Assassin's Mate: A Xeno Sapiens Novel (Genetically Altered Humans Book 9)

by Rena Marks

  Angela smiled. “Yeah. He’s a doll. I’m so lucky.”

  “Maybe we can go visit Heather. She’s the mom of the twins. We can see if we can start setting up play dates. Hey, maybe we can even get a designated area for all the kids to get together once a week. Social time, you know? There’s Baby, Ava and Covet’s little girl. Sam’s got a little girl. There’s Kaden. The twins. And yours will make number six.”

  “Don’t you think we’re planning play dates a little early, considering I’m barely pregnant?”

  “It’s never too early to plan. Come on. I want to see your face when you meet Heather’s mate.” She snickered to herself, leaving Angela to wonder what the Xeno Sapien looked like.

  Heather lived in a home dug into the side of a hill. It was an amazing concept, though it seemed a little primitive. She welcomed them in with open arms, her twin baby boys playing with a smattering of soft toys in the center of the living room.

  Sitting in Heather’s house, sipping tea, and watching the babies roll around on the floor, Angela finally understood what Everly had been laughing about.

  A large man entered the front door, grabbing Heather and kissing her thoroughly. He was intense and the amount of sexual energy that shot through the air left her and Everly fanning themselves. Heather blushed and introduced him to Angela.

  “This is Zee’s new mate. Angela,” she said, her arm around his waist. “Angela, this is my mate, Jett.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Angela said, holding her hand out. He shook her hand, murmuring something in response, and then looked down as one of the babies came to climb his leg. He bent to pick him up and just then, the front door opened.

  Angela did a double take. The same version of him walked through the door, this time not as intense as he whistled a tune. He yanked Heather to him, spinning her around and dipping her for a dizzying kiss.

  Angela—aware her jaw hung low—snapped her mouth shut.

  “And this is my other mate, Brax,” Heather squealed.

  “Nice to meet you,” Brax rumbled, picking up the other infant who was gurgling at him. “How are you, son? Are you being good for your mama?”

  “Angela’s newly pregnant,” Everly said.

  Jett winced. “Yeah, Zee’s been projecting it non-stop. The same message keeps rolling around in my brain. I don’t think there’s anyone left who doesn’t know.”

  Everly laughed. “We were thinking about setting up a play area for all the kids to gather together for a few hours, a few times a week, since Angela’s baby will make baby number six around here. What do you guys think of that idea?”

  “I think it’s wonderful. Gets the parents some adult-time, too,” Brax said, leering at Heather. The adorable redhead blushed.

  “There’s quite a few people who will help out,” Jett said. “Heather’s grandma, Nanna Elsa. Maybe even Joseph and Marjorie. We think they may leave their home and move here.”

  “I don’t think there’s going to be anyone who doesn’t help,” Brax said drily.

  Just then there was a knock at the door. Beast stuck his head in, and acknowledged them all with a nod of his head. “Uncle Beast’s here!”

  The twins grew excited when they saw him, waving their arms excitedly. He winked at the babies, sending them into a fit of giggles.

  “Sunny and Lily are heading to the mess hall. They’d like to know if they can bring the twins.”

  “Sure,” Heather said, and blushed again. She busied herself with heading to a closet to grab a packed diaper bag. Angela knew exactly what she was thinking. She had both of her mates home and a sitter for the afternoon. All she needed to do was get her and Everly on their way.

  “I can get the stroller from out here,” Beast said, moving from the doorway. He unfolded the hovercraft and Brax placed the first twin in it, strapping him in. Jett handed him the next one, and Brax strapped that squirming youngster in. Then Heather handed the bag off to Beast, who waved, and left with his bounty.

  “I always keep a bag packed in the closet,” Heather said. “There’s always someone who stops by. You’d think the biggest issue would be to remember who has which twin. Thank god for the telepathy! Everyone knows exactly who has who.”

  “Well, we’re going to let you three enjoy the rest of your afternoon,” Angela said, smiling as she pulled Everly up from her seat.

