He easily remembered what Breeze had said since he wouldn’t forget their conversation any time soon. He decided to use an excuse she’d mentioned. “I am feeling depressed,” he stated falsely. “I adjusted to her scent and miss it.”

Field grinned and glanced at the other male.

“It’s okay. She is familiar to him. That is all.”

Destiny didn’t seem convinced. “She is not to share sex with. Do you understand? Do not attempt to mount her. She’s human and off-limits.”

880 had to hold back another snarl. The male was very protective of the human female. He inched closer to the stressed male and sniffed. No trace of Alli lingered on him and he backed away.

He didn’t like the other male’s interest in the female who had slept at his side. He spun away and stalked back to his room.

Alli was nervous as she watched Destiny glare at her. He was really upset that 880 wanted to see her, that fact was as clear as the angry expression on his face.

“Keep the door open and flee if he gets too close. He isn’t permitted to touch you.” He glanced at Tiger. “I don’t trust him. He could attempt to mount her.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“He said he didn’t want that.” Tiger frowned.

“Chill out, my man.”

“I won’t.” Destiny growled. “He’s unstable and we’re sending her in there. I insist on staying at her side. She’s human and there is no certainty that he won’t see her as a threat or an enemy.”

Tiger’s gaze drifted to Alli. “It’s your call. Your life may be in danger. He could harm or kill you.

Are you willing to take those risks?”

“Yes,” she answered, too eager to see her patient to really give it much thought.

“No,” Destiny growled.

She frowned at him. “Stop it.”

He flashed sharp teeth in warning. “Fine. I hope he doesn’t kill you. I will try to save you if this goes bad.”

That isn’t very comforting to hear. She licked her lips and stared at Tiger, waiting for instructions. He’d made it very apparent that he was in charge of her visit to 880 and he had only given her permission to leave her house if she complied with all his rules.

They’d argued when she’d been informed that 880 had requested to see her. Tiger had felt it would be dangerous considering she might be perceived as the enemy. She’d had to use logic to convince him that it would benefit her patient to be around humans. He was free and needed to adjust to life outside Mercile. Justice had the final say and he’d agreed to it.

Tiger hesitated. “This might not be a good idea.”

“Justice said I could see 880,” she reminded him. “I want to see him.”

“What Justice said is he doesn’t know what to do with you but he wants our male to recover.

He’s as unsure of this situation as all of us are.”

“I want to see 880. Please? I know it could be dangerous.” She held Tiger’s gaze to assure him she was sincere. “I know the risks and I accept them.”

He sighed, resigned, but didn’t appear too happy about it. “Stay by the door and call out for help at the first instance of trouble. He wants to speak to you alone. I argued with him but he tore out the camera inside his room and threw it at my head. I believe he is trying to understand why a human would do what you have for him. The only ones he knew worked for Mercile and they weren’t kind.” Tiger paused. “They murdered his mate. Remember that because he won’t have forgotten. I still can’t believe I’m allowing this.”

“I understand why he might dislike me and you’re doing this because you want him to get better. He’s New Species. Let’s just skip rehashing this argument, please. All of you were exposed to doctors when you were rescued. It was part of the healing process. You admitted that he’s aware of what I did for him. Deep down he has to know I’m not someone he should hate. He was helpless in my care yet I didn’t do anything bad to him. He’s intelligent, right? You said that not twenty minutes ago when you gave me the update on him. He’s not feral.”

Tiger studied her for a long moment before he nodded curtly. “Go ahead. We’ll be right here.

He’ll hear and smell us coming. We need to stay back this far but we will come if you call out.”

“Thanks.” Her heart hammered fast as she smoothed down her skirt in a nervous gesture.

Destiny grumbled. “She should wear pants. I said this. It will only make it easier for him if he attempts to mount her.”

Tiger softly growled in warning. “Enough. It wouldn’t matter if she wore pants or a skirt if he intends to attack. He would tear both from her body if that is his objective.”

“Um…” Alli cleared her throat. “I’m right here. Could you stop trying to scare the living crap out of me?”

“Don’t do this.” Destiny gave her a pleading look. “He is dangerous.”

“I need to talk to him if he wants to see me.

I owe him answers.” She straightened her shoulders and marched down the hallway. They had returned 880 to his original room and she paused by the open doorway.

“Come here,” a deep baritone voice ordered.

Shit! She took that final step and her gaze found 880 sitting on the edge of a queen-size bed that appeared to be custom-made to fit his tall frame. They’d removed the hospital bed for something more homey. His hair fell freely down over his shoulders in the front to the waist of his black sweats. His chest was bare and so were his feet. His amazing stare held hers as she braved entering his room by a few feet.

“Hello, 880. I’m Alli.” She paused. “Dr. Allison Baker. You can call me whichever one you prefer.”

He sniffed. “Come closer.” His hands rested on his lower thighs near the bend of his knees but one lifted to point a finger at the floor between his spread thighs. “Here.”

“I’m supposed to stay by the door.”

“I heard.” His intense gaze narrowed. “Come here.” He kept his finger trained on the spot in front of him, not budging it. “I won’t harm you.”

It was a really bad idea, foolish even, but she took one step, then another. His face had filled out in the past few days and her gaze lowered to his torso. Each rib no longer showed through his skin since he’d put on more weight than she thought anyone possibly could in such a short amount of time. She only stopped when her body almost bumped his extended index finger.

He lowered his hand to his thigh again and she inched closer until their faces were level. Only a foot separated them. It didn’t matter that he was seated. 880 still looked intimidating and large.

He studied her face while she did the same to his. There was an unsettling quiet in the room, only their breathing could be heard. Her teeth dented her lower lip from nerves when his gaze focused on her mouth. He sniffed at her again and it made his nose wrinkle. She stared into his brown eyes until he met her gaze.

“Why?”

“Why did I come? You asked to see me.”

His mouth hardened into a tight line. “Why did you steal me to take risks others wouldn’t?”

“You were dying. You wouldn’t rouse from the coma.” She took a deep breath and tried to force her heart rate to slow. He hadn’t attacked and that was a plus. “I thought a woman’s scent might interest you.”

The lighter brown color of his eyes seemed to bleed black and they narrowed again. “Interest me how? Did you want me to mount you?”

Surprise jolted through her at his question.

“No. I mean, I thought you’d be curious and maybe wake to see who she was. Who I was.”

“Don’t move.”

He moved and her heartbeat increased with fear as he gently took her hand. She didn’t pull it away as he turned it to stare at her palm. His other hand lifted and calloused fingertips trailed over her skin. He studied her closely, opened his hand under hers, and seemed to note their size difference. He met her gaze again.

“I felt you touching me.”