New Species 13 Smiley (7 page)

He grabbed a cold drink from the fridge but stared at the
cherry soda in his hand. It reminded him of Vanni. He put it back and removed a
bottle of water instead. He drank half of it and walked to the balcony. He didn’t
open the door or step outside, just stood there staring into the darkness.

Vanni was somewhere out there. He considered the constant
worry for her to be a form of torture. The cell phone he’d taken from Security
on his way home sat heavily in his pocket. They’d promised to call him if they
found her. It remained as quiet as his surroundings.

He put his open hand on the glass. “Where are you, babe?”

He spun away, pacing the carpet in front of the couch. They
hadn’t known each other long but all he could think about was Vanni. Her image
seemed permanently imprinted on his thoughts. He’d showered and changed clothes
but he could still smell her.

A soft knock was welcome and he lunged toward the door,
twisted the locks and swung it open. It was possible they hadn’t wanted to call
if the news was bad. They’d want to tell him in person but it wasn’t an on-duty
officer who stood there.

“Hi, Jericho.”

“I heard what happened. May I come in?”

It beat being alone. “Sure.” He stepped aside. “I’m fine.”

The male closed the door and leaned against it. “Would you
say otherwise?”

That comment surprised him. “The drug is out of my system.”

“It must have left you with a lot of difficult memories.”

“It wasn’t that bad. I mean, I remember it all and the pain
didn’t come close to what it could have been.”

Jericho rumbled deep in his chest. “You and I are different
from the rest.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Yes, you do.” He tilted his head. “We keep our emotions
closer to the surface. I’m better at hiding it than you are. Your feelings show
in your eyes. You appear sad. That’s unusual for you. This does affect you.
Talk to me.”

Smiley hesitated. “I’m worried about her.”

“The female who drugged you?”

“She said she didn’t.”

“The team stated otherwise in their report. Are you certain
she wasn’t responsible?”

“No but I’m sure she didn’t know what was going to happen.”

“How?”

“I saw the fear in her eyes. The shock.” Smiley ran his
fingers through his hair and began pacing again. It helped. “She had no idea
what was about to happen to us.”

“Perhaps not to what extent.”

That halted him in his tracks. “What do you mean by that?”

“The team is certain she dosed both drinks. She had no form
of identity. There was only a room key from the hotel. Don’t you find that
suspicious? Humans always carry ID, especially to a human bar. She also didn’t
have a room in her name but her key card was registered to a room that was paid
for by the Woods Church. We’ve been dealing with them for a while. They aren’t
our friends.”

He couldn’t deny that the evidence seemed damning. “Maybe
she was pushed into it somehow. Forced.”

“You shared sex with her and remember the details so I
imagine it was intense.”

Smiley didn’t like where the conversation was headed. “You
believe I might feel a protective bond to her because of the extreme physical
responses?”

“You did threaten team members with harm when they attempted
to examine her. You also refused direct orders from Brass when he was willing
to knock her unconscious to transport her here. You really wanted that female.”

“Because I was drugged.”

“You stated you were in control at the time. Which is it?”

Anger stirred. “Did you come here to argue with me?”

“No. I came to talk to you because I’m concerned.”

Smiley calmed and dropped onto the couch. He placed the
water bottle down on the side table. “Sit if you plan to stay.”

Jericho chose to sit in the chair opposite him. “I don’t
want your feelings hurt because this wasn’t directed toward you. You were the only
Species in that bar and that’s why you were the target. Tell me you understand
that.”

“I do.”

Jericho regarded him with his red-hued brown eyes.

“I do,” Smiley repeated. “It could have happened to anyone.”

“The canines would have smelled the drug in the drink.”

He clenched his hands in his lap.

“That’s not your fault. Their sense of smell is just better.
That’s genetics.”

“Why bring it up?”

“I’d be thinking that, partially blaming myself for making
an easy target. I am trying to put myself in your shoes. We’re not the weakest
Species here. I also think about that sometimes.”

“You have gorilla DNA. I’m probably from a chimpanzee.”

“They can be vicious creatures.”

Smiley snorted.

“They are. Do your research. They are very territorial and
are good fighters.”

“I don’t have inadequacy issues, head shrink.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that. We have our advantages over
the canines and felines.”

