“I’ll handle her. You don’t need to talk to her when she arrives.”
“No.” He knew it would be stupid but he needed to see her. “Justice didn’t give details of why she’s in danger but he said she was under the weather. I’ll sleep better at night if I can actually see her for myself. I won’t rest until I make sure she’s physically fine.”
“Masochist.”
“Shut up.”
“I’m just saying it will be painful to see her and not be able to touch her. You’ll want to.”
“I’m strong. I can deal with this.” Tiger shot him a disbelieving stare. “Sometimes I wonder why we are friends.”
“I already told you. You’re a masochist.” Tiger laughed.
* * * * *
Trisha walked out of Justice’s bathroom. She’d redone her makeup and knew she could pass muster on looking normal. She paused when she saw the pensive look on Justice’s face as he watched her.
“I decided to hold off telling Slade about the baby. It’s your news to share with him.
I’ll give you a little time.”
Relief washed through Trisha. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. If you don’t let him know within the next…” He shrugged. “I will have to. He’s in charge of Reservation and needs to know how important it is to protect you. In order to do that he needs to be made aware of the dangers. I think by the way he reacted when he thought you were at risk, he might care more for you than you believe. That’s what prompted me to see if you both can work this out on your own before I intervene.”
She stared at Justice grimly. “If he cared, as you put it, he would have come to see me. He would have at least called to make sure I was okay emotionally after what happened to us. The way I heard it, he nearly begged for the job at Reservation to get away from Homeland, which probably translates to getting away from me.”
“He did not beg for the job. I wanted Fury to go but Ellie couldn’t leave our women.
She takes her job at the woman’s dorm very seriously and she’s always under threat as Fury’s mate. My next in command is Slade. I asked him and he accepted. I needed someone I could trust handling everything. I have too much on my own plate down here to keep bouncing back and forth. I was getting airsick with the two and three helicopter rides I had to take daily.”
132
“I see.”
“I hope you do. Now, Brass should be here at any time to pick you up. I have a conference room meeting with the Council in a few minutes.” He stood and sighed.
“Sometimes they drive me nuts.”
“Good luck with that. I’ll go wait for him in the lobby.”
“Stay here and relax. The couch is comfortable.”
“Thank you.”
He grinned as he glanced at her stomach. “I’m very excited about this.”
“Me too, when I’m not scared stupid.”
Justice squeezed her arm, reassuring her, and walked out of his office. He firmly closed the door behind him.
Fifteen minutes later Brass walked into the room. Trisha stood and studied him. He appeared calm now, collected, and cool. “I’m very sorry Justice misunderstood about you being the father of my baby.”
He studied her before his attention lowered to her stomach. “You’re really carrying a New Species baby?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good news.”
Trisha noticed he didn’t look happy. “Is our friendship all right, Brass?”
“Yes. I’m…wishing I’d met you before you became involved with another male. I hope that doesn’t offend you. It’s just that I was drawn to you more than I should have allowed. Now you belong to someone else but I’ll adjust. We’re fine, Trisha.”
“I don’t belong to anyone, Brass. The father and I aren’t together.” She rushed on before he could say anything, not wanting to encourage him but needing to be clear she wasn’t open to him hitting on her either. “I have feelings for him but he obviously doesn’t return them. It’s going to take some time but I’m sure I’ll deal with it.”
He blinked. “You belong to someone. You didn’t inform him about the baby?”
“No. Justice has given me some time to contact him and give him the news.”
He nodded. “I figured or this male would be at your side. You do belong to someone and he’ll let you know that the second he finds out you are carrying his child.
Let’s go. The helicopter is ready. I chose Harley and Moon to come with us.”
Dread pitted her stomach. She really didn’t want Slade to find out. That wasn’t the way she wanted him back in her life. She’d rather never see him again than have him pursue her just because they’d created a life together. She deserved a guy who cared about her, not one who wanted to be with her out of some sense of duty or honor. New