  “They are nearly finished moving into the apartment,” Jett said, looking at Angela in that odd way Zee did when he was tapped into their mental communication.

  “Well, we’ll just let them wonder where we’ll be,” she said, laughing. “We’ve got lots to do still.”

  “Yes, don’t tell them you saw us,” Everly said, laughing along with her. “Let’s go visit Winnie now,” she said to Angela.

  They waved at the three as they left, pretending not to notice how closely the men stood next to Heather and how Brax had started nibbling on her neck before they were even out the door.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Y our mates are going somewhat crazy,” Winnie said as soon as they entered the door.

  Angela turned her head toward the voice. Winnie was the strangest Xeno Sapien she’d ever seen. She looked more like a colorless ghost than anything. And how she could know who entered when she was blind was beyond her.

  “Why is that?” Everly asked, unperturbed.

  “Every Xeno Sapien is pretending they haven’t seen you. And I might have mentioned that you’d both already been here, but were gone now, and were asking about maternity swimsuits.”

  Angela couldn’t help the bark of laughter that erupted.

  “How did you know just how to needle them?” Everly asked.

  “Lily helped. She’s still a little sore that Zee told her that her human mate was ugly.”

  “He did not!” Angela said. She couldn’t help but be a little appalled.

  “He did. And Thane backed up the story, which sent Lily stomping off in a huff. Jason merely laughed and told her he was glad they both considered him ugly. But she’s still pissed.”

  “Hell hath no fury,” Everly said. “Hey, where’s Olivia?”

  “Sam’s off today, so she’s with her daddy.”

  “We thought we could round up the kids into a social playtime a few days a week. Olivia would be the oldest—so I’m pretty sure she’d love it.”

  “Oh, she will,” Winnie agreed.

  “There you are,” came a familiar growl.

  Angela’s jaw dropped. “How’d you know where we were?”

  “Oh, my love,” he said, his eyes glittering with gold. “Xenia is the only place you can evade me, and even then—it’s only because I know you’re safe. But even with help, you can’t hide from me for long.”

  It was so sweet. Angela wrapped her arms around his middle as she placed her head on his chest and was cuddled by her mate.

  “Besides,” Thane called out from the doorway, which made Everly squeal. “We figured if we can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Only then did Angela notice that both sexy Xeno Sapiens were in swim shorts.

  Thane twirled one of Everly’s bikinis around his finger. The white scrap of fabric spun round and round like a flag.

  “Are we going for some sun?”

  “You got it, baby. Of course, since we were looking for you two everywhere, now every Xeno out there has the same idea. The beach will be crowded.”

  “That’s okay,” Everly said, grinning as she reached Thane. “It just means someone will bring food.”

  “I brought one of your bikinis also,” Zee said. “Would you like to change here? Winnie won’t mind if you use the dressing room.”

  “I would,” Angela said, kissing him one last time before she took the canvas bag from his shoulder and followed Everly into the dressing room.

  As soon as they pulled the door shut, Angela heard Winnie’s laughter ring out, though she didn’t think much of it. At least not until she pulled her swimsuit from the bag.

  “Zealish!” She hissed l
oudly. “This isn’t a bikini!” She shook out the full figured boyshorts and bra-like top that was large enough to resemble a sports bra or half shirt.

  “It isn’t?” His voice was mild as it rang out from the front of the store.

  “Hmm,” Everly said, her eyes narrowed on the material in Angela’s hand. She’d already shimmied into her skimpy bikini bottoms, and had just whipped off her top so her breasts hung free, about to wriggle into the flimsy white top.

  She held out the bikini top to Angela and held her hand out for the black sports top.

  Angela snickered.

  She handed it to Everly and whipped her shirt over her head. Her breasts were a bit tender, as if they were already a little fuller with her brand-new pregnancy. She slid the tiny white bikini top over them and fastened it in back. Her breasts looked like they were about to explode from the cups. She kicked off her leggings and put on her black boyshorts, which somehow looked sexier with the skimpy white top.

