ll see the
blood on the floor and will probably scream like one too. He’s already
pretended to have a heart attack. This might bring on the real thing. He’ll
believe we murdered someone.”

Vanni sipped the orange juice Jericho handed her. He hadn’t
said a word about her grabbing his weapon or using it. They’d watched Smiley
and Torrent drag the unconscious Bruce out of the room. Another New Species had
entered to clean up all the blood. She finally worked up the nerve to speak to
Smiley’s friend.

“I apologize. I just didn’t want to spend my honeymoon
sitting on the other side of the bars with Smiley. I thought he was going to
kill Bruce and get arrested.”

“It would have been justified if he had. The male threatened
his mate.”

“Oh. I didn’t know that.”

“Our laws aren’t the same as yours. Ours always make sense.”

She wasn’t sure what to make of that but he explained.

“We do get human news in here. It’s depressing. We don’t
believe in murder but some just shouldn’t be allowed to live.” He glanced at
the glass. “That male is one of them. You heard what he said. Any male capable
of harming a female that way deserves death.”

“Then why didn’t you stop me from rushing in there if you
really believed that? You could have stopped me if you’d tried.”

“I knew you going in there would stop Smiley. I didn’t want
him to suffer for his actions, despite how much that male deserved it.”

“He said he’s killed before.”

“He has. A lot of us had to at Mercile and we probably will
again to defend each other if we’re attacked. This time though, it would have
made him fear losing you and feel insecure.” Jericho leaned against the wall. “It’s
a real fear when mating a human that they’ll see violence and believe we’re a
danger to them. Smiley already worries that you’ll change your mind and leave
here. You have become a huge part of him.”

“I love Smiley.”

His features softened. “Good. Keep telling him that often.
He needs those assurances.”

“He does?”

“Yes.” Jericho glanced at the glass wall, then back at her. “We
feel deeply but try to hide it. It’s a flaw.”

“Why?”

He scowled. “Call it instinct or genetics but we’re more
emotionally vulnerable compared to the canines and felines. Don’t ever forget
that, Vanni. You could destroy him from the inside out.”

“I’d never do that.”

“Even better. Touch him often and tell him how much he means
to you if you really love him. He’ll always take everything you say to heart.
Don’t forget that if you argue with him. Think before you speak.”

She appreciated the advice. “Thank you.”

He shrugged. “I want both of you to be happy. I can’t stand
seeing Smiley depressed. It wasn’t easy watching him endure misery before and I
never want to see it again.”

“You were locked up with him when you were kept at Mercile
Industries?”

“I meant when you escaped from the task force members
assigned to bring you to Medical and he feared you were either dead or hurt in
the out world. It tore me up seeing him that way. I feared he’d go over our
walls and search for you on his own. It could have gotten him killed. We have a
lot of enemies. All he could think of was you and making sure you were well. He
bonded with you right from the start.”

Vanni blinked back tears. “Thank you for telling me that. I
do love Smiley. I um, bonded with him right from the start too. He’s everything
to me.”

“Good. Keep telling him that. I’m not joking. He’s going to
worry for a long time that he’ll do or say something that will make you rethink
being his mate.”

“He’s stuck with me.” She smiled, cheering up. “I’d never
leave him.”

Jericho tensed, his gaze focusing on the glass wall. “Here
we go. Remember that. I have no idea how Smiley is going to act with this one.”

Vanni turned in her seat and watched Torrent bring in Gregory
Woods. He looked unkempt and completely different from his television persona.
His clothing was wrinkled, he needed a shave and his eyes were red.

“Has he been crying?”

Jericho snorted. “You heard Torrent. That would be a yes.”

Gregory took a seat and hugged his chest. “I really need a
doctor. I have a specialist that takes care of me. You don’t want me to die. Do
you know who I am? You can’t get away with this. I am a celebrity and rich. I—”

“Stop,” Torrent demanded. “You aren’t being transferred to a
human hospital and no one even knows you’re here.”

The door opened again and Smiley entered. He’d changed into
one of the NSO uniforms and his hands were bandaged. He closed the door and
stayed by it. Gregory whimpered, staring at him with obvious horror.

“What’s wrong, human? Never thought you’d have to face the
male you drugged and tried to set up?”

