“Short is good enough but whatever you decide is fine.” Tim Oberto frowned at Justice. “They need names.”
Justice glanced at 922. “Pick one.”
“Vengeance. I want it for my female.”
“Fuck,” Tim grumbled.
Justice glanced at Brass, then Fury, and back at 922. “Vengeance it is. Just keep a tight leash on your temper or you’ll be sent back here.”
“Understood.”
Justice glanced at 358. “Do you have a name in mind?”
He shrugged. “I like Elvis movies.”
Justice grinned. “I like them too but it’s too obvious. I doubt the humans will let that one pass without teasing you. Any second choice?”
“I like the name Shadow. I like to stand still and watch others.”
Brass nodded. “Good name.”
Justice turned his attention on the third male.
919 tensed, put on the spot, and had no idea what to name himself. “May I think about it?”
“I’ve got paperwork to do.” Tim stood from his chair. “I need a name.”
919 stared at 358, his friend who’d just chosen a name. Shadow met and held his gaze. They knew each other well after having spent years in cells close together and both had suffered the same damage.
Shadow finally spoke, never looking away from him. “He should take the name Wrath. He allowed his anger to simmer, relied on his intelligence, but he made them pay when the opportunity presented. The humans always knew he’d eventually get even after they abused us or at least the smart ones did.”
919 felt pride surge and he nodded. “It is a good name.” He glanced at Justice and Brass to see their reactions.
“Just make sure you keep hold of your temper.” Justice scribbled on a folder lying on his desk and passed it to Tim. “Here you go. Here’s information on all four of your new team members. Make sure they are protected but don’t baby them. You wanted them for their skills and strengths. Allow them to use them.” He stared at Brass for long seconds. “You’re in charge of our males. Tim takes orders from you. You can take control of any situation if you deem it necessary.”
“Damn it,” Tim spat. “Now wait a damn min—”
Justice snarled, flashed sharp teeth and shocked everyone in the room except Brass and Fury with his show of temper. Tim backed up enough to almost trip on the chair he’d just vacated and sealed his lips together.
“You work for us. Brass is a seasoned officer of the NSO, I know him well and he has my complete trust. He’s not newly free or unstable. He’s highly intelligent and it’s a joint operation.” He relaxed slightly. “That means your team and ours will work together but Brass is in total charge of my males. Understood?”
“Yeah.” Tim still looked angry. “I got it.”
“Good.” Justice met and held the gazes of the four men who were leaving the NSO. “Be safe and you take your orders from Brass as if I were speaking. Understood?”
“Yes,” they agreed in unison.
Wrath turned and left the office. His friend followed closely behind until they were outside. They both paused, waiting for further orders.
“Shadow is a good name.”
“So is Wrath.” His friend grinned. “I knew you’d pick something kinder but you have strength and a strong sense of justice. It is too bad that name was already taken.”
“Wrath suits my purpose. We’ll find the humans who hurt our people and bring them in to pay for their crimes.”
A scent drew their attention as a female Species neared the office. She smiled and her gaze wandered over Wrath from head to foot. She paused next to him, peered into his eyes and softly purred.
“Hello.”
He didn’t know what to say but Shadow came to his rescue. “We’re leaving with the human task force. We don’t have time to socialize.”
The female’s smile faded. “Good luck. You both are very brave.” She walked inside the building.
Wrath relaxed and met Shadow’s eyes. “I’m glad there won’t be females where we’re going.”
Shadow nodded. “They are drawn to your looks and strength.”
“I need more time to heal before I even consider sharing sex with one of them. I’ll be happy to be away from here for a while.”
His friend reached out and gripped his shoulder. “We share that in common.”
Both of them remembered being drugged while hooked to machines and the horror of their seed being forced from their bodies. Wrath shivered from the vile memories and the uncertainty of what had been done to the sperm taken from them. Some of it had been sold and shipped to other countries, where scientists planned to use human female surrogates to birth human/Species hybrids to be sold to the rich as exotic pets. The thought of them succeeding made rage burn inside his soul.
