Brutus (Moon Hunter's Inc. Book 4) Read online

  “He wasn’t an only child, he was an only son. Our family doesn’t have many boys.”

  “I think I know him better than that. He said he was an only child.”

  “I’m sure you and he were the best of friends. Not.”

  “I was on his bodyguard detail at headquarters for months.”

  “My uncle never got close with any of his guards. It just didn’t happen.”

  “You look nothing like him.”

  “So? You look like everyone in your family?”

  “At least a little bit.”

  “Whatever. He’ll be coming here and you can discuss it with him, then.”

  She started to turn away from him when a loud noise vibrated through the facility. It looked like help had finally arrived. Jazzy turned to the guard as she pulled her stunner. One shot and he was down and out. Chaos broke out as guards tried to figure out what to do and she saw Jill in the distance trying to get away.

  Moving to cut her off, a guard stepped into her way. Jazzy kicked him in the chin. His eyes rolled back and he dropped like a bag of bricks. She stepped over him and hurried to catch up with Jill. None of the team had entered this part of the facility yet, she was on her own. It wouldn’t be good if Jill escaped because she would continue her evil ways.

  They were now in a bay with several ships. Jill was obviously making her way to one of them. Jazzy was almost to her and she was sure she would capture her. “Hold up. You aren’t going anywhere.”

  “I know your uncle thinks we should go down with the place, but I’m not doing it.”

  “That’s not my objection. You’re going to jail for all the evil shit you’ve done.”

  “You are a spy, aren’t you? You’ll wish you’d paid better attention.” Jill said, and Jazzy realized someone was behind her. There was a sharp pain and then it all went dark.

  Chapter 7

  Raid

  Things were pretty crazy so Brutus locked down medical, but he was outside of it when he did. He would die a slow miserable death if anything happened to Shari or the child he claimed as his own. If she woke and found him gone and figured out he’d locked her up for safe keeping, she might be pissed. That was better than injured or dead.

  This was what his job was all about. He was in the thick of things, fighting for the welfare of others and completing his mission with his fellow hunters. The gods willing, he would return to her side and all would be well.

  “Hey, Brutus!” Bear hollered. “Have a few weapons, I have extra.” He tossed a couple guns obviously taken from the guards to him, just in time for him to use them on two guards headed at them. Bear shot at two coming from the other end of the hall. Anyone behind them would be more cautious before they turned the corner after seeing their comrades fall.

  Bear headed toward his victims while Brutus went to where his lay. The sounds of battle were echoing all around and he sent up a prayer for his brothers and sisters. They rarely had injuries, they wore armored attack suits, and were the best trained people he’d ever seen. Still, there were no guarantees and he would worry about Jazzy until he saw her. Everyone was using stun guns as far as he could determine, but that didn’t mean some of the targets weren’t dead. The guards had their guns set high. It would kill the average human.

  Brutus adjusted both his guns, but his first two targets were probably dead. When set just below fatal, it would knock out targets for hours. Sometimes, it would even kill them. Brutus didn’t like to kill, but he had to sometimes. He acknowledged most of these people deserved a slow death for what they’d done. Jill was one of the worst and he hoped they got her alive. A long life incarcerated in the Mazlans hard labor prison would serve her right.

  Things were slowing down now, as most guards were neutralized. Hunters had control of all systems and were locking down sections but unlocking the cells the subjects were kept in. None of them were leaving them, though. They probably either thought it a trick or feared being caught in the crossfire. He could see for the first time the overall improvement in their health the small reforms Jazzy had demanded had made even in such a short time.

  Jazzy! Damn! Where the hell was that girl? He would have to hunt her down. “Hey, Gunar!”

  “Brutus? I didn’t know you were here.”

  “I was undercover. Have you seen Jazzy?”

  “I have not. She must be here. Only one ship escaped during the attack. This was fun. The Mazlans rarely have battles.” Gunar was a Phoenix that Brutus had met on Oison. The relationship between the Mazlans and the Phoenix was odd by any standards, but the Phoenix were tough warriors that were a large presence in the Mazlan’s army.

