Trisha felt sucker-punched but it was nothing compared to the expression on Brass’ face. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open.

“Uh, Justice?”

Justice released Brass and grinned at Trisha. “Yes?”

She shook her head at him. “It’s not him.”

“What is going on?” Brass had a confused look on his features.

Justice ignored him and kept staring at Trisha as his smile died. “But he is at your home at night. I told you that I’m aware of everyone’s movements inside Homeland. You are dating him.”

“We’re just platonic friends who watch movies together. He’s not the father of my baby. I’ve never slept with Brass.”

“Baby?” Brass gasped. His attention flew to Trisha. “You’re pregnant?”

She nodded. “I’m sorry about this. I thought Justice called you to be my bodyguard because he knows we’ve become friends. I never guessed he might believe you were the father of my baby.”

“You’re pregnant?” Brass suddenly growled viciously. He backed up and crossed his arms over his chest as his focus fixed on the floor.

Trisha noticed his dark reaction and it left her speechless.

“This is dangerous for her and for all of us,” Justice warned softly. “You are her personal bodyguard. No one finds out about this pregnancy. Clear, Brass? Is this going to be a problem for you?”

Brass met Justice’s gaze. “I’d protect her with my life. No one will know about this from me. What are my orders?”

“There’s a helicopter leaving with her in an hour. Pick two males you trust with her life and tell them they are part of your team. This will be an extended assignment. Don’t pack a light bag. I’ll use the cover that I’m assigning her to oversee the medical center at Reservation for now.”

“Understood.” Brass didn’t even glance at Trisha when he walked out of the office. The door closed softly behind him.

Confused, Trisha frowned.

Justice studied her. “You didn’t know he had feelings for you? You might have thought of him as a friend but I think he was slowly courting you.”

“I didn’t know.” It stunned her. “I thought he might like me but he never asked me out so I dismissed the idea.”

“We’re sometimes hard to read. I’ve noticed with our kind they either come straight at what they want with the aggression of a pit bull or they try to ease upon something they want until they can pounce on it when it is the last thing you would expect.” Justice sighed. “So who is the father?”

Trisha lifted her chin in defiance. “I won’t tell.”

Justice’s eyelids narrowed. “What?”

“It was just sex. It didn’t mean anything. This is my baby.”

Justice looked slightly angry as his arms crossed his broad chest. “Who is the baby’s father, Trisha? You need to trust me. Casual sex or not, a Species would want to know if he were about to become a father.”

She bit her lip. “I don’t think so.”

His arms tightened against his chest. “You admitted you’ve had sex one time in two years. I smelled sex on you once.” He studied her face carefully. “You had my scent on you and I know I’m not the father. You had Brass’ scent but you but you obviously haven’t had sex together.” He sucked in air. “You had Slade’s scent on you too. It was strongest but I assumed that was because you’d been alone with him for days and— Of course. Slade is the father.”

She let her head drop. “Please don’t tell him.”

“I’m sorry, Trisha. I must. He’d want to know. He has a right to protect and watch out for you since you are carrying his child.”

She allowed the tears to fall when she looked up. “He never contacted me, never called me, never once tried to see me in the weeks he lived here after he returned. Please don’t tell him. I can’t see him.”

Justice softly cursed. “You thought there was more to the sex than it being casual and his actions hurt you.”

Why lie? She nodded. “Yes. Please, Justice. I can’t stop you if you are set on telling him but keep him away from me if you do. Please?”

“I don’t understand.”

“He didn’t want to be with me anymore once we were rescued and I sure as hell don’t want him trying to spend time with me now because of this pregnancy. He made his choice.”

He studied her for a long time. “I understand but I have to tell him, Trisha. I will make your feelings known to him and I will tell him that he blew it.”

She wiped at tears. “Yeah. That’s a good way to put it.” She stood. “Thank you for taking this so well.”

“Thank you for—” Justice moved and hugged a surprised Trisha. “For being pregnant and giving all of us hope of having children. I’m sure everything will work out and that this baby is going to be born healthy. We’re a hearty bunch and tough to kill. This baby will be half New Species.”

She cried while Justice held her. She hugged him back, admitting she had needed someone to comfort her all day, since she’d realized she was pregnant. The shock had been that great. Justice rubbed her back and pulled her closer, consoling her.

“I’m sorry for the pain you are in. Slade should know how special you are and he never should have let you go, Trisha. I wouldn’t have if you were mine. This should be a happy occasion and he has hurt you.”