Darkness (New Species #12)(60)

A small four-door sedan drove toward them and Trey rushed into the path of it and withdrew his sidearm, aiming it at the driver. He pointed to his vest with his other hand where the NSO white lettering showed. The driver slammed on the brakes.
Trey approached the driver. “I’m with the NSO,” he yelled. “You’re in no danger. Don’t panic. Put down your window.”
It was a female and Darkness could see her fear. She lowered the window and Trey leaned in. “I’m really sorry about this but we have an emergency. We need your car.”
She shook her head, still pale.
Darkness approached. He tried to appear friendly. “Human, this is an emergency. Let us have your car. You will get it back.”
“Promise.” Trey reached inside and opened the door. “Just take off your belt and scoot in the back. You can drive away once we’re out. There’s a man holding a couple of women hostage. He’ll kill them if the police show up. We’re all NSO.”
The woman stared at Darkness. He wasn’t wearing a face shield. He could see her terror. Her hands shook as she reached down and unfastened her belt. “Please don’t hurt me.”
“We just need a ride,” Darkness assured her.
She nodded. “Get in.”
“We need something bigger. All of us won’t fit,” Book assessed.
“We’ll fit,” Trey announced. “It’s just going to be cramped.”
Trey helped the woman out and got in the driver’s seat. “Darkness, passenger seat. Lady, you can sit on his lap.”
She gawked at Darkness.
“The rest of you get in the back. Three can fit across in the seat and one of you can huddle in their laps.”
“This is undignified,” Jinx growled. “But let’s do it.”
Darkness grabbed the female’s hand. It trembled in his. He hadn’t taken the time to put on gloves. “It will be fine. You’re with six well-armed males. Thank you for your assistance.”
He led her to the other side of the car and got in. The female paused but climbed on his lap. It was a tight fit but one glance in the back as four males tried to squeeze into the space designed for three humans made him grateful to be in the front.
Trey grinned, slamming the door. “See? Let’s do this.”
The back doors closed and Darkness slammed the passenger one too. He hooked an arm around the female when Trey punched the gas and executed a tight U-turn. Trey removed his phone from his vest pocket and turned on the screen. A map showed.“Thank you…” Trey paused. “What’s your name?”
“Amber.” The female relaxed against Darkness.
“You’re helping save two lives.” Trey took a sharp turn. “If you really feel the need to report this, give us twenty minutes before you call the police. This jerk could have a scanner. If you call Homeland instead, we’ll reward you, okay?”
“Yes.” Amber gripped Darkness’ arm when Trey took another turn fast.
“Ever wanted a tour of Homeland?” Trey slowed. “It’s yours if you just don’t call the police. I promise. Tell them Trey Roberts said so. Okay, Amber?”
“Yes.” She was still pale but seemed less fearful.
“I’m sorry about the gun but we really needed a ride fast.” He pulled to the curb and put the car in park. Trey turned and grinned at the woman. “I’m Trey Roberts. That’s Darkness holding you. You’ve been fantastic. Just call Homeland. We’ll show our appreciation.”
“I won’t call the police.”
“You’re a doll.” Trey winked at her. “This is where we get out. Thanks, Amber.”
Darkness threw open the door and the female scooted off his lap. She stared curiously up at his face. He smiled. “Thank you, Amber. You’re doing a great service to the NSO tonight.”
She smiled back. “Good. I’m pro-Species.”
“Drive safely,” Darkness rasped.
She blushed. “I will.”
He spun toward Trey. “Let’s go. How far?”
“It’s just up this street.” Trey glanced at Amber. “Turn your car around quietly and keep out of this area. There could be gunfire.”
She rounded the car and got inside. Following his orders, she drove in the opposite direction. Trey took point and Darkness followed. They stayed on the grassy lawns to avoid making noise. Trey halted and pointed. Darkness recognized the front of the house. They had arrived at Kat’s.
Chapter Twenty-Two

Kat watched Mason. His mood swings were a sign of high stress. He didn’t trust her and he shouldn’t. He kept a tight hold on his gun. She’d gotten a close enough look to know the safety was off. He tapped the weapon against his thigh and kept glancing at Missy, frowning. She didn’t like it one bit.
