Valiant

by Laurann Dohner

  The woman behind Tammy nodded. She hesitated. “You live with one of our kind?”

  Tammy nodded. “We are…” She faulted on how to explain.

  “Mates. They exclusively breed together,” Breeze explained, coming to the rescue. “They have decided to stay with each other until death.”

  The woman appeared shocked. “But she’s human.”

  Breeze smiled. “She’s a good one who would never hurt our kind. She loves Valiant and he loves her.”

  The women kept staring at Tammy as if she were something they couldn’t figure out. She tried not to allow it to bother her. She was something they didn’t expect.

  “Do you feel as if you are an occupant of a zoo?” Breeze asked and chuckled.

  Tammy grinned. “Just a little.”

  The rest of the ride to the hotel was silent.

  * * * * *

  The lobby of the hotel had been cleared. Tammy was relieved that the males were gone, not wanting to risk another confrontation. Jessie and Breeze talked softly about the accommodations the newly arriving women were given. Tammy noticed the six women were still watching her. In the elevator they all pressed together and they sniffed at her. She tried not to let it bother her. She was a little more than relieved though when the elevator doors opened on the fourth floor.

  Tammy, Breeze and Jessie showed the women to their separate rooms and demonstrated how to use everything inside. They had no idea how to turn on the shower or run a bath. They didn’t know how to use a phone, how to open the windows or how to lock a door. Hours later Tammy, Breeze and Jessie left the fourth floor, tired but satisfied that everyone was settled.

  “Wow,” Breeze sighed. “I didn’t realize how little I knew when I was first released.”

  Jessie nodded. “At least they all can read and write. Some of the Gift females were never taught. I’d say only about half of them were. It depended on how old they were when they were given away.”

  “That’s so horrible,” Tammy sighed, remembering what she’d learned about those poor women.

  “Yes,” Jessie agreed. “It is. I’m the one who goes in every time. There are two Special Forces teams that make up the task force that was put together solely to work with the New Species Organization. They are all men. At first they didn’t realize they really needed a woman to go in with them when they recover New Species females. The first two times they went in without a woman they highly traumatized the recovered females more than necessary. Think about it. It was just stupid. They just didn’t think about how that would affect a female who has been abused, locked up for years, and suddenly she’s surrounded by two-dozen men dressed in full assault uniforms who are armed to the teeth.” Jessie clenched her teeth and shook her head. “They brought me in finally. The guys kick ass and I handle the females.”

  “How did you get the job?” Tammy glanced around the cafeteria as they walked into it.

  Jessie laughed. “My father, actually. He’s a senator who was appointed to represent the New Species issues in Washington. He volunteered me when they realized it might be smart to have a woman present who was nonthreatening to the females they found. The first woman they hired was a shrink. That didn’t go over well. After that, my father got his way and I ended up with the job. I was a little pissed at first since he didn’t ask me but I love what I do. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of down time. I wish more of them could be found. I wouldn’t mind working eighty hours a week if it meant we were rescuing more of them.”

  “Do you find them often?”

  Tammy grabbed a plate and started to fill it with food from the buffet. She grabbed some donuts and a muffin. Not much was out in the early-morning hours. The cook hadn’t started preparing breakfast and wouldn’t until six, according to the wall schedule. The other two women filled their plates as well.

  “They are hard to find. In all, we’ve recovered twenty-three. We were able to track some of the Gift Species who were unaccounted for, but most hadn’t survived.”

  Tammy cringed. “That’s so sad.”

  “They are not like us,” Breeze stated softly. She met Tammy’s curious gaze. “They are small and unable to defend themselves. They were severely abused, comparable to kicked puppies.”

  “Oh.”

  Jessie sighed. “It’s hard for the New Species to accept some of them because they are so traumatized that they can’t be around men at first. Several churches with secluded women’s retreats were nice enough to take some of them in. We send them there when we find an especially fragile female.”

  “They cry and shriek around men. They jump and shake.” Breeze’s voice sounded upset. “And it makes us very angry to see that.”

  Jessie clenched her teeth. “It’s not their fault they are that way.”

  Breeze frowned. “We are not angry at them. We get angry that this happened to them and that they were made weaker and taken from our men who treated our females well. We feel rage that they were completely alone. It was rare that we saw other Species unless they were breeding us but we could scent them on the humans who came into our cells. It was comforting. They didn’t have that. It angers all of us.” Breeze stared at Jessie. “Our anger is never directed at them. Never.”

  “I’m sorry.” Jessie sighed. “I have seen the reactions of your kind when I take the women in. I just assumed the rage was directed at the Gift females because they are crying and very frightened when they see others of their kind. I know you really respect strength and courage.”

