Stolen and Seduced - Christine Pope Page 0,267

thought of never seeing Saylor again. I hate what she's become and what PYRE has become, but she's the only living family member that I have left. She's the only person that's ever even given a shit about me. Even when our parents were alive, Saylor was the one who took care of me and kept an eye out for me.

Her soul may be twisted and black now, but I still love her.

"I can't... I can't stay away from my sister forever." I should probably be protesting the idea of staying with the aliens in general, but something about the thought feels right. I know it has to be the mate bond that they mentioned.

Jabex and Azrhan exchanges looks. "Your sister is dangerous. She's at the top of AHA's list of criminals."

"But she's still my sister." I glare at the two aliens. "If someone decided to separate you two, you wouldn't go easily, would you?"

Jabex folds his arm over his chest, his expression pinched.

Azrhan lets out a sigh, rubbing the spot between his brows. "Saylor Aengst has not made any appearances at Elihu Industries since the night we found you. If she does, we're obligated to turn her into AHA. We're already breaking oaths and promises by not turning you in, but we'd never turn our mate over."

My jaw clenches. I open my mouth to protest more when Azrhan holds up a finger. He turns walking over to the door, and he types something into the keypad next to it.

" , come in."

The red alien walks into the room, shoulders tense as he slides past Azrhan. The doors slide back closed, and the two aliens move in next to Jabex.

" , we're going to take our mate away for a while," Azrhan says.

"What? No, you're not." My fists ball as I stare at them.

Azrhan spares me a glance. "Yes, we are. We can't stay here right now. Eventually Saylor will come looking for you and when she does, hell's going to break loose. If AHA finds out about you, then we'll have them on our asses, too," he grits out. "Which is why we're staying away from Elihu Industries and the AHA." He looks at . "We're leaving you here. If Saylor sets a foot onto our property, do what you must to contain her. If you get any wind of AHA being on her tail, you beat them to her. If our mate wants to see her alien hating sister, then that's what's going to happen." The disgust in the man's voice is clear.

My eyes widen. He's really going to make sure that I get to see my sister again no matter how much danger it puts them in?

Apparently, I must ask the question out loud, because all the heads in the room turn to look at me. "Of course," Azrhan says. "You're our mate, which means it's our job to make sure you have everything that you want and need. Even if that means getting in the middle of the war of Pyre and the AHA." His eyes harden and his lips pinch together.

"Which sounds nice," says dryly. "But how am I supposed to find out if AHA has her in their sights?"

"Because Jabex and I are going to leave you as our proxy," Azrhan explains. "We'll tell Roz that we're going on a sabbatical and that you are going to handle our business with them while we're gone. He's wanted you to help out with AHA for a long time, so he'll jump on the opportunity without asking questions."

The three aliens exchange a look. I can tell there's something going unspoken, but I'm unsure of what. I also can't help but to wonder why Azrhan and Jabex seem to be able to order around without protest from the man. But I'm not going to dip in when the aliens are negotiating about me being able to see my sister again.

"As you wish," finally says, the words dripping with disdain.

Azrhan stares at the other alien, his shoulders tense. "Go prepare what you need," he says.

leaves the room, the tension in the air thick.

"Well," Jabex clears his throat. "That seems to be settled. Now we just need to make sure you aren't going to try to escape again." Jabex's eyes meet mine.

My skin tingles under the scrutiny of both of their gazes on me. I look away from them, my throat tight.

How do I tell them that I actually want to stay without looking like an idiot?

I'd protested so