  Likewise, Everly looked good with the skimpy white bottoms, the globes of her curvy rear exposed—the top of the bikini barely covering her mons. Her breasts were securely covered in the black top, but her midriff was exposed and tan and fit.

  Everly winked at her as they placed their discarded clothing in the bag.

  “Are you ladies all right in there?”

  Even inside the dressing room, Angela heard a tinge of laughter in Zee’s voice. He thought he’d gotten her good, dressing her like a frumpy beach-goer from when swimsuits used to be ankle-length.

  “Definitely,” she called out cheerily. “But you both forgot flip-flops. You might have to carry us.”

  “Oh, I’ve got flip-flops,” Winnie said. “A pair of black for you and a pair of white for Everly.”

  Everly opened the dressing room door and they stepped out. Thane stared at Everly’s flat belly and sexy little bubble-butt. Zee’s gaze was agonized, glued to the globes of Angela’s curved breasts, exposed in the wisp of white fabric. Each man was unable to tear his eyes away from his mate.

  “Hmm,” Winnie said, her voice tinged with laughter. “Maybe I’ll mix up the sandals and give you both one of each color.”

  And that was exactly what she did. She handed Everly a white right flip flop, and a left black flip flop. Everly bent over at the waist, her ass in the air, as she arranged them on the floor before stepping in.

  So Angela did the same, bending over so her breasts nearly fell out of the inadequate bikini. “Whoops,” she said, winking at Zee. “I better not bend over too quickly. It’s dangerous with these new pregnancy boobs.”

  “I may carry you anyway,” he growled.

  “You may,” she agreed, holding her arms out for him. His biceps bulged as he swung her up and cuddled her against his chest.

  “You may have outsmarted me, mate,” he whispered against her hair. “But when we’re alone, all hell’s gonna break loose. You may not get that sliver of a top back to your sister in one piece.”

  “Who says that wasn’t the plan, sexy?”

  Once he was pacified somewhat, Angela wriggled until he let her down. She walked with him, Everly on her other side. By the time they arrived at the beach, there were hologram umbrellas set everywhere. The guys were right. The beach was crowded.

  “Where did everyone come from?” Angela said, bemused with the amount of people in one place.

  “I declare it’s been called beach day,” Everly said, in a fake Southern accent. “It seems everyone wants to come out and watch our boys handle their mates in bikinis.” She patted Thane’s jaw with her open palm.

  Thane and Zealish were back to grouchy, snarling at everyone who turned to say hi. Lily approached, hugged Angela and Everly, and then used both hands to smack Thane and Zee on the back of their heads.

  “Really, what’s your problem,” she snapped. “Get your growls under control. We’re all used to running around nude. You think little swimsuits are an issue?”

  “But this is my mate,” Zee growled.

  “I know,” Lily smirked. “It’s a miracle you ever got one.” She wandered off, and then looked back over her shoulder. “And while you were unconscious, your mate and her sister used to sunbathe nude on this beach. Ask my ugly mate.” Her smile gave away her teasing.

  Zee narrowed his eyes at her. “Lily carries a grudge.”

  “You can’t blame her,” Thane said. “Her mate is ugly.”

  Both men snickered.

  “Today really must have been declared beach day,” Everly said, bending over to fetch towels from the bag.

  “Let me do that, love,” Thane said. His tone was mild and sweet, but Angela caught how his eyes were narrowed on Everly’s plump little ass. He didn’t want her moving much, not with so many men about.

  Everly smiled sweetly as he spread out the towel for her to lie on.

  Zealish did the same for her and she patted him on his huge shoulder, knowing he didn’t want her breasts on display for her to spread out her own towel. Hell, he already sported a bulge in his trunks.

  Someone approached from the right. “Look at what I have!” The grin spread across Pax’s face was too wide to be him.

  “Happy?” Angela asked. “Is that you?”

  “You got it, sweetness.” Pax’s aspect beamed wider, always content to be recognized despite the fact that Pax’s aspects were all completely the same.

  He waved a small can and motioned for Angela to sit up. He sprayed her towel and then picked up the edges. The towel stiffened as he held it.

