“I’m sorry. You startled me when I was stressed.”
Becca’s pounding heart slowed. “It’s okay. I should know better than that. My dad is military and yeah, never sneak up on someone with any kind of training.” She stepped closer and shivered. “That poor guy.”
“You’re cold.”
She smiled, touched that he was so concerned. “I was really warm until you got up. You put off a lot of body heat.”
“Lie down.” He tried to urge her to return to the bunk but she ducked around him, walked to the bars and stared at the double doors where they’d taken the other male.
“We need to get the hell out of here,” she whispered. “If you won’t go with my plan, we’ll think of something else. We all need to be saved.”
“Becca, it’s too dangerous.”
She spun to face him and crossed her arms over her chest. “Being here is dangerous. Those monsters need to be stopped.”
He approached her. “I agree but they’ll kill you and these bars are thick.” He reached around her with both hands, gripped them and pinned her loosely between his body and arms. “You won’t risk your life.”
Her gaze narrowed but she sealed her lips. He was determined to keep her safe but it was an illusion. It was a good one though, she silently admitted, staring up into his sexy gaze. She bit her lip, the memory of what they’d done before she’d slept fresh in her head and decided being held captive wasn’t totally horrible. Of course discovering they’d starred in a live-action porn flick for the benefit of the guards hadn’t been the high point.
It reminded her that it couldn’t happen again no matter how much she wanted him. They’d have to escape first and then…what? Would she ever see Brawn again? Would he remain at her house or return to Homeland?
The thought of never seeing him again was a bad one. She suddenly dropped her arms and stepped against him, tucked her head and rested her cheek against his hot skin. His heart pounded in her ear and she hugged him.
“I’m freezing,” she lied.
Solid, muscular arms wrapped around her and he curled his body tighter. “I’ll warm you.”
Becca wanted him to hold her for as long as it was possible. He’d do more than keep the chill away though. She was falling for him.
Chapter Ten
Tiger’s cell phone vibrated in his pocket and he lifted it. “Report.” He listened and grinned while he met Trey’s curious gaze.
“One of my males found their scent inside a warehouse. Let’s move all our teams to the area. They’ve pulled back to wait for a full assault.”
Tim jumped to his feet in an instant. “Let’s go.”
Tiger frowned. “You say here at command center. We’ll go.”
Tim wanted to argue but Trey spoke first.
“It’s for the best. I’ll go in and find Becca, Tim. We’ll bring her to you.”
Tim nodded, sat hard on the chair and his hands fisted in his lap. “I can handle anything that was done to her but just bring her back to me alive.”
“I’ll do my best,” Trey swore softly. He glanced at Tiger. “Let’s go.”
Tiger jumped down from the large van that had been their mobile command center. He jogged with Trey at his heels, the human kept up with him easily and it reminded him that the task force was made up of good males. They reached the building a few blocks away quickly to greet the waiting assault team. Twenty Species males and fifteen human task-force members were preparing for the worst. Tiger took the lead and commanded the teams.
“We’ll follow you,” Trey acknowledged. “Your people are better at tracking than mine.” He glanced at his men sternly. “Remember, no one harms the New Species no matter what you find. Are we clear? They could be heavily drugged. Just contain and hold him until the NSO team arrives if you find one on your own.”
Tiger glanced at his men. “Remember that there may be breeding drugs involved. Sedate Brawn if he’s not clear-headed. Talk to him first to make sure he is rational before you release him.”
The two teams studied each other and tension was palpable. Usually none of them minded working together but this was a special circumstance. All the humans on the task force knew Tim’s daughter and Tiger worried about their reactions if they found her harmed or worse. One moment of rage or grief could make a human take action and kill Brawn or another Species.
Tiger was tempted to have them hold back and send in Species only but he knew that would cause long-term issues. The task team needed their trust, they’d given their word to remain calm and he had to accept it. Of course he didn’t have to blindly trust either. An idea struck him.
“Let’s mix our teams.” Tiger glanced at Trey.
Trey nodded. “Sure.” He addressed his men. “NSO calls the shots. You listen up good, boys. Break into teams and one of them is in charge.”
The human males separated into small groups. Tiger quickly assigned a few of them to lead, dividing the rest so they were distributed to each team. “Let’s surround and go in.” He purposely located and stared at Brass.
“Are you sure you scented them?”
Brass checked his sidearm. “Positive. I didn’t follow the trail inside in case there were alarms or cameras but Brawn has been there. I backed away fast and was careful not to tip them off. I also didn’t smell explosives.”
“Let’s move,” Tiger commanded, motioning for Trey’s team to take the entry breach assignment with his own team while the other teams surrounded the building.
The moment Tiger stepped in the door of the warehouse he inhaled and nodded at Trey. “They were here but it’s very faint. If they’d left the doors open or there were any broken windows their scent wouldn’t have lingered but I’m picking up Brawn and your female.” He inhaled a few times. “Many human men. I think under ten but that could be off if they weren’t here recently. I smell…” He inhaled. “Another human female. It’s barely there but that’s what I’m picking up. It’s pretty stagnant in here.”
“Shit,” one of the humans sighed, pointing to the open van door. “See that big cage and someone left this behind.” He fingered an assault rifle. “Military issue, old school, so we’re looking at someone who was probably ex Army or Marines.”
“This may be a breeding facility,” Tiger reminded grimly. “Expect the worst. I’m worried since I’m picking up two female scents.”
“Damn,” Trey looked shocked. “They are really putting a lot of pressure on your man to perform if they brought him two women.”
Tiger shot him a frown, not amused with the grim humor. “It would not be enjoyable for either party involved.”
Trey nodded sharply. “You take point.”
Tiger took the lead. He inhaled and followed the faint scents to an archway that led to a stairwell. He looked down and held back a curse. He hated going underground and reached for the flashlight on his belt. His gaze scanned for cameras or sensors but spotted none.
“This is why we lost his signal. They are underground. There’s enough building to mask it.” His gaze roamed the assembled men. “Watch for surveillance cameras, sensors and don’t forget to keep inhaling for explosives. If one of my males raises a hand, halt! We go silent now to prevent them from hearing us coming. Take it damn slow. Better to creep in than let them now we’re here before we know what we’re facing.”
Trey turned and made hand motions to his men to make sure they understood their orders. Tiger didn’t signal his team. Species hearing was extremely sensitive and they would have heard every word spoken.
Tiger pulled his gun. He hated them but being shot at without one would be worse. He waited for Trey to turn after silently talking to his men before taking the first step downward. His body was tense, his gaze constantly moved and he hoped they weren’t walking into something horrible. Recovering dead bodies would be the worst scenario he could imagine, besides being blown to hell.