He brushed a kiss on her shoulder and stroked her outer thigh. His big hand gentle as he explored her from hip to knee then back again. “Me too. We’re going to do this a lot. Often.”
He stopped playing with her hip, wrapped his arm around her waist and stroked her lower belly. She moaned when he slipped his fingers over her clit and caressed her there. Her vaginal muscles twitched and Smiley groaned.
“I’m going to fuck you again.”
His words surprised her. He still felt hard inside her. He rolled his hips, almost withdrew from her pussy but then drove his dick back in deep. Two fingers captured her clit between them, lightly tugging. She moaned.
“So soon?”
“I’m not like your males.”
Chapter Seventeen
Their short nap had been interrupted by a phone call. Smiley had kissed Vanni’s cheek and told her to go back to sleep. He’d been notified of a meeting he had to attend. She’d gotten out of bed the second the front door closed and stood on unsteady feet. Every muscle from the waist down seemed to hurt. She groaned and made it to the bathroom to soak in a hot tub.
“What do you expect? You’re doing Mr. Fitness,” she muttered when her legs trembled after she climbed out. Her inner thigh muscles burned a bit and her lower ass wanted to go on strike with each step. The bath alleviated her discomfort.
She bent at the waist to dry her hair and groaned. Her girl parts were fine but she might have strained the muscles in her ass. She finished rubbing her hair and used the counter to help her straighten.
The image in the mirror made her cringe. Her hair hung in wet, stringy strands and her lips appeared swollen from Smiley’s kisses. She turned away from her reflection and wrapped the towel around her middle.
“Must work out more,” she muttered, limping to the bedroom. She made it to the bed and just fell over, happy to be off her feet. She stared at the phone on the bedside table and wanted to call Beth. Her friend would laugh at her dilemma. Beth would find it funny but all it did was make Vanni wonder how she was going to hide her discomfort from Smiley.
The phone rang and she groaned, stretching out to get it in case it was Smiley calling to check on her. “Hello?”
“Were you date-raped and drugged?”
She winced, identifying her brother’s stern voice. “Hi, Count. No. It’s not true if you heard that story.”
“What the hell have you gotten us into then?”
She tried to think of what to say.
“Answer the damn question,” he demanded. “Mom and Dad are AWOL and we’re sequestered in a hotel. Of all the guys you had to fuck around with, you picked a New Species? Couldn’t you have had a last fling with a stripper at your bachelorette party like any normal person?”
She rolled onto her back, gripping the phone to her ear and stared at the ceiling. “Mom and Dad went to the cabin but I’m sure you already guessed that. It’s where they always go.”
“That’s all you have to say? You wrecked our lives this week. I want answers. What the hell is going on? You’re lucky I didn’t shoot the security team that arrived. We heard something about you holding a press conference and that you’d been victimized by the NSO and then they showed up here, saying we were in danger. You should have warned us what kind of hell was about to rain down on our family.”
She hated the tears that filled her eyes. She was the baby of the family and had always tried really hard to fly under the radar. Count had every right to be angry. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t change the fact that you embarrassed this entire family and we’re all paying for it. I don’t even know what to think. What kind of idiot goes to a bar and picks up a stranger? Then you had to do it with cameras rolling so it was fodder for everyone to see. We raised you better!” He cursed. “Knock that off, Mia. I’m talking to her.”
“You’re being a prick,” her sister insisted from somewhere close to the phone. “Let me talk to her.”
“I’m not done,” Count insisted. “Couldn’t she have made cooking videos or something if she wanted to be an internet sensation? Fuck no. Our sister has to become an interspecies porn star.”
“Goddamn it!” Mia yelled. “Give me the phone, barf breath. Did you brush your teeth? Your poor wife. Go find a toothbrush. Do I need to remind you of the shit you pulled in high school? Do your cop buddies know you used to smoke weed? Don’t jump her ass.”
“She’s not in high school. She’s an adult.”
Vanni winced. Her siblings were fighting because of her. They were close in age and it could get ugly once they started. The usually mature pair turned into a set of five-year-olds occasionally when they argued. Mia must have won the wrestling match over the phone since Count howled in pain and Mia’s voice came over the receiver.
“Are you okay, Vanni? Ignore our idiot brother. He didn’t mean any of that. We’ve just been really worried. We’ve heard a lot of conflicting things.”
Vanni blinked back the tears. “Count meant it. He’s angry.”
“Okay, so he did.” Mia paused and a smacking sound could be heard. Count cursed. “Stop that. Try to take it again and I’ll scratch the shit out of you,” Mia threatened. “I wasn’t kidding about your breath. You smell like ass. Go brush your teeth.”
“I’m getting your husband,” Count taunted.
“Go do that. He’s afraid of my fingernails too when I’m pissed. Try to grab the phone one more time and you’re going to bleed,” Mia warned. “And don’t breathe on my husband. What the hell did you eat?”
“Please don’t fight,” Vanni urged.
“Hang on.” Mia slammed a door. “Ha! It’s locked, jerk!” Her voice lowered. “I’m in the bathroom. He wouldn’t dare kick it down. You should see this place they have us staying in. It’s ritzy as hell. The door probably costs more than his beloved rusted piece-of-junk car he calls a classic.”
