Laurann Dohner - Fury

“I’m sorry.”

“This is just going to justify his accusations. We have to work twice as hard to show them we are their equals and we are a race of intelligent, responsible people. You couldn’t have totally lost your mind at a worse time.”

“I realize it will reflect badly on the NSO. I’ll take full responsibility, assure them I’m the only one flawed, and you will need to press for them to deal with me severely.”

Justice studied his friend. “You aren’t yourself. Why?”

Fury’s attention drifted toward the bed but he still couldn’t see Ellie around Justice’s large frame. He met his friend’s curious gaze.

“I think you know why. There’s something about her that I can’t ignore. It’s not just anger. There’s more to it than that.”

A few Species males had experienced overwhelming urges to mate with certain females, to keep them very close, make them theirs, but none of them had given in to those instincts. Not that they’d been given the chance while they’d been prisoners. They’d been kept separated except for those times that females had been brought to them for breeding.

They were aware of the problem though. It only had happened to a few times inside the testing facilities but they had discussed the potential problem if more Species suffered from what they’d deemed a need to mate . I have that need , Fury admitted. He was pretty certain a mating was for life too because of how strongly Ellie affected him. He couldn’t see ever wanting to let her go.

Justice started back with worry and understanding etched on his features. “How bad is it?”

“Overwhelming, obviously. I’ve been fighting it tooth and nail.” His shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused but…” He left the rest unsaid.

He still didn’t regret it, even knowing how deep was the hole he’d dug. He glanced up to try to see Ellie again but Justice continued to block his view of her. He’d had her once. It would never be enough but at least he’d have the memory to savor.

Ellie spotted her clothes on the floor by the bed. Fury must have stripped her and just dropped them there. Her ID card and her shoes were there too. She moved slowly, definitely tender between her thighs from their bout of hot sex, and slid her butt to the edge of the bed. She kept the blanket around her. She grabbed her clothes and frantically started to put them on. The men seemed to be having a staring contest.

“The human security guards are searching everywhere for the woman.” Justice paused. “They found her broken electrical equipment by the pond and suspect something has happened to her. The second I became aware of her identity I came here, hoping you hadn’t done something stupid. We need to inform them she is here. She’ll need medical attention and you need to face the penalty of your crime. She isn’t one of us. I think they will make you face their law punishment. I don’t know what those are but you have to stand up for it for all our sakes. Don’t fight if they arrest you. I know the urge will be strong if they chain you but don’t make this worse.”

“I won’t struggle,” Fury swore softly. “I’ll call them now.”

Ellie finished dressing. She shoved on her shoes and stood. The movement made her aware of discomfort when her shirt rubbed under her sore breast. She didn’t take the time to check on how bad the scratch from his teeth was, promising do that later after she reached home. She took tentative steps toward the door.

“Excuse me.” She cleared her throat.

Justice turned his head to meet her gaze, a grim frown twisting his full lips.

Ellie didn’t glance at Fury. “I am going to return to the dorm now so please don’t call anyone. I’ll tell them I’ve been visiting a friend. Don’t get security involved in this. Fury and I are even now. There won’t be any more problems between us.” She forced herself to look at Fury then, seeing shock slacken his handsome face. “Are we even now?”

He shook his head, frowning.

She swayed on her feet from shock. Her knees collapsed but Justice caught her before she hit the floor. His strong hands gripped her waist to steady her until she regained control and straightened. He released her instantly when she pushed at his hands. She gaped at Fury.

“No? What more do you want from me?” Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. She was no longer able to hold them back. “I’m sorry! I thought you’d be safe, damn it. I’m telling you the truth. I had no other choice. I did everything I could for you. I couldn’t tell you what I had to do because I didn’t think you’d trust me. I couldn’t risk you repeating anything I said to you.”

Fury blinked. The look in his eyes definitely appeared pained. “We aren’t even because now I’m in your debt. I didn’t mean to hurt you with my teeth.”

Ellie used the backs of her hands to wipe at her tears. She had her key card fisted in her palm. Fury never ceased to astonish her.

“I know that and I believe you. It’s not a big deal about the scratch. We’re even then, Fury. You don’t ever owe me anything. I have to go.” She bit her lip. “Please move out of my way.”

Fury stepped away from the door. Ellie darted forward the second she knew she wouldn’t touch him. She nearly staggered out of his bedroom, down the hall, and through a large living room. She saw the front door and headed straight for it. She held her head high when she swung it open. Cool night air blew across her damp face.

She glanced down to where her watch should have been to see how much time had elapsed. Her bare wrist made her wince. She wasn’t going back into Fury’s bedroom to look for it. No way in hell . She lurched forward, took in her surroundings, and identified her location. He shoes slipped a little on the damp grass until she reached the sidewalk that would lead her to the dorms.

A hand suddenly gripped her shoulder and spun her around. Ellie stared up at Justice North fearfully. He’d followed her from the house.

“Why don’t you want him arrested? What the hell is between you both?” Justice’s grip gentled but his confusion was evident in the way he regarded her.

Ellie studied his pretty cat-like eyes. His facial structure wasn’t completely human, the bones of his face too pronounced with brawny cheekbones, and his nose was wider and flatter than a human nose. His features were…different, like Fury’s, except his traits were feline. She stepped back out of his hold. His hand dropped to his side.

“I need to return to the dorm and let security know I’m okay so they will call off the search. What happened in there isn’t what you think. He didn’t rape me or hurt me in any way.”

“What happened between you and Fury at the testing facility? Tell me now,” he demanded.

She peered around him only to see Fury’s windows dark and the front door firmly closed. Fury wasn’t within sight. Her gaze returned to Justice.

“Why,” he growled, “would you allow him to hurt you the way he has and not want retribution? Tell me or I’ll beat it out of him myself. He has refused to share any of your history. You are the only thing he won’t discuss.”

Ellie blinked back tears, hated the idea Fury would suffer if she didn’t admit her crime. “It’s his story to tell, not mine.”

“He won’t. I’m his best friend. He is acting insane. Make me understand or I’ll have to lock him up, have him evaluated, and force him to tell me what has happened. He won’t take being caged well. If you care at all, you’ll tell me what he will not.”

She hesitated, hated being put in the middle of it, but didn’t want Fury to suffer more for what had happened the last day she’d seen him inside his cell. She stared at Justice’s shirt. “You won’t use it against him?” Her gaze lifted. “Swear it to me.”