4

“What were you doing?” Tiger was furious and not making any attempt to hide it.

“Showing Moon he could trust me.”

Joy was tired after spending a restless night in the house they’d assigned her. She’d asked to be escorted there after what had happened. She had needed time away from Moon after her close call. Her visitors had arrived after breakfast.

“She has no right being near him.” Harley wore a heavy-metal-band T-shirt with his jeans today. The biker boots must be something he wore daily. “He obviously doesn’t want her dead but next time he could force us to unlock the cell to save her life. It’s pure luck he only wanted to be left alone with her. He’s in no shape to be reasoned with.”

“Agreed.” Justice North grimly studied her. “You shouldn’t have gotten that close to him.”

“He spoke.”

Justice’s black eyebrows arched. “He did? No one told me that.”

“It was just a few words,” Tiger informed him. “He’s still dangerous and not himself.”

“He didn’t say anything to us when we were inside his cell securing him.” Justice looked at Harley. “Why didn’t he tell us to stop? He had no problem fighting us while we restrained him.”

“You did it?” Joy had wanted to be there. “Is he okay?”

“He’s angry.” Tiger shrugged. “No one was hurt.”

Relief was instant. “Good.”

“She has no right to be near him,” Harley repeated. “You don’t know their history.”

Joy wasn’t surprised that Harley was about to tell the others about her past with Moon. He had warned her he’d do anything to get her away from Moon. Harley was a man of his word.

“We’re aware of their history.” Justice dismissed it with a wave of his hand as he studied Joy. “I’m more concerned that you risked your life without consulting us first.”

“I was establishing trust. I can’t stop working with him to run a decision by you every time.”

“She allowed Moon to play with her breasts after flashing them at him.”

Joy winced at Harley’s harsh tone. “You’re making it sound vulgar but it wasn’t.” She hated the way Justice’s eyes widened in reaction. “It’s not what you must be thinking. Moon is interested in sex and it’s the only avenue I’ve found to motivate him to work with me.” Her cheeks warmed from embarrassment. “I’ll do have to get him to talk. I can’t help him otherwise. I didn’t flash my breasts either. I showed some cleavage.”

“He doesn’t want to talk,” Harley snarled. “He wants to fuck you.”

“Harley!” Justice snarled back. “Enough!”

“You know about what she did to Moon and yet you still called her?”

“Moon respects her.”

Harley snorted. “What do you know about what took place between her and Moon at site four, Justice?”

“She was his head shrink after he was released from Mercile and he spoke highly of her.”

“He trusted her and he wanted to fuck her but she bailed on him. She hurt him.”

The males in the room suddenly all turned their attention her way. Joy hugged her waist, trying to appear smaller in her chair. Her chin lifted though as she stared at Harley.

“I didn’t hurt him.”

“Bullshit. You chose your job over him. Do you think he was too stupid to know that? To figure out how little he meant to you for you to do that to him? He had feelings for you but you packed your shit and took off. You weren’t there to see how that affected him. He hated the other shrink he got stuck with too. She was a cold bitch who acted as if we were pets that needed to be handed meat treats to retrain us from the bad habits we picked up at Mercile.”

“It wasn’t like that.” Joy winced, guessing he spoke of Geraldine, her previous supervisor. The woman had no common sense. They’d never seen eye to eye on how to counsel the survivors but it made her wince inside if Harley spoke the truth. That sure hadn’t been in any of the notes she’d submitted about what was effective and what wasn’t.

Harley took a threatening step closer, his fists clenched at his sides, but halted. “It was exactly that way. He told you he wanted you and you allowed him to think he had a chance. You promised your body to make him open up in your sessions but then you fled when it was time to pay up.”

Embarrassment quickly transformed into anger. “I didn’t promise him anything. I kept telling him we couldn’t have sex. I was his therapist.”

“Ethics. Yeah. He mentioned that.” Harley growled. “Did you allow him to caress your breasts before while you were feeding him those bullshit excuses? You cock-teased him in your sessions to get him to talk and I’ll be damned if I allow you to do that to him twice, only to leave him high and dry again.”

“I did not!” She shot to her feet, glaring up at him. Her palm itched to slap the son of a bitch. “I kept it strictly professional when he was my client. He never touched my breasts or any other part of me except my hands the few times he wanted to make me uncomfortable by trying to intimidate me. I was clear that we couldn’t ever have a sexual relationship so don’t accuse me of leading him on. I didn’t!”

