Moon: 10 (New Species) Read online

  “This is the first time you’ve been completely lucid since you were drugged.” She didn’t move toward her discarded clothes. It was pure agony for her to resist doing as he ordered. He was angry that they’d had sex and didn’t bother to spare her feelings. She pushed aside her embarrassment and hurt to focus on his mental state. “How do you feel?”

  “I’m calling for help. Put on something,” he demanded harshly, “or they will see all of you.”

  “Talk to me. Are you in pain? Do you have a headache? Buzzing in your ears? Any numbness in your extremities?” It was tough to keep in therapist mode. “Do you know what happens to you when you lose your memories?”

  “Goddamn it,” he growled, staring at her. “Cover yourself now. I can’t get dressed since I destroyed my sweats when I tore them off over the shackles.”

  Joy blushed and bent, her hands trembling as she attempted to get dressed. Pain pierced her chest as though a dagger had been jabbed directly into her heart. He regretted what they’d done. She’d screwed everything up by having sex with him when she should have known better.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, dragging her skirt up her legs and failing to zip it all the way. The shirt was easier to put on.

  “For what?” Chains rattled. He still sounded angry.

  She looked at him and was surprised to see him use the key on the shackles. He unwound the chains from the bars, dropped them to the floor, and yanked open the door. He didn’t leave the cell though but instead stalked her way. Joy kept her gaze on his face.

  Her thoughts were jumbled. He respected the truth so she couldn’t lie by apologizing for what had transpired between them on his bed. He might regret it but she didn’t. “I’m sorry you’re upset.” That was the best she could do under the circumstances.

  Moon walked past her, ripped the sheet off the mattress and proceeded to wrap it around his waist to cover his lower half. She got one good look at his ass before he knotted the material to keep it in place and slowly faced her. One quick glance down her body and he held her gaze.

  “You shouldn’t have come back. You made your choice a long time ago not to be a part of my life.” He reached up suddenly and gripped her arm. Strong fingers dug in but it didn’t hurt. “What the hell were you thinking by coming into this room with me when I was out of my mind? You’re lucky I didn’t kill you.” His gaze flicked to her wound and his mouth compressed into a tight line. “Cover your ears.”

  She hesitated.

  “Do it. When I yell it will echo in here.”

  She lifted both hands to do as he’d ordered.

  “Security!” he shouted. “We need assistance now!”

  Joy stopped pressing her palms against her ears when he released her and stepped back. Moon’s furious gaze swept the cell before he looked at her again.

  “Get out. I’m still dangerous. I have no idea how long I’ll remain rational but I think it won’t be for long.”

  The elevator doors slid open but Joy ignored whoever entered the basement. She fixed her attention on Moon. “I’m not going.”

  A muscle jumped along his jaw. He didn’t glance at her but instead at whoever had come when he’d yelled for help. Surprise changed his expression.

  “Jessie? What the hell are you doing here?”

  Joy turned to watch a pretty redhead wearing all black approach the cell. The woman gripped a dart gun that was aimed at Moon. Her hair was really long, falling over one shoulder in a braid that nearly reached her waist. The woman halted, a frown firmly on her face.

  “Moon?” The uncertainty in the guard’s voice was clear. “You know who I am?”

  “Of course I do. I’m not screwed up at the moment but I could lose it at any time. Get her out of here and lock me up. I’m dangerous.”

  The weapon lowered and the redhead shot Joy an angry glare. “You totally unchained him and left the door open?”

  “Jessie?” Moon interrupted before Joy could answer. “Catch. I can’t keep that.”

  He tossed the key to his shackles. The redhead caught it. Joy was stunned when Moon bent and grabbed one of the chains. He dragged it over and secured the shackle to one ankle then pressed the auto-lock into place until it clicked.

  “What are you doing?”

  He glanced up at her while he secured the second one. “Fixing your mistake. You never should have set me free.” Anger deepened his voice. “I could have attacked my friends again. They put me in these for a damn reason.”

  His admonishment left Joy reeling. She’d allowed her personal feelings to cloud her judgment. He’d called her on it and she couldn’t even deny her culpability. Harley’s accusations that first time she’d met him came back to her. All the good intensions in the world didn’t matter when faced with Moon’s anger.

  “Moon?” The male voice surprised Joy and she jumped, staring at Justice North standing behind his wife. She hadn’t heard him come into the room.

  “Good to see you, Justice. I wish the circumstances were better.” Moon snapped the restraint onto his wrist. “Why the hell is your mate close to me? She shouldn’t be. Have you lost your mind too?”

  Justice entered the cell and gripped Moon by the shoulders. “Moon?”

  “I’m present. Currently.” Moon reached up and clutched Justice’s arms. “Did you catch the bastard who shot me?”

  “Not yet but we have solid leads. We managed to capture a few of the humans who attempted to steal Beauty. They didn’t want to talk at first but I was persuasive.”

  “You took off the tie again and started stripping to avoid getting blood on your fancy suit?” A smile tugged at Moon’s lips and his gaze softened. “Is the Gift okay?”

  “She’s fine. Safe. Shadow and Beauty mated.”

  “Good. I’m glad this shit wasn’t for nothing. What is my condition besides being fucked?” He glanced at Joy then, before staring at Justice. “I could have killed her. Why is she here?”

  “We thought you’d just been tranquilized but you woke feral. Our doctors are consulting with specialists all over the country.”

  “A Mercile concoction? Those bastards are the ones who tried to grab the Gift?”

  “It was the rich prick who once owned her but we believe he’s working with Mercile.”

  “You didn’t answer my question. Why is she here?”

  Justice hesitated. “We were desperate to try anything. I sure wasn’t going to allow Kregkor near you. I know how you feel about him.”

  “Thanks.” Moon released Justice and stepped back. “I’m not sure how long I have before I lose it again.”

  “Are you sure you will?” Justice studied him. “Maybe it’s over.”

  “I don’t think so. I have a headache and a bad feeling.”

  “What kind?” Justice asked.

  It hurt Joy that he’d answer his friend but had ignored her questions, making it obvious that her help wasn’t welcomed by Moon. She remained silent as the two of them talked.

  “I don’t know, but I’m worried I’ll lose my sanity again.” He lifted one arm, staring at the restraint on his wrist then let it drop. “Keep me confined. It’s better to be safe than sorry. My memory is not real clear. There are fuzzy gaps. Besides biting a few people and kicking some ass, have I done any real damage to anyone?”

  “No.”

  “Apologize for me, will you?” Moon took another step back. “It gets all screwed up in my head. I can’t tell what is real and what isn’t. I am confused most of the time and believe I’m back at Mercile or in the desert. I feel pure hatred to the point that I could hurt anything that moves.” He paused. “Murderous rage. Do you understand? That’s the emotion driving me.”

  “We’re doing everything we can and we won’t give up.”

  “I know that.” Moon hesitated. “I’d be noble and ask you to put me down but I’m not ready to toss in the towel yet. I want to beat this shit and get my life back.”

  “We wouldn’t do that,” Jessie assured him, moving clo