“Thank you.”
“For what?” He spun her, dipped her body until her hair nearly reached the floor and yanked her upright.
“For agreeing to come with me. Isn’t this fun?”
He had to admit it beat staring at walls. “Yes.”
“You’re taking me to dinner later.”
He hesitated.
“You are. I learned a new saying. All work and no play makes males boring.” She chuckled. “Or dull. Either way you need to have fun. You are grumpy and snarl at everyone.” She leaned into his chest and peered into his eyes. All humor fled. “I worry about you. We’re friends. You’d do the same for me.”
He couldn’t refute her words. He nodded. “I am aware.”
“Do you have nightmares?”
He forced his gaze from hers. He dreamed but he wouldn’t admit about what. He inched back so space was between their bodies.
“You’re not sleeping well.” She patted his chest through his shirt. “I will help you tonight.”
He tensed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“You’ve avoided everyone since you were rescued.” Her chin lifted and her dark eyes narrowed with determination. “I owe you.”
“Not that.”
She cocked her head. “Just take me out to dinner and allow me to care for you. You need a friend and I’m a good one.”
“You are.”
“Stop talking and dance.”
He pushed his thoughts back and grabbed her hand, spun her and smiled at the way she giggled. To see her experience such joy at such a little thing brightened his day. She was one of his, from his testing facility, and it was his job to keep her happy.
Motion drew his attention as Flame waved his arms from across the room. He stood by the bar, staring directly into Brawn’s gaze. The male had a grim look on his face and he knew instantly that something was wrong. He stopped dancing and released Breeze. Flame walked in his direction, paused ten feet away and all doubt left that the male had something to say to him. Brawn glanced at Breeze.
“I’ll be back.”
“Doubtful,” Flame muttered.
Brawn heard him and shot him a confused look. “Has something bad happened? Has a council meeting been called?”
“No.” Flame backed up to the bar and waved to motion Hound over. “Give me two more please.”
Breeze fisted his shirt. “You will pick me up at six, Brawn. Don’t make me hunt for you.”
He forced a smile and nodded. She released him and he edged around dancers to reach the male. Flame lifted two small glasses that contained dark liquid from the bar where Hound had set them. He met Brawn’s gaze and jerked his head toward the door.
Whatever had happened was bad enough to need privacy. Brawn’s shoulders straightened and he hoped that no Species were hurt. He followed Flame out of the bar. The male kept going, led him through the lobby of the hotel and stayed far ahead of him until they reached the outside. Confusion at Flame’s odd behavior kept him trailing behind him until they walked a good hundred free from the hotel to the grassy area in front of it.
Flame spun and held out one of the glasses. “Drink this.”
Brawn tried to sniff to determine what it was but Flame stood upwind of him. He glanced at the murky drink, raised his gaze and frowned. “What is it?”
“Whiskey. I took two big gulps of it already before you saw me trying to get your attention.”
“I don’t drink that stuff.”
“I don’t usually either but today is the exception. Trust me. Swallow. You’re going to need it.” Flame drank his down fast, snarled softly and fisted the empty glass.
“Just tell me the bad news. I assume something horrible has happened.”
“You want the news?” Flame shoved the drink at him again. “Down that first and then I will tell you.”
Irritation flashed for a second before outright dread. Someone had died. It must be someone he knew. He accepted the tiny drink. He gave it a dirty look but lifted it to his parted lips, forced his hand to raise and the horrible taste plowed through his mouth as he swallowed.
“Ugh. That is terrible.” He wiped his mouth to glare at Flame. “Tell me.”
The male hesitated.
“Get it out. Don’t torture me with the unknown.”
“You should sit down on that bench to your right.”
Brawn growled at him. “Don’t give me orders and stop stalling.”
“Please, sit. We have a serious situation happening at Medical.”
Brawn sat, just to prevent the male from dragging it out anymore and didn’t want to beat the information from him. He was tempted though. “What is going on?”
Flame inched backward to put a few more feet between them. “We have a human female at medical who is pregnant with a Species baby. We had to track her and bring her in against her will. She refused to come on her own.”
“I heard something about that. I was told some human female had contacted Homeland saying she had gotten pregnant by one of our males but refused our protection. I’m glad she was located. Did you find the father?”
“That’s the problem.” Flame stared at Brawn. “The woman refused to tell him herself and hell, she said she doesn’t want to see him.”
Brawn didn’t like that news. “Do you want the council to hold a meeting and try to determine who the father is by asking our people? Do you have a photo of her? It would help. We’ll show her to the males and find the father if she won’t reveal his name.”
“Trisha recognized the female and knows who the father is. The pregnant female has requested he be kept away from her.”
“What is the problem? Keep him away. Hers and the baby’s welfare comes first. You bothered me for this? It sounds as if everything is already handled.”
“I’m glad you said that. It will make things easier.”
Brawn cocked his head, more than a little confused and irritated. Flame was speaking in riddles, not making sense. “I don’t understand.”
“The woman is Rebecca Oberto.” Flame stared at him sympathetically. “Ring any bells, daddy?”
The glass in Brawn’s finger slipped to the ground. He was glad he sat as shock ripped through his system. He stared at Flame, unable to even form words, as his brain tried to assimilate the information. Becca was the female? Pregnant? His heart exploded in a thunderous pounding and blood rushed to his ears.
Flame nodded. “She tried to run and hide. She told her father she was in Europe. She’s definitely pregnant and it’s Species. I smelled her myself.”
Brawn suddenly inhaled. He closed his eyes and a vicious growl tore from his throat. He lunged and grabbed Flame.
He couldn’t believe it. It had to be a lie. Becca couldn’t be pregnant. The doctor had given her pills. Surely she had to have been taking birth control. She would have told him if they’d created life. The male stumbled to get out of his way but he was faster. His fists gripped Flame’s shoulders, his face lowered and he took a deep breath. The scents assaulted his senses as he tried to take it all in.
“You touched her! You have her scent all over you and I smell her fear,” Brawn roared, totally losing all control.
Flame’s body flew airborne before he could leash his rage. The male cried out as he hit the grass on his back a good six feet away, rolled a little as he struck and came up on all fours when he stopped. Brawn’s body tensed, ready to attack and he crouched. Another roar tore from his throat.
“Easy, damn it!” Flame panted. “I didn’t hurt her, Brawn. She refused to come in. She was living in some cabin fifteen miles from here and I had to carry her onto the helicopter. Should I have left her there alone and unprotected? She’s at Medical and she’s safe!”
The words penetrated his haze of rage, but barely. He snarled.
“What is wrong?” Two officers rushed to the area, both putting themselves between the males. The one who spoke addressed Brawn.