Fury Read online

  “Now we’re making a bundle off them testing drugs we’ve cooked up to enhance the military and fitness freaks.” He turned away to tear off his gloves. “Have you seen how damn big we’ve made them? How strong? We trained them to fight just to show what is possible to do to humans and how much damage they can take with the new batch of rapid-healing medicines. Do you know how many billions of dollars in contracts we’re looking at? How much money we’ve already made so far? They are our prototypes. Showing what we can make them do, how fast, strong, and lethal they are is going to be the research for Mercile that blows our competitors out of the water. Every guy will want to buy what we’ve stirred up. That damn Jacob could have cost us a prime one. He’s too valuable to take risks with.”

  Her eyes closed to hide her relieved tears. They wouldn’t kill 416. She’d made the right choice. He may hate her for framing him for murder but he’d live. Now she just needed to leave after her shift, hand over the evidence she’d stolen, and save him the only way she could. She would help bring Mercile Industries to justice.

  “Hey,” Doctor Brennor sighed. “Sorry. I’m talking about money and you just survived a traumatic experience. Why don’t you go home? You should take the rest of the day off. Hell, call in sick tomorrow.”

  She opened her eyes and met his gaze, hiding how desperately she hated him. “Thank you.” Her voice trembled. “I was scared.”

  He gripped her arm, rubbed it, and smiled. “I could visit your home to check on you later.” His gaze lowered to her breasts. “You shouldn’t be alone.”

  “I have a boyfriend,” she lied again.

  He released her. “Fine. Go. I’ll tell security I’m sending you home early.”

  He spun away, walked to the phone, and Ellie watched him. She hoped he got life in prison. It would serve him right.

  Chapter One

  Southern California

  Eleven Months later

  Ellie sighed and adjusted her headphones to a more comfortable position. Heavy metal music poured out of the MP3 player she dropped into the front pocket of her cotton capri pants. The warm temperatures made her sweat even at eleven o’clock at night, despite the very slight breeze that fanned her skin. She glanced toward the open windows. The air-conditioning system of the dorm had gone out again. The maintenance teams were still fixing glitches on the newly constructed building.

  She approached the balcony doors she tended to leave open and stepped outside to enjoy a nice breeze to help cool her overheated body. She sipped the cold water from the small plastic bottle she’d grabbed from the mini-fridge when she’d entered her apartment. She leaned against the railing to stare down at Homeland from her perch on the third floor. She’d just finished her nightly workout. The breeze felt heavenly on her skin. Her attention strayed to the security walls approximately fifty yards ahead.

  They towered thirty feet high and guards patrolled the perimeter on the catwalks overhead. Below her stretched grass and a few trees that made a park-like setting between the dorm building and the outer wall. The new five-thousand-acre Homeland had just been completed and Ellie had spent her second day living there. No one strolled along the sidewalk that twisted through the grass and trees below.

  The very quiet building disturbed her a bit but she’d been warned to expect it. Most of the women hadn’t been moved into the dorm yet but once they were, Ellie hoped everything would go smoothly. She really wanted to make sure Homeland worked according to plan. It would house the survivors from Mercile Industries, an oasis from the rest of the world where they could live, and adjust to freedom within a safe community. They needed a safe haven.

  She’d only known about Mercile Industries running one illegal testing facility but once it had been raided, three more existing ones had been discovered. She closed her eyes, still sickened over the number of victims involved that had been reported on the news coverage over the past months. Those testing facilities had been raided by government and law enforcement agencies, the victims now released, but not all of them had survived long enough to be rescued. The numbers of dead subjects were in the hundreds and those losses had broken her heart.

  Ellie forced her eyes open. Two years prior she’d worked at Mercile’s administrative building when she’d been approached by Officer Victor Helio. He had explained there were rumors about a secret research facility that forced human beings into being test subjects for illegal drugs. The police had tried to get undercover agents imbedded inside Mercile but they’d refused to hire anyone from the outside. As an existing employee she didn’t raise suspicion when she’d asked for a transfer to one of their research and development testing facilities. She’d been so horrified by the concept of humans suffering that she’d agreed to spy for them. It had taken six months to be granted the request and months more to gain access to the lower floors of the research building, but then she’d met 416 and others living their hellish existences. She’d been proud of her part in bringing down the original testing facility. She’d risked her life to smuggle out those files but it had been enough evidence to have a judge grant search warrants that resulted in a full assault on the facility.

  She sighed. Classified information and victim-protection policies were the terms she heard every time she’d asked about him. She knew some of the subjects hadn’t survived the actual rescue from her testing facility. They’d been murdered before law enforcement breached the most secure lower areas where a lot of the victims had been kept. For all she knew, 416 had died floors below the surface, locked inside his cell, never knowing help had tried to reach him. It broke her heart to consider that possibility.

  Ellie jerked the headphones from her ears, turned off her MP3 player and dropped them on the desk, fighting back the anguish she suffered every time she thought of 416. She’d wanted to be there when the warrants were served, to stand guard outside his door to protect him. She owed him that and so much more. She’d begged Officer Helio to allow it, but he’d refused. She wasn’t law enforcement and she’d been firmly told they wouldn’t risk an informant they needed testimony from to make their case against Mercile.

