Page 74 of Essa

"I've heard nothing about the explosion on Earth, but we were just asked to complete a contract for the Sentient Smuggling Department."

"Wait, they're finally giving us jobs again?" Jovi asks, the smile in his voice evident.

We've been floating around in space, trying to keep ourselves busy for the last few months because we haven't been allowed any jobs. We visited K'Vella and her new babe many times, but other than that, we haven't done much of anything other than be with one another.

"They're giving us jobs again," Alik confirms, his tone lighter than I've heard it when he's not talking to or about Sloane. "I just needed to confirm with all of you that you still want to do this."

It takes no time for all of us to agree that we want to return to work. It takes even less time for us to be on our way to the nearest port station to grab supplies. Then, we're on our way to a rendezvous spot where we'll meet a crew of smugglers who are transporting creatures they should not be.

One day, we'll all settle down, but for now, our purpose is to be out in the universe doing what we can to make it a slightly better place. And now I have two males to share that with, not to mention the crew, all of my human friends, and Holoth and K'Vella's growing family. There is much to be thankful for, and I'm the most grateful.

thirty-one

Seth

One Year Later

Essa's more stressed out than I've seen her in the entire time I've known her. I don't even know what could be upsetting her since we aren't on a job, and nothing bad has happened. I glance over at Adam, who keeps his face impassive even though his thoughts are just as worried as mine about what could have upset her.

She told us she needed to speak with us and then dragged us into the entertainment room. Serious conversations usually happen in the bedroom, so Adam and I are a little confused about how we should be acting right now.

"I have something for the both of you," Essa says, her lips pulling up in what I'm assuming she thinks looks like a normal smile. There's nothing normal about it. "I believe I've done the correct thing, but last night, when I was talking with Ixor–"

"The pirate?" Adam asks, his brows scrunching together as he frowns. "What did you need to meet with the pirates for?"

And why didn't she tell us? Is the unasked portion of that question, but our girl is nervous about something. Adam isn't about to push it when she's looking how she is. If she didn't look so distraught over it, I'm sure he'd be using a much different tone, but he's gentle with her when he tries.

"Okay, so I know this wasn't my place, and maybe I should've consulted either of you before I had the pirates go looking for it, but when I thought of the idea, it seemed perfect. Only after I had the film in my possession did I realize it's not really my choice to force it on you if it's not something you want."

Essa pauses to catch her breath and gives Adam and me a second to try to figure out what she's talking about. I glance over at Adam, who shakes his head with a bewildered expression while telling me in our mind that he's completely lost.

"Essa, sweetheart." Adam leans forward like he's about to stand from the couch, but Essa's whole body tenses, so he settles back down while pressing his lips tight together. "Is it a sex thing?"

"What?" Essa cringes at the question so hard it's safe to say that it's not a sex thing. Good, I don't think I would've appreciated another male getting Essa something that has to do with sex.

"What's going on then? Because you're freaking your males out," I tell her, giving her a soft little smile when my words find their mark.

Essa's shoulders slump as she curls her toes into the plush carpet. Her mouth opens to speak before she closes it, pushingout her cheeks until they're full and then slowly releasing the breath. When she finishes that, she winces before, I'm assuming, having a mental pep talk with herself.

"I have procured a video of Hannah's wedding," Essa says, her eyes on Adam the entire time, watching as her words register in his mind.

Everything about him seems to freeze in place, even his thoughts. Then panic, thick and foul, races through him before his mind catches up with the fact that Essa said it was his daughter's wedding, which means the scientists released her, just like they told Original Adam they would.

"She was okay?" Adam asks, his voice rough with emotion as he rubs his eyes with the pads of his thumb and forefinger. He can say all day long that Original Adam and him aren't the same person, and they aren't. But that doesn't stop the fact that Adam can still care about the little girls he remembers raising.

Essa tilts her head to the side and offers the smallest smile. "According to my research, she lived a long life. All of his daughters did."

Adam's jaw works as his nostrils flare. He doesn't look at either of us as he processes his feelings. "I want to watch it."

Essa tries not to look too hopeful, as though she's in Adam's mind and knows how fragile this moment is. She moves closer to us, kneeling in front of Adam. He's still not looking at her, so she loops the chain of his leash around her hand twice and gives it a reassuring squeeze.

Technically, we don't need to wear our collars or leashes anymore, but we like them a lot. Essa did modify the leashes, though. Instead of hanging free, they fall down the center of our chests, where they meet what Sloane likes to call our slutty little belly bracelets. Which is an appropriate description of the thin chain belts that hang around our abdomens.

"I've uploaded the video to your comm," Essa says, squeezing the leash tighter until Adam finally looks at her. "Watch it when you'd like."

She wipes her thumbs under his eyes before standing back up and moving like she's about to leave the room.

"Where are you going?" Adam asks, his words thick.

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