“We are better climbers, although I envy the felines for
their ability to leap.”

“Don’t make light of this,” Jericho grumbled.

Smiley sighed. “We’re all Species. We’re family. I never
take the time to really ponder our differences.”

“You should right now. We tend to be more emotional, the way
humans are. We grow attachments faster. I’ll be blunt.”

“I wish you would be.”

“The only females you and I share sex with are canine or
feline. They have told me how I’m different and I’d bet they do the same with
you. We need more than just sex. It’s about the touching and the sense of the
bond we share with them during intimate moments. I’ve avoided humans for that
very reason. You probably do the same.”

“I just haven’t met any I was attracted to who felt the same
way about me or I would have attempted it.”

Jericho shifted in the chair and rested his arms along the
arms. “Our females know when to push us away but humans don’t. I read the
report, Smiley. You were caring for this female and she allowed it. I can only
imagine how that affected you but it was probably pretty powerful. That, mixed
with the breeding drug’s effects, could pose a problem.”

“You lost me.”

“You’re too concerned in the wrong way about finding this
female. You’ve made it clear that it’s not about making sure she’s punished for
what she did to you but rather your fear for her safety. I’m worried you
believe there’s a bond there that doesn’t really exist. Do you understand? I
don’t want you hurt more.”

Smiley wasn’t sure how to respond.

“This female walked into that bar with the intent to harm
us.” Jericho kept his voice low and steady. “There were reporters everywhere to
cover Justice’s speeches revealing our plans to expand Reservation to
accommodate the wildlife we’ve welcomed from rescue operations. That is
important to all of us because we know what it is like to be viewed as
dangerous animals. It would have harmed our public image if you’d attacked her
in front of all those witnesses. This isn’t about you. That attack was directed
at the NSO.”

“I know I wasn’t the target.”

“A kind, decent human wouldn’t have done that. It’s obvious
the Woods Church bought that drug from Drackwood. We know they were working on
a version that wouldn’t kill humans. It’s the only way she could have gotten
it. The test confirms it’s an altered version of the original. That means they’ve
spent a lot of time and money plotting this attack. I don’t want you to feel
inner turmoil over a female not worthy of it. She might not have been warned of
the pain the drug caused but her intent to hurt Species is undeniable.”

“Perhaps she didn’t understand the impact it would have.”

“Then why did she escape? They were taking her to seek
medical assistance. I’m attempting to be logical for you.”

The way his chest tightened and ached was an unpleasant,
unexpected feeling for Smiley. “You’re right.”

Jericho stood. “I’m going to get a drink and sleep on your couch.
You shouldn’t be alone at a time like this, my friend. I’m sorry this happened.”

“I won’t throw myself out a window.”

Jericho spun, a horrified look plastered on his face.

“That was a joke.” Smiley forced a smile. “I am
disappointed. I’ll get over it. You don’t have to stay in my apartment.”

“Would you prefer to stay with a female? I’m sure Rusty
would allow you to sleep in her bed this once. She’s concerned about you too.”

“I’m not ready for that.”

“You should be. Forget the human and enjoy a little pampering
from one of our females. It will make things seem better.”

Smiley stood. “I’m lonely. One night with one of our females
isn’t going to cure that. It would just make it worse. I’m strong. I’ll get
past this. I always do. It’s just been a difficult day.”

“I’m sleeping on the couch. You’ll have to pick me up and
toss me out if you want me gone.”

There was no use arguing with the male. “I appreciate your
friendship.”

“We’re family.” Jericho opened a cherry soda and sipped it. “You’d
do the same for me. I wouldn’t want to be alone after something like this
either. I’ll wake you if you have nightmares.”

“I’m exhausted. I’m going to turn in.”

“I’ll be here.” Jericho nodded toward the television. “Do
you mind if I watch it?”

“Be my guest.”

Smiley walked into his room and closed the door. He paused
there, remembering Vanni’s face. He needed to let it go. He needed to let her
go. Jericho had made valid points. Then again, he hadn’t been there.

Vanni had blushed when she was stripped bare. There had been
an innocence about her that he found endearing. That wasn’t a trait a malicious
human would possess. None of it made sense.

He walked to the window and stared out into the darkness.
Where
are you, Vanni?

