Numbers Read online

  “I would never hurt Dana.”

  “Don’t break her heart either. Are you sure you are serious about her? She’s not like your females, Mourn. They can have sex with a guy and be your friend. She takes that shit very non casually. Do you understand?”

  “I would mate her if she would say yes.”

  “I don’t want to hear that. She needs someone who has his shit together, and that’s not you. Dana has been through hell and back. The last thing she needs is to have to take care of another guy on his way out of life. Did she tell you she was going to be a nurse like me until Tommy was diagnosed with cancer?”

  Mourn shook his head.

  “Hospitals remind her of all he endured so now she works in an office. My mom told me Dana would be all smiles in front of Tommy, reassuring him it was all great and good. Our mother found her one day in the garage hiding behind some boxes. She crouched there sobbing. That’s the kind of person she is. She was ripped to shreds inside, but hid it from her husband because she always put his needs first. Don’t do that to her, Mourn. Don’t make her be strong for you and help you deal with your shit. She’s got plenty of her own that she can barely withstand.”

  It tore at Mourn, hearing of Dana’s suffering. “I won’t. We’re helping each other.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Paul stepped closer, studying his face. “She needs someone who is going to take care of her, not the other way around. Just think about that. If you can’t be that man, get the hell away from her.”

  Mourn watched Paul walk down the sidewalk, grateful the male hadn’t come to fight him. He glanced down at the package in his hand and sighed. He’d have to ask someone how to use condoms. He climbed into the Jeep and went to the next building on his rounds. He spotted Jinx talking to a female who was picking up mail. He walked up to them.

  “May I speak to you?”

  Jinx frowned but, excused himself from the other Species. “Sure.” He walked outside and turned.

  Mourn closed the door and held his gaze. “What do you know about condoms?”

  The male’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”

  “I need someone to tell me how to use them. Did you take the class, or have you used them before?”

  Jinx nodded. “Yeah. I take it that the rumors going around about you and Paul’s sister are true?”

  “Yes. We are spending time together.”

  “Let’s go to the bar. Christmas keeps some bananas on hand to make shakes. It is a good way to teach you how to put one on. We’ll need to go to my place first so I can grab a few condoms.”

  “I have condoms in my Jeep.”

  “Okay. Let’s go.”

  Chapter Seven

  Dana was nervous. Paul hadn’t returned all day so she figured he must be avoiding her. Becky kept glancing at the door too.

  “Your date is late. It’s almost five o’clock.”

  “Mourn was going to pick up food first. He’ll be here.”

  Becky grinned. “You sound pretty certain.”

  “I am.” She had no qualms that Mourn would show.

  “How exciting.”

  Dana arched her eyebrows.

  “The whole dating thing.” Becky chuckled. “I kind of miss that. I wish Paul would take me out on dates, but the only real place to go is the bar. That gets kind of old after a while. We never leave Homeland anymore.”

  “Does that bother you?”

  “Not really. We used to go out occasionally, but it wasn’t worth the hassle. There’s always some idiots hanging out around the exits, even at the back gates. They shout at us and try to take pictures. We were once followed. Paul turned right around and brought us back. He couldn’t shake them, and didn’t know what they wanted or who they were. He wasn’t willing to risk me being in danger.”

  “I’m sorry that happened.”

  “It’s part of living here. We disguise ourselves with wigs and dark glasses when we do leave in case someone does take photos. Employees have access to the NSO-registered vehicles. That way our identities are protected and our families are safe.”

  “Wow. I had no idea.”

  “It was fun at first. I felt like a super spy.” Becky laughed. “We changed clothes and got out of costume after we made sure it was safe, and then we’d have dinner or whatever we had planned to do. Afterward we’d change back before we returned. Then they started following us so it wasn’t fun anymore.”

  “It sounds like a pain.”

  Becky shrugged. “It was worth it. I don’t really have much family that I’m close to, but Paul worries about you and your mom. No one has ever shown up at your door asking about Paul and the NSO, have they?”

  “No.”

  The doorbell rang and Dana sprang off the couch, excited. She rushed to the door and jerked it open. Mourn stood there with flowers in hand and a big grin.

  “Hi. Are these appropriate?”

  She took the roses. “Thank you. Yes. They are beautiful.”

  Becky held out her hands. “I’ll go find a vase, and put them in your room. Go. Have fun. We’ll leave the door unlocked for you.” She smiled at Mourn. “She doesn’t have a curfew so she’s all yours until she’s ready to come home. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t. It’s a short list.” She winked at Dana. “Why do you think your brother married me?”

  Dana laughed and handed over the flowers. She stepped outside with Mourn and closed the door behind her. “How was your day?”

  “Good. How was yours?” He led her to a Jeep parked at the curb.

  “Okay. Paul kind of blew a fuse, but he’ll come around. Becky and I spent the day watching TV and talking.”

  He helped her into the passenger seat and rounded the Jeep to climb into the driver’s seat. She turned her head, spotting two large duffle bags in the back, and a box placed between them to keep it from moving around. The smell of food reached her nose so she guessed what was inside. She looked back at Mourn.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To my new home. I haven’t toured it yet. We can do it together.”

  “It sounds fun.”

  “I made sure Darkness didn’t put me back where I used to live.”

  She nodded. “I understand.”

  “I wanted a place for us without memories. He said it’s a different layout. I’m not certain what that means.” He checked for traffic and pulled away from the curb.

  “The same builder probably constructed the homes, but they have different floor plans. It won’t be a duplicate of the home you once had.”

  He nodded, paying attention to his driving. “Don’t be nervous.”

  “I’m not. Are you?”

  He glanced her way. “A little.”

  “Why?”

  “I want to convince you to live with me. I’m afraid I’ll do or say something that will scare you away.”

  He was so sweet, and she appreciated his candor. “Relax. It’s just me. No pressure, remember?”

  He smiled. “I really want you to sleep with me tonight. Think about staying.”

  She smiled too, and watched as they left the cottages, traveled down a road, and eventually came to another gate. The guard manning the shack stepped outside to meet them. Mourn slowed to a stop next to the large New Species.

  “Hello, Mourn.” He looked at Dana. “Hello, Paul’s sister. You both are expected. You want to take the first left and it’s the second cottage on the right. It’s painted light gray. Supply has already come by to stock it for you. Welcome back, Mourn.” He turned and pressed a button inside the shack, opening the gate.

  Mourn thanked him and drove up a hill. Dana couldn’t help but appreciate the slightly bigger homes. “It’s so clean and nice. The homes here are spaced farther apart than where Paul lives.”

  “We take pride in our homes and their appearances.” Mourn turned and parked in a driveway. “This is Species housing. Paul lives in human housing. There are more homes there. Homeland was built originally to be a military base. It was still be