A woman came out of the restaurant as she approached the front doors. She wore faded jeans, a sweater and appeared to be in her fifties. Vanni glanced at her face, nodded and walked around her.

“Are you okay?” The woman stopped. “You look like hell.”

Vanni paused and turned. The concern on the other woman’s face was clear. “I had a fight with my boyfriend and just left him next door,” she lied.

“Aw. You poor thing. They won’t let you go in there without shoes.”

Vanni hadn’t thought of that. “I’m just going to ask to use their phone and have my friend pick me up.”

“Where do you live?”

“It’s about an hour from here.” She gave the name of the city.

“I’m heading that way to go visit my sister. Do you want a lift? I have a daughter about your age. I always try to pay it forward. You can use my cell phone and have your friend meet us when we get closer to your home.”

“Thank you.” She jumped on the offer. “I’d appreciate that so much.”

“That’s my pickup right over there. I have a jacket you can borrow. You must be freezing.”

It reminded her of Smiley. His face flashed in her mind. She shoved those memories away. “I’m okay.” It was a lie. She’d had sex with a stranger and her entire life had turned upside down in the space of a few hours.

She followed the woman to her pickup and climbed inside the cab. They backed out of the parking space and Vanni turned her head, peering at the gas station. All the doors on the SUV were wide open and one of the guards was frantically throwing his arms around while the other one seemed to be on the phone. They’d discovered she was gone.

“What’s your name, hon?”

Vanni forced a smile, facing her companion. “Vanni.”

“Oh, that’s an odd name but it’s pretty.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m Melinda. Do you like country music?”

“Sure.” She didn’t care what played on the radio. It was impossible to relax until they were on the freeway and she was safely away. No big black SUVs appeared in the side-view mirror.

“Thank you for this.” Vanni hugged her chest tighter.

“You’re welcome. You’re my very first hitchhiker. Well, I guess you’re technically not since your thumb wasn’t up.” Melinda laughed.

Vanni tried to pay attention to the friendly chatter and answer when it was appropriate but her mind kept drifting to Smiley and what they’d done together in the back of that NSO vehicle. Her body was sore, especially between her legs. No stabbing pains jolted through her though, something for which she was grateful. No hot flashes or cold chills struck her. She was going to survive after all. Now it was all about dealing with the consequences.

“Men are jerks. You look so depressed. Don’t be.” Melinda reached over and patted her leg. “You’re young and attractive. You’ll find a better one.”

Vanni just nodded.

“Did your boyfriend cheat on you?”

Vanni hesitated. “He screwed me.”

“Don’t all men.”

The cheating reference hurt. Smiley wasn’t the cheater. She’d have to face Carl. The ring in her pocket would have to be returned. She almost was sorry she’d run from the NSO. They might have been more understanding about what happened than her soon-to-be ex.

* * * * *

Smiley climbed out of the bed at Medical. “They just allowed her to walk away from them? Why weren’t they watching her?”

Fury took a deep breath. “Shane and Ned made a mistake.”

“A mistake? She could be out there in pain. Vulnerable!” Smiley yelled, not caring to lower his tone. “Someone could take advantage of her.”

“Put the ice pack back on your face,” Midnight urged. “Please? Brass really tagged you.”

“I’m going to kill him. He had no right to hit me.”

“You were in pain and exhibiting breeding-drug symptoms. He was afraid you’d go insane and hurt the human.” Fury pushed away from the wall. “Be reasonable. You would have done the same. Do I have to point out what could have happened?”

“I wouldn’t have harmed Vanni.”

Midnight frowned. “She was the only female in the vicinity. You would have mounted her even if she’d been unconscious. It would have damaged your soul. You’re a good male.”

Smiley cringed at the thought. “I was in control.”

“Brass wasn’t certain it would last.”

“We have contacted all the human hospitals and their police to be on the lookout for a female in distress. Tell him, Fury.” Midnight shot him a dirty look.

“We have many agencies working on this. Our teams at the hotel are attempting to identify the female. No one with the name Vanni was registered there.”

“Her full name is Travanni.” Smiley regretted not asking for her last name. Humans had those.

Rusty walked into the room and stared at Smiley. “I heard you were given the breeding drug.” She stepped closer. “What happened to your jaw?”

“Brass put him out,” Midnight answered. “He seems to be doing okay now.”

“Leave us alone.” Rusty unfastened the straps securing her vest over her uniform.

Smiley was grateful to have so many friends and he understood and appreciated Rusty’s offer, but he just wasn’t interested. “I’m fine.”