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  “I know I wasn’t the target.”

  “A kind, decent human wouldn’t have done that. It’s obvious the Woods Church bought that drug from Drackwood. We know they were working on a version that wouldn’t kill humans. It’s the only way she could have gotten it. The test confirms it’s an altered version of the original. That means they’ve spent a lot of time and money plotting this attack. I don’t want you to feel inner turmoil over a female not worthy of it. She might not have been warned of the pain the drug caused but her intent to hurt Species is undeniable.”

  “Perhaps she didn’t understand the impact it would have.”

  “Then why did she escape? They were taking her to seek medical assistance. I’m attempting to be logical for you.”

  The way his chest tightened and ached was an unpleasant, unexpected feeling for Smiley. “You’re right.”

  Jericho stood. “I’m going to get a drink and sleep on your couch. You shouldn’t be alone at a time like this, my friend. I’m sorry this happened.”

  “I won’t throw myself out a window.”

  Jericho spun, a horrified look plastered on his face.

  “That was a joke.” Smiley forced a smile. “I am disappointed. I’ll get over it. You don’t have to stay in my apartment.”

  “Would you prefer to stay with a female? I’m sure Rusty would allow you to sleep in her bed this once. She’s concerned about you too.”

  “I’m not ready for that.”

  “You should be. Forget the human and enjoy a little pampering from one of our females. It will make things seem better.”

  Smiley stood. “I’m lonely. One night with one of our females isn’t going to cure that. It would just make it worse. I’m strong. I’ll get past this. I always do. It’s just been a difficult day.”

  “I’m sleeping on the couch. You’ll have to pick me up and toss me out if you want me gone.”

  There was no use arguing with the male. “I appreciate your friendship.”

  “We’re family.” Jericho opened a cherry soda and sipped it. “You’d do the same for me. I wouldn’t want to be alone after something like this either. I’ll wake you if you have nightmares.”

  “I’m exhausted. I’m going to turn in.”

  “I’ll be here.” Jericho nodded toward the television. “Do you mind if I watch it?”

  “Be my guest.”

  Smiley walked into his room and closed the door. He paused there, remembering Vanni’s face. He needed to let it go. He needed to let her go. Jericho had made valid points. Then again, he hadn’t been there.

  Vanni had blushed when she was stripped bare. There had been an innocence about her that he found endearing. That wasn’t a trait a malicious human would possess. None of it made sense.

  He walked to the window and stared out into the darkness. Where are you, Vanni?

  Chapter Six

  “Vanni! Wake up, damn it. Get out here!”

  Vanni shot upright in her bed when Beth started shouting from the living room. She threw off the covers and dashed to the open doorway. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Her gaze frantically sought and found her friend.

  Beth was on her knees in the center of the room between the coffee table and the television. Her friend was pale as she pointed a remote control at the television. Vanni glanced at it, seeing a commercial.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s coming up. I just saw the promo for it.”

  “For what? Beth? What the hell?”

  Her mouth opened, closed and opened again. “It’s on my morning gossip show.”

  “What is?” Vanni stepped out of the bedroom, pushing her messy hair out of her face.

  “It’s you and that New Species.”

  “What?”

  “They showed a video clip of you two from last night.”

  Vanni had to be hearing wrong. “What do you mean?”

  “Nobody else has that ugly-ass skirt you came home in last night and believe me, it was you. They showed a clip of an upcoming story and it’s about the NSO. It showed a few seconds of you wrapped around a big dude and you were making out.”

  “That’s not funny.”

  “I’m not kidding. I’m being heart-attack serious. It’s coming up after the commercials.”

  “You’re wrong. What did they say?”

  “I heard NSO on the TV while I was making my oatmeal and looked up. They showed you with your legs wrapped around a big jock type, making out hot and heavy. There’s no mistaking that skirt.”

  The commercial ended and the cable show began. Beth turned up the volume as the host couple faced the cameras. The man took the lead.

  “I know you’ve heard a lot of stories about the NSO lately but here’s a new one for you. An anonymously submitted video arrived at our station and many others this morning.”

  “Usually the stories we bring you regarding the NSO involve them being targeted for hate crimes. Not today.” The woman’s grin spread. “It seems some people are really friendly to New Species.”

  Vanni’s knees collapsed under her and she hit the carpet when a grainy video started to play on the screen. It was her and Smiley. The angle was from above and the operator of the video camera zoomed in.

  They stood next to each other with Smiley’s hand on her shoulder, the other holding her hip while she straightened. His words couldn’t be heard but Smiley said something. She nodded. His lips moved again. Her hand darted out and clutched a handful of his shirt. It tore open to reveal the bare skin of his upper chest and almost to his navel. She went for his hair too, grabbing a handful behind his neck and used her hold to jerk his face down.

  “Oh shit,” Beth gasped.

  Vanni watched in horror as she kissed Smiley. She looked desperate and slutty. It got worse when she lifted a leg high enough to hook her calf around the back of his thigh in an obvious attempt to get him to pick her up. He did. That’s when she wrapped her legs around his waist, her skirt hiking up to her thighs in the process.

  “No,” Vanni whispered. Memory returned and she wasn’t surprised when she started to grind her body against him. It was horrendous to watch though. It reminded her of a dog she’d once had that humped any leg it could get to hold still.

  “No, no, no,” she chanted.

  Smiley jerked away from her and tried to avoid her mouth. It didn’t stop her. She buried her face in his neck and his eyes closed. He just stood there allowing her to maul him, except his lips moved slightly, as if he were telling her to stop. She couldn’t remember that part but seeing was believing.

  Something happened on the other side of him that the camera couldn’t see but he bowed his back and then spun, pinning her against a black SUV. He seemed to try to stop her from humping him and pulling his hair. He pressed against her, pinning her, but then she grabbed his face to plant her lips over his. It was a good shot of most of her face. Her eyes were closed and she was going to town, kissing the hell out of him.

  “We have someone on the roof!” an NSO guard yelled—the one positioned at the front of the SUV. He drew his weapon and pointed it at the camera. The person operating it jerked away and the clip ended.

  The show returned to the hosts. The woman fanned herself and grinned. “I’d say that was very friendly.”

  The man chuckled. “None of my fans ever do that to me. I only get asked for autographs.” He winked. “I’m single.”

  “You don’t exactly look like him and she obviously wanted more than his signature. I think you’d better start lifting weights if you want that kind of response from your fans. Did you see the muscles on that New Species?” The woman wiggled her eyebrows at the camera.

  “Turn it off,” Vanni whispered.

  Beth looked as stunned and dismayed as Vanni felt. “Did you hear what they said? Every station. Oh Vanni. Your parents watch the news and those gossip shows. There’s no way they aren’t going to see this. Even without that skirt on, I knew it was you. Your face showed a few times.”