  “Now lean back,” he said.

  She looked at him incredulously.

  “Trust me. Did I make that scar go away or what?”

  She took a deep breath and tentatively lay back on the outstretched towel. While the towel molded to her body, it didn’t collapse.

  “I call it Insta-Chair. No one saw any use for it when I came up with it. Even the other multiples snickered. But look at me now!”

  “Yoo-hoo! Happy! I’m next,” Ava called out.

  Happy blew a kiss at her in acknowledgment, obviously in his element.

  “See that?” He winked at Angela, ignoring Zee’s growl. “I get all the attention of everyone’s mate.”

  “Goddamn scientist types,” Thane muttered.

  Happy turned his attention to Everly. “You want a squirt, precious?”

  “I’d love it, Happy,” she beamed.

  He doused her towel, and then did a couple more for Thane and Zee before making his way to Ava, where she sat with Covet and their adorable infant, Baby.

  Angela scooted Zee’s towel chair so it butted up against hers, and then she settled into his arms.

  “Ahh, this is the life,” Angela said, leaning her face upward. “The smell of the breeze. The salt water in the air. People laughing. My best friend. My sexy mate. My brother-in-law. And a baby in my belly.”

  “Possibly two,” Zee said, leaning over to kiss her flat belly.

  Two?

  There was shocked silence until he raised his head again.

  “What? I’m just saying. You and Everly come from twin stock, you know.”

  “Good Lord. I didn’t think of that,” Angela muttered.

  “I’d love if you had twins,” Everly said. “I’d help, Angela. I swear.”

  “You’d help if I had one,” Angela said. “So keep your fingers crossed in that direction.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  H aving a mate did something for Zealish’s confidence, because he no longer avoided the outside. He actually volunteered to help Thane with patrolling the homeless who’d camped on the edges of the gate. Of course, he usually volunteered on the days Everly and Angela chose to visit with the children, but still. It was progress.

  Today, however, wasn’t a day she and Everly were visiting. There had been too much unrest lately and more guards than usual were patrolling the outside. There was a new religious sect who would come out daily, march with their signs, and denounce science over the Lord’s word. The
y seemed to think the Xeno Sapiens were an abomination because of the way they were brought about instead of being naturally born citizens.

  Like they had a choice.

  But she and Everly had kissed both Zee and Thane and made them promise to keep Everly’s camp extra safe by patrolling there.

  And they spent their time in Pax’s lab.

  Pax and Steele were hard at work in the deeper recesses of the lab, but several of the multiples milled about the other section—including their favorite, Happy. Well, calling him their favorite didn’t seem to be fair, since they were all Pax—a part of Pax. But since it was Happy who was the most outgoing and the easiest to talk to, they seemed to hang with him most.

  He winked at them. “Pax needs a girlfriend,” he whispered. “Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

  “The best,” Everly snorted.

  “What?” His eyes gleamed as he looked innocent. “What was that snort for?”

  “It would have to be a hella strong woman to put up with all of you,” Angela said, waving her arm at the other three shards that milled about.

  Number Five winked at her. She liked to think of that one as Sexy. Lusty. Sometimes plain ole Hotness. He exuded raw sex appeal. But hell if Pax would ever allow one of his multiples to be referred to that way.

  “Yeah,” Happy sighed. “I guess it’s a bit too much to hope for.”

  “Well, maybe if the lot of you would stay inside him,” Angela said.

  “Inside? Pfft. What’s the fun in that? It’s boring inside Pax. We have to be let out to play once in a while.”

  “But maybe not when a love interest is around,” Everly said gently.

  “Or we could pretend to be Pax,” Happy said, grinning. “I think I’m best at it.”

  “You are not,” Sexy called, stretching out and calling attention to the musculature of his torso and chest. “I am.” He grinned when Angela tore her eyes away to see Everly in the same predicament as her—staring at the sinful, sex-god version of Pax.

  “Well, it’s not like a love interest would ever come around here anyway,” Happy grumbled. “Pax never leaves the depths of the lab for two minutes.”