New Species 03 Valiant (41 page)

swung her down to stand on her feet at her silent urging.

She stared up at the New Species who could have hurt

her but hadn’t. She smiled when he spoke softly.

“You did tell me the truth.”

“I did. You’re free,” Tammy said softly.

Valiant studied him intently and held out his hand.

“Thank you for not harming her. She is everything to me.

My heart and soul. The reason I breathe.”

927 glanced at the offered hand with confusion.

“Shaking hands is a custom we picked up from

humans,” Justice explained. He moved forward and

shook Valiant’s hand. “We shake the hands of males as a

sign of respect.”

927 shook Valiant’s hand. “You are welcome. I

treated her as I wished another would treat a female I

cared for. You must be very happy to be loved so greatly

by her.”

Valiant pulled Tammy closer against his body. “I

have never been happier in my life.”

“I’m Tiger.” He stepped closer. “I’m head of security

at Reservation. It’s where your home will be while you

adjust to freedom. You’re going to love it there. There

are miles to run and all the deer you can take down.”

Tiger grinned. “No more bars and there are trees as far

as your eyes can see. The sky is beautiful. We’ll have

some disgusting-tasting beers and watch the sun rise and

set. You will hate the taste of the human drink but you’ll

do it because it’s an experience.” He grinned. “You’ll see.”

927 blinked hard. Tammy saw his tears though

before he could get control of his emotions. She fought

the urge to cry too. Had the guy ever seen the sun rise or

set? Ever seen no walls surrounding him or trees as far

as the eye could see? She knew the answer and it just

about broke her heart.

Two more New Species slowly entered the room,

almost seeming fearful of spooking 927. They each said

their name and introduced themselves to him. He

seemed a little overwhelmed at seeing so many New

Species males or it could have just still been the shock of

being freed. Tammy understood. She squeezed Valiant’s

hand and eased out of his hold.

“This is a lot to take in, huh?” Her gaze met 927’s as

she looked up at him.

“Yes.”

“It’s normal if you’re feeling a little afraid but it’s

going to be great. We’re all going to be here for you. I

know it’s a lot to take in but just take it one step at a

time. Everyone here is your friend and cares about you.”

She held out her hand. “I’ll walk with you. Take my

hand. You’re not alone.”

Valiant growled. Tammy turned her head to frown at

him. She knew he was possessive but she owed 927

enough to help him through a rough spot. He’d done that

for her. She didn’t want to upset Valiant but she wanted

him to understand.

“Do you remember your first day of freedom? Well, I

remember my first day at school. That was kind of a

whole new world. I’m his friend. I’m going to hold his

hand the way my mom held mine and I’m going to walk

him outside. I love you so don’t feel jealous. I totally

belong to you and I am so happy about that.”

Valiant relaxed. A smile split his lips. “School? You

compare being set free to school?”

She shrugged. “Well, you guys were set free from a

living hell. I got imprisoned in the school system for

thirteen years of my life. It was a form of mild hell.

You’re missing the point. It was all new and scary to me.

My mom held my hand and walked me to my first class.

She stayed around until I got settled. It made me feel

better. It’s my only fond memory of her. He doesn’t

know any of you but he’s spent some time with me.”

Justice suddenly laughed. “She’s taking his mother

role.”

Tiger winked at 927. “Lucky you. You have a

mommy.”

927 looked confused. “A what?”

“She is protective of you as though you are her

child,” Valiant sighed. “Welcome to the family, son.”

The New Species laughed. Tammy frowned at them.

She dropped her offered hand. “Fine.”

927 reached out and gripped it suddenly. He grinned

down at her. “Thank you. I’d love for you to walk with

me outside.”

Tammy smiled at him and squeezed his hand. She

shot Valiant a smirk and started to leave the room. 927

stayed close to her side. Tiger and Justice led the way.

Valiant came up behind Tammy and took her other hand.

She looked up at him, grateful he understood. They

walked outside together.

Two New Species jogged off to drive the SUVs to

their location. Tammy glanced at the three assholes who

stood in handcuffs with two New Species guarding them.

Pete, Mike, and the doctor appeared pretty scared now

that they were the ones under the control of others.

Valiant growled when Tammy faced the three,

released his and 927’s hands, and took a few steps closer

to the prisoners. Valiant’s hand halted her by gripping

her upper arm.

“Where are you going?”

Tammy gazed at him. “I just wanted to talk to them

for a second. They are all shackled up and those men

gripping them aren’t going to let them go, right?”

Valiant frowned. “You should have nothing to say to

them.”

A nger gripped her. “I don’t plan to talk to them.” She

pulled out of his hold. She walked up to Mike and Pete.

She glared up at both men. She hesitated for a second

before kicking Pete hard in the shin. He cursed, hopping

on one leg. Tammy turned to Mike and kicked him in the

balls. He doubled over with a loud gasp, groaning in

pain.

Tammy reached up to the doctor, took his glasses,

and just tossed them away. She didn’t bother kicking

him. When she backed away and turned, it was to find

Valiant gaping at her, his shock apparent. She met his

eyes, shrugged, and returned to his side.

“I owed them.”

“You bitch,” Mike groaned, doubled over.