“It wasn’t my idea. It was Bruce. I was afraid of him. You’ve
seen him. He has a criminal record. I’m innocent.”

“Shut up.” Torrent backed up. “We aren’t idiots. There were
twenty missing doses of the breeding drug when you were taken into custody.
Dean confessed to selling you two hundred doses.” He growled and shot Smiley a
disgusted look before continuing. “This one swore he used them on prostitutes
he paid to have sex with him. You saw firsthand what that drug did to your
female. He felt no sympathy for those females he drugged and kept doing it over
and over. He’s a cruel son of a bitch.” Torrent flashed his fangs. “Are you
going to blame that on someone else too? Save it, asshole.”

Smiley made a harsh, rumbling noise. “We should dose you and
let you suffer. You deserve it. Bruce works for you and by the way, Dean
Polanitis was very
informative when we spoke to him.” Smiley
crouched, keeping his back to the door. “He confessed to how you contacted him
and threatened to expose the connection between Drackwood and Mercile that your
investigators found. He called it blackmail and admitted you asked him for
something to use against the NSO. You bought drugs from him and paid a
bartender to add them to my and Vanni’s drinks at the hotel.”

“It’s all a lie!” Gregory clutched at his chest. “That was
all Bruce.”

“He used money that you gave him to do your bidding. You’re
caught and you will pay for your crimes, Pastor Woods.”

“I think I’m having a heart attack.”

“Okay.” Smiley didn’t move. “Have one. I wouldn’t mind
watching you take your last breath.”

“You can’t let me die. I have followers, damn it. They’ll
storm your gates and kill everyone.”

“They believe you fled the country and abandoned them. No
one will even know if you die. We’ll just bury you in that graveyard you say we
have.” Torrent looked amused. “He could be the first body we put in it.”

Smiley grinned. “Sounds like a plan.”

Big tears rolled down Gregory’s cheeks. “You can’t do this
to me. I’m important.” He glanced between them. “I’m also rich. I’ll pay you to
get me out of here. How much do you want? Name the amount.”

“We don’t care about money.” Smiley cocked his head. “I just
wanted to look you in the eyes before you were sent to Fuller Prison. Vanni is
safe and you’ll never have the opportunity to harm her again. You’ll pay for
everything you’ve done. I’m not angry with you for what was done to me but you
tried to harm the female I love. Big mistake. I just wish I enjoyed this more
but you’re too…” He seemed to struggle to find a word.

Torrent helped. “Pitiful.”

Smiley flashed him a grin. “Yes.”

Gregory’s face reddened and he sputtered. “You’re barbaric!”

“What do you expect? You attacked us.” Smiley straightened. “You
should have learned more about your enemy before you struck out at us.” All
trace of humor faded from his features. “You’re going to be the one living the
remainder of your life in a cage. Isn’t that what you wanted for us? You’ll
learn what it’s like not to feel the sun on your face or experience the simple
act of kindness from your guards. It’s a fate you wished for us. Fuller Prison
will be your zoo. You just shouldn’t expect any visitors.”

“You creatures aren’t going to get away with this.” Gregory
shot out of his chair. “I’m Gregory Woods. Everyone will be looking for me and
they won’t ever stop. You’re going to pay for this. People will wise up and
realize what you’re really up to.”

“What is that? Taking over the world? We just want peace.
You’d have learned that if you’d really done your research. We just want humans
like you to leave us alone. You couldn’t do that.” Smiley moved to the side and
opened the door. “I’m done, Torrent. You can have them transferred now.”

“Thank you.” Torrent grinned. “I can’t wait to put them in
the van.”

Smiley peered at the glass then glanced into the empty
hallway. Vanni thought he might be searching for her and stood but had no real
desire to speak to Gregory. Torrent was right. He was pathetic but she didn’t
pity him. He deserved to be locked up but seeing him in that room had helped
her find closure.

She walked to the door and opened it. “Let’s go,” she said
loud enough that Smiley would hear her.

He turned toward her and met her gaze. “We’re done here?”

She nodded.

Smiley closed the door to the interrogation room behind him
and came to her. He reached out and she clasped his hand. “Are you okay?”

“I am now.”

“Do you want to Taser him?” A gleam of amusement lit up his
eyes. “It might be fun.”