Harley flashed his fangs. “You are coldhearted and cared nothing about him.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about, Harley. You’re wrong. That’s why I quit my job. I knew it was only a matter of time before he broke me down because I felt too much for him.”

“You admit your job was more important than he was. Otherwise you would have stayed with him.”

She gaped at him, ignoring everyone else in the room since no one spoke. “How could I have stayed with him? Do you know what would have happened if I had slept with him?”

“He would have been happy.”

“I would have been fired for having sex with him…and a lot worse.”

“Your job was more important!” Harley curled his lip in disgust. He turned his head to look at Justice. “She needs to be escorted off Homeland and away from Moon. We can’t trust her not to hurt him again. His well-being isn’t her priority and never will be.”

“Fuck you, Harley,” she snapped before she could leash her temper. “I’d do anything for Moon.”

He glared at her. “You left him when you knew he needed you.”

Joy shook her head. “How naïve are you? Did you hear me when I said they would have fired me if I’d slept with him? Do you think they would have allowed me near him after that? It was a classified location!” She tried to rein in her emotions. It was tough to do. “There were cameras and guards crawling all over the place. They would have figured it out fast if I’d allowed my relationship with Moon to progress into a sexual one. I would have been forced to leave there and they would have probably kept me in jail, awaiting trial for whatever charges they could pin on me to keep me locked up for as long as possible out of fear that I’d give up the location of that site.”

Harley frowned.

“I would have lost everything to sleep with him one time.” She sat down hard in the chair, hugged her chest again, and stared at her lap. “Don’t think I wasn’t tempted. I cared about Moon. You have no idea how much.” She swallowed, clearing her emotion-choked throat. “But I also knew it would hurt Moon more if we slept together. I always put him first.”

“How would it have hurt Moon more?” It was Justice who spoke.

She met his gaze. He didn’t appear angry. “Moon had a really hard time adjusting to life beyond Mercile. He was antisocial and confrontational with the guards. Imagine how much worse it would have been if he’d had to watch me being dragged off the property in handcuffs. He might have even tried to come to my aid, thinking he was protecting me. It would have made him hate the guards more than he already did or even gotten him shot if he’d killed anyone. The guards were ordered not to hurt Species except in a life-or-death situation if one was out of control but they had the authority to permanently put down the threat in an extreme situation. I wasn’t willing to risk his life or have them decide he was unable to cope with his freedom. Do you know what they did to Species unable to integrate with the humans who worked there?”

Justice sighed. “I know. They kept them heavily sedated and secured away from the others. A lot of our Wild Zone residents were brought to us after enduring that treatment.”

“Exactly!” She shifted her gaze to Harley. He didn’t appear as angry as before. “That’s why I left when I did. I knew it was only a matter of time before he succeeded in seducing me and that it could get him killed or sent to one of the hospital wards where he’d be heavily drugged. The thought of either of those things happening to him ripped me to shreds inside. I didn’t put my career above Moon. I did the only thing I could to make sure it had the best outcome for him. I figured he’d be angry at the very worst but it would all be directed at me. He’d be safe.”

Harley stepped closer and paused, studying her. “Shit.” He spun away, sighing. “I believe her.”

“Joy?”

She hated the way her gut twisted as she held Justice North’s gaze. “Yes?” He could ask her to leave. It was the worst thing he could do. He was silent for so long her stomach threatened to heave up her breakfast. It would tear her apart if she were sent away. She had no claim to even be updated on Moon’s condition. She’d have to wonder if he recovered or if he’d worsened. There would be nothing she could do about it. “Please let me try to help him.”

He blinked, saying nothing.

“Do you want me to beg?” Her pride would take a big hit but it was Moon. “I’ll do it. I got him to talk. He calms down around me. He said my name. Let me try to reach him.”

Justice glanced around at the men. “Leave us alone for a few minutes.”

“No.” Harley faced them. “Let her try.”

The NSO leader rose. He didn’t look angry but he did seem surprised. “You’re giving me orders?”

