True

by Laurann Dohner

  “I want him arrested right now. Do you know what hotel he’s at?” Tim yanked out his cell phone. “I’ll have him picked up there. Someone from Fuller might have called him to give him a heads-up. The jerk could attempt to run. I have some trusted friends in DC who will make the arrest. I’m not leaving this up to random cops.”

  Jeanie tensed, drawing True’s attention. “You can’t do that,” she protested.

  “Why?” True didn’t like that response. “You’ll be safer if they arrest him now instead of waiting until he reaches California.”

  Her pretty brown eyes peered up at him and he could see her distress. “What if there are others out there like me?”

  “What do you mean?” Justice didn’t sound any happier than he felt.

  Jeanie pulled her gaze from his to stare at the feline male. “Mr. North, he lied to me and got me to work undercover. There could be other people who are in the same situation I was in.” She leaned against True. “Don’t you understand? He used me and he could be using other people.”

  “We’ll have Darkness force him to tell us if he knows of any other locations.” True was certain the male could do it.

  Jeanie chewed on her bottom lip.

  “What is it, mate?” True knew she wanted to say more but didn’t. “Don’t hold back.”

  She glanced up at him, then at Justice. “Do you really think he’s going to be honest about it if he’s using someone else the way he did me? Or admit to knowing where other New Species are being held?”

  “Darkness can be very persuasive,” Justice assured her.

  “Are you willing to make a deal with him that will allow him to go free? I know what Polanitis wanted. They were discussing it at Medical while I was there and I heard some of it. A million dollars and to be sent to a country without extradition. Who is to say Brice won’t demand the same? I really don’t want that bastard set free and he could do the whole ransom thing again if he doesn’t give up everything he knows.”

  Justice glanced at True, confused.

  “You were outside. That’s what he asked for. Darkness wasn’t pleased.”

  Justice nodded and gave Jeanie a soft look. “We don’t make deals. We break bones to make them talk.”

  “And the warden of Fuller Prison would know that’s how you operate, right?” Jeanie pushed away and True eased his hold to allow her to stand on her own since she seemed to want to.

  “He runs the prison he’s going to be living in. It’s…hell, right? He knows that better than anyone. I’ve spent time with Brice—Boris—whatever his name is, and trust me, he had me totally fooled. I don’t think he’ll tell you everything he knows. I think he’ll do anything to save his own ass and that means leaving people like me and those poor New Species in whatever hellish place they are in. Brice wanted to make sure I couldn’t testify against him. The last thing he’ll want is more people pointing the finger at him or more crimes added to the list if there are other locations he knows about. He might keep quiet just out of spite to get even for being locked up.” She looked up at True. “He’ll have nothing to lose since he knows it’s all over once he’s arrested. But he can get revenge by holding back what he knows.”

  “Darkness can be persuasive,” Fury stated. “I wouldn’t mind spending some time in interrogation with him as well.”

  Jeanie sighed. “He doesn’t know we know who he really he is, right? I’m not supposed to have viewed those files yet. What if we made him think I got sick from the drug or something to delay that? It would give you time to track where he’s been and hopefully learn more before he’s aware that he’s been identified. You can tap his phones. He’s got to be freaked out and he might try to cover his tracks.”

  “Jeanie,” True rasped. “He’s too dangerous to allow him to run free. He could flee the country.”

  She turned to face him. “What if he resists arrest or something? What if he’s shot and killed? This is a guy who doesn’t have a heart. He couldn’t to be able to do all the shitty things he’s done. He won’t feel an ounce of pity or regret for lives lost. What if there are others who are praying every day for someone to come in and rescue them?”

  “You want us to put him under surveillance?” Tim moved closer.

  Jeanie turned her head, focusing on him. “Yes.”

  “He needs to be taken into custody.” True scowled. “He’s a danger to you.”

  “Wait a minute,” Tim appeared to be considering the idea. “She might be onto something.” He tapped his cell phone against his other palm. “We could bug his house, his car, search it, too, without him being aware we were ever there. We could find out if he’s got burner phones stashed. We know he’s out of town.” He grew silent but the wheels of his mind were still spinning from the intense look of concentration on his face. “Yeah. I like this idea better.” He glanced at Jeanie. “I just decided I really like you.”

  “Tim, I don—”

  “It’s a great plan,” Tim said, cutting Fury off. “I agree that he’s a dickhead and vindictive. We can get inside his home and ghost any communication devices we find. Anything he does, we’ll know about. He wouldn’t have taken that shit with him to DC. The security there is outrageous and he’d have gone through scans at the airports. I know they only take carryon luggage. It’s standard procedure. He’d have left any burner phones at home because the security detail assigned to them is from Senator Hills’ office. He’d have worried about them noticing two phones on him and they do room checks often to make sure no one got in while they were at meetings. That includes checking his bags for tampering.”

  Jeanie beamed, happy. True wasn’t. He wanted the human locked up where he couldn’t do her any harm.