“Vanni! Wake up, damn it. Get out here!”

Vanni shot upright in her bed when Beth started shouting
from the living room. She threw off the covers and dashed to the open doorway. “What’s
wrong? Are you hurt?” Her gaze frantically sought and found her friend.

Beth was on her knees in the center of the room between the
coffee table and the television. Her friend was pale as she pointed a remote
control at the television. Vanni glanced at it, seeing a commercial.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s coming up. I just saw the promo for it.”

“For what? Beth? What the hell?”

Her mouth opened, closed and opened again. “It’s on my
morning gossip show.”

“What is?” Vanni stepped out of the bedroom, pushing her
messy hair out of her face.

“It’s you and that New Species.”

“What?”

“They showed a video clip of you two from last night.”

Vanni had to be hearing wrong. “What do you mean?”

“Nobody else has that ugly-ass skirt you came home in last
night and believe me, it was you. They showed a clip of an upcoming story and
it’s about the NSO. It showed a few seconds of you wrapped around a big dude
and you were making out.”

“That’s not funny.”

“I’m not kidding. I’m being heart-attack serious. It’s
coming up after the commercials.”

“You’re wrong. What did they say?”

“I heard NSO on the TV while I was making my oatmeal and looked
up. They showed you with your legs wrapped around a big jock type, making out
hot and heavy. There’s no mistaking that skirt.”

The commercial ended and the cable show began. Beth turned
up the volume as the host couple faced the cameras. The man took the lead.

“I know you’ve heard a lot of stories about the NSO lately
but here’s a new one for you. An anonymously submitted video arrived at our
station and many others this morning.”

“Usually the stories we bring you regarding the NSO involve
them being targeted for hate crimes. Not today.” The woman’s grin spread. “It
seems some people are really friendly to New Species.”

Vanni’s knees collapsed under her and she hit the carpet
when a grainy video started to play on the screen. It was her and Smiley. The
angle was from above and the operator of the video camera zoomed in.

They stood next to each other with Smiley’s hand on her
shoulder, the other holding her hip while she straightened. His words couldn’t
be heard but Smiley said something. She nodded. His lips moved again. Her hand
darted out and clutched a handful of his shirt. It tore open to reveal the bare
skin of his upper chest and almost to his navel. She went for his hair too,
grabbing a handful behind his neck and used her hold to jerk his face down.

“Oh shit,” Beth gasped.

Vanni watched in horror as she kissed Smiley. She looked
desperate and slutty. It got worse when she lifted a leg high enough to hook
her calf around the back of his thigh in an obvious attempt to get him to pick
her up. He did. That’s when she wrapped her legs around his waist, her skirt
hiking up to her thighs in the process.

“No,” Vanni whispered. Memory returned and she wasn’t
surprised when she started to grind her body against him. It was horrendous to
watch though. It reminded her of a dog she’d once had that humped any leg it
could get to hold still.

“No, no, no,” she chanted.

Smiley jerked away from her and tried to avoid her mouth. It
didn’t stop her. She buried her face in his neck and his eyes closed. He just
stood there allowing her to maul him, except his lips moved slightly, as if he
were telling her to stop. She couldn’t remember that part but seeing was
believing.

Something happened on the other side of him that the camera
couldn’t see but he bowed his back and then spun, pinning her against a black
SUV. He seemed to try to stop her from humping him and pulling his hair. He
pressed against her, pinning her, but then she grabbed his face to plant her
lips over his. It was a good shot of most of her face. Her eyes were closed and
she was going to town, kissing the hell out of him.

“We have someone on the roof!” an NSO guard yelled—the one
positioned at the front of the SUV. He drew his weapon and pointed it at the
camera. The person operating it jerked away and the clip ended.

The show returned to the hosts. The woman fanned herself and
grinned. “I’d say that was very friendly.”

The man chuckled. “None of my fans ever do that to me. I
only get asked for autographs.” He winked. “I’m single.”

“You don’t exactly look like him and she obviously wanted
more than his signature. I think you’d better start lifting weights if you want
that kind of response from your fans. Did you see the muscles on that New
Species?” The woman wiggled her eyebrows at the camera.

“Turn it off,” Vanni whispered.

