Laurann Dohner - Fury

“No. Justice contacted a church. They have a few secluded retreats without any males. They accepted the women with open arms to give them some time and peace to recover from what they have been through. They are to be sent here when the therapists believe they are strong enough. The first batch is a test to see how they do. Hopefully they are able to overcome their pasts and find a future.”

“And if they aren’t?”

“Justice has thought about making our own female-only community to protect them.”

“Those poor women.” Ellie snuggled tighter against Fury’s side and glanced at the television. Fury enjoyed watching baseball and a game would be on soon. “I wish I could think of something to do to help them.”

“You’ll come up with something.”

“Yeah. I hope so.”

The news came on before the game. Ellie sat up straight and stared in shock at the reporter who opened with the evening’s top story about the New Species. They flashed an image of Fury carrying Ellie to a car. He appeared furious in the photo and Ellie looked to be in pain.

“Son of a bitch,” Fury growled. He moved, stretching for the phone.

“Shush,” Ellie ordered him. “I want to hear this.”

“How the hell did they get a picture of that?”

“I don’t know.”

They both listened to the story. Fury finally clicked off the television and lunged to his feet. He dialed the phone as he stormed toward the kitchen. Ellie heard his furious undertones from the other room. She sat there, trembling.

The public now knew about her and Fury. The reporter stated she and Fury were the first New Species and human couple. They’d hinted that Ellie—they’d mentioned both of their names—had somehow been injured. The reporter claimed it may have been Fury who’d harmed her.

She closed her eyes and fought angry tears. Worse, she hurt for Fury. Why did people think he would hurt her automatically just because he happened to be a New Species? They even knew he’d been mixed with canine DNA, had mentioned that during the report. It obvious that someone inside Homeland had leaked that information to the press.

Ellie still trembled when she rose to her feet. She found Fury pacing inside the kitchen, talking on phone. Their gazes met. Fury paused, looking furious and pale. Ellie walked directly into him. One of his arms circled her waist and he rested his chin on the top of her head.

Ellie just held Fury until he ended his call. He hung up the phone and slammed it down on the counter. His other arm wrapped around her waist, holding her, while he rubbed her back.

“Justice is on it. He has to call a news conference, Ellie. He has no choice. They were hinting that you’re being hurt. We need the support of the public.”

She nodded against his chest. “I know.”

“There has to be a leak somewhere. They knew I’m canine. That’s not publically known. They cited our first names.”

Ellie winced. “Do you think it was Doctor Norbit? I’d hate to think she did this.”

“I don’t know but we will find out. I hate to say it but I’m betting it was her or someone inside the human security force. They have access to our files too. Someone informed me that Tom showed up at the doc’s house. Human security alerted him and that means they knew something had happened.”

Ellie pulled back from him far enough to peer up at his face. “I’m sorry they implied you hurt me. They are idiots.”

Some of the anger eased from his features. “It’s not your fault. People always assume the worst. Hell, my own people thought me capable of it.”

“What do we do now?”

His lips twitched and he gave her a slight smile. “Look on the bright side. We don’t have to hide our relationship anymore.”

She snorted. “Yeah. They had it on the news. I guess I should probably call my family soon before they hear about it and freak out.”

His smile died. “What if they are upset about you being with me?” His gaze searched hers. “Will you leave me?”

Ellie hugged him tighter. “Never. I swear. I don’t care what they think.”

He couldn’t hide his relief. “I checked something out.”

“What?”

He hesitated. “Have I told you that I love you?”

Ellie’s heart soared. “No. You haven’t. Are you telling me now?”

His lips twitched before he spoke and amusement sparked his gaze. “That depends. Do you love me?”

Ellie laughed and nodded. “I do.”

“I love you, sweetness.”

“I love you too.” Tears blinded her until she blinked them away. “I’ve loved you for a while but I refrained from telling you.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “I guess I was being stupid. Human guys tend to flinch a little when a woman declares she’s fallen in love quickly.”

His eyebrows arched. “I’m not one of them, not fully, and I’m filled with joy that you love me. Never say you are stupid again. You’re cautious because you have been hurt by a man in your past. That will never happen with us because this time you chose well.” A smile curved his lips, a teasing sparkle in his beautiful eyes.

Ellie had to fight her emotions not to become overwhelmed. She did laugh at his joke. He loves me! More tears blinded her. She had to blink them back. It wasn’t just sex to him, he shared her feelings. Suddenly their problems seemed irrelevant. He loves me!

“Good. I love you more than words can say and I’m so happy you love me too.”

Fury chuckled. “I checked into marriage.” His smile died. “They don’t have a special marriage clause for us but it isn’t exactly against the law either since there’s nothing regarding New Species.”

Marriage? Ellie stared up at him in shock. She’d never once expected Fury to think about that kind of commitment but he obviously had. Did she want to be married to him? She stared up into his eyes. He had become a huge part of her soul since that first haunting day she’d seen him inside his sterile cell.

“You want to talk about getting married? Really?”

“Would you mind being married to me? I love you and I want to commit to you, Ellie. That’s the deepest one humans have.”

“I love you for that even more.”

He lifted her and carried her into the living room. He sat back down on the couch with her on his lap. She put her arms around him and they smiled at each other.

“Would you seriously consider saying yes if I were to ask you to marry me in the near future?”

Ellie laughed. “I would but you aren’t supposed to ask if I will consider it. Just ask me.”

“I would but I haven’t had a chance to buy you a ring yet.” He reached up and gripped Ellie’s hand behind his neck. He brought it to his lips to press a kiss on her palm. Then he turned her hand to study her fingers. “I don’t know what size your finger is unless they just come in small.”

“I’m a size six.”

“Six.” His gaze met hers as he held her hand inside his. “I’m having the legal department look into whether we can get married. All they have found so far is that it isn’t on the books but there’s nothing against us marrying either. We’re what they called a landmark case. It sounds like we are real estate.”

Chuckling, Ellie nodded. “Yeah. It kind of does.”

“They believe it shouldn’t be a problem. They were hoping no one would find out until after we were married if you agreed to be my wife. Now I’m afraid someone will think of it and try to protest our right to do that.”

“I don’t think they can. You have rights, Fury. They can’t give New Species the right to live as all citizens live then tell you that you don’t have the same rights as other people. It would just be too wrong for words.”