Jessie paled. “As a member of the staff, right?

Not as a prisoner?”

He reached up and caressed her cheek. “Allison will work there.”

She blew out a relieved breath. “How long will she be gone? I got the impression her and Obsidian might have growing feelings. You can’t expect them to just forget about each other if that’s the case.”

“I didn’t specify a timeframe. Kregkor was happy she wouldn’t have access to Obsidian and I thought her being gone would help Obsidian bond with our people. We’ll see how he does without her and we can bring her back at any time if she works at Fuller. It will also give Allison a way to redeem herself for stealing Obsidian.

Her motives were pure and she saved his life. I’d really like her at Medical again.”

“We had to punish her,” Fury concurred. “But that doesn’t mean it has to be forever. She is an excellent doctor who risked everything to save one of our males. We want her on our side.”

He smiled at his son and kissed his forehead.

“Besides, Salvation loves her and she makes him smile. I trust her with his life.”

“Kregkor is handling telling Allison that she must leave. Breeze insisted on being there. She also wants to be the one to tell Obsidian about the decision that has been made.” Justice watched the baby intently. “I agreed to both since I’d rather be here with my friends and mate.”

Jessie leaned in, her lips brushing his ear. “He is adorable. Do you want a son?”

He masked his expression before looking her way.

“You can’t hide anything from me. I see the longing in you to go over there and play with him. I think it’s about that time.”

A slow smile curved his generous mouth. “We should work on that.”

“You’re hiring Allison back for sure, right?

She really is fantastic.”

He nodded. “Definitely.”

Obsidian wanted to go to Alli’s space but the female doctor had given orders that he couldn’t leave. Moon paced next to his bed in the small room, glancing at him from time to time.

“I shouldn’t have listened to Darkness when he said to allow you both to work it out with fists.”

“The male wanted to fight and he accused me of abusing my female.” An emotion close to regret filled Obsidian. “I didn’t mean to harm him so bad.” Maybe not but he was less burdened by guilt after he’d been told the male would fully recover within a week.

The door opened and Dr. Trisha North stepped inside. “Good news. You didn’t dent your head any worse than before. You don’t even need stitches.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I do need to give you a shot though.”

“No. I want to go to Alli. I’ve been here for hours.”

The door opened again and a familiar female stepped inside. He remembered her and her threats. “Breeze.”

“Obsidian. I like the name and I see you remember mine.” She held a tray in one hand.

“Don’t be a baby and take the shot.” She stared at him defiantly despite his angry watchful gaze.

“I’m not here just to see you get poked. We need to talk about Allison.”

“Breeze,” Trisha warned, removing the syringe from the metal surface.

“Take the shot.” The Species female continued to regard him. “Then we talk.”

“No.”

“What is it for?” Moon joined the conversation.

Trisha licked her lips. “Doctor’s orders. You’re not leaving here until you take this. Do you want to stick around a while longer, until you decide?

That’s fine with me but I’m going home after this.”

“Give it to me.” He just wanted to see Alli. She had grown pale when she’d seen his blood and he hadn’t enjoyed the way she’d stared at him after learning he’d fought for her.

The doctor swabbed the skin on his upper arm and he clenched his teeth, expecting pain when the needle pierced his flesh. The Mercile technicians always made sure they inflicted as much pain as possible when they gave injections. Obsidian was surprised when he felt only a slight prick before she withdrew the needle and tossed the syringe into a box on the wall.

Breeze stepped closer. “How do you feel?”

Spots appeared before his eyes and lightheadedness made him sway where he sat on the edge of the table. A low groan filled the room and he realized he’d made that sound. Firm hands gripped him and he fell back, landing on the bed instead of the floor.

“What the hell?” Moon growled. “What did you do to him?”

“We needed him to remain calm,” Trisha whispered. “I gave him a strong sedative. I’m out of here now. What is said is none of my business. I can’t repeat something I didn’t hear.” She stopped by the door. “Good luck, Breeze. I’m rooting for him and your plan.” The doctor left, firmly closing the door behind her.

“What plan? Why have we drugged Obsidian?” Moon hovered closer, his voice deepening with anger. “What have you done, Breeze? This joke isn’t funny.”

“Notice me not laughing. Shit has hit the fan.

The head shrink has labeled your angry friend as a dangerous threat to all of us.” Breeze bent over him, holding his gaze. “Don’t panic, Obsidian.

You’re safe.” She stared at the other male.

“What?” Moon sounded shocked.

“Worst-case scenario with a newly freed male.” Breeze nodded, her expression harsh. “He threatened to attack Justice and Fury, fought with Jericho, and now this shit with Destiny.”

“Destiny challenged him and was insulting. He practically begged to get his ass handed to him with some of those taunts.” Moon growled. “This is bullshit. Sure, Obsidian shouldn’t have tried to kill him but he’s still figuring things out. We came from a kill-or-be-killed existence. What the fuck does the head shrink expect? Water balloon fights and slap matches when we grow angry at one another?”

Obsidian struggled with his body but couldn’t move. He flashed back to waking with Alli’s unknown scent that first time. He couldn’t even move a finger this time or control the rise and fall of his chest. They’d given him a strong drug. He had no choice but to seethe as he listened to the conversation.

“Nobody wants it to come to that.” Breeze glanced down at him again. “I asked Trisha to dose you. I knew you’d be very angry and male when we had this discussion. In other words, irrational and violent.” She glanced at Moon. “This is kind of cool. I wish I could have all of you restrained when I have to break bad news.” Her gaze dropped to him. “You’re so docile it’s cute.

I’m almost tempted to see how it feels to pinch your cheeks the way mothers do to their young on television.”

“Breeze,” Moon growled. “Don’t screw around. What are we going to do?”

Her expression clouded with severity. “Sorry.

Rare moment I had but I’m over it.” She took a deep breath. “I’m going to talk and you are going to listen. I’d ask if that is all right but you don’t have a choice.”

He was going to growl at her when the drugs wore off. He’d enjoy frightening the female to gain retaliation.

“Once upon a time in a land right here,” Breeze whispered.

“Damn it, Breeze!” Moon grabbed her, yanking her away. “That’s not funny!”

“I wasn’t trying to be. We all heard fairy tales when we were children. I think he could relate to why we have worst-case scenarios of newly freed males if he understood what happened to cause it.

He needs to hear the story.”

“I’ll do it.” Moon bent, staring into his eyes.

“Here’s the condensed version. Some of us were really screwed up in the head by Mercile and a few of them plotted together to kill Justice because they didn’t agree with him choosing a human mate. You can relate to that because of how you want Dr. Allison.” He sat on the edge of the bed, using his arms to brace on both sides of him.

“They almost murdered him and his mate. They died trying and it made us realize that not all of us are right in the head. We’d do anything to protect our mates and our friends. That includes killing the ones who are a danger to them. You would kill to protect Dr. Allison.”