Brawn - Laurann Dohner [68]
Trisha’s lips curved into a smile. “I understand. He seems pretty uptight.”
Becca slid off the exam table. “That’s being awfully polite. Dad is a tyrant when he’s angry about something.”
The door opened and Rusty stepped inside. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but my hearing is too good. Would you like me to take her to a room with a shower and have Sunshine get her some clothes? I already ordered food from the cafeteria. It will arrive in about fifteen minutes.” She held Becca’s gaze. “I’m the only one in the hallway who could hear what was being said and I won’t repeat that you shared sex with Brawn. I have met your father and I wouldn’t want him to know either. He yells at his men too much when they are holding meetings in security.”
Trisha laughed. “Welcome to my world. Their hearing is amplified about four times stronger than ours and the males have even better senses. Always whisper if any of them are around or run water to mute out the sound if you want to have a private conversation while you’re at Homeland.”
“Sorry, Doc Trisha.” Rusty chuckled. “I don’t mean to do it.”
“You can’t help it. Please take her down the hall to the nearest shower. I’m going to check on the incoming males.” Trisha reached out and brushed Becca’s arm. “I’m glad you’re okay and feel free to take us up on that offer to speak to someone if you struggle with anything. Just call Homeland and ask for me. Your father never has to know if we assign you a therapist. We have some great ones who work with us. I’ll have Paul bring you those pills. Just take them with water.”
“Thanks.” Becca meant it. “I’m fine though.”
She just wished she could talk to Brawn but knew he wasn’t there. It was still daylight. She had no idea what time it was, but suspected it would be a while before he arrived. She’d shower, eat something and maybe take a nap while she waited for him to find her.
* * * * *
Exhaustion made Brawn sluggish as he stood in the reception room at the Medical Center waiting for Tiger to return from checking on everyone. The male exited from a hallway and approached with a soda in hand, offering it to him.
“I figured you would enjoy this.”
He opened it and drank half of it in one swallow. “Thank you.” He glanced around to make sure no one was close enough to overhear. “Where is Becca?” He sniffed. “I smell her but the air-conditioning has me confused of the direction to take to find her room.”
Tiger frowned. “We sent her home.”
“What?” Anger deepened his voice. “I wanted to see her.”
“That’s not a good idea. She was kidnapped, held prisoner and I already informed Tim that having a Species live in the outside world was a failure. One of his team members will return your belongs in the morning. You’re staying here.”
“I want to see Becca.” He crushed the can in his hand and the contents spilled. He cursed, set it down on the counter and rubbed soda off his palm on his sweats.
“Brawn, be reasonable, my man. She doesn’t want to see you.”
“She said this?” His heart thundered and pain gripped him. “She refused to wait here for me? Was she informed I was coming and that I wished to see her?”
Tiger’s gaze narrowed. “You know it’s for the best. Tim noticed the bite mark on your chest and the scratches. He assumed they were from Becca. He told me that you aren’t allowed any contact with her and that he discussed it with her.”
“Did she refuse to see me?” The question came out in snarled fury. The idea of Becca leaving was bad enough but to refuse to speak to him was unthinkable.
“Calm down now. That’s an order.”
“I’m a council member and you don’t tell me what to do.” He spun and stormed for the door, but had no plan of how to find Becca. He’d think of one though, hopefully find a transport to take him to her home, and see her.
“Brawn? She doesn’t want to see you.”
That brought him to a jarring halt. He turned and Tiger nodded.
“I’m sorry, man. I wanted to spare you but Tim asked