Justice’s features softened. “Gregory Woods and his followers truly hate the NSO. We try not to take it too personally. Perhaps you should do the same. You weren’t the female they meant to drug.”

Vanni couldn’t follow his advice. It was personal, at least after she’d been held prisoner and threatened. Carl had sworn he loved her but he hadn’t batted an eyelash when she was in danger. She wanted to get back at them and make them pay for what they’d done.

“Do you need me to speak to the reporters?” She hugged her waist. “I’ve avoided them since the video was plastered all over the TV but I’ll do it if it clears Smiley’s name.” Her parents would flip out if they heard that on the news. They would wonder if she’d lied about the limited details she’d shared with them about that night. It had been easier to allow them to assume she’d just drank too much and hooked up with someone in a bar.

Fury spoke. “I’ve been on the phone with our public relations team all morning. I informed them Vanni was on the way to us and they recommended no direct contact with the media where they could ask her questions.”

“Wise advice.” Justice nodded. “They can be brutal.”

“Miles suggested an outing with the two of them but keep the press at a healthy distance. They can photograph Smiley and her together. That will discredit Gregory Woods when they are seen in a friendly setting.”

“I agree.” Justice studied her for long moments. “She’ll need clothing. We could send two support teams with them to take her shopping tomorrow. That will give us enough time to set it up and we won’t have to leak it to the press. Humans always report our sightings so that will allow about fifteen minutes before the paparazzi and news crews arrive on scene.”

“Good idea.” Fury shifted in his seat. “Never forget social media sites. Humans will snap photos of them and upload them from their phones. They will assume they are dating though if they are seen together again.”

Vanni listened to them converse, a little surprised at Fury’s statement. “But we aren’t.”

He frowned. “It’s better to allow them to assume you’re in a romantic relationship with Smiley than what they have been told so far.”

She couldn’t dispute the sense of that. “Yeah.”

“We’ll schedule the outing.” Justice stood.

“What will Smiley have to say about this plan? I mean, he probably doesn’t want to spend time with me after what happened.” It made her nervous just thinking about seeing him again.

Apparently, Justice didn’t need time to think about his response. “Smiley will be very agreeable to take you shopping. He’s been concerned for your well-being.”

Vanni wasn’t sure how she was going to react to seeing Smiley but clearing his name was important enough to her to agree to anything the NSO suggested. “Okay.”

“You’re safe here with us, Vanni.” Justice smiled. “Relax. You appear nervous and there is no need. We’ll assure your safety and keep the press far from you tomorrow. We deal with them often.”

“I’m sure you do. They are always saying something about you guys on television.”

“We’re glad to have you stay with us. We’d like our medical staff to take a look at you. You were given a version of the breeding drug and you told me you were Tasered.”

“I’m fine. I’d really rather avoid doctors right now. I just want to shower, eat and sleep.”

“Perhaps later you’ll agree.” Justice didn’t seem happy with her refusal but he didn’t argue. “I’ll have one of our males escort you to guest housing.”

She was dismissed. “Will you tell me about my family when you take them to a hotel? I’d like to know when they are safe.”

“Of course.” Justice inclined his head. “I’m sure they are worried about you, as well. We’ll assure them that you are safe.”

“Thank you.”

“We’d appreciate it if you gave them the impression you are here to visit Smiley. The last thing we need is your family assuming we’re keeping you here against your will and asking your police to intervene.”

She nodded. “Of course. They won’t be happy about it but I don’t want them to worry.”

“They don’t like Species?” Justice’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“It’s not that. They’ll be happy if they think I’m dating someone but they will worry that I jumped into a new relationship too fast. I was engaged a few days ago. They liked Carl. He had all of us fooled.”

“I understand.”

“I can sell it though.” She was sure of that. “I’ll just tell them how horrible Carl treated me at the hotel and they won’t be fans of his anymore. I don’t want them to know about the rest of it because it would upset them too much. I’ll tell them Carl and his dad made up those lies if they heard anything about what Woods Church leaked.”

“Thank you. We’ll forward their calls once we have them secured in a safe location,” Justice promised. “We’d appreciate it if you didn’t make any outgoing calls. You should know they would be monitored. All calls are. It’s not personal.”

She had no clue why they’d do that but she had nothing to hide. “I do need to call Beth. We’ve been best friends since we were kids and I want to make sure she’s safe with Elvis.”

Justice’s eyebrows shot up.

“Not the real one. He’s dead. It’s a guy she dates on and off. He impersonates Elvis for charity events. We just joke around by calling him that. His real name is Mickey.”

“Fine.”

Someone entered the office and Vanni turned. Her mouth hung open as she gawked at the massively built New Species. He had an immense chest and bulky, muscular arms but it was his eyes that she couldn’t look away from. They were brown with red glints in them.

“This is Jericho,” Justice said as he pinned the man with an intent look. “I’m not sure why he’s in my office but I’d like to know the answer to that since this was a closed meeting.”

The guy didn’t look away from Vanni. His gaze lowered though, and he seemed to study every inch of her from head to foot. “I am Smiley’s friend. Is there a problem?”

“No. I was about to have her escorted to guest housing. Perhaps you would like that job?”

“I just wanted to make sure things were fine.” He crossed his arms over his chest and shifted his gaze to Justice. “It’s cool?”

“She’s not accusing Smiley of anything and is willing to help us solve this mess.” Justice sighed. “Tell Smiley he was right. I have phone calls to make. Can you arrange for transportation?”

Jericho’s tense stance relaxed. “This way, Miss Abris.”

“It’s just Vanni.”

She kept a few feet between them as she followed him out of the office, down the hallway and out the front door. The two guards were still stationed there. Jericho paused by one of them.

“Escort her to human housing and make sure she has everything she needs.” He turned to her. “I have something I need to do. Enjoy your stay here. This is Wager. He’ll treat you well.”

“Thank you.” Jericho was a friend of Smiley’s and she wanted to ask a ton of questions but resisted. He was a scary person with those unusual eyes. Her curiosity about Smiley’s welfare could wait.

She watched Jericho stride to a Jeep and drive away. Wager cleared his throat and she turned, staring up at him. He was blond, tall and had pretty catlike eyes.

“Welcome to Homeland, Miss Abris. I have a cart parked just over there and will drive you to human housing. Your cottage has been stocked.”

“Cottage?”

“It’s what we call the houses in the Species and Human housing areas.” He was cute when he smiled.

“Human housing? Aren’t you human too?” She regretted asking that but it was already out. “Sorry. I hope that wasn’t insulting.”

“It’s not. We encourage questions. We are human but we’re also more. I’m a feline Species.” He offered her his arm. “Let’s go, Miss Abris. May I call you Travanni?”

“Yes but it’s just Vanni. No one calls me Travanni unless I’m in trouble.” She was really out of her element. “I’m not in trouble, am I?”