He was definitely in the past. “I know that. But you haven’t been yourself. What is the last thing you remember?”
“You left me.”
“How long has it been since I left?” She wanted to pinpoint his time frame and then she could keep track of his progression.
His mouth twisted into a grim frown and he shook his head. “I don’t know. A while.” His other hand slipped through the bars and cupped her face. His fingertips created a welcome rasp along her cheekbone where he caressed her. “Why can’t I answer that?”
“You’ve been sick,” she reminded him. “Confused. It’s okay. You’re getting better.” She slid her hand through the bars to rest her palm over his warm, firm chest to stroke him. “You’re going to be okay though. That’s why I’m here. I’m not leaving you again, 466. I promise.” She felt it was safer to use his number rather than his name since that was what he was familiar with in his current state.
His hand released her to slip his arm around her waist and urge her closer. He inhaled, closing his eyes.
“You smell different.”
“I changed my shampoo and conditioner but I’m not wearing perfume. My body wash is new too.” She didn’t have access to her own products, using what the NSO had provided instead. She planned to ask them to allow her to order the brands she used.
Dark eyes opened to silently watch her. “Tell them to let me out.”
She wished she could.
“I need out of here.” His breathing increased. “I hate being caged.”
“I know.” Her hand trailed up his chest and down to his stomach near his bellybutton, then back up, trying to comfort him. “Relax. Don’t get upset. Just talk to me. I’m right here.”
“I need to get out of this cage.” He stopped stroking her cheek to yank his hand back and fisted the bars. “Get me out.” His tone deepened into a growl. “Call the guard, Joy. I won’t hurt anyone. I’ll tell them I’m yours and they will have to take your orders.”
Temptation was a bitch and she debated what would happen if she did call out to other Species. Would seeing who guarded him set his progress back by confusing him more? It might be the push to help him remember who he’d become since she’d known him. Shock could also set back his recovery. She didn’t know what to do. She’d studied mind-altering drugs, but not how they affected New Species.
“I’ll go talk to the people in charge.”
That drew another frown but he released her waist, backing away from her and her touch. “Do that. Get me out of here.” His gaze lowered down her body, hesitating on her breasts, before he met her stare again. “I don’t want bars between us. You aren’t leaving me again. You gave your word and I’m holding you to it.”
“Okay.” She nodded, her hand feeling cold after losing the contact of his warm skin. She closed it into a fist. “I’ll do that right now. Just stay calm. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
He looked down his body and growled, raising both arms. “Chains.”
“I know.”
Another snarl tore from him before his chin jerked up so he could hold her gaze. “Get me out of here. Get these off me. Take me to your office and tell them I’ll talk to you.”
“I will.” She backed up, hating to leave him, but needing to talk to the Species about immediately changing his living conditions. She spun, walking quickly toward the elevator.
“Joy?” She stopped, glancing back.
“Don’t run from me again. Promise.”
“I promise. I’m not leaving you this time. I’ll be back as soon as I can talk them into getting you out of there and removing those chains. I’m coming back as soon as possible.”
Chapter Five
Justice North sat behind his desk while Tiger and Fury had taken seats perched on the sides of the massive piece of furniture. Joy swallowed, waiting for the last person to arrive. Dr. Treadmont finally showed up for the meeting Joy had asked for. He closed the door behind him.
“What did you wish to speak about?”
“Moon believes he is at site four.”
Silence greeted that statement until Dr. Treadmont asked a question.
“What the hell is that?”
“There were remote sites we were relocated to after we were freed from Mercile,” Fury answered. “We were hidden from the press and given time to assimilate into life outside of Mercile.”
“They were motels,” Tiger added. “Out in bum-fuck nowhere that the government was easily able to buy or gain access to because they were abandoned. They sent in crews to clean them up, do repairs, and that’s where we were housed. They put guards around the area to keep anyone from seeing us in case stray humans happened along.”