Nate's Fated Mate(33)

"You have no idea how much," Scott whispered, tugging her close and pressing her against him.

She leaned back and laughed. "You look tired, Scott. What did you do? Dump your wife and kids and come tearing off to AAS to rescue me?"

"Yes. That's exactly what I did," Scott said, releasing her body to take her hand.

Sheena smiled and squeezed his fingers. She let him lead her to the sofa.

"Suddenly, I am really tired," Scott said, pressing his very fit body into the seat. "Guess I was more worried than I realized. People don't usually come to the AAS airship to visit, especially women. It's usually a one-way trip, isn't it?"

"I came because my sister is here. She's joined the AAS program. She's waiting to be abducted."

"What? Are you serious?"

Scott's gaze took in Brianna as she finished her walk back to the sitting area. Bri handed a bottle of water to Scott.

"Thanks," he said, setting it on the table without opening it. "Why are you in the program?"

Bri smirked at the man and Sheena slightly shook her head. Bri brought her gaze back to her sister's lover. "New Earth men don't do it for me. I figured I'd try an alien or two."

Scott blinked at Bri's answer, obviously not sure if she was joking or not. His head fell back, eyes rolling. Sheena squeezed his hand again. "Scott, can you hear me?"

"Yes, but I'm very tired. It's hard to talk."

"I know. I have just a few questions though. Were you sent to spy on me?"

"I was sent for all of you. Novus Prime is worried. The new matchmakers are a problem. Can't make a new pact with aliens so long as the old one goes on."

Sheena avoided the questions in Bri's widening gaze. "New pact? What is Novus Prime wanting?"

Scott blinked, closed his eyes again, and shrugged. "Weapons the Guardians can't control. It's time for change. I'm to make sure they aren't your real family before arranging their deaths. If they're clones, Novus Prime will wait for them to die organically. Looks less bad that way and you'd be less likely to leave the organization. If they're aliens made to look like the old matchmakers, they can't be left alive. That level of alien interference will not be tolerated." 

Sheena sighed and stared at the ceiling. "Right. No secret invasions allowed. Did you sincerely like me when you first asked me out, or was I just a target for you?"

Scott laughed. "I was asked to get close when it became clear you were interested in me as a man. You're as good as my wife in bed. It's been no hardship for me to have two women in my life."

Bri covered her mouth, smothering her laugh. Sheena frowned, but held up a finger to her lips. It was important Bri not make a sound now. It might break the hold she had on Scott's unconscious mind.

"Scott?"

"Yes?"

"I'm going to tell you all I know and confess why I'm here. Angus and Erin are sophisticated clones. The aliens helped us mend the DNA the Guardians took from my parents. Despite the strange anomalies of ancient speech and their lack of current knowledge, all my tests indicate they are clones who will live approximately one hundred and twenty years before their cellular structure fails. Tell Novus Prime I'm staying on to do extensive tests because I'm so distraught about the Guardians doing this without my permission. I'm burdened with grief, Scott."

"Yes. Grief. I can tell that. You're acting strangely. Your kiss was not right."

"My less than passionate kiss was because my ex-husband is Admiral Tiberius-the man who runs the AAS airship. I've discovered I'm still in love with him, Scott. That's why I'm breaking up with you, but not before we have the best night of our lives together. This is what you'll remember tomorrow. I did all the things you really like. Our last night together was great."

"Yes. It's always great between us."

Sheena snorted. "I hear that from lots of men. Now sleep, Scott. Your mission to check on me is complete. Novus Prime needs to accept I'm staying to watch over the new clones until I'm sure they're not going to be a problem. They're my DNA property by New Earth law, and therefore my responsibility. That makes a lot of sense, right?"

"Absolutely. They're your property," Scott replied.

Sheena lifted her finger again to her lips for Bri's sake as they waited. When Scott fell deeper asleep and slumped onto the edge of the couch, Sheena finally stood and started to the door.

"Where are you going now?" Bri asked.

"To get a big, strong alien guard to carry my lying lover's ass to my bed. Then I guess I'm undressing the bastard so he'll believe my story tomorrow."

"You don't need a guard for that," Bri said, rolling her eyes. She stood and pulled a sleeping Scott up by his arm. Working him over one shoulder, she noticed her sister's mouth drop open when she took the man's full weight. "We've got crazy scientists at my organization too. One gave me a strength serum the first year out of academy. Ten of us took it, but only two of us got the full benefit. Thankfully I was one of two. What do you think has kept me alive so long?"