Smiley backed away and two of the human NSO-uniformed men surged forward and gripped Vanni by her upper arms. They weren’t rough but they pulled her to her feet. The second she put weight on her legs she cried out. Her knees gave way and she would have collapsed on the floor if they hadn’t been holding her. Sharp stabbing pain stung her from head to foot.

“Move! Let her go.” Smiley was there suddenly, shoving the men aside and scooping her into his arms.

Vanni clung to him. Some of the pain eased and she breathed in his wonderful scent. She buried her face against his warm throat. He sat, putting her ass on his lap, and stroked her back.

“Focus on my voice. I’m right here. I have you,” he rasped against her ear.

“Smiley,” Justice North urged. “Hand her to Brass. He’ll carry her out to the SUV.”

“Vanni, we need to go. You need medical attention and that can’t happen here.”

She lifted her head and stared up at Smiley. “Don’t leave me.” She was terrified of strangers taking her anywhere.

“I can’t ride with you because I’m drugged too. It’s best if they separate us.”

The ponytailed guy drew her attention as he stepped closer and held out his arms. “Give her to me.”

She let go of Smiley and was passed over to the big New Species. The stabbing pain to her stomach returned and she cried out. He turned with her, walking toward the back of the bar. She writhed in his arms, clutching his protective vest. They passed through a door that was held open by NSO Security. Cold air touched her when they stepped outside.

“Stop!” Vanni couldn’t take the pain. “Take me back.”

He halted and looked at her. It was dim in the alley but a few lights helped her see. He was a handsome man, albeit scary looking.

“We’ll get you to Homeland as fast as possible. There will be a helicopter on standby if you worsen on the way. We can pull off and have them land nearby then transfer you for transport. We just have to get out of the city first.”

“I can’t take this.” Tears filled her eyes. “Was Smiley telling me the truth?”

“You reek of a breeding drug.”

“Is there a way to counteract it?”

“No. You’ll have to ride it out or once you’re in Medical they can attempt to help you. We can’t risk giving you other drugs until then. Species have died that way in the past. Their hearts stopped beating. You’ll want to be with our doctors so they can save you.”

The seriousness of the situation hit home. “Am I going to die?”

He frowned. “I don’t know. This might be a different version of the drug we heard was being tested. It smells the same but your reactions are milder than what we felt.”

“Mild? I feel as though I’m being ripped to shreds from the inside out.” She panted. “This has got to be worse than labor.”

“You’re not screaming and going into convulsions. That’s what happens when Species fight the drug by refusing to share sex.”

“Sex really does stop the pain? Are you serious?”

“The drug is designed to create uncontrollable sexual urges so sex overrides the pain sensors from what we understand. Most of us have no memory of what happens after being dosed when the pain becomes too strong.”

“Move,” someone behind them ordered. “Let’s get them on the road.”

Brass carried her to the closest black SUV and one of the NSO guards opened the door. Brass addressed him. “Get the soft restraints. She needs to be bound so she doesn’t hurt herself. One of you will need to sit in the back with her to keep her from slamming her head into the glass if she gets that urge.”

That was the last straw for Vanni. How much more pain did he think she was going to suffer if trying to bash her head into a window was a real concern? “Just hit me. Knock me out.”

Brass frowned.

She sucked in a deep breath and yelled to get her point across. She meant it. “HIT ME!”

He bent and set her on her unsteady feet. “I’m afraid I’ll damage you.”

“I’m already in agony, damn it. Just do it.” She lifted her chin and closed her eyes, hoping it wouldn’t hurt too much.

The punch never came. Strong arms wrapped around her waist and her back pressed against the side of the SUV. A big firm body pinned her there. She opened her eyes and was stunned to realize Smiley had her.

“No one is going to hit you. It could break bones. You’re too fragile. You can take the pain.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I can’t.”

“Smiley,” Brass urged, “I’ll be careful.”

“Bullshit. You can’t guarantee you won’t break her jaw.” Smiley’s face bore an angry expression and he suddenly lifted her off her feet, putting her at his face level. “I swore no one would hurt you and I keep my word. I’m going to kiss you. It will distract you from the pain.”

Vanni forgot how to breathe when he leaned in and lowered his gaze to her mouth. She could have turned away but didn’t. She’d like to have blamed it on the drug, the pain, but had to admit she wanted him to. It seemed more than likely that she’d die and she’d been attracted to him since they met. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the first light brush of his soft lips touching hers.

He pressed tighter against her and released her hip to tangle his fingers in her hair as he deepened the kiss. He tasted of cherry—probably what had flavored his soda. The pain faded to be replaced by need. She wanted Smiley more than she’d ever wanted any man. Her br**sts ached and the desire to rub against him, feel him inside her became so intense she moaned from the need.