The smell is overwhelming, and I gag the second I cross the threshold. I can hear deep tones, but no words break through until I’m near my bedroom.

“At least two but possibly as many as four. I’ll have to run some tests before I can be sure. What I can tell you, which I’m sure you already know, it’s all male. I can’t, however, tell you why. I’ve never seen anything like this. Just speculating, but I’d guess they’re rogues. The same she had a run-in with. From what I see here, thank God she fought them.” The revulsion in his voice makes it harsh.

“How could they have gotten in and done this without anyone knowing?” Michael asks.

“The bedroom door was closed when I entered, so the smell was off but not this. I knew something was wrong immediately. They had lined the bottom of the door with towels, so the room held the stench back. They must have left through the window. It’s not visible from the parking lot. They might have watched the patrols to figure out when was the best time to come in, or maybe they’re just crazy lucky fuckers. I don’t care. I just want them found and brought to me,” Masen seethes.

I still have no idea what’s causing the reek coming from my bedroom. He’s not going to be happy I came in, but I had to pee. Now, I need to know what’s happening. I try to clear my throat and end up gagging again. I think I might throw up. “Oh God,” I moan. “Masen?”

He rushes out of the bedroom. Seeing my distress, his face softens. “You can’t be in here, baby. I told you to wait in the car for me, yeah?” he says gently.

“I had to go to the bathroom. What is that smell? I think I’m gonna be sick.” I place one hand over my belly and the other over my mouth. My stomach starts to revolt, threatening to bring up my coffee. Masen races me out the front door, where I heave into the bushes. He rubs my back and holds my hair as my tummy plays e-vac. When I finally stop, he wipes my face with a cool cloth that someone must have given him. I shudder through another round of nausea, then rinse my mouth before speaking.

“What the hell was that?” I ask and see Masen and the four other men watching me with sympathy.

“You okay, Little One?” he asks me kindly.

“No, I’m not okay! What the hell is going on in there?”

“It’s nothing for you to worry about. Are you ready to go shopping? We still have a lot to get done today.”

“Are you kidding me? Are you really going to try and act like nothing’s happening, Masen? That’s my house! I want to know what the hell is going on here.”

He shakes his head. “NO!”

“No?” I’m incredulous.

“No! I told you not to worry about this shit.” He’s getting pissed.