  Tim wasn’t done. “We can plant devices in his computers at work and at his house. I can call in a favor at the airport. The head of security over there was one of my boys from the service. I’m sure that bastard Boris has a laptop he took with him and it will be easy to tag with a ghost program. The airport scanner it has to run through could have an issue so it delays him long enough for one of my tech guys to grab his case and gain access to his computer. He’ll just think it’s stuck in the machine until they supposedly get it fixed. Anything he does on it will be transmitted to us. We can see every damn stroke he makes on the keyboard and see what he sees. We can gain access to any of his passwords and email accounts we don’t know about. It will also give us more time to look into what he’s been up to. The safer he feels, the more he’s likely to fuck up. Ms. Shiver has a point. He’s going to want to cover his tracks and probably set up new protocols to deal with anyone he’s working with currently, in case of his arrest. Otherwise he’ll fear they’ll contact the NSO directly if they don’t hear from him when they normally do.”

  “We aren’t even sure if there are other humans he’s deceived or other locations Species are being kept,” Flame stated. “We do know he is a direct threat to True’s mate.”

  “Exactly,” True agreed.

  “He’s gotten money from us twice by using her to verify where New Species are being held and my team is still searching for other transactions he could have been behind.” Tim frowned at True. “Her idea is better than just grabbing him. I have a lot of faith in Darkness but hell, this guy has nothing to lose. He doesn’t have family to use against him. We can keep her safe. I’d also like a chance at seeing where he stashes his cash so we can get it back. He’ll create an escape plan and that means accessing that money.”

  “She shouldn’t be in danger at all,” True growled, not liking the idea.

  “Please?” Jeanie turned in his arms and peered up at him.

  He looked down at her and knew he would give in. It was the sight of her unshed tears, something that affected him strongly. “I just want you safe.”

  “I know. I want that too but I also want to make sure there aren’t people out there who could be saved. I’d rather be at risk for a bit longer than always have to wonder if safeguarding me cost lives.”
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  True bit back a snarl and lifted his head, staring over the top of hers at Tim. “Do it.” He glanced at Justice. “We need a better plan to keep her safe than just more officers. I want her taken to a new location where it’s more secure and he has no chance of discovering where she is. Perhaps Reservation in the middle of the Wild Zone.”

  Justice slid off the edge of the table to stand. “Tiger? What is your suggestion?”

  The feline male frowned, giving it some thought. “The house next to yours is empty. Director Boris obviously had more access to our computers than we knew about and may have kept tabs on what we’ve done since we took over Homeland. He’ll suspect we’ll transfer the couple to Reservation since it’s what we’ve done in the past. I think we should keep them here.”

  “Agreed,” Fury sighed. “I don’t like that asshole running free either.” He held True’s gaze. “But your female has made valid points and so has Tim. We can keep her safe and give Boris enough room to hang himself at the same time.” He smirked at Tim. “Is that the right saying? Hang himself?”

  “Yeah.” Tim grinned. “That’s what we’re hoping he’ll do. I’ll have my teams on it ASAP. I want to borrow a couple of your guys with good noses when we enter his house. They might find things we can’t on visual inspections. We have to make damn sure we’re super careful so he doesn’t suspect we’ve been there and that means barely touching anything.”

  “Done.” Tiger pointed to the door. “Let’s gather your males together and work out assignments, Tim.” He glanced at Slade. “You can handle getting the couple safe and settled.”

  “No problem.” Slade grinned as he glanced at Fury. “Enjoy the drive. I know you’re going with the team to Boris’ house.”

  The canine chuckled. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  True blew out a frustrated breath and pulled Jeanie back into his embrace, hugging her to his body. It seemed everyone was on board with the plan but him. He just wanted to keep her safe.

  “I want detailed updates,” he demanded. It wasn’t a request.

  Justice lifted an eyebrow but then nodded. “I understand. I would too if it were Jessie. Keep him apprised of everything, Slade.”

  “Done.” The male stood. “Let’s get you both settled in a new home.”

  The doors opened again and Jinx sauntered into the conference room, smiling. True hadn’t noticed the male had been absent from the meeting until that moment. He stepped around a few Species until he paused before them and the arm behind his back moved. He held out a manila folder with a pen clipped to it.

  True glanced at it and frowned, then met the male’s amused gaze.

  “Mating papers,” Jinx said and chuckled. “Just so you’re assured that I’ve come to terms with who she chose. So much is going on that I knew you wouldn’t have time to make the call. I personally had them drawn up for you and printed out. Sign them and I’ll return them for filing. I won’t leave until it’s done.”

  A lump formed inside True’s chest. It meant a lot that the male had gone to the trouble. Silence had him glancing around the room. He looked at the faces of his friends and fellow Species, seeing that most smiled, while a few appeared a little envious. He understood.

  “If you’ve changed your mind…” Jinx teased.

  He released Jeanie and grabbed the folder. He looked down at her and she smiled at him. He grinned back.

  “Never. Jeanie is my mate. Thank you.”

  “I am,” she agreed. “Where do I sign?”

  He took her hand and led her to the nearest table and opened the folder. He signed without reading the document and was pleased when Jeanie accepted the pen and just signed as well. They were mates already but now it became official.

  “We’ll celebrate with a party as soon as she’s safe and Boris is locked inside Fuller,” Justice decreed.

