Laurann Dohner - Moon (Laurann Dohner)

“Why would anyone care?” She didn’t understand.

“It makes a lot of humans feel safer if they believe we are all getting therapy.” Justice sighed. “We do what we can to minimize negative feelings directed toward Species and our publicity team thought someone sanctioned by the government would alleviate some of their fear of us.”

“As if we’re regulated in some way.” Fury snorted.

“Kregkor is annoying, but manageable. He has a confidentiality clause in his contract.” Justice stared at Joy. “We didn’t want him near Moon after how he dealt with Obsidian.”

“Who?”

“Another Species male with issues,” Tiger informed her. “The shrink would have suggested we put Moon down.”

“Kill him?” That shocked her. The logical part of her dismissed that assessment of the doctor. It was no secret that New Species disliked and distrusted most of her colleagues. No professional therapist would ever disregard a client’s right to life or fight to safeguard them. He was more than likely a bit pompous and arrogant, hence their aversion to him.

“Yes. The guy is a prick,” Harley stated. “What do you think we should do, Joy?”

She decided to be honest. “There are so many unknown factors. Species and humans are virtually alike yet the altered DNA introduces many variables.”

“I resent that.” Harley glared. “I’m nothing like humans.”

“You have human genetics too,” she reminded him, taking off the kid gloves. “You might not want to admit it after what was done to you but it’s true. A mirror will assure you of that.” She stood, too antsy to sit, focusing her attention on Justice. He was in charge. “Do you want to know what I think? That’s why we’re here, right?”

“Yes.”

“Fine. I’m not sure what to do. We could tell him the truth and hope it triggers memories. It could backfire though and hurt his recovery if the shock is too great. The Moon I knew might not have handled it well, perhaps gone into a rage, but the Moon I saw in a video isn’t the same as he used to be. He seemed better adjusted. I want to believe he could process the truth but I’m not sure.”

“What video?” Tiger stood, worry on his features. “Was there something on the news we missed?”

“I showed her a video on my phone,” Harley admitted. “I wanted her to see how he was prior to the attack. I videoed him before he left for Reservation last time.”

Tiger sat. “Okay.”

“We could also ease him back into reality.” Joy hugged her waist. “That’s a safer step to take, in my opinion.”

“How do you suggest we do that?”

She’d had time to think while she waited for the meeting. “Remove the chains and unlock the cell but keep him secluded in the basement.” She glanced at Tiger. “Do you have any women, um, female human guards working at Homeland? I’d change out his current guards with them since he believes he’s still at site four.”

“No.” Tiger shook his head.

Justice softly cursed. “Jessie could do it.” He looked angry.

“Who?” Joy peered at him.

“My mate. She worked with the human task force. She still has the uniforms. She refuses to throw them out. They aren’t the same as what Moon will remember but we’ll say she’s a medical guard.”

Fury growled. “You’re not talking my Ellie into it.”

“Slade won’t go for it either if you want to put Trisha in a uniform to pretend to be a guard,” Tiger warned. “Don’t even think about my Zandy. Obsidian won’t allow Allison to do it either. We had to send Destiny to work at Reservation to avoid issues when she started working part time at Medical again. Obsidian didn’t trust the male not to approach her for sex, knowing how Destiny felt about his mate.”

“Do you think I want to risk my mate being in danger?” Justice growled, looking anything but civilized with his lip curled up, sharp canines showing. “But I know my mate and she’d want to do this. I’m protective but I’m not stupid. Jessie doesn’t enjoy being coddled and I tell her everything. The only reason she isn’t here at this meeting is because she’s having a phone conference with her brother and his team about their efforts in Afghanistan.”

Joy opened her mouth but then closed it, not really wanting to know what they were talking about. Their expressions were all closed, angry glances flying around the room. She was good at judging undercurrents. It was very curious why the NSO had any interest about something going on across the world but it was one of those things she would let pass. Her priority was Moon.

“Besides,” Justice smiled, “do you think I’d allow my mate to do it alone?” He looked at Joy. “I’ll dress in jeans and a tank top and introduce myself as 152. He’ll think I am only another Species being held where he is. They always kept us on different schedules so he won’t find it alarming that he hasn’t seen me before. There were a lot of Species and staff I didn’t see when I was in the desert. I’ll be her backup.”

“That’s the male I know.” Fury smirked.

“I could use some time off and I know the officers are bored guarding Moon. Jessie and I will find ways to amuse ourselves while staying close enough to be there when needed.”

Tiger chuckled. “Make sure there aren’t any active cameras this time if you use one of the rooms at Medical. We all know your mate dominates you sometimes in bed but I grew tired of explaining to the males who’ve never been ridden why you’d allow it.”

Joy’s mouth dropped open. She quickly closed it. I’m not going to ask.

Harley chuckled and when she glanced at him, he was looking directly at her. “Males who haven’t shared sex with humans don’t understand the concept of having a female on top during sex. Justice was hurt once and his mate decided to, um, lift his spirits.” He laughed again and winked. “With the camera in his room on. Security got a show until Tiger ripped it off the wall.”

“I wasn’t going to ask.” She smiled though. “I do have a clue about the dominating-in-bed part though. I didn’t handle too many sexual discussions but there were occasions when it came up when I counseled Species.” She blushed. “The topic. Not… Hell.” She changed the subject. “As I said, I think it’s best if we take the chains off Moon and allow him to roam the basement.”

Harley’s amusement faded as he continued to watch her. “There will be no bars to stop him from touching you. Are you prepared for that? Are you sure you’re making that suggestion for his benefit and not your own?”

Every pair of eyes in the room swung her way and her embarrassment level rose. So did her temper. “Don’t insult me. My priority is Moon. I already told you that I’ll do whatever it takes to help him get his life back.” Her spine stiffened and she kept her chin up, glaring at him. “The chains and bars are upsetting him. He’s talking and hasn’t hurt me. I’m the one agreeing to be locked up down there with him. I wouldn’t do that if I honestly believed there was a chance he’d hurt me.”

“You’re going to be fucked.” Harley refused to back down. “He’s still obsessed with you if he thinks he’s living in the past. You were everything to him.”

She didn’t dare look away from him to see anyone else’s expression. Her cheeks burned and she broke into a sweat from being put in the spotlight. Words escaped her while she scrambled for a way to respond.

“Sex?” Dr. Treadmont shot to his feet. “Is that what you’re talking about?”

“Sit!” Justice rose from his chair too.

Joy gaped at Justice, his tone scary and loud. He growled, ignoring her, instead glaring at the white-haired doctor.