  “You consider this fun? You would love to be a hunter.” Brutus replied.

  “Perhaps, my friend.” Gunar dodged and shot a guard that was down, but apparently not out.

  Brutus was grateful for the Phoenix, they were a proud and strong race. He wondered how Cash had gotten Razar to agree to send them. The Mazlans had taken an interest in the labs and Brutus wondered why but knew Razar shared little information with anyone.

  It was two hours before everything began to settle down. Guards and other employees were all placed in empty cages for now. A few were already loaded in the brig on the ship that was available and several of the former occupants of the cages were loaded on the ship, too. The victims of the labs were headed to a freedom some had never known, while the lab workers were headed to questioning and punishment for their part in the horrific activities the labs had performed.

  Jazzy still hadn’t turned up and it was driving Brutus crazy. He and Bear were in the security area working their way back through the videos the security cameras had taken. “There she is!” Bear yelled.

  “That was five hours ago. We’ll have to follow her path.” Brutus directed.

  “Feels silly. I’d rather fight somebody. I don’t know how you tech heads can do this.”

  “Patiently. Now sit still and watch.” Brutus ordered.

  “There’s that fucking bitch, Jill. She didn’t turn up, either. I’m not liking where this is going.”

  “Me either.” They continued on.

  “Who the hell is that guard?”

  “A dead fucker if he had anything to do with her disappearance,” Brutus promised. “We have to pull up the adjacent footage. Here we go. She’s following Jill to the shuttle bay.”

  “Oh, holy fuck. Who is the fucker who snuck up on her? If we catch them, he’s dead.” Bear swore.

  “When, when we catch them. I hope like hell someone tagged that ship or has a way to track it.” Brutus observed.

  “Let’s call Cash and get everyone on it.” Bear suggested.

  “You do that while I send him the vid clip and pull up any information on the ship.”

  Brutus started on his task, as Bear got Cash on the com. “Hello, tell me something good,” Cash said when he answered.

  “We took control of the lab,” Bear stated.

  “Why do I hear a big but in there?” Cash asked.

  “I just sent you some vids. Jazzy was taken and she’s gone,” Brutus interrupted.

  “Tell me you mean they’re hiding on the station?” Cash said.

  “Sorry. She was taken off station on the only ship that shows on the radar. We’ll have to track them down,” Brutus admitted.

  “Damn it all to hell!” Cash cussed. “How the fuck did this happen?”

  “Did you watch the vids?” Brutus asked.

  “Watching the fucking things now. Jazzy, watch out!” Cash yelled, as if she could hear him. “I’m on it. Any more disasters to warn me about?”

  “No, I think that’s plenty,” Bear said.

  “Brutus?” Cash prompted.

  “No disasters, but Shari, the one in medical and I are attached.”

  “Are you looking for my blessing or did you need some kind of help?” Cash sounded amused.

  “Just a heads up, Boss.”

  “You know I always appreciate being informed before s
omething happens. I guess congratulations are in order? I’ll wish you best of luck, too.” Cash responded, just before he signed off. He had a lot to get started on, so Brutus understood.

  “Brutus found a girlfriend,” Bear chanted.

  “What? Is this first grade?”

  “No, but finding a good female is a rare occurrence among hunters.”

  “Well it will happen to us all eventually.”

  “Bite your tongue. I guess we’re done in here? I’m ready to do something else.”

  “Yeah, I’m going back to medical,” Brutus declared. Bear chuckled, but he ignored him. He headed down the hall, his stride fast but confident.

  When he arrived, some guys were trying to break into medical. “What are you trying to do?” He asked.

  “Someone has locked these doors.” A big guy explained.

  “I did. There’s a patient in here that is important to keep safe.” He unlocked the doors and walked in. He turned when he saw all the guys following. “This isn’t show and tell. A couple of you can come in, the rest stay out.”

