Valiant walked up the wide porch steps. The double doors were broken and Trisha winced. One of the stained-glass doors had been smashed and she knew it would be impossible to replace. Brass used his foot to sweep the glass to the side as Valiant ushered them inside his home.

Trisha stared at the beautiful woodwork inside the nice entryway and at the hand-carved banister that led to the second floor. Her doubts of the real age of the home vanished. The beautiful woodwork shone with love and pride, craftsmanship that no longer existed except for the very rich. Valiant led them through double doors into a large living room. Trisha stared in horror.

“They wrecked most of the house,” Valiant growled. He walked to the overturned couch and straightened it. “Put her down there. Between the three of us we should be able to make her more comfortable.”

“I’m so sorry,” Slade told him sincerely. “We’ll help you replace what was destroyed.” He gently eased Trisha down to the couch before he moved away.

Trisha watched quietly while the men righted furniture. She was grateful no one had taken a knife to the antique furniture. Valiant left to retrieve a broom and a dust pan. It didn’t take the men long to clean up.

“Can I use your phone?” Slade glanced at Valiant.

“They didn’t damage the one in the kitchen. Use it.”

Slade disappeared. Brass took out trash. Valiant studied Trisha grimly as she watched him back.

“I saw what you did for Harley. I heard you say you are a doctor.”

She nodded. “I work at Homeland.”

“Did you ever work for Mercile Industries?” Anger made his exotic, cat eyes a scary sight.

“No. I never saw a New Species until after you’d all been freed. Slade was brought to my emergency room directly from the testing facility he’d been rescued from.”

He relaxed. “You look too young to be a doctor.”

“I started medical school at fourteen. I’ve always been kind of smart.”

“You really work at Homeland?”

“Yes.”

Valiant smiled, all traces of his anger disappearing. “You are attracted to Slade? He’s kind of gruff.”

She smiled. “He has his moments.”

“I hear some of our women are kept at Homeland. Do you take care of them too?”

“When they need me.”

“Will you do me a favor when you return there?”

“Yes,” she agreed instantly. He’d helped save her life.

His cat-like golden eyes narrowed. “Don’t you want to know what I want from you before you answer?”

“You helped save my life and I owe you. What do you need from me?”

He hesitated. “I want a mate. Will you talk to the women and see if anyone is interested? It gets lonely out here. I want a big, sturdy woman. I’d prefer a feline mixed species but as long as she’s tough I wouldn’t be picky.” He paused. “I frighten most of my own kind. Our women don’t scare easily since they were raised in testing facilities. I bred with a feline female once inside while in captivity and she didn’t scream at the sight of me or beg the men who brought her into my cell to take her away. All the others refused me. Primates were especially terrified when were introduced to me.”

Trisha had to swallow and remember to keep her mouth closed. He wanted her to find him a girlfriend? She swallowed again.

“I can talk to them. There are about three dozen New Species women living in Homeland dorms. I’m just not sure how many of them are feline but I’ve seen some.”

He nodded. “I had heard that. Talk to them for me and tell them I am not as scary as I appear.” He suddenly stood. “Are you hungry?”

“A little.”

“I’ll get you some good food. Pregnant women should eat often and you need to do that more than most. You are too skinny.” He stalked out of the room.

Trisha hugged her waist and let the conversation settle into her thoughts. Valiant was one big man. If someone took her into his cell and asked her to have sex with him, she probably would freak out too.

She shook her head in disbelief. He seemed nice once he calmed and wasn’t snarling. Maybe one of the New Species would be interested in him but she didn’t envy that woman. He was just too big and ferocious. She didn’t believe he’d hurt anyone he was with but just the sight of him angry would be enough to scare the hell out of anyone dating him if he lost his temper.

Slade returned alone and sat on the couch inches from her. “I spoke to Moon. Harley made it to surgery and he’s holding his own. All the men who attacked you have been taken care of but most of them died. The three who survived are being transferred to human authorities and will be questioned.” He studied her. “How are you holding up, sweet thing? Since you involved yourself with my kind your life hasn’t seen too many dull moments, has it?”

She hesitated. “I didn’t work for New Species when I met you the first time. You made me curious enough to want to send my résumé into Justice so I blame you.”

He smiled. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“You’d think it would be the opposite. I grabbed you when I woke and pulled you into my bed. I pinned you under me and told you what I planned to do to you.”

She could feel heat warm her cheeks. “Yeah, well, maybe that’s what got me interested.”

Slade’s smile widened and he reached for her. His hand slid across her thigh to rub her leg. “What part interested you? I know I was sure I wanted to keep you under me for days.”