Brawn Read online

  “It will be fine.”

  He opened his mouth but Brass held out his hand. “I’ll escort you myself and guard you. You’ll be perfectly safe, Miss Oberto.”

  “I’m going too,” Tim demanded.

  Brass took her hand. “Wouldn’t you rather transfer the prisoners to Homeland? Your daughter will be there when you arrive.”

  The indecision on his face assured Becca that he was torn.

  “Do that, Dad. Make sure they get there and are locked up.”

  “I’ll be there within four hours.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  Brass’ hold was gentle as he led her out of the warehouse. It was sunny outside, it blinded her a bit after being kept inside. The wind tore at her hair as they approached the helicopter.

  “You will be fine!” Brass yelled to be heard over the engines of the helicopter.

  He lifted her inside and helped buckle her into a seat and took the one next to hers. She watched them lift in the injured New Species who’d been hooked up to machines. He was still unconscious. She didn’t know the medic’s name—he was one of the newer members of the task force team she hadn’t met yet. Her gaze searched for Brawn but he didn’t join them when the doors closed and the helicopter lifted off.

  Where is he? She hoped he was okay since he would have been flown to Homeland if he needed medical attention. The sound inside the helicopter was too loud for her to try to interrogate Brass. It would have to wait until they landed.

  The big New Species next to her opened a blanket and turned in his seat, offering it to her. She gave him a grateful smile, wrapped the soft material around her body and leaned back against the seat. They’d been saved. She buried her face in it and let the tears fall. It had been a hell of an ordeal.

  Chapter Eleven

  It felt like a long ride to Becca but the helicopter finally landed. She’d never been to the NSO Homeland before. Her father had said it was a nice place when she’d bugged him about it out of curiosity. The engine cut off and the doors opened. They removed the gurney with the unconscious male first and shock tore through her when two large, tall females suddenly appeared.

  They had to be at least six feet tall and had the altered New Species features with their well-defined cheekbones. One had catlike eyes that reminded her of Brawn but her hair was shocking—a mix of different colors. Both women wore black uniforms with NSO printed in white letters above their left breasts. They smiled timidly.

  “It is safe,” Brass assured her. He stooped to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling and helped her unfasten her belt. “This is Rusty and Sunshine.”

  He got out first and reached back to gently lift her down. The two women kept their smiles in place. The redheaded one had yellowish eyes—they were pretty, but eerie in a way. She waved to a Jeep.

  “I’m Rusty. Sunshine doesn’t talk much. We welcome you to Homeland and promise you safety.”

  The woman with the multicolored hair nodded but didn’t say a word. Becca kept the blanket wrapped around her and was given the passenger seat. Brass stayed behind with the injured male while they loaded him into a van. The Jeep took off and she tried not to stare at all the New Species they passed. Rusty drove.

  “We’re taking you to Medical. We have excellent doctors,” Rusty said.

  “I’m Becca. I’m Tim Oberto’s daughter.”

  “We are aware of your name and who you are.” Rusty shot her a sympathetic look. “Tiger called ahead to tell us what happened and that you were on your way.”

  Sunshine finally spoke from the backseat. “We know how it is to be locked up and under the control of others. We have lived it. We understand so you are not alone.”

  Becca turned in her seat enough to give the other woman a grateful smile. “Thank you. It wasn’t so bad. Brawn was there so I wasn’t really alone.”

  The drive to the Medical Center wasn’t a long one and they parked in front of it. It was a single-story building with large glass windows along the front but they were tinted to hide the interior. Inside were chairs and a small waiting room. A counter separated the room and behind it were a few desks. There were hallways that led to both the right and left of the reception area. A human guy waited by the door in scrubs and she assumed he was the doctor.

  “I’m Paul, the nurse. Trisha is expecting you. She’s one of our doctors on staff here. Dr. Treadmont is handling the more severe case coming in.” He hesitated, glanced at the woman and pointed. “That way. Your escorts will be at your side, Miss Oberto. It’s standard procedure that you aren’t to be left alone with me.” He smiled. “I’m a dreaded male.”

  Rusty snorted. “You’re a good one and we doubt you would molest her but our orders are to remain at her side to be supportive.”

  “Just call me Becca,” she offered.

  A short blonde woman wearing a white coat stepped into the doorway. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she smiled too. “Hello, Miss Oberto. I’m Trisha and I’ll be your doctor. Please follow me to an exam room.”

  “It’s just Becca,” she repeated.

  “Okay. Please come with me, Becca.”

  The exam room was similar to every other doctor’s office one she’d ever visited and she sat on the paper-draped table as the door closed. It was just her and Trisha in the room. The doctor looked young, maybe thirty and her smile faded. “Where are you hurt?”

  “I don’t need to be looked at,” Becca admitted. “I have some bruises and I think I may have a scratch on the back of my head.”

  The doctor came forward, had her tilt her head and put on gloves. She touched her head, found the sore spot and stepped back. “It’s not bad. Any dizziness? Double vision? Let me see your cheek. I spoke to Brawn while you were being flown in and he told me you suffered a few falls and that one of the creeps who kidnapped you struck you in the face.”

  “Is he okay?”

  “He’s fine. He stayed behind to answer questions but he’ll be back here tonight. Please answer my questions.” She held up two fingers. “How many?”

  “I don’t have a concussion. Two. I’m not dizzy and my vision is fine. To be honest, I kind of accepted the ride here just to get my dad to back off. He would have taken me to a hospital and raised hell for me to be seen. One of the New Species made it clear that it would be better if they handled this situation without having the cops notified. I appreciate your concern but I’ve felt worst after a trip to the gym than I do right now. I really am fine.”

  “I was informed you were given a shot. Do you know what was in it? Did the doctor say? Brawn noticed the needle mark on your arm.”

  That surprised her. “She took blood and swabbed my cheek. She wanted samples from me.”

  “I hate those scientific freaks,” Trisha muttered while touching her arms, examining them. She lifted her nightshirt enough to check out her knees and finally the bottom of her feet before straightening. Her gaze held Becca’s. “Would you like to talk to someone? We could get you a therapist. You’ve been through an ordeal.”

  “To be honest, I just want a shower, a hot meal and my own bed. That is what would do me a world of good.”

  The doctor stripped off her gloves, tossed them at the counter and nodded. “I totally understand. I have some pills for you to take, just to prevent you from getting an infection. I don’t know if they used a sterile needle when blood was drawn but I’d rather not take the chance. Are you allergic to any medications? Are you currently taking any?”

  “I don’t have any allergies and I’m not taking anything. I don’t do drugs and only drink once in a while.”

  “Okay.” Trisha hesitated. “Um, Brawn spoke to me as I said. Whatever you say is confidential. Are you injured at all? Brawn told me the two of you had sex and he was concerned he may have been too rough. Do you want a pelvic exam just to make sure you’re okay? They don’t carry venereal diseases and I can assure you that he’s completely healthy.”

  Becca blushed. “I’m fine. He didn’