“From a distance.”

“You would stay at Homeland or Reservation.”

“I take it that, wherever I chose, you’d be in the other location?”

He said nothing. It answered her question. She’d pegged it right. The door opened and Doc Alli entered. “The pregnancy test is negative.” She folded her hands as if she were nervous, glancing between the two of them. “I’ll leave now.” She turned to go.

“Are you sure?” Darkness pushed away from the wall.

“Yes.” The blonde paused. “I’m certain. The hormone levels would have been spiked if she were carrying a Species baby. I could do an ultrasound but it’s not necessary.”

“Thank you.” Darkness allowed her to leave.

The door closed and Kat slid off the edge of the table, her legs feeling a bit shaky. She hated the disappointment she felt at the news. It would have been the worst circumstances to have a baby but part of her had started to warm to the idea. Another part of her was thankful. Darkness would get his wish. They had a clean break. There was nothing to bind them together.

“That’s good.”

She peered up at him. Is he trying to convince me or himself? “I won’t keep you from your celebration. I have a taxi to catch.” She walked to the door and gripped the handle.

Darkness suddenly stepped behind her and flattened his hand on the door to keep it shut. She could feel him close. If she turned, they would have touched. It kept her still, wondering why he wasn’t opening the door for her.

“Kat,” he rasped.

Tears filled her eyes. She hoped he’d say he was willing to try to have a real relationship with her, that he’d changed his mind. She wasn’t going to hold her breath. “What?”

“Have you considered the job with the NSO?”

She refused to face him. “I have. I appreciate the offer, but no. I’ll either stay with the FBI if they allow it or find work somewhere else after the investigation is complete. I’m going in later today to speak to the supervisor in charge. I plan to go home first and get some real clothes.” She glanced down at the NSO-issued T-shirt and sweatpants, minus their logo. “This isn’t my best dress-to-impress look.”

“Do you need anything?”

A long list formed in her head, starting with him dropping to his knees and begging her to stay. “Nope. The NSO assured me they’d pay for a taxi to take me home. That’s all I need. My escort is going to take me from here right to one of the side gates. They wanted to avoid anyone seeing me leave.”

“I…”

She blinked back tears and turned. He was so tall and big. She’d always remember that about him. And the way he always smelled so good. “You what?”

Pain flashed in his eyes or maybe that was wishful thinking on her part. “I wish you well, Kat.”

“You too.” She spun. “I have to go if that’s all you want to say.”

He released the door and stepped back. She twisted the handle, jerked the door open and strode down the hall at a rapid pace. Don’t fall apart. Don’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he hurt you. She repeated it in her head until she located her escort near the front door.

“Let’s go.”

The male nodded and led her out to a waiting Jeep. She was leaving Homeland and never coming back. That should make Darkness happy. She’d be miserable but that wasn’t his concern. It hardened her heart a little. The gate turned out to be a door in the wall with a single New Species officer manning it. There were three heavily armed ones on the walkway atop the wall.

“Just walk through the alleyway and through the gate to the house directly across. A taxi is waiting in front of that house. He’ll believe you’re a resident there. He’s already been paid.” The officer forced a smile. “Please don’t reveal the location of the house to anyone. Both gates to the back and front have been unlocked for you.”

“Thank you. I won’t tell anyone.” She meant it.

The instructions were clear. She left Homeland, crossed the alley and walked through a nice, landscaped yard to the front gate, avoiding the house altogether. A taxi was parked in the street. The woman driver grinned as she took a seat in the back.

The driver rattled off Kat’s address. “That’s correct, right? Your mom said you had a fight with your boyfriend when she called. She already paid by credit card so I don’t mind to wait while you get more of your things.”

“I’ll come back later.” Kat leaned back. It was a good cover. “He needs time to cool off.”

The driver put the car in gear. “I’m sorry, hon. Men can be such ass**les.”

“Yes they can.” Kat thought of Darkness. She had no one to blame but herself for hoping for more with Darkness. It didn’t ease the heartbreak any. “I don’t feel like talking.”

“Sure. I get it.” The woman turned up her radio—a country tune.

Kat touched her stomach. It should have been fantastic news that she’d avoided an unplanned pregnancy. The idea of having a little mini-me Darkness had been on her mind often and she’d started to like the concept. He had to be feeling the exact opposite.

The taxi stopped in front of her house and Kat thanked the driver and got out. It was nice to be home. The paint was chipping and the windows needed to be replaced, but it was home. Missy would be happy to see her. She had to ring the bell since she didn’t have keys.