“We need to talk.” He shot a pointed stare at Missy. “But I want her in sight.”
“Okay.” She got up from the table, moved slowly, to avoid making him jumpy. She entered the hallway.
He approached Kat, pointing the gun at her chest. It was clear he expected her to try to disarm him. She put her hands on the doorway so he felt more secure. Mason turned enough so he could keep them both in his view. 
“She’s a risk.”
“She’ll do everything I say.” Kat’s worst fear had come true. She’d wondered what Mason was thinking and now she knew. “We’ve been together for a really long time. She’s completely submissive.” She used the term he’d probably understand best.
“I need to know you’re a hundred percent committed. You have nothing to lose otherwise.” He kept his voice low.
Dread made her stomach cramp. “What do you have in mind?”
“Kill her.”
She hoped she masked her horror. “I think that’s a bit drastic.”
“Bullshit,” he hissed. “I’m facing prison or worse if those animals get me. I need to know I can trust you. Kill that bitch.”
She could understand his logic, as messed up as it was. She’d be wanted by the police for murder if she killed Missy. Recovering Jerry Boris and making him give up the money would become a survival strategy. They’d need money to obtain false identities to leave the US for a non-extradition country where a few million could provide a lifetime of luxury.
“Kill her,” he whispered. He lifted his gun to her head. “Or I kill you.”
“Fine. Hand me the gun.”
He took a step back. “Do I look stupid to you?”
She wasn’t surprised he hadn’t fallen for it. “I’ll get one of mine then.”
“So you can shoot me?” He shook his head. “Bare handed.”
“That’s cold.” She straightened her shoulders. “But you said there were millions involved. I’m sure I could get over it.”
He smiled. Her opinion of Mason had never been good but now he was no better than a turd in the toilet to her. To kill a loved one over money was as shitty as a person could get.
“You kill her and we’ll leave. I know which company we can use to get inside Homeland. We should hit them early. It’s the best time.”
He was right. Most people weren’t at their most alert—sleeping or just have woken—if they entered Homeland around seven in the morning. That would be the time most delivery trucks started to roll in. “Okay. I get half though. Right? Don’t fuck me, Mason.”
“I won’t. I could use you, Katrina. You’re smart. We would have an easier time traveling as a couple.” His attention dropped to her breasts.
Her skin crawled at the way he looked at her. She’d never allow him to touch her. “You’re right.” She smiled, pretending he was attractive to her. It was one of the hardest acts she’d ever put on. “We’ll need to depend on each other.”
“We will.” He glanced at her breasts again. “In every way.”
Yuck! She forced the revulsion back. “I’ll do it now. I don’t want her to see it coming though. She could scream. Our neighbor calls the cops every time we get in an argument.” She wanted him to keep believing her and Missy were a couple, one with domestic problems. “I’ll wait until her guard is down and move in behind her. Let’s do this in her office. It’s the farthest from that side of the house.”
“Do it.” He backed up and kept his weapon trained on her.
Kat crossed the kitchen. Missy leaned against the stove and met her gaze. Trust me, she mouthed.
“How are you holding up, honey?” She stopped in front of Missy, taking her hand.
“Scared,” Missy whispered.
“It’s going to be okay.” Kat knew Mason stood about six feet behind her, watching and listening to everything. He couldn’t see her face though. She glanced at the counter, looking for a weapon.The stove caught her attention. “Why don’t we go into your office? You can write while we talk.”
“Okay.”
Kat put her arm on Missy’s waist and slid her hand to the knobs on the stove. Mason wouldn’t be able to see that. She twisted all of them. Missy’s eyes widened but Kat squeezed her hand, giving her a stern look. She felt a little proud of her best friend when she smiled.
“I should get some writing done,” Missy bravely got out.
The slight sound of gas filling the stove could be heard but she doubted Mason would pick it up from across the room. He’d smell it soon though. The oven was old, on their list of things to replace. The pilots never lit on their own. She tugged Missy away from it and turned, pulling her behind her.