Wrath grimly nodded. “Agreed.”

* * * * *

Lauren watched the men eat and tried to hide her aversion. It wasn’t cooked at all, just bags of totally raw chunks of meat. She declined when 140 offered her some.

“You need your strength.”

“I can’t eat that,” she admitted. “Really. It makes me sick.”

He frowned and offered it to her again after he used his teeth to tear off a small strip. “One.”

She took it and popped it into her mouth. The metallic taste of cold blood was horrible and it was chewy. It took a while but she managed to choke it down.

“Eat another.”

“Nope. That was it for me. Trust me on that. You don’t want to see it come up.” Her stomach churned. “I’m good until breakfast.” Hopefully I’ll be out of here by then.

140 sighed, appeared slightly disappointed with her, but didn’t argue. He divided her portion of the food into fours, which he split among the other men. They didn’t talk even after they finished their quick dinner and Lauren leaned back against the cage wall. She was tired and it seemed as if a lot of time had passed.

Footsteps drew her attention and Mark walked out from the hallway. He stopped about six feet from her cage. “I called them and they accepted the deal. They are getting the money and my immunity paperwork in order.” He puffed out his chest. “I told them I insist on it being on paper so I have proof. They are planning on having it all done by three. I’m going to leave and they’ll come right after I give them the address.” He pulled out a small little camera and waved it slowly at the cages. “My proof that you are alive and well.”

“Is that deal for all of us?” Lauren worried about that.

“Yeah. You, them, and the woman in the basement.”

Lauren glanced at 140 and he seemed relieved his mate was included. She didn’t blame him. He’d said the woman was sick and she hoped it would be something simple that a full medical staff could handle. The NSO would make sure she got the best doctors. They took really good care of their own.

“I’m going to go pack,” Mark informed them. “I have to think of where I want to live.”

He left quickly and turned off the lights. She wished he hadn’t as darkness settled around them. The bastard no longer cared what happened to them as long as he got his deal. Hope swelled in her chest that he’d remembered to give her code word and that someone would run a search on it, figure out there used to be a club, or that they’d call Amanda to ask her what it might mean. Her best friend would instantly remember their old hangout.

Wrath was smart and he’d figure it out. She definitely had faith him. Time had lost meaning and she couldn’t even estimate if it were still early evening or past midnight. All she could do was wait in the darkness. It sucked.

“Are you cold?” 140’s voice startled her.

“I’m okay. A little chilled but I’m not touching that blanket. It reeks and who knows where it’s been or what’s been done to it.”

He chuckled. “True. Come here and I’ll keep you warm.”

“No thank you.”

“I have a female. I won’t attempt to mount you.”

“You’re damn straight you won’t. I have a guy and I love him. No offense.”

“Come here. I will hold you. Our bodies are warmer than yours.”

She hesitated. “You won’t touch me in a sexual way?”

“No. I said I have a mate.”

“And that means what?”

“I do not want another female. I only want to mount mine.”

There is that mounting word again. She hesitated but nodded. “Okay. Where are you? I can’t see a thing.”

Big, gentle hands touched her waist. She gasped when he just dragged her closer, forced her to lie on her side, and he shoved an arm under her head. One arm tightened around her middle and jerked her closer to his body. She found herself spooned by a stranger. 140 just held her, didn’t try anything funny, and his body heat was nice. She relaxed against him.

“Thank you. You are warm.”

He rested his chin on her head. “You are chilled. Your skin is cooler than it was today.”

“You remember my skin temperature?”

“I noticed everything. It’s what we do.”

“Are we alone in here with just the other New Species men?”

He lifted his head. “Yes.”

“Can all of you hear me if I whisper?”

“Yes.” His body tensed. “Why?”

“Will anyone else hear me? Do you know if they have listening devices or cameras?”

“They don’t and none of them are nearby. I’d smell them.” 140 sounded sure.

She whispered. “I tricked that man into calling the NSO. I am hoping they will send help to us really soon. Homeland traces all incoming calls and they might know where we are. They will come get us before any scheduled exchanges. I don’t want any of you to be alarmed if that happens.”

The arms around her middle tightened noticeably, almost squeezing her to the point of pain. “Will they kill us?”

She knew he meant him, his mate, and the three other men in cages. “No. They are your people, 140. They are going to rescue you. They work with my people and I don’t want any of you to be alarmed if they show up.”

His hold eased. “I am afraid to hope for freedom.”