“I don’t think Torrent wants to hear him cry again,” Vanni
teased.

“True.” Smiley looked over her head. “We’re ready to go,
Jericho. Will you give us a ride to the hotel?”

“Let’s get out of here.”

The door to the interrogation room opened and Vanni stepped
to the side a little to stare beyond Smiley. Gregory was led out of the room.
He turned his head and saw her. Their gazes met and he stopped walking.

“This is all your fault, Travanni. I always hated you.”

Smiley rumbled and spun. Vanni clutched him tighter and
grabbed his arm too, hoping he wouldn’t go after Gregory.

“He’s not worth it,” she insisted.

Smiley rumbled again but he relaxed in her hold. Gregory
turned farther to face her and pointed at her. “You’re going to pay for this.”

Vanni released Smiley’s arm and flipped Gregory off. “I
always wanted to do that. Screw you, Gregory. Smiley and I are getting married.
He’s the best thing that ever happened to me and I wanted you to know it. You
did me the biggest favor of my life. Choke on that the next time you open your
mouth and spew your hate.”

Torrent shoved him, forcing him forward. “Move, crybaby. I
see you are braver when you’re confronting a small female. Why am I not
surprised? You’re truly pathetic.”

They turned at the end of the hall and walked out of sight.
Vanni looked up and waited for Smiley to turn his head. He did and she saw his
anger.

“Let it go. I plan to.” She stepped closer to him and placed
her hand on his chest. “Let’s leave it in the past and never think about them
again. They really aren’t worth it.”

“You’re right.”

She winked. “I like hearing that.”

Smiley wrapped his arm around her waist. “You’re also very
sexy when you’re giving someone the bird.”

“Am I?”

Jericho cleared his throat. “I’m here. So are cameras. I wouldn’t
suggest getting too friendly with each other in the hallway.”

They all turned when they heard the sound of booted feet and
stared at the tall black-haired male who walked toward them. He was a feline
with bright-green eyes, dressed in jeans and a black shirt under a leather
biker jacket.

“Hello, Jaded.” Smiley looked pleased to see the male. “This
is Vanni, my mate.”

The guy nodded at her but didn’t offer his hand. “I was
checking in at Security before I left for a charity event and was told to tell you
that the helicopter is arriving in ten minutes. It seems neither of you are
wearing coms. I also heard about your mating and wanted to congratulate you
both.”

“Thank you.” Smiley drew Vanni’s attention. “That would be
the one Beth is on.” He glanced at both men. “We should go meet her at the
heliport.”

“Let’s go.” Jericho paused next to Jaded. “Nice outfit. Did
you borrow it from Harley?”

“As a matter of fact,” Jaded chuckled, “I did call him and
ask where he obtains his clothes. A local motorcycle club is hosting a barbeque
fundraiser to buy some land for the preservation of a campground they use every
summer. A logging company wants to purchase it and cut down all the trees.”

“I thought you only got involved if animals were in the mix.”
Jericho frowned.

Jaded shrugged. “There’s a lot of wildlife living in those
woods. It’s for a good cause and they sent me an invitation. I thought it might
be fun.”

Smiley removed his arm from Vanni but kept hold of her hand.
“We have to go.”

She was really excited about seeing Beth. She just hoped her
best friend would behave and not act too outrageous when she met Smiley. It was
a real concern.

* * * * *

“Relax,” Beth ordered. “I like Smiley.”

Vanni shifted nervously on her seat. “It’s not that. I knew
you would. I’m getting
married
. My hands are shaking.”

“Are you having second thoughts or is this just bride
jitters?”

“Jitters. I really want to marry Smiley.”

“Close your eyes.” Beth applied eye shadow. “He’s a hunk,
Vanni. I also notice the way he looks at you. I see love and the guy has the
hots for you too. He totally stares at your ass when you walk in front of him.
Is he as muscular under those clothes as he looks in them?”

“Yes.”

“Lucky bitch.” Beth stopped. “Open.”

Vanni peered up at her friend. “Thank you for doing my
makeup. How do I look?”

“Good. I kept it light. It gives you the natural look with a
little extra help.”

“Thank you. Smiley said he prefers me without makeup but it’s
my wedding. I need to look my best. He promised that someone will take
pictures.”

“I’m going to take some with my phone too.”