She knew the answer, but it was so horrible to contemplate, she just needed it confirmed.
“We are products. I have heard this before. First we were to help them create drugs that they tested on our bodies. Now they always talk about needing money and wanted to force us to fight for them and I’ve even overheard them say they want to sell us. I listen often and heard their plot to create more of us, younger ones, who do not know of their cruel ways. The think they can fool the young ones into becoming what we refused to be.”
“That’s horrible.” A nd evil. Vile. Sick. Heartless. She stopped before she started cussing.
“That’s why I had no choice in what I did to the women. I saw what they did to our women for years, trying to force their bodies to breed. You could not survive inside your mind and your weaker body would break. Our females are stronger.”
“That part was true? That you killed the other women they brought? I thought they were trying to scare me.”
He hesitated. “They were screaming when they saw me and terrified. They were crying and weeping. They fell apart at the sight of me. I knew they would not last through breeding or be strong enough to face the testing. They would be passed from cell to cell the way our women have been during their breeding tests. It got worse recently and they focused on breeding tests. They would make our females breed with eight or nine of us.
We refused, if they refused. Most of our women grew very sad but we tried to keep them strong. It was at least contact, and we treated each other well. Our females have very difficult lives. It was a mercy I killed the humans painlessly. Their suffering would have been greater by far, every moment they lived. Our women have shared what was done to them during the testing the doctors did to their bodies away from us.” He shivered. “They would have killed the women anyway, if they had managed to survive the breeding and tests. I would prefer to die. It was fast and painless. It was kinder to kill them before they were tortured to the point of insanity.”
“That’s what is in store for me?”
He nodded grimly. “You are stronger. You didn’t scream and cry loudly when they brought you. You put yourself into a corner and talked to me. You said things that made me know you might be strong enough to survive and I realized you were honest. You must survive and give your Valiant time to find you. I will not harm you and will treat you as well as my own females if they make us breed. You must survive the testing when they torture you. You must do what you have done with me if they take you to other males. You need to talk to them and do not scream. They will scent me on you. You must keep your mind strong. Our females survive it because we comfort them. I will comfort you, Tammy.”
Tammy wanted to cry but fought tears. The man was so calm about telling her what kind of hell she might have to endure. 927 slowly moved closer. Tammy didn’t protest when he lifted her into his arms, walked to the bed, and sat with her on his lap. His arms hugged her tightly to his warm body.
“I will protect you in weakness. You cry, little one with pretty eyes. You have been very brave. I will hold you and you know I am here.”
“Thank you.” Tammy let go of the small bit of control she had left. She clung to the man holding her and cried softly against his chest.
They were going to make him breed her and planned to bring more New Species and toss her at them too.
They’d take her baby away as if it were a puppy or a kitten if they succeeded. They would probably keep breeding her until she wasn’t of any use anymore before they killed her. How many babies will they steal from my arms before it ends?
Tammy made a decision while she cried. She’d be strong, she’d do whatever it took, but she’d fight to live.
Valiant would find her. Maybe not soon but eventually.
She just needed to pray she didn’t get pregnant if the worst happened. She didn’t want to give those assholes a helpless baby to torment.
Chapter Fifteen
The building was an old warehouse. There was one car in the parking area, no other businesses or homes nearby, and two metal doors seemed to be the only way in unless they climbed high to windows near the roof. On the back side of the building an old docking ramp sat against a thick metal garage door. Their team had parked a mile back and made the human walk with them. Pete had complained every step of the way. Valiant was ready to kill him but Justice wouldn’t allow him the pleasure.
“There are only two ways in or out and they have alarms,” the human explained softly. “There aren’t any outside cameras. I told you that. I don’t know why you sneaked up on the place.”
Justice shot him a glare. “Be quiet unless we tell you to open your mouth.”
“Fine,” the human said. “Be that way. I’m helping you.”
Tiger motioned to the team and they surged forward to the front of the warehouse while a few broke off to approach from the back. They didn’t want to be seen until they breached the building. Valiant feared the two men inside would kill Tammy and the Species male they held captive if given the chance.
Justice glanced at the human. “We will move quickly.
You are in front. You get those doors open fast and stay silent. If you try anything, I will kill you or allow him to do it.” He pointed to Valiant. “I’d be kinder.”
A soft growl instantly tore from Valiant’s throat. He wanted to hurt the human badly for touching Tammy and helping to bring her to this place in the woods. Not even Justice or the entire team of males would save Pete if she was dead. He’d go through them to kill him.
“I understand.” Pete reeked of fear. “I want that money you promised and you don’t have to keep threatening me. I’m doing what you want. Immunity, right? A nd I get the hundred grand?”
“Yes,” Justice nodded. “Get us inside. Let’s go.”
They moved as one. The team crept up to the front doors. Pete punched in the code, the alarm beeped, and he swung open one of the metal doors. Eight heavily armed New Species and the human inched inside. He’d given Justice, Valiant, and Tiger the inside layout and they knew what to expect. One of the New Species grabbed Pete the second they entered the building and put a knife to his throat.
“Do not move or make a sound,” the man growled softly at him.
Pete blinked and froze. He kept his mouth firmly closed.
Valiant had to refrain from rushing forward to a dividing wall that blocked his view of where Tammy should be. He sniffed the air and Justice suddenly grabbed his arm, flashing him a warning look. He nodded, understood they needed to proceed cautiously.
Tiger waved his fingers in the air, dividing the men to spread out to find the humans. Valiant could pick up two scents, both of which seemed to be coming from a room near them. A s soon as the team with Tiger closed in, Valiant moved. Tammy!
Valiant’s heart rate increased when he inhaled a faint trace of her scent. The sweet smell of her fear nearly drove him insane. It tore at him that he hadn’t been there to protect her. A s he and Justice silently moved through the warehouse the scent grew stronger. They passed the dividing wall and Valiant got his first glimpse of the bars and the front of the cell. Justice suddenly reached out and grabbed him.
“Do not spook him. Go slow and remain calm. We do not know what condition he is in. We do not want him to harm her.”
Valiant forced his instincts back, knew how unstable a captured Species could be, and had to keep it together for Tammy’s sake. “I know.”
The body against Tammy tensed. 927’s hand froze on her back and suddenly he lifted her up. The man was strong. He went from sitting position to standing with her held inside his arms in an instant. She sniffed and wiped at her tears. Her gaze flew to his.
“What is it?”