  “We do but we want to protect the weaker. We understand they need our compassion most.”

  Tammy finished her breakfast. “Wow. The sun is out.” Her gaze drifted away from the window at the back of the cafeteria.

  “You should get some rest before Valiant returns.” Breeze chuckled. “He will want to take you to bed but he will not allow you sleep. You need all the sleep you are able to get while you can.”

  Tammy nodded. “We’re getting married today.”

  Jessie choked on her coffee. “What?”

  Tammy grinned. “We’re getting married. He asked and I accepted. He wants it all legal-like and I’m happy about that.”

  “Another one.” Jessie smiled. “So you’re going to be the second married, mixed couple. That’s great. I didn’t mean to blow coffee. It just surprised me.”

  Breeze chuckled. “Wait until you see them together. That will surprise you even more. Where she is short, he is tall. He’s a big male—six-foot-six and weighs well over two-hundred-fifty pounds.”

  Jessie winked at Tammy, grinning. “Brave woman.”

  “He’s a sweetheart.”

  Breeze laughed. “To her, he is a sweetheart. We shake in fear when he is angry. She laughs at him. Just do not be afraid when you hear really loud noises today, Jessie. I will have to put you on the third floor by their suite. You will need a room for a few days while you stay to help with the woman. Valiant is lion mixed. Just remember that.”

  Jessie appeared confused. “What am I missing?”

  Tammy knew her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. “He roars after sex. On that note, I’m leaving.” She waved. “I hope to see both of you at the wedding. Come if you can.”

  “She was kidding, right?” Jessie sounded stunned.

  Breeze laughed. “No. She was not. She is what your kind call a ‘screamer’ too. We all know when they breed. We look forward to when they will go to Valiant’s home just so we can get some undisturbed sleep.”

  Tammy groaned as she walked away, grateful to move out of earshot after that. She quickly reached the elevator, happy there were no lingering males in the reception area, and made a beeline for her suite.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Tammy might have been a little nervous but Valiant didn’t seem to suffer from it. He held her hands while he grinned at her. The New Species had brought in Pastor Thomas to perform the ceremony. The elderly pastor appeared a little uneasy, being surrounded by a few hundred New Species but the fact that he’
d agreed to marry them touched her deeply. There was only one other human present besides Tammy and the pastor. Jessie Dupree had shown up to witness their marriage.

  Her best friend had refused to come when Tammy had called to invite Tim. She was a little sad but staring into Valiant’s exotic golden eyes made it not matter after all. Tim would either get over his prejudice or he wouldn’t. It was his problem, not hers.

  She’d never thought so many New Species would show up to witness their joining but they had. It warmed her heart that they cared. The lobby was the largest room besides the cafeteria that the hotel had to offer and it was packed—standing room only. There weren’t enough chairs to seat so many people. Justice stood at the front of the group, grinning widely. He had stayed to witness the ceremony.

  “Do you, Tammy Ann Shasta, take Valiant North to be your husband?”

  They had changed the vows to make it easier for everyone to understand. “I do, happily.”

  Valiant grinned wider.

  “Do you, Valiant North, take Tammy Ann Shasta to be your wife?”

  “I do, with honor and happiness.” He winked at her.

  Tammy laughed. She’d have to talk to him again about how wrong and weird that looked. They listened as the pastor spoke, telling them what marriage meant before he pronounced them legally married.

  “You may kiss your wife, Valiant. She’s all yours now.”

  Valiant released Tammy’s hands and gripped her hips. He slowly raised her off the floor. Tammy laughed and grasped his broad shoulders to keep her balance. He lifted her until they were the same height. Her hands slid around his neck and she closed her eyes as he drew her tighter against his body. His arms slid around her waist, hugging her.

  She hoped he would just brush his lips over hers. After all, there were hundreds of people watching them. Valiant didn’t do that. He really kissed her. His mouth opened over hers and he invaded her mouth with his tongue.

  Tammy kissed him back, unable to resist the sensual touch of the man she loved and her body instantly responded. Valiant always had that effect on her. He purred and she moaned as the passion ignited between them.

  “Uh…” Pastor Thomas coughed. “I think that will do.”

  Valiant growled but he broke the kiss. When he pulled away, they looked at each other and their gazes held. Tammy couldn’t wait to get him alone and with the blatant desire on his features, she knew the feeling was mutual. The room remained totally silent. Valiant slowly set her back on her feet.

  “Mine.”

  Tammy laughed. “Yours.”

  Breeze laughed. “We have a car outside to take you to Valiant’s house as a wedding gift to everyone staying at the hotel. We would like to be able to sleep and we know how you both are. We thought it would be worse since you are celebrating marriage. We think Valiant won’t allow you out of bed for days.”