“Moon had strong feelings for her.” Harley didn’t back down. “He’s like a brother to me. We all care but I know him best.” He paused, glancing at Joy, then back at Justice. “We’re going to have to keep him heavily sedated at all times if he doesn’t come back from what was done to him. He’s too lethal in his current condition to even be set free in the Wild Zone. Hell, I’m sure we can also agree that every male would prefer to be kept in a near coma than put the rest of our people in danger. She did get him to talk and he released her the second they were alone. He didn’t want to kill her.”

Tiger cursed. “What if he tries to hold her hostage to gain his release?”

Harley softly growled. “We’ll have to walk out and leave her there with him.” He held Joy’s gaze. “Are you willing to agree to that? It means you’re on your own if he tries to use your life to make us unlock his cell door. We can’t allow him to get free. We’d track him down fast but he could kill someone first. It’s too risky.”

The implications were clear. They wouldn’t negotiate for her life if it came down to a standoff.

“I can’t agree to that,” Justice growled. “No Species would.”

Joy swallowed down the sick feeling as she looked at Justice. “I’m not Species and I’ll do it. I’m willing to put my life on the line for Moon’s. I want to do it.”

“Moon could kill you.” His expression shuttered, hiding all emotion.

“I understand.”

“He could molest you or worse if he gets his hands on you again.” His jaw clenched. “Just because bars are between you doesn’t mean he couldn’t do a lot of things if you’re within reach.”

“I understand that too. He’s lethal even behind bars.” The memory was still very fresh in her mind of Moon’s hand squeezing her breast but so was the one where he’d grabbed her throat. “I treated your people, Justice. They told me some of the ways they killed Mercile employees.” She’d had nightmares but they weren’t invoked by sympathy for the ones who’d died. It had been the haunting knowledge that New Species would have to live with what they’d had to do to survive. “A few of them tried to horrify me with very specific details of those deaths. They thought I’d judge them for what they were forced to do to stay alive.”

“What did you tell them when they shared those stories?” Justice cocked his head, obviously curious.

“I said they should put it behind them. It wasn’t their fault. Anyone would do whatever it takes to survive in extreme circumstances and to be proud they’d made it out of that hell alive.” She paused. “Off the record, after what I heard was done to them inside those cells, those abusive Mercile assholes deserved to die after torturing Species. Too bad more of them weren’t killed.”

“You should have told them the latter.”

She smiled but it wasn’t out of amusement. “I did. Off the record.”

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He leaned back, relaxing. “How did they respond to that?”

“About the same way you just did. I didn’t want them to feel guilty about taking out garbage.”

Tiger chuckled. “Why couldn’t you have been my shrink?” He glanced over at Justice. “Mine kept saying it was wrong to kill under any circumstance. She was clueless.”

“Let the shrink do this,” Harley rasped. “It’s Moon.”

Justice’s smile faded as he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.

“You’d risk your life for any of us, Justice. We’d risk our lives for other Species. Forget she’s a human female. She’s an adult and knows the score. You heard her.” Harley crossed his arms over his wide chest. “She’s well aware of what Species are capable of.”

“I am,” she agreed, glancing between the NSO leader and Harley, still a bit dazed that he was on her side after swearing to get her escorted off Homeland.

Justice opened his eyes and anger burned in the depths of his gaze. “Fine.” He leaned forward, watching her closely. “You’re probably going to be killed or wish you had if this goes bad. He’s feral. Are you certain you’re willing to take those risks?”

“Yes,” she answered with no hesitation although inside she quivered a bit with fear.

“Did you love him?”

She nodded. “Yes.” She’d say the same if he asked if she still loved Moon.

He peered at her for long seconds, perhaps judging her honesty. “Okay. I can respect that. I’d do anything for Jessie.” He stood and walked to the door. “You should make out your will in case this goes wrong. Legal will be by before you see him again. You must sign a liability release though I doubt it will be worth anything if challenged. It is all we can do to avoid lawsuits from your family if this doesn’t work out the way we hope.” He turned, still regarding her with anger. “Reality is harsh. Be certain.”

She would have risen too but she didn’t trust her legs at the moment. It would blow her fearless act if they collapsed under her. “Could you have your lawyers put a rush on the paperwork? I already have a will. I want to get back to him.”

He blinked.

“What are the rules?”

He blinked again. “What do you mean?”

“How far am I allowed to go with him before you consider it crossing a line? So far he’s only responded to wanting me.”

“Shit,” Tiger whispered. “How far are you willing to go?”