“I’m so sorry,” Vanni whispered.
“It’s done. I just hate that we couldn’t talk to you before. Why were you avoiding our calls over the weekend? What is really going on, Vanni?”
“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
“It’s okay. Are you okay? That’s the most important thing.”
“I am.”
“How are you holding up? I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”
“I’m fine.” She wasn’t about to share her sex injuries, which were making her ass and thighs ache. “It’s just been kind of a nightmare with the press and with the Woods Church.”
“The security team said the Woods Church was a threat to us and that’s why we’re here. I knew that family was shit once I found out who the father was. They are a bunch of lunatics. What did Carl do to you? Did he hit you? I didn’t like that asshole. He was too smooth and controlling.”
That astonished Vanni. “I thought you liked him as much as the rest of the family did.”
“I was being nice. I’ve racked my brain thinking why you’d end up getting tanked in a bar and picking up some guy you didn’t know from Adam. I know you too well. Carl either cheated on you or hit you. Which one was it?”
She couldn’t tell her sister the entire story so she hedged over the main parts but shared how he’d tricked her into going to the convention and the way he’d treated her. “I was done. I didn’t mean for that to happen in the bar but I don’t regret it.” That was the truth. “Smiley is here with me. He’s wonderful.”
The silence at the other end of the phone connection became uncomfortable. Her sister finally spoke. “Can he hear what I’m saying?”
“No. I’m alone right now.”
“Are you being held there against your will?”
“No.” Vanni sat up and winced, forgetting her soreness. “Smiley is amazing. The NSO is protecting me from Carl’s dad and his crazy worshipers. They are saying I was drugged and forced to, um, you know.”
“I know. We heard. That’s what I told Count after we watched the news earlier today. You
looked happy but scared. I like the way that guy you’re with was so protective of you.”
“Today?”
“When the NSO took you shopping. It was all over the news.”
Vanni’s gaze drifted to the TV on the dresser. She was tempted to turn it on to see if they were playing the footage but she resisted. “It turned kind of hairy when all those people showed up but I’m fine. Really.”
“What kind of threat are you looking at from the Woods Church? Do they want revenge because you dumped Carl? I remember that one religious group who tried to burn a woman alive in front of the gates of the NSO for sleeping with a New Species.” Mia’s voice quavered. “Are they going to want to kill you?”
“Maybe. They are crazy, Mia. I’m safe here though.”
“Thank god. Don’t leave there.”
“I won’t.”
“This Smiley guy is treating you well? He looked pretty concerned today.”
“Yes. He’s really sweet and wonderful.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Count is fit to be tied but don’t let him get to you. You know how our brother is. It’s his twisted and controlling way to be a big asshole when he’s worried. He had a complex as a kid and now he has a badge so he thinks he knows everything. I don’t have to cook or clean so I’m looking at this like a free vacation with a lot of security guards. I just wish they hadn’t given us connecting suites because two more days of listening to our brother and I’m going to consider tossing Count out a window to see if he turns into a bat and can fly.”
Vanni chuckled. It was an old joke. “Thanks, Mia. I was afraid you’d be mad at me too.”
“I’m just worried. You do what your security team says. They seem to know their stuff. They had us packed and hustled out of our homes in short order and put us in the penthouse suites of this hotel. We have the entire top floor so we’re safe.”
“I was worried.”
“We’re more worried about you. You aren’t exactly tough.”
“I’m not a wimp.” She resented the implication.
“No, you’re not, sweetie. You’re just a bit sheltered and we’ve always been protective of you.”
“I’m no longer a child and I’ve told you to stop. I appreciate that you try, at least.”
“I need to go. Count, that rat bastard, blabbed to my husband. They are arguing outside the door. I don’t want them to come to blows.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Mia suddenly yelled, “Knock it off!”
The call disconnected and Vanni replaced the receiver in the cradle, grateful she wasn’t staying at the hotel with her family. Her siblings’ families living together sounded like a nightmare. They could never be under the same roof for more than a few hours without it turning into pandemonium.
Vanni inched off the bed and cursed. She needed a massage and muscle relaxers. She settled on going to the kitchen for a soda instead since the first two were not viable options. The bags from their shopping expedition were on the counter. She popped open the can and took a sip, deciding to get dressed. Moving around might help ease some of her soreness before Smiley returned.
She also remembered she needed to make some calls. Gregory Woods still had her wallet and all her credit cards. She needed to cancel them but she didn’t want to go against Justice North’s orders about the phone restrictions. She’d asked Smiley and he’d said it would be fine. Canceling and replacing everything would be a hassle.
Smiley hated that everyone in the room had overheard Vanni’s conversation with her sister and brother. The meeting had come to a halt when they’d received word that a phone call had come in for her. It had been patched through Justice’s phone, their side muted. He’d disliked her brother instantly after he’d torn into Vanni. When the phone call ended, he stood.
“I’m going to check on her.”
Justice frowned. “She sounded fine. We’re not done.”
“I don’t know why everyone had to listen in on her conversation.” It wasn’t the first time Smiley had protested.
