Laurann Dohner - Justice

Ellie passed the mug over. “They wouldn’t do that to you. We’re all on your side.

What happened to you and Justice is horrifying. It was a few crazy males who didn’t realize how stupid they were being. You know how that is. There’s a few of them with every group.”

“Thanks.” Jessie sipped the coffee. “I know that but I’m not willing to risk Justice’s life. This is my fault and I won’t chance being wrong a second time. He didn’t want anyone to know about us but I thought he was making too big a deal over it.” She fought more tears. “He was right.”

“No,” Ellie shook her head. “You two love each other and no one gives a damn here that I’m full-on human. No one treats me badly, Jessie. They have accepted me with open arms. It was a few bad apples who created this mess. I’d kill and die to protect Fury. I understand why you’re so scared though and why you have a gun.” Her gaze flickered to it. “Will you please put it down while I talk to you? Just set it next to you?

Those things terrify me.”

Jessie placed it down on the desk next to her thigh. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Are you hungry? I could go home and fix you breakfast. I could bring you back more coffee.”

“I would appreciate that but you make it. I should eat to keep up my strength.”

Ellie nodded. “Okay, Jessie. Drink that and I’ll get you more. I only have the one mug with a lid. What do you want to eat?”

Jessie drank the rest of the coffee and handed the cup back. “Anything easy. It doesn’t matter. I don’t want…”

Jessie tried to clear the spots that appeared before her eyes. She swallowed, her lips feeling numb and her tongue heavy. She tried to reach up to feel her mouth but her arms refused to lift. The meaning of her symptoms sank in but it was too late. Her eyes widened with shock as she stared at Ellie.

“You drugged me.”

Ellie stepped back. “I’m sorry but you’re in shock and wouldn’t listen to reason.

You and Justice are both safe. Just…”

Tiger caught Jessie as her body slumped. He grabbed the gun and handed it to Fury. He lifted her into the cradle of his arms, sat on the desk and held her against his chest.

“Thank you, Ellie. I know it was a lot to ask but I thought if she’d take food or drink from anyone, it would be you because you are human and you love a Species. She knows you can relate to her situation.”

“I feel like shit,” Ellie admitted. “Did she really kill four of them?”

Tiger nodded. “The son of a bitch leading them used a knife and stabbed Justice with it. When I came in she stood over Justice to protect him with two guns in her hands. She nearly shot us. The remaining son of a bitch decided to make a last-ditch effort to try to kill her or Justice when he threw himself through the slider door. She reacted before any of us could and sank five bullets into the bastard before he plowed into her. He was dead before he ever knew what hit him.”

“Jessie is afraid she started a civil war,” Halfpint informed them.

Ellie spun. “She said that?”

Tiny bit her lip. “What is it?”

“Not something that will ever happen here,” Fury growled. “It’s where members of the same group of people turn on each other and fight to the death. It is when one splits into two and fight for dominance.”

“That will never happen,” Breeze agreed. “We have enough idiots to fight without taking on each other.”

Laugher sounded around the room. Tiger didn’t laugh.

“We have secured everyone from testing facility five here and at Reservation,” Tiger growled. “Jessie doesn’t trust them and I have to agree. We can’t be sure of what they had to deal with in Colorado. Some of them might attack again.”

“Do you want to put her down?” Ellie glanced at Jessie on Tiger’s lap.

“I will put her in bed with Justice when the doctor says it is fine. He would want her there and I want to keep her close to him.”

“We’re going to have to talk to each of the new ones.” Fury shifted his stance. “I hate to say it but if they can’t be a part of us, I don’t want them running around.”

“Fury!” Ellie gasped. “Are you saying we should kill them?”

“I said I don’t want them running around. Maybe we can contain the dangerous ones until they smarten up.”

“Justice will decide. For now,” Tiger peered down at Jessie’s sleeping form, “we have them separated and accounted for. I have officers talking to all of them to see where their heads are. My main concern is Jessie. She is either going to recover from this or she’s going to shoot anyone she doesn’t trust who goes near Justice.” He suddenly grinned. “Hey, she could shoot reporters. That’s a plan.”

Fury chuckled. “Don’t get excited. I know how great that would be but then Justice would be angry to have a mate locked up at a slammer.”

“It’s ‘in the slammer’. And yes, that would be bad for her to be sent to prison. Of course, as his mate, she’s a Species and they can’t take her away since their laws don’t apply here.” Ellie pointed a finger at Tiger. “Don’t think about it and wipe that grin off your face. You can’t send her after them no matter how much you hate those vultures.

Did anyone call her father? Maybe he could help her snap out of this and realize it’s not as bad as she thinks.”

“No humans,” Tiger announced. “Imagine how it would sound if this got out.

We’re going for the ‘we are better people’ campaign and now we have five dead Species assassins. It would be a disaster.”

“Public relations nightmare all the way,” Fury agreed. “Her father isn’t going to be called.”

The door to Justice’s room opened and Nurse Paul stepped out. “He’s doing great.”

Paul glanced at Jessie in Tiger’s arms. “Sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t know she fell asleep. Justice is going to be fine and should wake soon.”

Tiger pushed off from the desk. “Good. Let’s go into his room and I’ll put her next to him.”

Paul shook his head. “She can’t be put in bed with him.”

Tiger arched his eyebrow. “Really? Stop me from putting her there.” He pushed past Paul.

Tiger gently laid Jessie on the bed beside Justice. Both of them slept while he watched them. Pure rage filled him. His best friend and his mate could have been killed. His focus fixed on Jessie and his anger softened. She was tough and she loved Justice. His best friend had chosen his mate well. He backed away from the bed to leave them in peace and go back to sit on the desk.

Justice woke and realized three things instantly. Jessie lay beside him sleeping, he was in pain and Tiger sat in a chair next to him, silently regarding him with a grim expression. He’d survived the attack since he was in Medical.

“How bad are my injuries and did you catch the fifth male?”

“Jessie killed him. You had surgery but you’re going to be fine within a few days. I had Doctor Treadmont give you the drugs to help you heal faster so that’s the reason if you feel a little aggressive. Please control it.”

Justice turned his head to study Jessie. She lay curled on her side facing him, his arm rested under her head and his hand curved around her back. He didn’t see a mark on her delicate features, reassuring him she hadn’t been harmed. He felt relief. His attention shifted back to Tiger.

“When did she fall asleep?”

“She didn’t.” Tiger hesitated. “Don’t get mad because I can explain. She’s drugged.

We had no other choice.”

“Why?” Justice growled softly. “Was she harmed and needs the rest to heal?”

“She’s fine except for the fact that you gave her two loaded guns with spare clips and she stood outside this room threatening to kill any Species besides Breeze or me if they came within ten feet of your door. She meant it. She said she would trust me since you do and she trusts Breeze because she’s her friend.”