Darkness Read online

  “Exactly.” Justice sipped his coffee. “The FBI would like to keep a lid on the Mason investigation. It will make them look bad.”

  “Screw them.” Trey frowned.

  Justice chuckled. “Always think two steps ahead, Trey. We could hand the real story to the press or we could have the appreciation from the government. Which sounds more helpful to the NSO? Mason is dead. We have Boris in custody.” Justice paused. “They’ll owe us and we could always release the details later, if the need arises.”

  “We score brownie points,” Ellie added. “I get it.”

  Justice grinned. “That’s one way to put it.”

  “Yeah. I get it too.” Trey spoke to Justice. “What story do we tell them? Those TV hounds aren’t going to disappear until they get something or they could just make up shit. You know it won’t be flattering.”

  “Our public relations team is working on it. So far they believe we should release a statement saying Katrina Perkins is a consultant for the NSO, assigned by the FBI to assist us. We do get a lot of death threats from across the US and other countries. It sounds reasonable and she did stay at Homeland for a short time. We state that she was supposed to check in but didn’t. The FBI and NSO both sent teams to check on her.”

  Trey nodded. “I see where this is going. Katrina and Missy were overcome by fumes from a crack in a gas line. Mason reached the home first and forced his way in to check on them. The house blew up and we arrived on scene. The only thing that pisses me off about that scenario is Mason is going to look like a hero who died trying to save a coworker.”

  Justice inclined his head. “I agree that it’s distasteful but it would explain why our team arrived there and it doesn’t cause a corruption scandal for the FBI. We both get to walk away from this with good press. I’m certain they’ll be willing to remain silent on the matter or agree with our version of events.”

  “I can spin that.” Trey stood. “Do you want me to handle this?”

  “Go see our public relations team first. We pay them a lot of money so put them to use. They set up in the conference room in our office building. They’ll help you manage the press and I’ll have to make a statement within a few hours too. I’ll let Tim know I put you in charge of handling the task force side of this. It will seem more official to have a member of the team address the press.”

  “I’m on it,” Trey said as he left Medical.

  Justice turned to Fury. “What do you think is going on in your brother’s head regarding Katrina?”

  “Hell if I know.” Fury shrugged. “Darkness resists emotional attachments but he seemed really shaken that she nearly died. He’ll either realize what she means or just grow more stubborn to keep her at arm’s length. I have no idea which way this is going to go. I’m just happy she didn’t die.”

  “He left Homeland to go into the human world. That’s big.” Ellie glanced at them both. “He has to care a lot about her. He refused to go after that Gift he worked so hard to find.”

  Fury pulled Ellie closer. “I know. We’ll have to wait and see how this goes.”

  “I hope whatever his future holds, no more explosions are involved. I’m almost afraid to think of the consequences if he does make her a mate.” Justice grimaced.

  Ellie frowned. “What does that mean?”

  “Shit seems to blow up when Katrina is nearby,” Fury muttered. “That’s one dangerous or unlucky female.”

  A door opened on the other side of the room and Sunshine stepped out. She glanced around then addressed Fury. “Is it safe?”

  “Trey won’t be back and our guests are surrounded by staff to keep them where they are.”

  “Come on out,” Sunshine crooned.

  Salvation rushed out of the room toward his parents, holding a paper. “I drew this for you.”

  Ellie slid away from Fury and opened her arms. “Come show Mommy!”

  The boy hugged her and grinned, holding up a picture he’d drawn with crayons. “That’s you and Daddy.”

  Justice laughed. “You both look so thin.”

  Ellie laughed. “We’re stick people. I love them.”

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Sunshine stated. “He’s hyper and it’s tough keeping him contained in an office.”

  “Thank you for babysitting him.” Fury pulled his son onto his lap. “We both want to be here for Darkness.”

  “It’s okay.” Sunshine came closer. “I love spending time with him.”

  “We’re going to be here a few more hours.” Fury glanced at the clock. “I want to make sure Darkness doesn’t snap if the female’s condition changes. You could take him to our home.”

  “He wanted to stay close to you.” Sunshine held out her hand. “Salvation? How would you like to watch a movie with me? I am having someone drop off my laptop.”

  “What movie?” Salvation wiggled off Fury’s lap and ran to Sunshine. “I love movies.”

  The tall Species female lifted him, held him close. “Any movie you want. That’s the neat thing about the internet. We can rent them. Let’s go back into the office until it arrives.” She glanced around, obviously on alert. “I’d feel better if we were in there. There are hu—”

  Fury cleared his throat and shook his head. “He doesn’t understand the need for secrecy.”

  Sunshine nodded. “Right.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Kat opened her eyes. The first thing that came into view was a paneled ceiling. She blinked, trying to make sense of why it was there instead of the popcorn one of her bedroom. Memory surfaced fast. She turned her head and stared at a monitor to her right. Her heart rate was normal according to the number.

  She’d jumped through a window with Missy and then there’d been pain and a loud noise. The gas must have ignited. She looked down her arm—an IV in her arm and an oxygen sensor on her index finger. Fearful, she moved her legs, shifting her feet on the hospital bed. They were there and intact. Her other arm ached and she turned to see a loose white gauze bandage wrapped around her upper arm.

  I’m alive. Missy? Oh god! Panic set in and she tried to sit up. It was easier than she thought it would be and less painful. This isn’t a hospital. She recognized the layout. It’s their Medical center. I’m at Homeland? She was alone in the room with the door partially open to a silent hallway.

  Something dark moved at the bottom of her bed. It was just a flash of what looked like black hair and then she gasped, almost falling over when a boy popped his head up. Dark eyes with unusually long, thick eyelashes peered at her. He lifted up a little, his fingers gripping the foot railing. She took in the shape of his nose. He blinked, his expression curious.

  He looks like Darkness, except for the shape of his eyes. It might just be the coloring and skin tone but she saw a resemblance. He lifted up more, revealing his mouth. It was closed but that downward slant was a frown. He didn’t talk, just continued to watch her.

  Kat cleared her throat. “What’s your name?” She smiled, hoping he wouldn’t leave.

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m Kat.”

  “You don’t look like one.”

  He had a gruff voice for a child so young but it was clear he was New Species. She pegged him to be about five years old, from what she could see of him. “It’s just a name. I’m not a real cat.”

  He ducked and disappeared. She held still, knowing he hadn’t left the room. She’d have seen him go with her clear view of the door. Something bumped her bed on the left and he straightened. He looked at her from a few feet away, glanced at the monitor then at her face.

  “You’re hurt?”

  She assessed her body. A blanket covered most of her and she wore a gown. “I think I’m mostly okay. I feel good.”

  “You’re in Medical.” He reached out and touched the plastic clip on her finger. “Does that hurt? It is pinching you.”

  Kat held still. “No. It’s not on tight.”

  He pulled it off and the machine beeped. He growled, dropped the