Laurann Dohner - Obsidian

There are a lot of those assholes out there who haven’t been caught yet. They are desperate.”

Alli’s shoulders dropped. “I’m sorry.”

Trisha stared at her grimly. “Hang in there.”

Alli watched her go. The officer guarding her glanced in before the door closed. The sounds of locks being turned made her curl up on the bed.

Her room was small, consisting of a bed, a handful of books she’d been given, and nothing else. It had been two days since she’d been arrested. Tiger and now Trisha were the only ones who had visited her besides a few humans on the task force who had come to ask her questions. At least she knew 880 had regained consciousness and he was getting stronger.

“It was worth it,” she whispered and squeezed her eyes closed as more tears slipped out.

Trisha glared at Justice, then at her mate. Slade took a step closer, his hand lifted to caress her but she stepped out of his reach. She was furious.

“There’s your criminal. The big bad threat to New Species. Give me a damn break. Alli did something stupid but she shouldn’t be locked up.” Trisha pointed to the camera feed inside Allison Baker’s cell. “She’s a doctor. We will do anything to save a patient and nobody here would listen to her. I would have raised hell until someone caved if I had a suggestion I believed in but she’s different. I can’t see her yelling or getting in someone’s face. She secretly plotted to get 880 out of here where she could try to do what it took to save him.” She paused. “And it worked. I want Tiger in here right now.”

Justice hesitated but lifted his phone. “Send in Tiger please.” He hung up. “Trisha, we are all upset.”

“Doc—”

“Shut up, Slade. Don’t ‘Doc’ me. I’m mad. I swear I’m going with her if you send her to Fuller Prison. You can lock us up together in a holding cell over there.”

Shock widened her mate’s gaze and he shot an alarmed look Justice’s way. A growl tore from his throat and Trisha backed off that one immediately, afraid he’d get into a fight.

“Slade?” He looked at her. “Just stand still and let me handle this, okay?”

He frowned but his body relaxed.

The door behind them opened and Tiger strutted inside. “I was told you needed me?”

Trisha turned on him. “I demand you walk over to Security and have them lock you inside the cell next to Alli’s.”

His pretty gaze widened. “What?”

“You heard me. She called you, asking for permission to do what she thought was best for her patient but you turned her down flat. She wouldn’t have kidnapped him if you’d just given her a chance to do whatever she thought would help 880. You’re just as guilty of a crime as she is. Someone has to pay for this, according to Justice, and damn it, I’m holding you accountable too. Alli was right. 880 is awake. He might not be if she hadn’t had to go to such drastic measures to save him. Go lock yourself up and whatever time she gets, you deserve too.” She took a deep breath. “I demand you stay in the cell next to hers so you can both suffer together.”

Tiger’s mouth dropped open but he closed it.

His gaze slid to Justice.

Trisha turned on him next. “That’s fair. Alli might have put 880 at risk by taking him off NSO grounds but Tiger put him at risk too for not listening to his doctor. She woke him. 880 would still be in a coma if it wasn’t for her. You want someone to pay for what she did but she was driven to do it by him.” She pointed at Tiger. “And you could have overridden his veto but you didn’t so you should be in a third cell.”

Justice frowned. “Calm down, Trisha.”

“Screw that. Either all three of you serve the same amount of time or I demand you release her.

I want her back on duty. Tiger was down the hall in his office. You’re in yours. I want Alli back in hers. She’s a great doctor.”

“We can’t trust her anymore, Trisha.” Slade’s soft voice calmed her a little.

She met his gaze. “Then ban her from the NSO and escort her to the gates but let her out of that damn cell. She’s not a criminal. She’s dedicated to saving lives, she did what she felt was necessary for 880. Give her credit for that. Do you know how scared she must have been to take him? What kind of courage it took not to only implement her plan but go through with it? She put her life in danger too, knew she’d face punishment, and probably didn’t think it would even work. That makes her braver in my book. She risked it all for a Species.”

Trisha hesitated. “She had more faith in 880 than any of you did.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’d do anything for you and you’re the love of my life, Slade. You’re my mate, my heart. Alli did that for 880 and she doesn’t even know him. You should give her a raise and be damn grateful we have a doctor with that kind of loyalty. All she was thinking about was him and giving him the best chance at survival.”

The room became silent and Slade drew closer to pull her into his arms. She let him hold her.

Justice finally sighed.

“Tiger, go to Security and escort Dr. Allison to her home.” He paused. “I don’t know what to do with her but she doesn’t belong in a cell. She worked for us and she may not be safe outside our gates due to her association. Have an officer placed at her door and let her know she’s confined to her house. I want her made very comfortable until we decide how to handle this.”

“Understood.”

Trisha lifted her head and stared into Slade’s gaze. “Thank you.”

“I can’t stand to see you hurting.” He turned his head to peer at Justice. “Thank you.”

“Trisha made valid arguments.” Justice paused. “This is a hell of a mess.”

880 stared at the females and softly growled a warning, unsure of what their presence meant. He didn’t welcome the sight of them. One of them looked too similar to his mate for comfort.

The tall dark-haired one growled back. “I am Breeze and that is not how you make friends. Just be blunt if you are trying to initiate sex. I am not interested but I don’t want to worry about you attacking me either.”

Shock filled him at her frank statement and the way she evenly stared at him. 46 had avoided speaking to him when he was in a bad mood unless she wanted to argue. This one seemed to want to challenge him.

“You remind me of her.”

The female’s gaze softened. “Your mate?”

“Yes.”

“What was she called?”

“46.”

The female took a seat in his room while the other two stayed by the door. Breeze pointed to his bed. “Sit. You make me nervous. I don’t know how in control you are or how you will react around females.” She then pointed to the other two. “They will jump on your ass if you attack me. Are we clear?”

His eyebrows lifted as he glanced at the two females before taking a seat on the edge of the bed to study the one named Breeze. “I will not strike out at you.”

“That is good to know.” She smiled. “How are you doing with knowing freedom? You look strong and healthy. I heard you ventured outside today to take a walk.”

“I am well.”

“You don’t speak much to others, do you?”

“I am adjusting. It is strange.” He avoided discussing why he wasn’t talkative, unwilling to admit he didn’t feel comfortable around so many after his solitary life with only his mate.

Sympathy flashed in Breeze’s eyes. “We all understand that but trust me, you have it way better than we did. Humans had to deal with us after we were rescued. It was tough on them, as well as us, to find a happy middle ground. You’re surrounded by your own kind.”

“Why would I feel trust? I don’t know you.”