“We can’t trust her anymore, Trisha.” Slade’s soft voice calmed her a little.

She met his gaze. “Then ban her from the NSO and escort her to the gates but let her out of that damn cell. She’s not a criminal. She’s dedicated to saving lives, she did what she felt was necessary for 880. Give her credit for that. Do you know how scared she must have been to take him? What kind of courage it took not to only implement her plan but go through with it? She put her life in danger too, knew she’d face punishment, and probably didn’t think it would even work. That makes her braver in my book. She risked it all for a Species.”

Trisha hesitated. “She had more faith in 880 than any of you did.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’d do anything for you and you’re the love of my life, Slade. You’re my mate, my heart. Alli did that for 880 and she doesn’t even know him. You should give her a raise and be damn grateful we have a doctor with that kind of loyalty. All she was thinking about was him and giving him the best chance at survival.”

The room became silent and Slade drew closer to pull her into his arms. She let him hold her. Justice finally sighed.

“Tiger, go to Security and escort Dr. Allison to her home.” He paused. “I don’t know what to do with her but she doesn’t belong in a cell. She worked for us and she may not be safe outside our gates due to her association. Have an officer placed at her door and let her know she’s confined to her house. I want her made very comfortable until we decide how to handle this.”

“Understood.”

Trisha lifted her head and stared into Slade’s gaze. “Thank you.”

“I can’t stand to see you hurting.” He turned his head to peer at Justice. “Thank you.”

“Trisha made valid arguments.” Justice paused. “This is a hell of a mess.”

* * * * *

880 stared at the females and softly growled a warning, unsure of what their presence meant. He didn’t welcome the sight of them. One of them looked too similar to his mate for comfort.

The tall dark-haired one growled back. “I am Breeze and that is not how you make friends. Just be blunt if you are trying to initiate sex. I am not interested but I don’t want to worry about you attacking me either.”

Shock filled him at her frank statement and the way she evenly stared at him. 46 had avoided speaking to him when he was in a bad mood unless she wanted to argue. This one seemed to want to challenge him.

“You remind me of her.”

The female’s gaze softened. “Your mate?”

“Yes.”

“What was she called?”

“46.”

The female took a seat in his room while the other two stayed by the door. Breeze pointed to his bed. “Sit. You make me nervous. I don’t know how in control you are or how you will react around females.” She then pointed to the other two. “They will jump on your ass if you attack me. Are we clear?”

His eyebrows lifted as he glanced at the two females before taking a seat on the edge of the bed to study the one named Breeze. “I will not strike out at you.”

“That is good to know.” She smiled. “How are you doing with knowing freedom? You look strong and healthy. I heard you ventured outside today to take a walk.”

“I am well.”

“You don’t speak much to others, do you?”

“I am adjusting. It is strange.” He avoided discussing why he wasn’t talkative, unwilling to admit he didn’t feel comfortable around so many after his solitary life with only his mate.

Sympathy flashed in Breeze’s eyes. “We all understand that but trust me, you have it way better than we did. Humans had to deal with us after we were rescued. It was tough on them, as well as us, to find a happy middle ground. You’re surrounded by your own kind.”

“Why would I feel trust? I don’t know you.” He wanted to be honest.

She grinned and he relaxed slightly when her features softened.

“True. We’re your kind though and you are ours. We have to stick together and you can depend on us to have your back. Do you know what that means?”

“You are telling me I can trust you.”

“That’s right. You can.” She leaned forward a little. “How are you really doing?”

“I’m growing stronger.”

“I mean how are you doing inside your head? I know you lost your mate. Are you filled with rage?”

He nodded. “I want revenge for her death.”

“We have the ass**les who killed her.”

He tensed. “They are here?”

“We captured them when you were rescued. They were sent to a cage of their own and will pay for her death. Does that help? They will never be free again.”

“I want to be taken to them.”

She shook her head. “You desire to make them bleed but you can’t. We don’t kill humans. We lock up the ones who committed crimes against us. They suffer. They are now caged and under the mercy of humans themselves.” Her smile looked forced. “Does that help?”

“They should die.” Anger boiled inside him.

“I agree but we are better than the ones who imprisoned us. We show mercy.”

“I don’t.”

Her gaze sparked with amusement. “You have a heavy sense of justice inside you.”

He said nothing but wasn’t sure what she meant.