  True looked at the male, full of gratitude. “We’d appreciate that.”

  Justice chuckled. “I have a feeling what you do in private will be more fun. Get them out of here, Slade.”

  Jinx accepted the paperwork with a wink. “I will make sure it’s filed. Be happy.”

  He already was. He’d just be more so when Boris was no longer a threat to his mate.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I’m mated. Jeanie smiled and curled against True on his lap in the SUV. He’d insisted she sit there when other New Species had piled into the vehicle to escort them to wherever they were being moved. The sun had barely risen and she stared out the side window when they came to a halt. A New Species, wearing the NSO uniform, walked up to the driver’s door.

  “Hello, Slade.”

  “We have a new couple. They are staying in the house next to Justice’s. This is Jeanie and you know True.”

  The male grinned. “We got a call that you were coming and that they are newly mated.”

  “You were also told she’s in danger?”

  All humor left the man’s face. “Yes. I sent an officer to check out the home and he radioed back that all is fine. We’ll increase patrols.”

  “Good.” Slade stepped on the gas as soon as the gate opened to admit them. “These are the cottages for the mated couples and for some of the Species with greater responsibilities.”

  Jeanie stared at the large homes. “Cottages? They have to be over three thousand square feet. My version of a cottage and your version are completely different.”

  True captured her attention with a questioning look.

  “Cottages are tiny homes, kind of cute, but small.”

  Slade laughed. “Everything is bigger with New Species.”

  True chuckled. “Everything.”

  Men. Jeanie could guess where their minds were and decided, in some ways, they were more human than they would admit. She kept silent until they pulled into a driveway and came to a stop. True opened the door, lifted her off his lap and climbed out after her. The other New Species stayed in the SUV.

  “Your security detail is on the way. Go inside and relax. Someone will bring food immediately and clothing within the hour. Enjoy being newly mated. The door is unlocked. Justice ordered a breakfast feast for you,” Slade explained. “Expect the doorbell in about ten minutes. They’d already started preparing food at that cafeteria so it’s just a matter of sending someone to deliver it. They’ll be quick.”

  True walked Jeanie to the front door. She eyed the house. It was a pretty shade of pink and was huge. Any apartment she’d ever lived in would have probably fit in the garage. He twisted the door handle and it swung open. She peered inside.

  “Wow. It’s fully furnished.” That surprised her.

  “Justice’s mate lived here for a while.”

  She glanced up at him. “They lived apart after mating?”

  He chuckled. “It was before they mated. He wanted her close.” He jerked his head. “Their home is that one.”

  She glanced in the direction he indicated and saw an even larger home. “That’s kind of intimidating.”

  “You don’t want to live next door to them?” True frowned. “I want you to be happy.”

  “He’s the leader of the NSO. He’s like a celebrity. I never thought I’d be neighbors with someone so well-known. I don’t mind though. It’s just kind of strange.”

  True surprised her by laughing and abruptly scooping her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I know human customs. I’m to carry you inside.”

  “That’s really sweet.” She was touched at the gesture. “Thank you.”

  He stepped inside, turned and used his foot to slam the door. He shifted her weight enough to free his hand and twist the deadbolts. Their gazes met. “Do you want a marriage ceremony? We could invite your family and friends.”

  She imagined that phone call to her parents. They’d have a ton of questions, mainly starting with how she’d met True. To tell them the reason she rarely called was due to the dangerous situations she’d put herself in wouldn’t be fun. They’d be angry that she�
��d lied to them and kept so many secrets.

  “Maybe in a few months,” she decided. “For right now, I think we have enough on our plate with this Boris thing.”

  “Agreed.” He turned, studying the room.

  She followed his gaze. The living room was large and included a nice fireplace. The kitchen and dining room area looked modern and nicely furnished.

  “Jeanie?” She turned her face to peer into his eyes. “Are you worried your family and friends will have a problem with you being mated to me?”

  “No. I think they’ll be surprised since I never told them anything about what was actually going on in my life but once they get past the shock of everything I’ve kept secret and realize I survived it all in one piece, they’ll be fine with it. The one thing they always taught me was to judge people for their actions rather than what kind of upbringing they had. Your being New Species isn’t going to matter. You’re an incredible person, True.”

  “You chewed on your lip when I asked about marriage.”

  “It’s nothing to do with you. I promise. Telling them that we’re together is going to be the easy part. They’ll want to know how we met. That will be the hard part. That makes me anxious. They are going to be furious when I have to tell them I was leading a double life and lied to them about what I was doing for a living and why I couldn’t see them more often. That’s something I’d like to avoid a little longer.”

  “I understand. We have a lot of stress right now.”

  “Exactly. There’s no rush to deal with them yet.”

  He stepped farther into the living room and lowered her to her feet. “Stay put. I’m going to search the house.”

  “That guard at the gate said someone already did that.”

  He scowled. “You’re my mate. Your safety is my duty.”

  She swallowed a protest and just nodded. True yanked open a closet door to investigate, disappeared for a few seconds to check out the kitchen, and then walked down the hallway toward what she assumed were the bedrooms.