Laurann Dohner - Wrath

“This human called and had to explain the deal Lauren made with him. She not only talked him into calling but convinced him we’d agree with any deal she made with him. To prove it, he told us her specially assigned Species code word.” Justice chuckled. “Which we don’t have and that tipped us off that it must be a message.”

A new voice came on the line. “It’s Tiger. I immediately called the local police authorities in the area of the cell tower and asked them if her code word meant anything to them. I had them pull in all their detectives to pool their resources and as soon as they heard it, one of them remembered a club. Her word was ‘Jaspers’ and do you want to know what the name of that club once was?”

“Jasper’s.” Tim smiled.

“Exactly,” Justice chuckled again. “It was turned into a restaurant but eventually it closed down. According the police the building has been unused for a few years but they were kind enough to place a call to power and water for us. Someone is paying to keep the lights on.”

Tim stood fast enough to almost knock his chair over. “I’ll get a team ready immediately. We’ll breach the building.” He snapped his head in the direction of his men. “Find out if we can get the blueprints on it and I want current satellite pictures.”

“Yes sir.” The guy fled to do Tim’s bidding.

“Is Wrath there?”

He stepped closer to the table and the phone. “I’m here, Justice.”

“Your female is very smart. You should be proud of her.”

“I am.” He paused. “I just want her back safely. Wouldn’t it be better to exchange her for what they want, rather than go in after her in an assault?” He glanced at Shadow, seeing worry in his friend’s eyes too over that concern.

Silence stretched but Brass broke it. “We’ve interviewed the human female Mel. She’s unstable and we fear her sister is more so. There’s no guarantee she’ll keep her word, Wrath. We think this is the best option. We’ll hit them fast and hard. Justice is sending both helicopters our way with our people. It will be a joint venture.”

“Her safety is as paramount to us as are our people,” Justice swore. “We want to get them all home. We have two humans trying to make deals with us, both of them want different things, and that implies they aren’t aware of it. They could figure out they are betraying each other and kill your Lauren. It would also give them time to move our people before dawn. We really thought this out.”

“Okay,” Wrath conceded. “I will be there.” His body tensed. “I insist.”

Brass gripped his shoulder. “We agreed you should be with one of the teams going in but you need to keep in control. Do you understand me? One sign that you’re losing it and you’re out of there.”

“When do we leave?” He wanted it to be right then.

“We’re set to go in an hour,” Justice stated. “The helicopters should be setting down in the parking lot in about fifteen minutes. That should give Tim time to plan the mission. We don’t want to rush in there without a plan in place. We’re going to hit them hard and fast, but effectively.”

Wrath grimly nodded. “Agreed.”

* * * * *

Lauren watched the men eat and tried to hide her aversion. It wasn’t cooked at all, just bags of totally raw chunks of meat. She declined when 140 offered her some.

“You need your strength.”

“I can’t eat that,” she admitted. “Really. It makes me sick.”

He frowned and offered it to her again after he used his teeth to tear off a small strip. “One.”

She took it and popped it into her mouth. The metallic taste of cold blood was horrible and it was chewy. It took a while but she managed to choke it down.

“Eat another.”

“Nope. That was it for me. Trust me on that. You don’t want to see it come up.” Her stomach churned. “I’m good until breakfast.” Hopefully I’ll be out of here by then.

140 sighed, appeared slightly disappointed with her, but didn’t argue. He divided her portion of the food into fours, which he split among the other men. They didn’t talk even after they finished their quick dinner and Lauren leaned back against the cage wall. She was tired and it seemed as if a lot of time had passed.

Footsteps drew her attention and Mark walked out from the hallway. He stopped about six feet from her cage. “I called them and they accepted the deal. They are getting the money and my immunity paperwork in order.” He puffed out his chest. “I told them I insist on it being on paper so I have proof. They are planning on having it all done by three. I’m going to leave and they’ll come right after I give them the address.” He pulled out a small little camera and waved it slowly at the cages. “My proof that you are alive and well.”

“Is that deal for all of us?” Lauren worried about that.

“Yeah. You, them, and the woman in the basement.”

Lauren glanced at 140 and he seemed relieved his mate was included. She didn’t blame him. He’d said the woman was sick and she hoped it would be something simple that a full medical staff could handle. The NSO would make sure she got the best doctors. They took really good care of their own.

“I’m going to go pack,” Mark informed them. “I have to think of where I want to live.”

He left quickly and turned off the lights. She wished he hadn’t as darkness settled around them. The bastard no longer cared what happened to them as long as he got his deal. Hope swelled in her chest that he’d remembered to give her code word and that someone would run a search on it, figure out there used to be a club, or that they’d call Amanda to ask her what it might mean. Her best friend would instantly remember their old hangout.

Wrath was smart and he’d figure it out. She definitely had faith him. Time had lost meaning and she couldn’t even estimate if it were still early evening or past midnight. All she could do was wait in the darkness. It sucked.

“Are you cold?” 140’s voice startled her.

“I’m okay. A little chilled but I’m not touching that blanket. It reeks and who knows where it’s been or what’s been done to it.”

He chuckled. “True. Come here and I’ll keep you warm.”

“No thank you.”

“I have a female. I won’t attempt to mount you.”

“You’re damn straight you won’t. I have a guy and I love him. No offense.”

“Come here. I will hold you. Our bodies are warmer than yours.”

She hesitated. “You won’t touch me in a sexual way?”

“No. I said I have a mate.”

“And that means what?”

“I do not want another female. I only want to mount mine.”

There is that mounting word again. She hesitated but nodded. “Okay. Where are you? I can’t see a thing.”

Big, gentle hands touched her waist. She gasped when he just dragged her closer, forced her to lie on her side, and he shoved an arm under her head. One arm tightened around her middle and jerked her closer to his body. She found herself spooned by a stranger. 140 just held her, didn’t try anything funny, and his body heat was nice. She relaxed against him.

“Thank you. You are warm.”

He rested his chin on her head. “You are chilled. Your skin is cooler than it was today.”

“You remember my skin temperature?”

“I noticed everything. It’s what we do.”

“Are we alone in here with just the other New Species men?”

He lifted his head. “Yes.”

“Can all of you hear me if I whisper?”

“Yes.” His body tensed. “Why?”

“Will anyone else hear me? Do you know if they have listening devices or cameras?”

“They don’t and none of them are nearby. I’d smell them.” 140 sounded sure.