Valiant lunged and punched him in the side of the

face. Mike hit the ground hard and groaned. A snarl tore

from Valiant. “Don’t talk to her. You’re lucky I’m not

allowed to kill you or I would.” He spun and marched to

Tammy.

“Thank you, Valiant. He made a remark about holes

that I didn’t particularly like.” She rubbed his arm. “My

hero.”

Valiant hesitated. “A ny time, Tammy. Do you feel

better now that you kicked them and took the property of

one away?”

Tammy hesitated. “In one second I’ll feel great.” She

turned and stormed over to the older man. “I hope you

rot in hell, you miserable bastard. I hope they give you

ten years for every day you tormented them and those

poor women. You’re a vile monster.”

The older man glared at her, his eyes squinted since

she’d taken his glasses. “I’ll never see prison.”

“You think not?” She snorted. “If it’s not prison, you’ll

be facing the death penalty.”

“I know I won’t. I’ll cut a deal. I know too much.”

Justice was there suddenly. “You think so?”

“I’m too valuable not to be given a deal. I know

where two smaller testing facilities are located where

more of your kind are being held.”

Justice paused. “Do you want total immunity for your

information from your law? I can give you that. I have

the authority.”

Outrage blasted through Tammy. “You can’t give

them that.”

Justice shot her a look. “Quiet, Tammy. I know what

I am doing. Saving New Species is paramount.”

She closed her mouth and stewed silently. Valiant

squeezed her shoulder. She studied his relaxed features,

it dawning on her that he’d be really mad if there were a

real possibility of any of those men being released to

harm anyone else. It made her understand that

harm anyone else. It made her understand that

something was going on that she wasn’t aware of and

she should trust Justice.

“Yes,” the older man said. “I demand total immunity

for any crimes.”

“Fine. We’ll take you to Reservation, you will tell us

whatever it is that we need or want to know and you

shall have total immunity from prosecution on all

charges, from your people.”

“I want that too,” Mike groaned from the ground.

“I will give it happily if the information you share

saves the lives of more of my people.” Justice glanced at

him with a frown. “You better know something useful.”

Valiant gripped Tammy and turned her. He took her

for a walk far from the men. Tammy was steaming mad

but she held her tongue until they’d moved out of

earshot of Justice and the captured men.

“He’s going to give them immunity? A re those jerks

just going to get away with everything they’ve done?”

She hissed the words to make sure they didn’t carry.

Valiant leaned down, his face inches from hers.

“Justice is giving them exactly what they are asking for.

Immunity from the human prison system.” His eyes

sparkled. “Justice will learn everything they know before

he introduces them to New Species law.”

It took her a few seconds to grasp that meaning. Her

anger drained quickly. “What is the punishment for

kidnapping and being evil bastards who enjoy torturing

people under your laws?”

Valiant pulled Tammy into his arms, holding her. His

lips brushed her ear. “They will be locked up and

eventually they’ll die. We have the right to defend

ourselves and the right to punish those who put

themselves under our law. By asking for immunity from

their own justice, they now belong to ours.” He turned

his head, his gaze purposely fixing on Justice North.

“He’ll show them the same amount of mercy they showed

you and our people.”

Tammy was glad he held her when she glanced at

Justice North. A s she studied the handsome New Species

leader, she detected his anger and nearly felt sorry for

those jerks. That was until she replayed everything she’d

overheard them say since she’d met them.

That old doctor had been doing horrendous things to

Valiant’s people for a long time. The two thugs who had

helped him had made a twenty-dollar bet on whether

she’d get raped or murdered. Her sympathy fled

instantly.

“I’m glad,” she admitted. “They deserve it.”

Valiant suddenly growled. “His scent is on you.”

“Whose?”

“927.” He pulled back, frowning. “Did he touch you?

I smell him all over you. I was told he slept on you.

Why?” His voice dropped deeper.

“It was cold. He didn’t touch me in any sexual way,

Valiant. I swear.”

He forced his temper back. “I need my scent back on

you.”

She paused, knowing he was weird about how she

smelled and it probably was rough on him to smell

another man, to know someone else had touched her.

“How far are we from Reservation?”

“A bout half an hour.”

“It will be all right. We’ll go home, I’ll shower, and

you can hold me. I’ll smell like you again before you

know it.”

Valiant shook his head. He growled and turned to

Justice, calling out, “We are taking a walk. I hear water.”

“The SUVs should be here any moment.” Justice

frowned.

“I must share my scent with her now,” Valiant

demanded. “It’s driving me crazy smelling another male

all over her.”

Justice stared at him for a few heartbeats and gave a

sharp nod. “I understand. I’ll send one SUV on and

another will wait for you. Just hurry.”

“Thank you.”

Valiant suddenly grabbed Tammy and scooped her

into his arms. He strode quickly for the tree line. She

wrapped her arms around him and didn’t struggle in his

hold.

“What does sharing your scent with me entail?

Valiant, why are we storming into the woods?”

Valiant didn’t answer. They reached a small creek not

far from where they’d been. He set her on her feet and

held out his hand. “Give me your clothes.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You want to have sex

right now? Here? Seriously? I’m not exactly in the mood

for that.”

He sighed. “I want your clothes. I’m throwing them

away.”

“What would I wear?”

Valiant started stripping out of his clothes. “Mine.”