  They decided on two, one was the big guy he talked to. “You guys needing some first aid items?”

  “No, we were told to clear every room,” the big guy said.

  “I’m Brutus. What’s your name?”

  “I’m Flame, and this is Molten. We’re both Phoenix. I’m assuming you’re a hunter?”

  “Yeah. Be quiet in this room. She’s expecting a baby any time.”

  “She’s awake so being quiet doesn’t matter.” Shari observed. “I’m Shari. The battle is over?”

  “For now. These two are Flame and Molten.” Brutus said.

  “Yeah, I heard when they told you their names. Uh, Brutus?”

  “Yes, Shari?”

  “I’m feeling pains.”

  “Okay. Are they close together?”

  “Yes.” Right after she said that, water dripped on the floor.

  Brutus looked down at the puddle forming around her feet. “Looks like a baby is coming. Come on, Sweetheart. Let me help you change into something dry and accessible.” He took her hand and led her into the bathroom. “Here’s a gown. Do you want me to stay and help you?”

  “No, I’m fine,” she insisted.

  When he exited the bathroom, the room was empty and his new friends were gone. It was no surprise, few men liked to watch deliveries of this nature. He wished Jazzy was here to help him since this was something he’d watched vids about and read about, but never actually done. At least, she had done this before.

  “Shari, what can you tell me about how your deliveries usually go?”

  “Most of them were taken early. None were delivered naturally.”

  Well hell. “It’ll be alright, Baby.” He only hoped he was right. “Breathe deeply and when you feel like pushing, push hard.” All he knew to do was to hold her hand and let her squeeze tight. There were no medications in stock to help with pain. That just reinforced how sadistic these people were.

  Brutus let her hand go to move between her thighs and check her progress. “Okay, Shari. The baby’s head is crowning. One hard push should get the head out.”

  With a loud scream, Shari seemed to give it all she had, and the head popped out and the baby’s shoulders caught. “One more hard push, Sweetheart and you’ll meet your baby.” She pushed like a champ and the baby’s shoulders moved out, tearing her just a little. A pile of afterbirth slid out after the baby boy. Brutus cut the umbilical cord and tied it off with string.

  Cleaning out the baby’s nose and spanking him so he would cry, he laid the child on his mother’s shoulder feeling moved enough, he feared he’d cry. If anyone saw that, he’d never live it down. Once she’d bonded with the baby, Brutus took him away so his mother could rest while he cleaned, diapered, and dressed him.

  He was a beautiful and healthy child who let out a wail telling everyone he was hungry. “I’ll take you back to your mama, Son.” Shari was sleeping and he hated to wake her, but the little one needed her and he wasn’t the patient sort. “Sorry to wake you, Little Mama.”

  “It’s okay. He needs to eat.”

  Brutus watched shamelessly as she put the baby to her breast and he latched onto her nipple, sucking furiously. His hunger and his sleepiness battled each other as he slept in between nursing binges. His mama was doing the same things, too. The labor had worn her out and she was probably hungry, too.

  Brutus left to fix her a tray of food and find the baby a crib. Medical had several of them and all the things a baby would need. It was because this was a breeding facility. First, he fixed the crib up with blankets and sheets, before taking it to Shari’s bed so the baby would be nearby.

  Once that was done he went back and fixed mama a tray of food and a chocolate protein drink to help her recover quicker. Carrying the tray to her and putting it on a table, he took the baby and bundled him up in his crib. He was asleep instantly. Now, it was time to take care of Shari. Handing her the drink first, he set up her tray so she could get to it easily.

  “Need anything else?” Brutus asked.

  “Once I eat, I’ll need to take a shower.”

  Chapter 8

  Sweet Freedom

  Shari listened, happy to be allowed into the talks of these people who had freed her and many of her kindred souls. Brutus was actively involved in saving not only her and her baby, but hundreds of those in a similar situation to hers.

