“I didn’t officially work for the New Species Organization. The government subcontracted me. I worked at one of the safe locations in the desert where you stayed after you were freed, before Homeland was given to you. The NSO was formed after you left there.”
“Right. Sorry. I’m having a bad day. I read that you dealt with Species after we were freed while everyone was trying to figure out what to do with us.” Tiger smiled grimly. “I bet that was a shit job. I was a mess.”
“What was done to all of you was horrible.” She left it at that. “It was an honor helping where I could.”
He closely studied her. “You must have done some great work. You were at site four and nobody bitches about you. That says a lot. You should have met the shrink they assigned me. She was annoying as hell and really made me angry.”
“I’m sorry. Sometimes it’s our job to push to make a client release some of their frustrations.”
His gaze flicked down her before rising again. He had assessed her coldly, no emotion showing. “It might have helped if she’d looked anything similar to you. It would have been easier when she grated on our nerves. She wasn’t pleasing to the eye or the ears.” He spun around to glance at the other males. “Did you lock him down good? I don’t want him getting up from that bed again when he wakes. We’ve mostly cleared out Medical but I don’t want the few remaining staff injured.”
“We did. I hate to see him this way,” one of the Species males grumbled.
Tiger gripped the male’s arm. “I know. I do too.”
The second male growled. “It could have been any of us but Moon was unlucky. I wish we’d been able to capture the asshole who shot him.” He glared at Joy. “Human.”
Tiger moved between them and snarled. “She’s not the enemy. We’re all angry and distressed right now. Focus that rage where it belongs. She worked with Moon after we were released from Mercile and he respected her. Do the same.”
“Fine.” The male sighed. “He bit me too.” He lifted his arm and twisted it. Blood flowed from the nasty wound.
“Let’s get it looked at.” Tiger turned and met Joy’s gaze. “We’ll be right down the hall talking to the doctor and having their injuries treated. Stay away from Moon. I’ll call one of our females to escort you to human housing to get you settled. You were told you’d be here a while, weren’t you?”
She hadn’t been, but nodded. She didn’t want to leave Moon again when he needed her. “That’s fine. I’ll stay as long as you think I can be of use.”
She’d have to call her work at some point within the next two days and tell them there was some kind of emergency. Her coworkers would need to handle her clients but that was the good thing about working for a hospital. They had the extra staff. The worst they could do was fire her but she was willing to risk it.
The three males left the room. She stared at the big body restrained on the bed. They’d not only shackled Moon’s arms and legs but run rope around his body a few times from his upper chest to his thighs to prevent him from moving. Moon wasn’t going to break free again without a heavy-duty cutting device.
She approached him slowly until she stood next to his head and peered down at a face she’d been sure she’d never see again. He was a little tanner, his hair had grown a good foot, and he’d filled out a lot. He’d been leaner when she’d met him, still recovering from being half starved by his captors. She lovingly examined each feature. He looked really peaceful.
Her hand trembled as her fingertips lightly traced his cheek. She glanced at the door, could see down the hallway, and hoped the Species weren’t within hearing distance. They had enhanced senses but she felt safe whispering. His hot skin drew her attention as she caressed him. He’d chosen a name she liked. Moon. She said it a dozen times in her head.
“Hi, Moon. I’ve dreamed about seeing you again but I didn’t want it to be this way or for this reason. I’m going to do everything in my power to help you. I won’t abandon you this time. I’ve regretted taking off on you more than you’ll ever know.”
She brushed back an errant lock of his silky hair. “Please forgive me but I would have lost everything and I couldn’t risk it because you were vulnerable. They wouldn’t have allowed it anyway.”
She released his hair and backed away, not wanting to be caught touching him again. Joy hugged her chest, knew she was in emotional turmoil and the smart thing to do would be to leave. It might ruin her career if it ever came out that she had developed a strong emotional and sexual attachment to a client but she didn’t care. She’d help him by doing her best to figure out how to restore his sanity and then she’d leave once he didn’t need her anymore.