Beth looked as stunned and dismayed as Vanni felt. “Did you
hear what they said? Every station. Oh Vanni. Your parents watch the news and
those gossip shows. There’s no way they aren’t going to see this. Even without
that skirt on, I knew it was you. Your face showed a few times.”

The phone rang. Both women jumped. Vanni frantically shook
her head. “Don’t get it.”

Beth didn’t move. The phone rang four times before their
answering machine picked up. It sank in to Vanni that everyone she knew would
see that video at some point. That included her friends, family and coworkers.
It made her sick to her stomach.

“Vanni?” Her mother’s voice came out of the machine speaker.
“Vanni? We saw the news. Was that you? It looked like you. You—”

“Damn it!” her father yelled in the background. “Did you get
hold of her? She’s not answering her cell phone. On the news they said it
happened at the same hotel where she was staying this weekend.”

“I got the machine,” her mother told him.

“Call Beth. Make sure Vanni is all right!” her father
yelled. “Our girl wouldn’t act like that in public unless she was drunk. Do you
think she’s all right? What if she went home with him and he won’t let her go?
Should we call those New Species people to see if she’s still with him?”

“I’ll call Beth now.” The phone went dead.

Seconds later Beth’s cell phone blared rap music. Vanni
stared at her friend. Beth moved. “I’ll tell them you’re safe. They are
worried.”

“I can’t talk to them.”

Beth reached into her purse. “Shut up.” She answered. “Hi.
Vanni is fine.”

Vanni was going to hyperventilate. The house phone started
to ring again. Beth ignored it as she held her cell phone. She met Beth’s gaze.

“She’s here. I went to get her last night. She’s sleeping.
She’s fine. Let me have her call you later. The other phone is ringing. I swear
she’s safe.” Beth hung up.

The answering machine picked up. “Vanni?”

She groaned. “Carl.”

“Goddamn it, Vanni!” he shouted into the machine. “What in
the hell have you done? My father warned me that you were nothing but trash.
How the hell could you?” His voice lowered somewhat but his anger was clear. “Do
you know what kind of bad press this is going to cause my father? For me? We’re
engaged and you screwed one of those creatures in an alley outside the hotel?”
He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I could kill you. Someone identified you to
the reporters. Shit. Another news crew is at the door. This is all your fault!”
He slammed the phone down.

The house phone rang immediately. Vanni realized tears were
running down her face. Beth turned off the ringer and answering machine. The
cell phone blared rap music again. Beth cursed and turned it off.

“Vanni? Look at me.”

She wiped at her tears. “This is a nightmare, right? I’m
still in bed?”

Beth sat down on the floor and hugged her. “It’s going to be
all right. In a few days this will blow over. Someone else will do something to
get their attention.”

“Do you think they have more footage they didn’t show yet?”

“I don’t know but it’s going to be okay.”

Vanni pulled away. “How? How can it be?”

Beth had tears in her eyes too. “We’ll get through this.”

“Everyone is going to see that. How am I going to leave the
house? Go to work?”

“I don’t know.” Beth sniffed. “Look on the bright side.”

“I’m afraid to ask what just popped into your head, but
what? I’m desperate.”

“You don’t have to make any phone calls to tell people you
aren’t marrying Carl. I think it’s a given.”

Vanni leaned forward and hugged her again. “Not funny. Try
again.”

“Okay,” Beth whispered. “The reporters are annoying the shit
out of Carl. He threatened to kill you so I hope they give him hell.”

“Not helping.”

“I don’t know what else to say.”

“Me neither.”

A good minute went by. Beth spoke again. “Did you have sex
in that alley?”

“Inside the SUV.”

Beth unwound her arms and sat back. She lifted a hand in the
air. “High five.”

Vanni just stared at her blankly.

“Bucket list, remember? Sex in a car.” Beth kept her hand
up. “Bright side. That’s one thing you ticked off yours.”

“Oh Beth.” Vanni shook her head. “That’s so wrong.”

Beth lowered her arm. “Work with me here. I’m trying.
Otherwise we’re going to cry and stay huddled on this floor.”

“Is that so bad?”

Someone pounded on the door. Beth got up, walked over and
peeked out the peephole. She cursed and backed up as the person pounded again.

“Miss Abris? Travanni? Could we please speak to you for a
moment?” The voice was muffled through the door.