  “Shit,” she cursed.

  She couldn’t forget those dark eyes, the look on 416’s face when she’d abandoned him that day inside his cell, or the way he’d growled at her. She’d only wanted to save his life but he had no way of knowing why she’d allowed him to take the blame for that technician’s death. He must have thought her monstrous and cruel. Hot tears blinded her but she blinked rapidly to hold them at bay. She’d cried buckets of them since that awful day she’d left him on the floor.

  The Homeland-issued phone rang, startling her. Her cell phone was her only contact to the outside world but no one called her on it. She’d distanced herself from her friends and family. Everything about her life had changed while working those months for that testing facility. She could no longer tolerate her divorced parents using her as a weapon against each other or tearing into her over her own divorce. There were genuine problems with the world and her time could be spent making a real difference. Now her focus centered on helping the New Species and it gave her a sense of worth by doing something to right a wrong. It gave meaning to her life and that’s what she needed most. She answered the phone on the second ring.

  “Ellie Brower.”

  “Ms. Brower, it’s Cody Parks with security. I’m calling to inform you that we have a late transit arriving with four women. They were compromised at the hotel and we just received notification they are here.”

  “I’m on my way to the door now.” She hung up.

  Damn. The media must have somehow found out four of the rescued women are in the area. Protocol stated that, if a flight came in after dark, the victims should be placed with guards at a hotel to be transferred to Homeland during daylight hours. Security had deemed it easier to protect them while in transit during that time but obviously hiding the survivors inside a hotel hadn’t been as smart as they’d thought. She could only hope the women hadn’t be
en overly traumatized by whatever had happened. The real world could be frightening enough for those poor survivors without media vultures circling them with their shouted questions and flashing cameras.

  It took mere seconds to slip on her shoes and grab her security card. Ellie left her room and purposely avoided the elevator. The thing moved too slowly for her patience. She jogged down the flights of stairs to the entryway. The windows were clear but were made of a type of glass that was strong enough to withstand abuse of the worst sort. Outside she spotted four women approaching the entry with two guards trailing behind, carrying four suitcases. She increased her pace.

  Cody Parks, the “go to” man in security, greeted her with a smile. “Evening, Ms. Brower. Sorry for the late arrival of our newest residents.”

  Ellie smiled. She directed her focus to the Amazon-like women. The shortest of the four stood at least six feet tall. There were already ten women living inside the dorm, all of whom were tall, muscular types as well. Ellie felt short and tiny compared to them. Her smile widened as she glanced at each one but none of them returned the gesture. They looked tired, angry and out of sorts. Sympathy welled inside Ellie.

  “Welcome to your new home.” Ellie spoke softly. “I know you have been through a lot but you’re safe here. I’m Ellie, your house mother.”

  Two of the women frowned. One woman, the tallest and most kick-ass-looking one of the small group, glared. The fourth one, a blonde, spoke.

  “Our what?”

  “Your house mother. It’s just a title,” Ellie explained quickly. “I’m not really trying to be your mother. I’m the one you will come to with problems, if you have questions, or if you need something. I’m here to help you in any way possible. You can talk to me about anything and I’ll always listen.”

  “A head doctor,” the shortest, dark-haired woman snapped. She barred her sharp teeth at Ellie.

  “No,” Ellie corrected. “I have basic nursing skills but I’m not a doctor. I know all of you had to see therapists. I’ve had to see a few of them myself and I hate them too.” She gave them a sympathetic expression. “I’ll show you to your rooms, give you a short tour around the dorm, and we’ll get you settled. I―”

  “Ms. Brower,” Cody Parks interrupted.

  Ellie turned her attention on him as the women walked through the doors. They glanced around the large entryway toward the living-room area. She knew they needed a few minutes to get their bearings.

  “Yes?”

  “There’s been a meeting called in twenty minutes. They requested you be in attendance since you’re in charge of the female housing. The head of their new council demanded to be briefed fully on Homeland. He wants to make certain his people aren’t being mistreated in any way. He just got appointed to the position and needs the reassurance.”

  Dismay filled Ellie. “But it’s so late. I’d like to get them settled and it will take longer than that.”

  “I understand but he showed up with them and stated it was important.” The man’s gaze held Ellie’s. “It’s imperative they know we are with them on this all the way to make everything smoother for them to transfer into a normal setting. He’s worried.”

  She hesitated. New Species had been separated, sent to different secured locations after they’d been freed, until Homeland finally had been made ready to accept them as a large group. It would be their permanent home for the foreseeable future. The guy had valid reasons to worry about the safety and well-being of his people.

  “Of course. Let me get them taken care of and I’ll be right there. Is the meeting being held inside the conference room at the main office?”

