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

Smiley’s hold on her h*ps 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.”

“They are really pretty.”

He made a snorting sound. “Scary perhaps but not attractive.” He helped her into a Jeep.

She glanced at Smiley and saw how unhappy he looked when he frowned deeply. Her escort climbed into the driver’s seat and pulled away from the curb as soon as he started the engine.

“Smiley was highly interested in you. He spoke of you often. He also was clear that you turned down his offers. Don’t feel bad for him.”

“Right now all I feel is terror and worry. Is Tiger going to be all right?”

“He is a strong male in good hands with medical professionals. We heal at an accelerated rate—faster than typical humans do. They designed us this way and it’s a good sign that Tiger has survived all these hours. I would bet a week of my cream pies that he will live.”

She gawked at the New Species. He smiled, his attention on the road. “I can feel you staring at me. I have a fondness for cream pies and wouldn’t give them up easily or bet them away without being certain I am right.” He chuckled. “And no, banana isn’t my favorite. I enjoy chocolate and coconut more.”