Beth turned. “It’s a lady with a cameraman.”

Vanni clawed her way to her feet and ran into the bathroom.
She got violently sick. Her life would never be the same.

* * * * *

Smiley had been ordered to Fury’s office. He had no idea why
but knew it was urgent. The door was wide open and Fury waited inside.

“You better sit.”

“I’m fine standing.” Smiley stiffened his spine. “Has Vanni
been found?”

More Species entered the room, including Jericho. The grim
look in the male’s eyes had Smiley rethink the offer of taking a seat. He
stepped a few feet over and dropped into a chair. He really hadn’t expected to
be told Vanni was dead. It was his worst fear. It seemed as good as confirmed.
Bile rose but he swallowed it down.

“She’s dead?” He managed to get the question out.

Jericho shook his head. “No.”

Smiley could breathe again.

“Last night there was a human on the roof of the hotel.”
Fury rounded his desk and sat. He lifted a remote and turned on the television.
“Were you aware of that?”

Smiley nodded. “Yes. I heard Shane shout it out and I moved
Vanni inside the back of the SUV to get her under cover in case it was a
sniper.”

Fury pushed a few buttons. “This is playing on all the
stations. Prepare yourself. The male had a video camera and apparently sent it
to anyone with an interest. Here’s one I recorded off the television. I missed
the beginning of it but it’s enough.”

The video wasn’t the best quality but it was clear enough,
even in the dim alley, to make out details. Smiley squirmed in his seat. It was
uncomfortable having a replay of such a personal moment displayed in front of
so many males. It also angered him.

The clip ended and a white-haired news anchor took the lead.
“The woman in the alley has been identified as twenty-seven-year-old Travanni
Abris.” A picture of Vanni and a blond male flashed on the screen. They were
smiling. It returned to the anchorman.

“You might recognize the man pictured in the photo with her
as attorney Carl Woods, son of Pastor Gregory Woods of the Woods Church. The
Woods Church has been a frontrunner in the campaign to shut down the NSO. We’ve
been unable to reach Miss Abris for a comment. She’s gone into seclusion at her
home.”

The camera focused on a woman standing in front of the Woods
Church. She introduced herself. “No one will speak to us but it’s been a flurry
of activity for the past hour.” The camera panned to the parking lot full of
cars and then back to the reporter. “We were told by someone who wishes to
remain anonymous that Pastor Woods and his son are inside the church and this
has come as a total shock to the family. As everyone knows, Pastor Woods
opposes New Species having civil rights. He started the church—”

Fury turned off the television and sighed. “She was engaged
to the son. They were to be married in seven weeks.”

Smiley wouldn’t forget the face of the blond male any time
soon. He’d appeared much smaller and shorter than himself. Their coloring was
vastly different too. That was the male who had laid claim to Vanni until last
night when she’d removed his ring. He clenched his jaw.

“I’m sorry.” Smiley wasn’t sure what else to say.

“For what?” Fury arched an eyebrow.

“We are to avoid news coverage and bad publicity.”

Jericho snarled. “You did nothing wrong, Smiley. It wasn’t
bad for us. The Woods Church is always saying we belong in a zoo and yet that
female shared sex with you. It means not everyone eats his bullshit.”

Fury nodded. “Nothing about the breeding drug has come out
yet.”

Bestial cleared his throat. “Worst-case scenario, even if it
does, she appeared to be the sexual aggressor. That female attacked you, not
the other way around. They can’t flip this on us in a bad way.”

Tiger spoke. “I don’t understand why they used her to launch
this attack in the media. It wasn’t flattering to them. The last female I’d
have fuck my enemy would be the one set to marry someone so high up in their
organization.”

“I can think of some good reasons they picked her.” Tim
stood.

“Name them,” Fury demanded.

Tim didn’t hesitate. “They probably figured a New Species
would end up killing her. She’s frail-looking, judging by that video, and has
that girl-next-door look that would piss off everyone. What better way to gain
public sympathy for their cause than losing someone so important to the family?
They could also have sued the NSO for her death to the tune of millions. They’d
assume their pockets would get lined and drain ours at the same time. It would
have also kept their name in the papers and made New Species look like hell for
killing that girl.”