She appreciated his attempt at humor and his assurances that Tiger would make it. He gave her the name of the hospital and told her to ask for Trey Roberts when she arrived there. “He is heading the human task team protecting Tiger. He’ll ask for identification. Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t.”

He drove her to the east gate and parked. “I’m going to have two officers follow you down the stretch of highway to the main road. We don’t want to risk you being attacked.” He leaped out. “Go to your car. I’ll arrange it now.”

“Thank you so much.”

He cocked his head to stare at her with those strange yet appealing eyes. “I am hoping your presence will help Tiger heal faster.” His gaze swept quickly over her body. “He will be motivated to heal at the sight of you.” A small smile appeared. “Not to mention that we joke about how the scent of a female in heat could make us do anything they desire. You want him well.”

Zandy liked the man. He spun away to talk to the officers at the guard shack. They had two of the heavily armed ones come down from the overhead walls and climb into a Jeep. She followed them for a few miles until they pulled over to the side of the road to wave her past them when they were sure no one hung around the wooded area looking for an easy target.

She gave them a grateful wave and drove toward her house. She needed to print out a map and grab some of her own clothing. The area was still unfamiliar to her and she wished she had a GPS system in her car. Money was always tight though and it was an expense she couldn’t spare. Seeing her house after a few days away made her realize she hadn’t missed it much.

The two-bedroom home had been in her price range and her budget. She’d bought it for that reason more than loving it. She unlocked the front door, stepped over the mail on the floor that had been pushed through the mail slot, and walked over to her desk. She turned on her laptop while she rushed into her bedroom. In minutes she’d changed into a pair of comfortable jeans, a tank top, and had packed a small overnight bag.

It only took her a minute to pull up driving directions to the hospital where Tiger had been taken and print them out. She grabbed the overnight bag and left her house. She wanted to get to him as soon as she was able. Worry ate at her. Would he really be all right? Jericho had seemed so certain that it helped keep her calm over the next few hours as she drove.

* * * * *

The woman at the front reception area stared at her blankly when she asked to speak to Trey Roberts. “I don’t know who that is.”

Zandy lowered her voice. “He’s in charge of a security detail here. A New Species was brought in last night. His name is Tiger and he might be listed under the last name of North.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed. “We have no New Species patients.”

“You do,” Zandy insisted. She reached inside her purse and slapped down her driver’s license. “Call his security detail and let them know I’m here. They are expecting me.”

The woman reached out and took the identification and studied it before glancing around. Her voice came out low. “No one is to know he’s a patient here. The press would be all over it. Have a seat while I call upstairs.”

“Thank you.”

She sat, nervous and worried. In minutes she watched a tall, beefy man in a gray, cotton, long-sleeve shirt and jeans approach the front desk. The woman she’d spoken to handed over her driver’s license to him and pointed. Zandy rose to her feet when his gaze met hers.

“Zandy Gordon.” He passed her license back to her. “I’m Trey Roberts. Please follow me.”

Excitement and worry gripped her as the elevator doors closed. “How is Tiger?”

He suddenly moved and his hands roamed her body. “Sorry. I have to pat you down.”

She didn’t resist. “Is Tiger okay? What’s his condition? They said he had some broken bones and a head injury.”

He spun her around, patting down her back. “I’m just taking you to the NSO team. They will answer your questions. You’re clean.” He released her and held out his hand. “Give me your purse and your bag. I have to check them out.”

She gave them both up easily. The doors opened and they stepped out on the eighth floor. He pointed to two men dressed similar to him and both of the muscled guys stood out in the hospital setting.

“Go to them. I will have to go through your bags here.”

She followed the men down a hallway and into a room. Two large New Species were inside. They wore T-shirts and jeans too, and frowned when the door closed behind her as the human guards left her alone with them.

“I’m Bestial,” the black-haired giant stated. “This is Jaded. You are Zandy Gordon.” He sniffed the air, walked a circle around her to study every inch of her body and glared when he paused in front of her. “You don’t smell of Tiger and I doubt your story. He isn’t into human females.”

The black-haired New Species with bright-green eyes growled softly at the other one. “Be kind, Bestial. It’s not impossible. She is attractive. It’s possible she’s telling the truth.”

“I don’t believe it.” His dark eyes narrowed. “Prove it, female.”

“How is she going to do that? Tiger is unconscious. She doesn’t carry his scent.” Jaded crossed his arms over his chest. “The male Species who called seemed to believe her. He knows this human. We’ll need to have faith it’s the truth.”