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  He still said nothing. He couldn’t. Wouldn’t.

  “You asked if I was on birth control.” Her features went lax and she paled a little.

  The quietness of the room became uncomfortable. Kat took the towel and got off the bed. He noticed red marks on her ass cheek when she turned, wrapping it around her. He’d done that in the shower. She might end up with a bruise. It was just another thing for him to regret.

  Kat faced him once the towel was firmly wrapped around her middle, tucked tightly to keep it in place between her breasts. She cautiously approached him and just stared up at his face. He didn’t move.

  “Everyone will hear that we’re sharing your place.” Her voice softened in tone. “They probably heard us having sex too. We got kind of loud. The secret is out.” He hated when tears filled her eyes. She blinked them back though. “You asshole.”

  That surprised him. She raised her hand and slapped him on his upper arm. He glanced at where she’d struck him then back at her. It had hurt but not enough to do damage.

  “The condoms weren’t because you were worried that someone would smell you on me. You can get me pregnant. You should have told me. I’m not a moron. I can add up the clues.” Her chin jutted out. “Deny it. Go ahead.”

  He clenched his teeth tighter.

  She backed up and almost tripped. He moved, catching her arm to help steady her. She tore out of his hold and more tears welled. She blinked those back too. “I could have taken precautions. You and your damn secrets.”

  “Humans can’t find out, Kat.”

  She spun away and wrapped her arms around her waist.

  “It would put our young in danger. They could try to kidnap them and sell them. Mercile tried to breed us for a reason but failed. It helps keep some of the worst of the fanatics from coming after us when they think this generation will eventually die out.”

  The silence stretched again. He wished he knew what she was thinking. He calmed. “I will take you to Medical in the morning. There’s a pill you can take to make sure you don’t get pregnant. I lost control.”

  She refused to look at him. Her body quaked but he wasn’t sure if it was from a chill or emotional since he couldn’t see her face. She sucked in a breath and turned.

  The anger wasn’t a surprise when she glared at him. “There are children at Homeland?”

  He said nothing. He couldn’t tell her.

  “Are there?”

  “It’s dangerous information.”

  Pain flashed across her face. “What? You think I’m going to tell the press? What part of ‘I’d never hurt the NSO’ do you not understand? Do you think so little of me that you honestly believe I’d put kids at risk? Jesus! Then to add insult to injury, you casually mention the morning-after pill? You really are a bastard.”

  He probably deserved that. He just didn’t know how to respond.

  Her hand opened over her stomach. “Don’t worry. I’m a smart woman. I catch on fast. If your little slip in control has consequences, they won’t be yours. You don’t want to let anyone in. What’s protocol?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “What do you do if I’m pregnant?” She paled. “They can’t force me to abort, can they?” She backed up, inching closer to the side of the bed to put space between them.

  “No.” He hated seeing raw fear in her expression.

  She didn’t relax by much. “I can’t leave though, right? No.” She answered her own question. “That’s how you’ve kept a lid on it. You’d have to keep them all here or at Reservation. Hidden away so no one knows they exist.”

  Darkness frowned, not liking just how accurate her musings were.

  Kat paced, hugging her waist. “Reservation. It’s too risky to have them here. I was allowed in. That’s why everyone needs an escort. No accidental run-ins with kids. Smart.” She ignored him, seemingly lost in the thoughts she spoke aloud. “Shit.” She stopped and stared at him with a horrified look. “Assholes like Darwin Havings would do anything to get their sick hands on infant New Species. They’d be able to raise them and twist their minds. He and men like him would do what was done to you and your brothers by making them kill.”

  Darkness nodded.

  Tears filled her eyes again. “I get it.”

  He stood still while she approached him. He almost expected her to slap him again but she surprised him when she pressed her forehead against his chest. She just stood there. He had the urge to put his arm around her, only hesitating for a moment before following his instincts and doing it. She didn’t flinch away.

  “What’s protocol?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What do you do when you think you might have accidentally gotten someone pregnant or there’s a chance of it?”

  “I haven’t had it happen before. We should go to Medical and get you tested, Kat.”

  “Right. Pregnancy test. They should be able to tell in a few weeks. I guess I’m not making it back to work on Monday.” She laughed but it sounded harsh, bristly. “I might need that NSO job after all.”

  “Kat.” He wasn’t sure what else to say.

  She lifted her head away from him but didn’t look up. “I’m tired. I didn’t get enough sleep last night and only about two hours tonight.” She walked around him and entered his bathroom.

  He tracked her with his gaze. She dried her hair then put her nightshirt back on. The panties stayed on the floor since they were wet. She turned and finally looked at him. “Do you have a spare toothbrush?”

  “You can use mine.”

  She snorted. “Great. Now you’re willing to share something personal. Forget it. Deal with bad breath until you can get me a new one.” She exited the bathroom and crossed his bedroom, studying the bed. “We got the top blanket wet. Do you have a spare?”

  “Yes. I’ll get it,” he offered.

  “Why don’t you go tend to your knuckles? They haven’t stopped bleeding. I’ll deal with this. Just tell me where it is. You still want the side by the door? I assume you do it for safety reasons.”

  “Top shelf in the closet on the right side. Kat?”

  She paused. “Everything will seem better in the morning. That’s a motto I really want to believe in right now. Just…let’s not talk any more tonight.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kat still reeled from the night before. Darkness returned to his apartment with a few bags in hand. He closed and locked the door behind him. “I got you a few things.”

  “A toothbrush?”

  “That and a few other things.”

  “Thanks.”

  He entered the kitchen and used the counter to remove the contents. “I’ll make you food.”

  “I already had toast. Your bread is about to expire.”

  “That isn’t a good breakfast. I know how to make omelets. I picked up eggs and ham and cheese for them. Give me ten minutes.”

  “No thanks.”

  His focus fixed on her. “You’re still angry.”

  “I’m tired of playing verbal games with you. I’m not going to eat anything you fix me.”

  “Why? I’m a good cook.”

  She pointedly stared at the bags. “You didn’t happen to stop by your medical center and pick up any pills to put in my food without me knowing, did you?” She watched his face for a reaction.

  His mouth drew into a fierce line. “You think I’d do that?”

  “I have no idea what you’re capable of. I was thinking while you were gone. I want to be taken to guest housing. I’m voiding the terms I demanded. I don’t want to live with you anymore. I have no idea how I feel right now but I’ll be damned if you make a decision for me, Mr. Control.”

  He moved fast, dropped to his knees in front of her and leaned in. He growled. “I would never do that. It’s your choice if you want the pill.”

  She’d thought of nothing else since waking. Darkness had slept with her but stayed on his side. She’d hugged the edge on hers, not wanting to touch him.