  A few of the New Species laughed. Tammy blushed. Valiant smiled and nodded at Breeze. “That is my plan.”

  “Thank God,” Jessie whispered softly. “I thought the roof would collapse when I heard them. Congrats! I’m going to go eat before a long line forms.” She grinned and spun away, walking through a mass of people.

  Tammy blushed more. Valiant threw back his head and laughed.

  Pastor Thomas frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  Breeze stepped forward. “We want Valiant and Tammy to enjoy their alone time together and we’ll all sleep better when they are far away.”

  The pastor still looked confused. “What am I missing?”

  Justice chuckled, walking forward. “It’s a New Species thing if I just walked into the conversation topic I believe I did. Don’t worry about it.”

  Valiant turned to Tammy and suddenly grabbed her. He scooped her into his arms with a grin. “Let’s go home.”

  Tammy wrapped her arms around his neck. “Are you actually going to give me a tour this time? I’ve yet to see anything inside your house but the entryway, the stairs, and your bedroom.”

  He laughed, carrying her through the crowd that parted for them on their way outside. “Maybe in a few days.”

  “You have to let me eat.” Tammy teased.

  “I thought of that already. I will have food delivered from the hotel.”

  A Jeep waited outside and Tiger jumped into the driver’s seat. He just laughed when Valiant took the passenger seat with Tammy curled on his lap.

  “I’m on it,” Tiger smiled. “Food delivered…what? Four times a day?”

  “Make it six.” Valiant chuckled. “She is going to be very hungry.”

  Tiger started the engine. “Six it is. And just so you know, do not be alarmed if you smell some of us nearby. We have set a security detail around your home. Not too close though. Just near enough to keep an eye on the house while you and Tammy are there.”

  Valiant sighed. “I understand.”

  Tammy glanced at each man. “I don’t.”

  “You’re human,” Valiant said softly. “The men will be there to help protect you since we are not at the hotel. We have enemies, sexy. You’re a target now that we’re married. The Wild Zone should be safe but it will make Justice feel better if he knows there’s extra security around to help safeguard us.”

  Tammy dropped her head on Valiant’s chest. She snuggled into him. “Okay, but make sure they aren’t too close.”

  Tiger laughed. “Not a problem.”

  Valiant nuzzled her cheek. “Mine.”

  She laughed. “Are you ever going to stop saying that?”

  “I like to remind myself and you that you really belong to me. I might say it more if we have children.”

  Tammy grinned. “I’m definitely not having eight kids though. Every other word out of your mouth to us would be ‘mine’.”

  “I love you, Tammy.”

  “I love you too.”

  Tiger laughed. “I love that you two are going to be miles and miles away from me when I go to bed tonight. I haven’t slept a solid eight hours since you moved into the hotel. She’s small, Valiant. You should ease up some on the sex.”

  Tammy and Valiant both shot him a glare. “Never,” they said in unison.

  About the Author

  I’m a full time “in-house supervisor” (sounds much better than plain ol’ housewife), mother and writer. I’m addicted to caramel iced coffee, the occasional candy bar (or two) and trying to get at least five hours of sleep at night.

  I love to write all kinds of stories. I think the best part about writing is the fact that real life is always uncertain, always tossing things at us that we have no control over, but when your write, you can make sure there’s always a happy ending. I love that about writing. I love it when I sit down at my computer desk and put on my headphones to listen to loud music to block out the world around me, so I can create worlds in front of me.

  Laurann welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

  Tell Us What You Think

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  Also by Laurann Dohner

  Cyborg Seduction 1: Burning Up Flint

  Cyborg Seduction 2: Kissing Steel

  Cyborg Seduction 3: Melting Iron

  Cyborg Seduction 4: Touching Ice

  Cyborg Seduction 5: Stealing Coal

  Cyborg Seduction 6: Redeeming Zorus

  Mating Heat 1: Mate Set

  Mating Heat 2: His Purrfect Mate

  New Species 1: Fury

  New Species 2: Slade

  Riding the Raines 1: Propositioning Mr. Raine

  Riding the Raines 2: Raine on Me

  Zorn Warriors 1: Ral’s Woman

  Zorn Warriors 2: Kidnapping Casey

  Zorn Warriors 3: Tempting Rever

  Zorn Warriors 4: Berrr’s Vow

  Print books by Laurann Dohner

  Cyborg Seduction: Burning Up Flint

  Cyborg Seduc
tion: Kissing Steal

  Zorn Warriors: Berrr’s Vow

  Zorn Warriors: Loving Zorn

  Zorn Warriors: Tempting Rever

  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

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