Darkness Read online

  Snow jerked to a halt, his eyes widened in shock and his nose flared. He paled, staring back at Darkness.

  “Get out.”

  Snow didn’t move. He did, however, school his features to hide his emotions. “You need to step out now.”

  “Get out,” Darkness repeated.

  Snow tried to crane his neck to view the female but Darkness knew he couldn’t see much. The Species would be able to hear her, though, and smell her desire. She was breathing rapidly, almost panting. Darkness growled to draw his focus. The male responded by growling back when their gazes clashed.

  “You are to step outside.”

  “You don’t give me orders.”

  “Justice does. Some new information has come in. Outside now.”

  He gave a sharp nod. “I’ll be there in a moment.”

  “Now,” Snow demanded.

  Darkness turned and rose to his full height. He had to release Kat to do it but he stepped to the right to keep most of her blocked from the Snow’s view. He snarled, “Leave. I’ll be there in a moment.”

  Snow hesitated but then backed out. He left the door open. Darkness tried to leash his temper but failed. He turned and looked at Kat. She stared at him and had to notice his attention on her breasts. They rose and fell rapidly with her breathing. A sheen of sweat coated her skin. He would have liked to take time soothing some of her tension but Snow would return.

  “I’ll be back.” He reached out, lifted her and carried her to the table where he gently set her on top of it.

  He strode across the room without a backward glance. He felt guilty leaving her in that condition though he couldn’t afford that useless emotion. He closed the door to the interrogation room. It was soundproof so she wouldn’t hear anything they said. He stepped closer and used his chest to push Snow back. It was a display of dominance but he was furious. He did make sure the front of his pants didn’t come in contact with the male. It would be awhile before his dick softened.

  Snow stumbled back but righted, his fists clenching at his sides. “What the hell were you doing in there?”

  “My job. Never argue with me in front of a prisoner.”

  “You were about to mount her.”

  “What is going on?” Justice turned the corner and stopped, apparently reading their body language.

  “Darkness was touching the female,” Snow accused.

  “Would you have preferred I beat on her? I would never treat one of them the way I do a male.” He straightened his shoulders and glared at Justice. “I wouldn’t have actually mounted her. She refused to tell me who she really works for. Unfulfilled sexual frustration can be more effective than inflicting pain, if done right. Do you have a problem with my tactics?”

  Justice opened his mouth, closed it, and then sighed. He shook his head. “I trust you. You didn’t hurt her at all?”

  “No. I don’t molest females.” He shot a dirty look at Snow. “Or beat on them or inflict any kind of pain on them.”

  “Enough,” Justice stated. “I had Snow pull you out because we know who sent her. We got a call from Jessie’s father.”

  “The Senator?” Darkness frowned. “What does the human government have to do with this? Is she military?”

  Justice hesitated. “He has a friend with the FBI. It seems they sent an agent to Homeland today. We’re unclear of why she is here but we’re certain she is their agent.”

  “The Senator couldn’t give you more details?” Darkness wanted to return to Kat and find out.

  “We’re lucky we even learned they were sending someone in. Jacob’s friend knows Jessie lives here and was worried about her safety. He asked if she was in danger and if they could be of more assistance since only one agent had been assigned.” Justice paused. “He thought we’d requested one of their agents. We didn’t.”

  Darkness crossed his arms over his chest, trying to think of why they’d secretly send an agent to Homeland. He couldn’t think of a reason.

  Justice seemed equally at a loss. “Jacob and I discussed the matter. Do you remember when they sent agents here to question Jeanie Shiver? They weren’t happy with our refusal to hand her over to them. I’m having True and his mate transported to Reservation right now. Their helicopter should leave in twenty minutes.”

  “You believe she came here to kidnap True’s mate to be handed over to the FBI?” Darkness was furious.

  “Possibly.” Justice’s eyes gleamed with the same emotion. “It won’t happen.”

  “I’ll escort her to the front gates and walk her out.” Darkness turned but Justice gripped his arm.

  “Wait.”

  Darkness hated the way his stomach churned. He faced Justice. “She caused no harm to us. You said she works for the FBI. It means she was given orders. They aren’t ones we agree with but I don’t believe she should be taken to a holding cell or transported to Fuller Prison. Allow me to escort her off Homeland. She’ll go back to the FBI empty-handed and that will be punishment enough. She’s not from Mercile or a hired mercenary. She’s law enforcement, as misguided as her mission was. We also owe her something for effectively handling the threat at the gates.”

  Justice released him. “I was thinking more along the lines of allowing her to stay and pretend we believe her cover story.”

  The stunning words cured Darkness of his painful erection. “Why?”

  “We assume she came here for Jeanie but what if she’s here for another reason? I’m curious.”

  None of it sat well with Darkness. “Why else would they send someone here?”

  “I’d like to find out. Jeanie will be safe. We’ll allow the FBI agent to teach classes while we keep an eye on her every move. She’ll let her guard down and reveal the truth.” Justice smiled coldly. “Then we’ll decide what to do about it. I’m having Security clone her cell phone and install tracking devices on her belongings in case she slips by our officers at any point. We’ll constantly have her under electronic surveillance. I’m sure, with her training, she’d spot anyone in physical proximity. I’ll assign someone to stick within sight, though, or she’ll become suspicious.”

  “I could go back in there and continue working on her. I’ll find out why she’s here and what she was ordered to do.”

  Snow snorted. “You mean you just want to mount her after you got her all hot and bothered?”

  Darkness took a threatening step toward him and snarled.

  The male held his ground and flashed fang, prepared to fight.

  “Enough!” Justice’s voice deepened. “Snow, leave Darkness alone. He’s good at what he does for a reason.”

  “Step into that room and breathe deep. You’ll know what he’s been doing.” Snow frowned. “He’s good at attracting a female. I couldn’t get away with those tactics if I were allowed to interview her.”

  “You don’t have his background or his control over his physical responses, Snow.”

  “I saw how much control he had and you would have too if you’d looked at his crotch when he stepped into the hallway.” Snow glanced at the front of Darkness’ pants. “He’s got it under control now.”

  “I wouldn’t have mounted her,” Darkness growled. “What is your problem?”

  “Stop,” Justice snapped. “Darkness is an excellent judge of what it requires to get a prisoner to talk and each prisoner is different. Darkness, I know you could learn her secrets but she is FBI. I’d rather take a less aggressive approach since she comes from a government agency. Let’s call it a professional courtesy and do it to appease my curiosity.”

  “Fine.” Darkness inclined his head. “What would you like me to do?”

  “Go in there and blame someone on our end for the mistake. Pretend to buy everything she tells you and take her to human housing. A team is there now to make sure every room is covered. She won’t do anything without us knowing about it.”

  “All right.”

  Justice glanced between them. “I’m leaving now. I have some calls to make. The pr