“I’ll do anything and everything to save Moon.” She meant it. “Even if it means going inside his cell so there’s no bars between us.”

“Son of a bitch,” Justice hissed. “We don’t know what Moon will do to you.”

“I’ll bet killing me won’t be first on his wish list.”

He turned away and his broad shoulders were tense. “You better be right. I like sleeping at night and I doubt I’d do that well if you get yourself maimed or killed. I don’t know if I should say thank you or have you tossed from our land for your own protection.” He paused at the door. “Talk to her, Tiger. Explain feral sex to her. It’s her choice in the end.” The door slammed as he left.

Tiger met her gaze and opened his mouth.

“Don’t.” Joy hugged her waist, unable to hide her churning emotions anymore. “I can guess what I’m in for if it comes to that. It doesn’t change anything. I’d still risk it.”

His lips sealed tightly as he got to his feet. “Legal can have the release to you within the hour.” He paused. “You might want to call your family. Don’t tell them where you are or what is going on. Just…call them.” He paused by the door, staring at her. “Are you sure you’re willing to do this? Our females would be afraid of him right now.”

He wanted to scare her by implying she should call her loved ones to say goodbye. It worked but she wasn’t backing down now. She’d had over two years of living with painful regrets. No way was she walking away from Moon again. It might be the one and only shot she had of making up for the past.

“I’m sure.”

“You’re brave.” He left, quietly closing the door.

“You surprise me.” The deep voice held a hint of respect.

Joy had almost forgotten about Harley. He moved to stand in front of her. She shrugged. “You were wrong about me. I really care about Moon. I always have and still do.”

“It seems.” He suddenly crouched down to her level. “Listen to me.”

Here it comes, she thought, preparing for more dire threats from him about what he’d do to her if she hurt Moon. It was the natural reaction of someone feeling helpless when someone they loved was in jeopardy. They needed a way to try to control the situation.

“Don’t fight him if he ever gets his hands on you. It will send him into a rage. Go still.” He paused. “If he sinks his teeth into you, don’t pull away. Don’t scream. Don’t struggle. Am I clear? He’s more animal than human right now. Show him absolute submission if you want a chance at survival.”

She nodded, not trusting her voice at that point. His warnings put vivid images in her mind. The screaming part made her wonder how rough Moon would be if she did offer him her body. He was a really strong, big guy.

“Good.” Harley studied her features. “He talked about you to me. He said you were brave and had the courage of one of our females. I didn’t believe that until now. He could never understand why you bolted. I’m giving you a chance, so don’t screw it up. He’s the closest person to me and I’ve lost too much already in my lifetime.” His focus lowered down her body, then jerked back up. “You better not be blowing smoke up my ass and chicken out. I stood up to Justice and Tiger to give you this chance. I wouldn’t have done it but I’m desperate to save him. So are they or they’d never have agreed to allow this.”

“Me too.” Heartfelt words. “I won’t leave him this time.”

A current of understanding flowed between them. Harley suddenly reached into his back pocket and pulled out a cell phone. She wondered if he would offer it to her to use to make those calls. Instead he looked down and touched it, tapping the faceplate.

“I want you to see something.”

“Okay.”

He turned the phone face in her direction and a video began to play. She took it from his fingers, staring at a smiling Moon displayed on the small screen in her palm. He was outdoors, wearing a tank top and shorts. Humor glinted in his beautiful eyes. “What are you doing?” His voice was husky, the one she remembered.

“Making a memory,” Harley chuckled. “Videos are popular.”

Moon laughed. “I’m so not having sex with you. You’re not my type. I thought those were the only videos you watched.”

“Ha-ha,” Harley snorted. “I think you’re talking about yourself instead of me.”

“We are friends because we have so much in common.” Moon glanced away, then back at the camera. “Why don’t you film them?” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “They are more interesting than I am.”

Harley panned the camera to record some Species females playing volleyball. After a few seconds he zoomed back to Moon. “I wanted to video you. You’re leaving for Reservation soon and I’m going to miss you. I’ll watch this when I do.”

Moon smiled. “It’s only for a month. You won’t even know I’m gone.” He pointed again in the direction of the females. “You can play with them and look sad so they keep you occupied. It sounds as if I’m doing you a big favor.” His hands gripped his hips. “It will gain you sympathy. Tell them you miss going riding with me and take them on your bike.”

