Lauren nodded. “Will he be all right?” She was worried.
Flame nodded. “I believe so. His breathing is steady and strong. Grab some clothing quickly. We are taking you with us.”
“But—” Lauren started.
“Let me grab my bag,” Amanda said at the same time. Amanda shot Lauren a dirty look. “They want to take us with them. Be a friend, shut your mouth and let’s grab some clothes.”
Lauren frowned.
“Duh! Hunky guys. Move your ass, Lauren.” Amanda was already turning, running for the stairs. “Don’t leave without me!”
Lauren glanced at Flame and couldn’t miss his shocked expression or widened eyes.
“Did she say hunky guys?”
Lauren sighed. “She’s single and looking.”
Flame frowned. “Looking for what?”
“She doesn’t have a man in her life and she wants one. You’re both men.”
Flame relaxed and laughed. “Oh.”
Slash made a weird noise. “What does she want one of us for?”
Flame grinned. “She’s looking for a mate.”
Slash shook his head. “Not me. Females are trouble and I don’t want a mate.”
Flame chuckled. “One wouldn’t want you either.” He stared at Lauren. “The helicopter will be arriving in fifteen minutes and we must leave here in seven to meet it. You may want a spare set of clothing.”
Lauren ran upstairs to find Amanda in a fit of packing. Lauren shook her head, staring at three open suitcases on the bed and her friend tossing clothes at them.
“Put the cocktail dress down. We’re leaving in a helicopter and that means one bag.”
“But I have to look good. Did you see the both of them?” Amanda fanned herself. “So hot.”
“They either fit you inside the helicopter or all those bags you’re packing. How badly do you want to leave with them?”
Amanda hesitated. “Right. I can do one bag.” Her voice lowered. “Who knows. Maybe I won’t need any clothes.” She winked. “Dibs on the talker. He’s got the deepest, sexiest voice, and did you see those eyes? Meow! I totally want to rub him.”
Lauren lowered her voice too. “They have really good hearing and he probably just heard what you said.”
“Then he knows how I really feel. Life is too short not to go after something you want. I’ve learned that.”
“I know you have. Let me help you. One spare outfit, something to sleep in and we should be good.”
“You can borrow whatever.”
“Thanks.”
They returned downstairs and Lauren immediately went to Wrath’s side to check on him. He was breathing slowly and deeply, his coloring was good, but he still didn’t rouse. She was really worried about him. She turned her head to find both Flame and Slash a few feet away watching her intently.
Flame stepped forward. “I’ll take Wrath. Please don’t try to run. You will be safer with us than staying here. The people who shot him may be looking for him.”
“Oh, we won’t run,” Amanda assured sincerely as she smiled up at him. “Try to lose me—it won’t happen. I don’t want to leave your side.”
Flame grinned. “I like you, female. You are direct.”
“That’s me.” Amanda winked. “Direct and single but you could change that.”
Lauren stood and allowed the other man to bend down where she’d been. It stunned her when the large New Species just lifted Wrath as if he weighed nothing, shifted his body, and straightened with the other New Species draped over one broad shoulder.
“Let’s go.” He turned and his partner opened the front door.
“Holy shit,” Amanda gasped.
Flame turned, eyeing Amanda silently. Amanda stared at him.
“He weights a ton and you just lifted him like he’s a body pillow.”
Flame wrapped an arm around the back of Wrath’s legs to keep him secure. “We are strong.”
Slash walked forward and put Flame’s glasses back on his face, hiding his eyes.
Slash put his own glasses back on. “Let’s go.”
Flame nodded. “Females, let’s go.”
Amanda grinned at Lauren. “We’re females.”
Lauren shook her head and sighed. “Really? I thought you were a drag queen.”
“Bitch.” Amanda chuckled, elbowing her.
“Geek,” Lauren mouthed back. She noticed the two New Species men were watching them silently. “We’re ready.”
“So…” Amanda smiled. “Where are you taking us?”
“We’re returning to Homeland,” Flame informed them, leading them out of the condo.
A black SUV waited at the curb and the driver opened the doors and the back. He wore sunglasses too but Lauren just knew he wasn’t New Species since she could see his nose clearly. He reminded her of Brian and worry ate at her.
“Did you guys find Brass, Shadow and Brian? Did you save the two women I work with? They were being held hostage.”
Slash shrugged. “That is not our mission. We don’t know. We were sent here to pick up Wrath and whoever was with him.”
Flame put Wrath in the back of the SUV and then he, Lauren and Amanda sat in the backseat. The driver and Slash took the front seats. Lauren turned, watching Wrath. She reached over and touched him to make sure he kept breathing.
“Why are you keeping your hand over his chest?” Flame asked.
Lauren turned to him, not knowing what to say.
“Oh, they spent last night together,” Amanda chuckled. “She’s seen him naked.”
Lauren blushed. “Shut up, Amanda.”
Flame chuckled. “Really? You and Wrath?”
Lauren ignored him and Amanda. She turned her attention back on Wrath. Why isn’t he waking up? If the drugs were going to kill him, wouldn’t they have done that by now? She kept her hand on him, feeling him breathe, as they drove down the street.
Chapter Eleven
The NSO Medical Center wasn’t like anything Lauren would have imagined. It was a large building with a glass front. Inside were chairs lined along the wall, a long counter, and behind that were desks and open space. She saw hallways on each side of the room. Wrath had been wheeled down the one on the right and Lauren waited with Amanda. Slash left with their bags, stating that they needed to be searched, but Flame sat down with them in the chairs by the windows.
“What is your association with Wrath?” He removed his glasses and studied her.
“I met him yesterday. I was kind of taken against my will to where they were staying. Headquarters? Whatever that is. Wrath was assigned to take care of me and watch me. I had an incident with one of your kind. There was a fight between him and Wrath. I spent the night in Wrath’s room with him.”
“Tell me you did something with him,” Amanda urged. “Please tell me you didn’t let an opportunity like that go.”
Flame frowned as he stared at Amanda. “What opportunity? To share sex with one of my kind?”
Amanda smiled at him. “Your kind? Hell, I’m talking about a cute guy.”
Lauren wished a hole would open up under her. “Amanda has been single for a long time. She thinks if a good-looking man is interested that I should be interested too.”
Flame nodded. “I see. It is not a race issue but just a male issue?”
“I don’t care what race you are,” Amanda flirted. “You’re hot.”
Flame laughed. “Thank you. You are attractive as a female too.” He glanced at Lauren. “Have you shared sex with Wrath?”
Her face warmed more. She was totally uncomfortable where the discussion had headed. “That’s none of your business.”
“She admitted to seeing him naked.” Amanda chuckled. “She had sex with him if she’s smart. She’s been single a long time too and she’d really be dumb if she had the chance and didn’t take it.”
“Amanda, stop. He’s going to think you’re nuts.”
Amanda smiled at Lauren. “Shut up. I’m flirting.”
Lauren pressed her lips together and was grateful Flame seemed amused by her friend’s outrageous behavior. Lauren tuned them out while she stared down the hallway where they’d taken Wrath. An older man with white hair entered the hallway and walked toward them. Flame stood.