Sergey: Love Me Harder by Serena Simpson Page A

stand and salute. Looking around the room, she realized he commanded respect because he gave respect. He hadn’t addressed her as subservient. She knew that tone of voice. He’d addressed her as an equal who could add valuable info to the conversation.
    “We went to SB to have a quiet place to talk, drink coffee and eat a good breakfast sandwich.” She took a minute to look at Sergey as she mentioned the last part. His face had flushed just a little as he looked at her.
    “Rena and Dee told me about what has been going on. The longer we sat there, the more uncomfortable I became. I knew we were being watched and wanted to get back as soon as possible. I noticed that Rena and Dee were looking around also.”
    She stopped to look at Sergey who was gripping her arm tighter. “We got back to the car with no problems. I thought everything would be ok. Then a gun metal gray car pulled up behind us, something that was fast, but would blend in.”
    “It was a charger.” Dee spoke. “I remember comparing it to my baby. It came up short.”
    “They tailed us. I was pretty sure they were military and tried to shake them. We went over the median strip, allowing us to go in the other direction. Before I could put some distance between us, they fired. Two of them, I’d say, since both Rena and I were hit.”
    “Thank you Lorali.” Aran looked down at Rena and then at Dee. “Is that what the both of you were feeling?”
    Rena shook her head. “No, I was definitely feeling the created. He was watching. Why he never made a move, especially since he’d the perfect opportunity, is beyond me. I’m sure he was around.”
    “I agree with Rena. The created was there. Why is he back?”
    “He’s fixated on us. That means he won’t stop until he has avenged whatever wrong he imagines we did him. He’ll reveal himself. When he does we’ll be prepared.” Aran said.
    Dee nodded her head before leaning against Niko and letting out a tired sigh.
    “Suggestions.” Aran looked around the room.
    “Eliminate the targets. Why should we allow the military to put our sisters in jeopardy? We could’ve taken care of them long before now.” Ash the youngest brother said.
    “Ash, this is our world now. We can’t just eliminate a human because they act in a way that is dishonorable. We took away their weapon that was harmless to us, but could’ve devastated the human population. We took away all knowledge of it having been made. This allowed us to protect our future mates, as well as the rest of the population.”
    “We swore an oath, as a family. Two families.” Sergey raised his head to include Dante and his brothers. Aran met each of their eyes. Six set of eyes met his. Each group of brothers contained six males, it was how the scientist had created them. “To let the ones involved live, as long as they didn’t come after us. They swore the same oath. Now that oath has been broken. They will forfeit their lives, but we’ll do it right.”
    “You can’t just decide to kill them.” Lorali interjected.
    “What would they have done to you if they had caught you? What about Rena or Dee? Do you think they would’ve allowed them to walk away?” Sergey replied.
    “No, they would’ve been collateral damage. You’re calling my military, my government evil,” Lorali said slowly trying to comprehend again, how this could all be happening.
    “Wrong. We work with honorable men and women every day. We have contracts with them. The ones I talk about are deviants. They’re out for themselves. It seems every group has some.”
    “What now?” Lorali conceded, remembering the look in the General’s eyes. If he ever caught her, she was either dead or a lab rat. Either way, her life was over.
    “We eat. I didn’t prepare all this food to have it wasted.” Dante said.
    “Dante, did you learn to cook on your home planet? You know I never learned the name of your planet.” Lorali asked.
    “Cooking was forbidden to us.” Dante