Chapter Fifteen

Zandy had overslept and was running late when she opened the front door to greet her escort. She had missed breakfast. Someone had left a covered dish on her coffee table but she hadn’t had time to eat any of it.

Smiley and three other males were grouped together in the courtyard when she stepped outside. Four pairs of grim gazes turned her way. Some of them looked so angry that she winced.

“I’m sorry I’m ten minutes behind. I had a rough night. I hope I haven’t made any of you late.”

Smiley walked closer. “It’s not you. We’re upset about what happened last night.” He glanced at his watch. “I didn’t even notice. I should have driven you to work already. Let’s go.”

“What happened last night?” She fell into step with him as he led her toward one of the Jeeps parked at the curb.

He stopped and his gaze met hers. “You didn’t hear what happened yet?”

“No. I didn’t even turn on the TV this morning.” Her heart plummeted. “Was there another attack at Homeland? Did one of the injured officers take a turn for the worse?” She really hoped not.

“Last night one of our helicopters was shot down. We’re still trying to figure out how they did it but it crashed. It happened right outside NSO walls. They were incoming to land but didn’t make it.”

“Oh my god. Is everyone who was on board okay?”

He hesitated. “One of the human pilots is touch and go. He has burns and broken bones. Most of our males had injures but Tiger is the worst of them.”

Her knees almost gave out beneath her. “What?”

He blinked. “I’m sorry. You know him. Tiger was on board.”

She clutched Smiley’s arms just to keep from falling. Hot tears quickly filled her eyes. “Is he alive? Where is he?”

The tall Species grabbed her hips to steady her and frowned. “Zandy, you are very pale suddenly. Are you ill?”

“Is Tiger alive?” Her nails dug into him where she had his arms. “How bad is he hurt?” She refused to believe he was dead. Fate couldn’t be that cruel. “Where is he, Smiley?”

He studied her eyes and softly snarled. “You shared sex with him, didn’t you?”

“Is he alive?” she yelled, frantic to get an answer.

“He’s alive but in critical condition. He suffered multiple broken bones and a head injury. We were told the pilot was able to get them to a low altitude before the engines seized. He did some kind of maneuver to halt their momentum. They estimate that the helicopter fell about a hundred feet into the tree branches at the crash site. That cushioned the crash somewhat but it landed on the side where Tiger sat.”

Every word he spoke was like a dagger to her heart. Tears slid down her cheeks. She’d been sleeping and Tiger had been fighting for his life. It was beyond horrific. Someone should have told her when it happened. She’d have been at his side.

“His ribs are fractured, as well as one arm and his leg. He suffered cuts and a blow to his head. Our doctors suspect swelling in his brain but they aren’t sure how extensive the damage is.”

“Take me to him.”

Smiley frowned. “He’s not here, Zandy. His injuries were severe and our doctors felt he needed a neurosurgeon. We don’t have one of those. He was airlifted to a trauma center a few hours from here last night. He is under heavy guard and protected where he is.”

“Where? I want to go there.” The desire to get to Tiger’s side was nearly overpowering. She just had to see him to make sure he was really alive. Inside she was falling apart. “I need to get to him.”

“How many times have you shared sex with Tiger? You’re really upset by this. Did you share sex with him? You didn’t answer me.”

“What does it matter?” She wanted to shake him. “Where the hell is Tiger?”

Smiley’s hold on her hips tightened and he leaned down enough to stare into her eyes. “Answer me.”

“Yes! Are you happy now? Where is Tiger? I want to see him.”

Smiley released her and grabbed for his cell phone. “How many times? I need to report this immediately.”

Her mouth fell open. “What? It’s no one’s business how many times Tiger and I have slept together. I demand to know where he is, damn it. I want to see him.”

Smiley took a deep breath. “He’s under heavy guard by both the NSO and the human task team assigned to protect him. I’m going to have to get you clearance, Zandy. You can’t just go to his hospital room to see him. They’d never allow you near him without them being ordered to do so. I have to contact Timber, he’s in charge of Reservation with Tiger injured, and he’ll have to give permission for you to go where Tiger is being treated. He’ll want to know the extent of your relationship.”

She wiped at her tears. “We’ve been seeing each other since the first day I started working here. We’ve spent the night together a few times. We’re dating. I was supposed to have dinner with him last night at his house but he was called to Homeland, okay? He said he’d call me last night but he didn’t.” She sniffed. “He couldn’t because he was in that accident. Please, Smiley. I need to see him.”

The male’s gaze softened. “You have deep feelings for Tiger.”

“Yes.”

He dialed, watching her. “It’s a few hours away. You might want to get a spare set of your clothing while I get this cleared. I’ll try to put together an escort for you as quickly as possible. We don’t have another helicopter at our disposal.”

She spun and fled back inside the apartment. Her hands shook badly as she rushed into her bedroom to grab clothes. All she had to pick from were shorts, sweats and T-shirts provided by the NSO.

Smiley hung up the phone when she walked outside carrying one spare set of clothes. “Timber is calling the task team to clear you to visit Tiger.” He paused. “You need to wait until dark when some males can be freed from their current duties to escort you off Reservation and to the hospital where Tiger is being treated.”

“No. I want to go to him right now.” Impatience burst forth and so did the need to get to Tiger as quickly as possible.

“That’s the best we can do.”

“Take me to my car. I’ll go alone.”

A soft, animalistic sound came from Smiley. “No. It isn’t safe.”

“I don’t give a damn. No way am I going to be able to sit here all day waiting for someone to get around to driving me. Tell me what hospital he’s at and take me to my car.”

“No.”

Her anger surged. “You can’t stop me. I’m leaving. Tell me where Tiger is, damn it. He’s hurt and I want to see him.”

“Smiley,” one of the males interrupted. “She wishes to go. She’s not a prisoner.” He cleared his throat and red-hued engrossing eyes fixed on her. “I’ll escort you to your car. You’ll need identification for the human task team. They’ll want to see that if you arrive without escorts to prove your identity.” He sniffed. “You don’t carry Tiger’s scent.”

“Stay out of this, Jericho.”

The big male had black hair that was pulled back in a long braid. He growled at Smiley while glaring at him. “The female is highly agitated. We both know if Tiger is sharing sex with her that she must mean a lot to him. I know she’s in heat and that may be making you irrational but she wishes to leave.” He hesitated. “She might be little but I would bet she isn’t one you wish to anger. Females have a way of getting even.” He stepped closer and held out his arm to her. “I’ll escort you to your vehicle. Do you have identification? They will ask for it.”

“In my purse,” she admitted, grateful as she curled her fingers around his upper arm. His eyes were so strange she couldn’t help but stare a little.

He hesitated. “I’m primate like Smiley but those traits are more pronounced with me. There aren’t a lot of us.” He tugged her forward. “You probably haven’t seen eyes similar to mine before. I get stared at often when I come in contact with humans.”