  He nodded. Ellie closed the door between them. The alarm beeped instantly to assure her the automatic locks were in place. While security was tight, it could never be strict enough, not after the way the media had converged on the survivors of those testing facilities. They were constantly trying to breach the perimeter to obtain pictures of the victims now that they had a fixed location where some of them would be.

  The government had started the process of implementing a law to ban the media from revealing their photographs to protect the New Species. They were victims who had the right to be shielded from the press. There were also hate groups who didn’t believe New Species should be considered human with equal rights, opposed them being given Homeland, and gathered outside the gates to protest.

  She strode forward, going on autopilot, as she gave a short tour of the lower floor of the dorm. It housed a conference room for meetings, two large living-room areas, a roomy kitchen for cooking, a dining area that could host fifty, one large bathroom with four stalls, and a full library. The second and third floors housed mini apartments. They each contained a small bedroom, a living room, a private bath, and a kitchenette.

  Ellie led the women to their rooms, side by side and across from each other on the second floor. She’d learned to do that in the two days she’d been handling the incoming women. They had to be frightened, not that they would admit it, but they did want to stay close to each other. Ellie knew the women had gone through unspeakable horrors and now they had a completely different one thrust upon them, something totally foreign. Freedom could be a terrifying experience after a lifetime of being test specimens.

  “If you get hungry, there are cold drinks and food inside the silver metal boxes by the sink.” She didn’t call them refrigerators. She’d learned early on that they didn’t know what those were. “There are ten other women here on the second floor so if you hear noises, please don’t be alarmed. They are from different places.” Testing facilities, she thought. “But they are your people. The building is secured so no one can get inside who isn’t supposed to be here. You’re completely safe.”

  The women who stood in the hallway were examining her as if she were a bug. Ellie sighed, used to it, unfortunately. They didn’t trust outsiders―that being anyone who hadn’t been reared as a test experiment.

  “I will be on the third floor when I return from the meeting I need to attend. My room number is posted on the wall by the elevator. Just come to me for anything you need or if you have any questions. I am here to help you and I want to do that. Do you have anything you want to ask me before I go?”

  The four women didn’t speak. The tallest one spun on her heel to stalk into one of the rooms Ellie had just shown them. The other three followed and the door shut firmly with Ellie on the other side of it. None of the women seemed to want anything to do with her but she hoped that would change with time.

  Ellie stared down at her outfit—running shoes, the black, cotton capris and a light-blue tank top. Her hair was secured in a ponytail. She knew she probably should change to something more professional but a glance at her watch assured her there wasn’t enough time. She had to run to make the meeting. Ellie darted for the stairs.

  The main offices were located near the front of Homeland. Each dorm and building had been assigned golf carts. Ellie drove hers to the front parking spaces and turned off the engine. She glanced at her watch again with a soft curse, certain she’d be late. Cody hadn’t given her an exact time but twenty minutes had passed. She ran for the front double doors. She slowed to a walk when she spotted the armed security guard posted at the building. She didn’t know him yet.

  “Hello. I’m Ellie Brower. I’m the female dorm house mother. Cody Parks said there’s a meeting I’m supposed to attend.”

  The man tensed and his hand gripped his weapon at his hip, while he glared. Ellie slowly reached into the front pocket of her pants to pull out her security card. It not only opened doors but it had her picture on it to identify her as an employee. She stepped closer to hold it out for his inspection.

  The guard accepted her card, examined it carefully, and then handed it back. “Go inside to the left conference room. Are you familiar with where that is, Ms. Brower?”

  “Yes, I am. Thank you.”

  Ellie inched around the man and entered the main office. She jogged down the lo
ng hallway and headed for the double doors where no guards were posted. She grabbed the handle, gave it a firm jerk to open the heavy door, and stepped inside.

  The darkness of the room surprised her. The overhead lights were off and only scones dimly lit the walls. She couldn’t see well but the soft rumble of many voices assured her the room had filled with people.

  Two security guards turned instantly and grabbed for their guns. She met their alarmed expressions with a calm smile. Her hands lifted out away from her body to show them she held nothing threatening but her security card. The room became utterly silent. She didn’t dare turn her attention away from the two men with their hands curved around their weapons.

  “I’m Ellie Brower, house mother of the female dorm, and I come in peace.”

  Neither guard smiled at her attempted joke. One of the guards kept his hand on the gun at his waist while the other man came forward to yank her card from her hand. She didn’t move while he examined it and then nodded.

  “Take a seat. You’re late.” He offered the card back.

  Ellie took her badge and returned it to her pocket. She had to move around the guard since he decided to remain, blocking her way. She took a few steps beyond him and peered at the people standing inside the room.

  Darren Artino, the head of Homeland security, and Director Boris were also present. The director frowned as he closed the distance between them. She flinched when he glared at her outfit, silently communicating his disapproval of how was she dressed.

  “I didn’t have time to change,” she explained. “I had four women to settle in and less than twenty minutes to do that before getting here. I wasn’t given any notice they were arriving until they were at the door.”

  The tense lines around Director Boris’ mouth eased. “Fine, Ellie. Next time, dress properly. You look as though you just walked out of the gym.”