“I’m sorry about that.” Justice frowned. “But we needed to know what was said. We needed to know if her family is unhappy about her being here and if they resent being held in a hotel. They have a history with Carl Woods and he could use that association to taint their view of us by urging your female to leave Homeland.”
Smiley knew he was right. “That didn’t happen. Her sister told her to stay here where she’s safe.”
“Good thing.”
Smiley shot Jericho a glare. “What does that mean?”
“We just had the bartender delivered to us. I thought you’d want to be present for that instead of tying Vanni to a bed to keep her safe. I would do that if she were my female.”
Fury laughed. “It does work.”
Justice growled low. “Don’t remind me.” He narrowed his gaze on Fury. “And I remember you having Ellie tied to your bed for a different reason.”
“I believe I was hired right after that,” Miles Eron muttered. “You needed a lot of help with your public image.”
Fury’s humor faded. “Who gets the pleasure of scaring the shit out of this human and making him talk?”
“I do,” Smiley volunteered.
Jericho stood. “No. I’ll do it.”
“He drugged me and Vanni.” Smiley faced him, ready to argue his case.
“Exactly. It’s personal. He can’t talk if you lose your temper and break his jaw. Take your feelings out of this by answering my question with complete honesty. Who will terrify the human more? Me or you?”
Smiley hated it but conceded to Jericho’s logic. “Fine but I get to be there.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Jericho nodded. “The sight of you will make him nervous.”
“I remember when I used to be in charge,” Justice mused. “I even have the nice office and desk.”
“Sorry.” Jericho didn’t look it though.
“I really don’t think this is a good idea,” Miles protested. “I think the task force team is doing a fine job.”
Justice stood. “Noted, Miles. We appreciate your input but this isn’t happening outside the walls of Homeland. Jericho has a good plan. Let’s go. They are holding the human in interview room two. We all want to see this.”
“Are we going to record it?” Fury arched an eyebrow questioningly.
Justice nodded. “We’ll leak it to the press.” He glanced between Smiley and Jericho. “Keep that in mind. Humans are squeamish about things they perceive as too violent or frightening.”
“That’s why I think the task force should handle this.” Miles stood too. “It will appear you terrified this man into a confession. You pay me to tell you what my people will think. There it is.”
“Give it up,” Cindy muttered. “No one else agrees with you.”
Miles spun and glared at her. “What did you say?”
She raised her voice. “We don’t want the NSO to seem as if they need us to handle their security matters. That’s worse than releasing a video of one of them interrogating this bartender. We want people to fear New Species enough not to fuck with them in the future.”
“The task force scares everyone.” Miles glared at her.
“I think Jericho is way more frightening.” She flashed the primate male a smile. “I have total faith in you.”
“Thank you.” Jericho grinned back.
“I still think it’s a mistake.” Miles faced Justice. “Why do you even pay us to handle your press if you refuse to listen to my advice?”
“It’s not for your winning personality,” Cindy muttered low enough that her boss couldn’t hear.
Justice chuckled. “We needed your help handling the shopping excursion. You’re the one who decided to stick around. We’ve got this.”
“I still think it’s a mistake.” Miles shook his head.
Cindy rolled her eyes. “He thinks that tie looks good. I rest my case.” She turned i
n her chair, drawing everyone’s attention. “Just don’t punch the living shit out of the jerk on camera before you get him to talk. That would be overkill. People might view that as a forced confession. We don’t want anyone screaming about his rights being violated.”
“As if that human gave a shit about that when he drugged us,” Smiley hissed.
“I agree,” Cindy acknowledged. “My heart isn’t bleeding for this dickhead but all I’m saying is, don’t inflict injures that are going to show. The bartender might not have been aware of the danger. It doesn’t excuse it but I’m just saying you must try to keep the camera in mind so we can use it in the media war the Woods Church has started.”
“They wanted someone tossed to their human authorities to be prosecuted. I think we have their pound of flesh,” Justice said as he rounded his desk.
Smiley was outraged. “You’re giving him to the humans?”
Justice stopped next to him. “I have a plan.”
“What would that be? Their justice system isn’t harsh enough. He deserves to be sent to Fuller Prison, not to some human jail cell with television and visitors.” Smiley fisted his hands, that angry.
Justice leaned in and held his gaze. “If there’s anything we’ve learned, it’s that our enemies try to flee the country when we’re after them. The human authorities and news outlets know it too. I want to put enough pressure on Gregory Woods to make him attempt to escape. We’ll be waiting.”
“I can’t listen to this part.” Miles backed toward the door. “I’m out of here. My legal advisors would tell me not to be part of this conversation.” He exited the room.
Justice arched an eyebrow at Cindy. “Are you leaving too?”
She leaned back in her chair. “I have this condition I call impromptu senility. I can’t remember a damn thing when I don’t want to. Go on. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Some of Smiley’s anger dissipated. “You have a team in place to grab him?”
Justice smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. “We’ll help him disappear. The out world will think he is getting a decent tan on some beach but there is no sunlight where he’s going. Fuller Prison is about to get a little overcrowded though we have no early release program. We’ve ordered new cages already.”
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