  Thinking back to when her baby was born, she knew she’d been so lucky to have Brutus there. If not for him, she and her baby might not have survived. She admired the man and so much more. The man had talked her through her delivery, taken care of her baby, and seen to her health and comfort.

  Just like it was yesterday and not a week ago, she could still remember how good the shower had felt after giving birth. Showers had been a luxury to Shari all her life. Born and raised in places just like this, she was used to receiving only the most basic of anything. Brutus made her wish for more, not just for her, but for her children. The baby she’d just had, and the others that had been torn from her arms.

  Brutus was also incredibly attractive in a tall, dark, and handsome way. He had to be close to seven feet tall and his muscles had muscles. His voice was deep and sexy, making her think about things she shouldn’t. So naughty! There had never been a man in her life, only donors. That was an opening she could see filled by someone just like Brutus.

  Shari knew a hot guy like him wouldn’t look at her twice, especially remembering the way he’d seen her when they’d first met. At least she looked like a human being now. She just wasn’t the seductive or beautiful type men paid attention to. It hurt, but she was the type they left behind.

  “Hey, Shari. Did you hear that we’ll be leaving in a week or less?” Brutus asked. Shari startled and realized Brutus was talking to her. At some point, everyone had left the meeting room except her and Brutus.

  “What will I do?” She asked, scared at the thought of losing him.

  “You’re coming with me. How could you not realize that?”

  “Why would I expect to be taken with you?”

  “I told you that you and the baby are special to me. When are you going to name him, anyway?”

  “I’ve never named someone before. I don’t want him mad at me if he doesn’t like the name I pick,” she admitted.

  “What about James, David, or Steven? They are traditional names.”

  “This is no traditional child. How about Samson?”

  “That’s a wonderful name. See, you did good.”

  “We’ll see about that when he’s a teenager. Isn’t that when children rant and rail against their names and anything else they can?”

  “Some do, but he will be a good boy. Won’t you, Samson?” Brutus looked at the baby as if he expected an answer. He didn’t get one.

  Now, his attention returned to her and they were so close his breath whispered over her, hot and sweet. Not realizing what she was doing, she leaned in.
Brutus seemed to decide this was an offer and he leaned the rest of the way. His lips brushed hers, soft and that surprised her. Not only was the surprise that he had kissed her at all, but he’d been so gentle for such a big man and his lips had been butterfly soft.

  “I’m sorry, or at least I should be,” Brutus admitted.

  “For what?” She wondered since she’d initiated the whole thing.

  “I took advantage of you. I should have waited until you’ve recovered and are stronger.”

  “The only mistake you’ve made is to think I’m not able to make good decisions because I’ve been kept imprisoned. I am an adult, a woman fully grown, and I know what I want and how I want to be treated.”

  Brutus flushed. “I am truly sorry that what I said made you feel like less. It’s just my poor attempt at protecting you. I never meant to imply you didn’t know what you wanted, I just wanted to be sure there was no confusion or sense of gratitude on your part.”

  “Of course, I feel gratitude to you and all the people who came here to rescue me. I assure you I won’t be kissing all of them.”

  “Now I just feel silly. I didn’t think you would kiss everyone out of gratitude, I guess I thought Jazzy and I were closer to you,” Brutus said, and at the mention of Jazzy’s name his eyes clouded over.

  “Shh, they’ll find her. And you two are closer than anyone else. You and I have a special bond, but never believe it’s based on gratitude alone.”

  “We should wait, you just had a baby a week ago.”

  “And I’ve never felt better. Whatever those drugs were you gave me, has helped my body to be in the best health ever.”

  “It’s something they’ve been testing in the labs to get subjects ready to reproduce faster. It may be something good that comes from this. Women will recover from the rigors of childbirth in six days instead of six months. The reduction in the chances for infection alone will save thousands of women that die from complications after a successful delivery.”

  “When I hear you talk like that, all lit up on the inside over a cure that helps people, it surprises me that you aren’t a doctor for real.”