“It won’t be the same.” Harley sounded a bit depressed. “I’m really going to miss you.”

Moon’s suddenly somber, dark gaze peered into the camera. “I’ll be back before you know it and we’ll have fun. I’ll miss you too. I never thought I’d ever be close to someone.” He suddenly grinned. “Now turn that off and let’s go play some ball. We’ll play two against five and show them how it’s done before I leave.”

Harley chuckled and the video ended. Joy blinked back tears as she lifted her gaze to the man holding out his hand for her to return his phone.

“I want my friend back.” Sincerity shone in his eyes. “That was recorded a few weeks ago. That’s the Moon I know.” He glanced away, shoving his phone back inside his pocket. He held her gaze once more but she saw tears shimmer in his eyes. “I need him to be fixed.”

“I’m going to do whatever it takes,” Joy swore.

* * * * *

Moon snarled, rage a living thing inside his body. He couldn’t think and nothing made sense. Pain, anger, and the urge to explode was all he knew. He threw back his head and howled. He wanted something. No. Someone. A female.

A memory struggled to surface but it was buried under layers of haze. She’s real, isn’t she? He wasn’t sure. He paced the cell, snarled at the bars that contained him, and wanted to run. His chest slammed into them but he couldn’t get free.

He wiped at his mouth and a scent made him freeze. He sniffed, drew his fingers to his nose and inhaled deeply. It was familiar, female. He closed his eyes and the image of a dark-haired human sitting behind a desk came into focus. She was smiling at him. She had a silky mass of curls pinned up at the nape of her neck in a bun but he wanted to see it down. Big blue eyes with flecks of yellow in her irises fascinated him. They were rare for a human but he wasn’t sure how he knew that.

The dim sound of a feminine laugh soothed some of his rage and had a calming effect. It was a memory. He grabbed hold of it, trying hard not to lose sight of her. Delicate, pale hands rose, showing him her palms as the flashback became more vivid.

“Don’t, 466. You’re making my stomach hurt.” She had a musical voice. Soft. Sweet. Sexy. His dick hardened instantly, nearly drawing his focus away from her to fixate on the sexual hunger it stirred.

Her hands dropped flat on the desk and she leaned in, still smiling directly at him. “You made that up to see how gullible I am.” He wanted to kiss those lips. The urge to lunge at her, grab and pin her on the flat surface was strong. Her clothes were thin, easy to tear off. “We’re supposed to be telling each other the truth, remember? That was funny but fiction.”

“Maybe.” The emotion attached to that word came through. Amusement. He was playing with her. “The truth is I actually lay in bed last night thinking about you.”

Her features shut down all emotion. “Don’t.”

He moved around her desk and crouched, so close he could pick up the scent of her arousal. His fingers itched to free her hair to see how long it would be.

“Did you think about me? Did you touch yourself?” He hoped she’d say yes. He wanted to be the one to touch her though.

“Go take your seat.”

She was shutting him out and he didn’t like it. He turned the chair despite her attempt to stop him by gripping the edge of the desk. Her strength was no match compared to his and the sight of her legs in that short skirt was something he hadn’t expected. They were smooth, shapely, and beautiful. She gasped, her eyes widened, and her breathing quickened.

“I’d rather share yours.” He reached out after releasing one side of her chair, his fingertips gently stroking her knee. So soft. He inhaled and knew his senses weren’t deceiving him. She wanted him too but she wouldn’t admit it. “Spread your thighs. Let me in.” He licked his lips. He could eat her up. Wanted to. Needed to.

“You know we can’t do this.” Panic flashed in her eyes. “Please don’t.”

He sniffed—no fear. No, she wanted him too. Why wouldn’t she give in? He’d make it so good for her, for them both. She brushed off his touch, locked her knees together and reached for the buzzer on her desk.

“Don’t make me push the alarm. Please, 466.” It was the pleading desperation of her tone that stopped him, made him straighten and step away.

Rejected. Again. It hurt. He hurt. His dick ached from the need to take her. His body responded to the emotions and feelings that surfaced with the memory.

Agony shot through him and the haze returned. He howled, prowling the confines of the cage. Rage built. He needed out. To run. He needed…something. No. Someone… He tried to remember who but couldn’t. A snarl tore from his throat.