It was difficult to be reasonable when it came to Ellie but he knew Justice had a good point. The humans were still wary of New Species and they had to be concerned with her well-being. To be honest, if it were any other New Species male with a human female, he’d be closely monitoring the situation too. Fury sighed, calmed, and knew Ellie wouldn’t leave him willingly. He needed to allow the humans to see her.
“They want a doctor to examine her. They are worried. Hell, I’m worried. We’ve talked about crossing this line but I know of no one who has so far, except you and her.” Justice paused. “So we’re compatible sexually?”
Fury nodded. “A little different as we suspected but it works out extremely well. She doesn’t need a doctor. I would not hurt her.”
Justice frowned. “What about biting?” His gaze roamed her bared skin around her throat and shoulders. His gaze swung back to Fury. “They are more fragile than our women and they don’t heal as fast.”
“I don’t bite her.”
“You actually bite during sex?” That surprised Ellie. The discussion about her sex life with Fury embarrassed her but curiosity won out. “I didn’t know that.”
Fury looked at her and flashed his fangs for a split second when he lifted his upper lip. “I don’t think you would enjoy it.”
She studied his canine teeth. “Probably not.”
Fury snorted, amusement flickered in his brown eyes, before he faced Justice. “I will allow her to go but I stay at her side. Those hate groups have already attacked her for working here. I won’t risk her life now that it’s rumored she lives with me. It’s made her a bigger target.”
“I understand but Director Boris is adamant that you not be present. He is afraid you’ve dealt out severe enough abuse to her that she’d be too terrified to be truthful in your presence.”
“I don’t give a damn what Boris wants,” Fury growled. “She’s mine and not his. She is none of his concern anymore.”
Ellie shifted her weight, eased her body out of the corner, and wiggled around Fury. He let her move until she tried to step away from him. One arm snagged around her waist to prevent her from leaving his reach. He pulled her back against the front of him until she leaned back against his body. Ellie relaxed. She loved him holding her regardless of the circumstances. She curled her fingers around his forearm to assure him she didn’t plan to move.
Justice watched them with interest. “Did you mate her the first day you brought her into your home?”
“We mated last night.” Fury’s body relaxed. “I don’t trust Boris. I don’t trust anyone with her life. She’s mine, Justice. I won’t allow anyone to harm her. Not even you with your concerns.”
“I’d never harm her,” Justice swore softly. “I give you my word nothing will happen to her and I would defend her with my life. I need to take her with me to see the director. We’re close to taking over and he will be gone soon but for now we must work with him. I’ll bring her right back. They want a doctor to examine her first but I won’t leave her side. We need to set their minds at ease, Fury. They are concerned about our breeding habits combining with theirs. They are sure you bred with her and they will not leave this alone.”
“They don’t know for sure if Fury and I have been intimate, right?” Ellie spoke.
Justice nodded. “All it will take is one whiff to tell them the truth. Now that you are close to me I can smell Fury’s scent. You are covered in it.”
Ellie hesitated. “Guess what? We can’t smell as good as you guys do. All we can do is study things with our eyes and speculate.”
Justice slowly smiled. “I forget about that. We take it for granted.”
She nodded. “They can only hypothesize about what Fury and I have done together.”
The smile faded from Justice’s face. “You are living with him.”
“She’s mine,” Fury stated softly with a threatening tone. “She will continue to live with me. That isn’t up for debate.”
Justice studied Fury very closely. “Are you all right? You’re very possessive.”
“I’m fine. I admit I feel possessive. She is mine and it is that simple.”
Justice hesitated. “You definitely mated her. This is far beyond breeding with a female. I will take her to see Boris and then bring her back to you. I won’t leave her side.”
“You will protect her as if she is one of ours,” Fury demanded.
Justice nodded. “She is yours and that means she is one of ours.”
Fury’s arm eased its tight hold around her waist and both hands gripped her hips. He spun her to face him until their gazes met.
“I will get you back if they try to make you leave Homeland. No one will keep you from me.”
It startled Ellie at how fierce he sounded but she nodded. “I’ll be home really soon. I…” She wanted say she loved him but resisted. The level of emotion she felt toward him didn’t come as a surprise to her. “I will miss you,” she finally settled on saying.
Fury cupped her face with both hands and leaned down until their noses nearly touched. “You will be missed too.” His passionate gaze lifted from hers to stare pointedly over her head. “Bring her back soon and protect her at all costs.”
“I will,” Justice swore. “With my very life if need be. Let’s go, Ellie. You will want to put on shoes.”
* * * * *
Ellie darted glances at the intimidating big men who surrounded her and fought a claustrophobic feeling from too many bodies pressed tightly together. No one touched her but she knew if she lifted her arm she’d brush against an NSO officer. Justice acted as though her life were in extreme danger. It made her more than a little terrified until they entered the conference room. The shock at seeing the room packed to full capacity overwhelmed the fear. She clenched her teeth to prevent her jaw from dropping open as her glance darted around the room filled with at least sixty-plus people. It had to set a new record for attendance for a meeting.
Director Boris stood behind a table in the back. “Ms. Brower.”
Ellie’s gaze met his and anger surged. She glanced at Darren Artino, who stood next to the director. Other familiar faces were present but most of the people weren’t ones she recognized. Their seemed solely focused on her. It left her feeling as though she were a bug under a microscope. Justice motioned his NSO officers to spread out with a flick of his hand but he stayed at her side to address Director Boris.
“Here is Ellie Brower and you can see she is fine.” Justice’s irritation sounded in his voice.
Darren Artino cleared his throat while he studied Ellie. “It has been brought to our attention you might want to leave Mr. Fury’s home. We’re concerned about you.”
Ellie crossed her arms over her chest and thrust her chin out, really uncomfortable with everyone staring at her. “I’m fine. Mr. Fury has been nice enough to let me crash in his guestroom.” She paused, glaring openly at Director Boris, not bothering to hide her dislike of him. “I was nearly kidnapped by a few members of the hate groups who picket outside after I left Homeland. Mr. Fury is concerned about my safety. I’m much better off here than outside those gates.”
A blonde woman with her hair pulled into a tight bun stood. She wore a trim, black business suit. “I’m Doctor Trisha Norbit.”
The woman appeared too young to be a doctor but Ellie didn’t share her opinion aloud. “It’s nice to meet you.” She wasn’t sure what else to say.
“We were told you and Mr. Fury have become very close. I’d like to examine you to make sure you are in good health and we could discuss some things.” The woman glanced around the room and then gave Ellie a meaningful look. “In private, of course.”
“There’s nothing to talk about and I don’t need a medical exam.” Ellie sighed loudly, not wanting to spend the day there. “Look, I’ll get to the point. I heard the reports on the news. I know you believe Mr. Fury has hurt me or some other bullshit but that’s not true.” She shot another dirty look toward Director Boris and then turned her attention to the doctor. “I’m his guest who sleeps in the spare bedroom. I hardly see him and there’s nothing dirty going on. I don’t even know why I’m here but Mr. North said I had to show up so everyone can see I’m all right. My day was going great until I had to come here for everyone to gawk at me, imagining the worst.”