Smiley Read online

  “Oh.” He calmed a bit. “That’s a good plan.”

  Jericho crossed his arms over his chest. “Just shoot me.”

  Vanni gaped at his friend. “What?”

  Jericho didn’t look at her but glared at Smiley. “He understands what I mean. I’d rather be shot than suffer foolishness.”

  Smiley faced forward and turned his hand, lacing his fingers with Vanni’s. He cringed a little inside but was grateful Vanni didn’t question him. She let it go. He knew what Jericho meant. The male would rather take a bullet than fall in love with a female.

  He wasn’t exactly being a good example to his friends. He’d been moody and rash since meeting Vanni. Everyone seemed to appreciate his good humor so he needed to show her more of that. A few deep, calming breaths helped. He’d be on his best behavior while taking her shopping and show her how much fun he could be. Females appreciated a male who could make them laugh.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Vanni wasn’t a fan of Miles Eron. The sixty-something head of the NSO public relations team wasn’t the friendliest guy. “Look happy at all times,” he demanded, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “I’m not sure I like that outfit.” His gaze scanned Vanni. “Cindy? Get your ass over here.”

  “Yes?” A woman with unruly curly hair—the mass was barely contained in a ponytail on top of her head—stepped forward.

  “What the hell were you thinking? Her shirt barely fits. Give her yours.”

  “I disagree. She looks fantastic. Craig did her shopping though, not me. I stand by his choice. It’s a good look for her.” The woman lifted her chin, openly regarding Miles with contempt.

  “The shirt is too damn tight. You’ve got massive boobs but take yours off and give it to the girl.” Miles waved his hand. “Now.”

  “Vanni looks perfect.” Smiley glowered at Miles. “Don’t ask your female to disrobe in the company of males.”

  “As if I’d do it,” Cindy muttered. She raised her voice. “This isn’t 1950, sir. Women are comfortable and flaunt their femininity. She is a pretty woman with a gorgeous figure. Let it go.”

  “Who pays you?” Miles pointed at his own chest. “I’m the boss.”

  “You’re a chauvinistic ass,” Cindy muttered.

  “What did you say?” Miles advanced.

  Her voice rose. “I said I know you’ve got an eye for class.” She paused. “But with all due respect, you’re wrong on this one. That’s why you hired me, remember? I’m the voice of the younger generation.”

  Justice chuckled. “Enough, Miles. Vanni looks fine. They need to leave.”

  Smiley tugged on her arm and led her out of the building. Vanni looked back and caught Cindy waving goodbye. She felt sympathy for her as she returned the gesture.

  “Wow. Is that Miles always such a jerk? I couldn’t work for him.” She looked to Smiley for an answer.

  “He can be abrasive but he’s good at what he does. You look perfect. That female was correct. He’s an ass.”

  “And apparently a little hard of hearing.” She grinned. “That was kind of funny.”

  Smiley laughed. “Cindy does it often when we have meetings. We crack up because he has no idea what she said or why we’re amused.”

  A little jealousy rose in Vanni. “You know her well then?”

  “Cindy is a nice female. She accompanies Miles to a lot of our joint meetings when media issues arise. They mainly work at Reservation but came here last night to help us handle the situation.”

  “Great. I’m a situation.” She didn’t like the sound of that.

  Smiley helped her into the SUV. He kept touching her. “You didn’t cause this problem. Place the blame where it belongs. The Woods Church has had it in for the NSO for a long time.”

  Jericho took the seat next to her. The big primate flashed a half-smile, making him look less menacing. She wanted to ask Smiley if he’d ever dated Cindy but didn’t want to do it with four other New Species in the SUV with them. Flame and Slash sat up front. Wager took the third row seat. She glanced back at him but he was staring out the rear window.

  She leaned against Smiley. “What’s he doing?” She jerked a thumb toward Wager.

  “He’ll make sure we aren’t followed and he has a weapon at ready in case it’s needed.”

  Vanni regretted asking the question. “Weapon?”

  Smiley took her hand and clasped it. “It’s standard procedure.”

  “I have a weapon too.” Jericho unfastened the strap on his Kevlar vest and reached inside, pulling out a handgun. He showed it to her and then returned it, replacing the strap. “The safety is on. We’re well trained.”

  “We sometimes hide them in public when we leave NSO lands.” Smiley squeezed her hand.

  “You’re not on duty?” She’d noticed everyone in both SUVs, except Smiley, wore NSO uniforms.

  “No. This is our outing and it’s their job to protect us.”

  She was glad Smiley wasn’t carrying a gun. They scared her. “Do you think it’s really necessary for them to be armed? I mean, we’re just going to a clothing store, right?”

  “Standard operating procedure.” Slash spoke from the front. “We need to be prepared to defend our lives at all times when we’re not at Homeland or Reservation. A lot of the officers carry weapons at Reservation though, even when they are off duty. The walls are vast and always expanding. It’s possible an intruder could breach one but Homeland is smaller and more secure.”

  It saddened Vanni that they had go to those extremes. She couldn’t imagine living in a world where the majority of society had to keep guns strapped to their bodies. Smiley lifted her hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. She stared up at him, a little awed. He did the sweetest things when she least expected.

  “We have no crime within our society. When we encounter it, it usually involves humans. It’s rare to have anyone breach our walls. It’s more of a precaution.”

  He could read her too well. It was kind of nice though. “I just hate that you have to live like that.”

  “It’s our way of life and we enjoy the freedom. That’s the cost of it. There are a lot of humans who don’t wish us harm.”

  Flame chuckled. “The mate hunters.”

  “What are those?” Her interest was piqued.

  “Never mind.” Smiley shook his head. “Just humans who are a little too friendly.”

  “Or wish we were.” Slash chuckled.

  “Now I’m really curious,” Vanni admitted.

  “They are females who flash their breasts at our officers.” Jericho snorted. “They think we’ll be driven insane with lust and take them home.”

  “Oh.” Vanni had no idea the NSO had groupies.

  “We tend to ignore them.” Smiley lowered his voice. “They aren’t the kind of humans you take home.”

  “Why not?”

  “They are crazy,” Jericho answered. “One of them is a ninety-six-year-old female. She’s a regular at the gates. That is a sight I could have lived without.”

  Wager laughed. “She wore nothing and opened her long coat to flash Darkness. He ordered one of the task force members to take her a warm cup of coffee. It seemed to him that she must be cold.”

  Smiley’s chest rumbled and she liked that cute sound when he was deeply amused. A grin lit up his face and she smiled back.

  “What about you? Have you been flashed?” She didn’t really like the idea of women chasing after him.

  “I stick to the outer-region walls when I walk them. The humans tend to gather at the main gates.” Smiley shrugged. “I mostly do interior duty.”

  “Smiley is good with humans,” Flame offered. “He’s had some very important assignments and is respected by all.” He released the wheel with one hand as they exited the main gates and tapped Slash. “Tell her.”

  Slash turned in his seat. “Smiley is a great guy. He’s intelligent and very tame.”

  “Enough,” Smiley ground out.

  Vanni gl