Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Catalina

She wondered if the women were clones, too. They looked almost identical. Both women had bright blue eyes, thick lashes and brows, and freckles on pale skin. They had shaved their hair off so their scalps were bare. But since their eyebrows were pretty dark, she guessed they had dark brown hair. One sister was muscular, the other a little softer. The softer one had bigger boobs. They were shorter than she was. Almost a foot shorter than their mates.

The more muscular one stepped forward. "Hi, Catalina. I'm Casey. This is my twin sister Cameron, my mate Brode." She pointed to the dusty green male. "And Cammy's mate is Reb," she said and indicated the light blue guy.

Baby cut in, demanding, "What happened to your hair?"

Casey rolled her eyes. "It's an Earth thing, Captain. Give me a second and I'll explain. You know I had cancer when I was a young girl. The chemical and radiation treatments that are used to try to kill cancer—cause your hair to fall out. It's a very difficult thing for many people to lose their hair. Especially for women. It's an identity issue. When it happened to me, Cammy shaved hers to support me. She did it so I wasn't the only one with a bald head. I wanted to make the same statement for her. Because my sister needs to know she is worth more to me than my hair. When Brode and Reb saw what I did and I told them why, they wanted to shave off their hair, too."

Brode shrugged. "I couldn't do this for you… I will do it for your sister."

Cammy turned to Baby. "Captain, you've got to stop the rest. I've seen it in Tabby's eyes and some of the others. Pretty soon, all the brothers will be bald. You need to stop them," she pleaded.

Baby looked down at Cat, then back at Cameron. "I think it is a beautiful statement. Both you and Casey lived through a horrendous ordeal. Catalina is still going through her trial. Your mates and their brothers can do so little to help—let them show you they care."

Casey grinned. "Thank you, Captain. I cooked dinner and there is some in the conference room. But Cam and I want to steal Catalina from you for a moment. I promise we'll be back so she can eat."

Cat wasn't hungry. Her stomach was upset, meeting all these people and trying to focus on something other than what the Andaran had planned for her.

Baby turned to her and gently slid his finger under her chin, to ensure she looked up and met his eyes. She smiled. "It's okay. I'll go with them."

Casey took one side and Cameron the other. They led her down the hall and stopped in front of a door. Cat remembered the layout of the ship. This room was designated as the captain's quarters.

The door snicked open. Cameron guided Cat to the long couch. "Wow," she couldn't help it. "I did the research when Jacanas bought this ship. I looked at the catalogue and saw the pictures, but this room is gorgeous!"

It was truly a work of art. She giggled. "The color scheme fits Baby perfectly." And it did. The walls were a pale green, but the same tone as Bao's skin. So were the pillows on the couch. Brown, thick carpeting covered the floors, and the furniture was black leather. She smoothed her hand over it and sighed. "Pretty sure this isn't leather made from cowhides. I bet I don't want to know."

Cameron giggled. "Yeah. I'm finding there are some things I don't ask."

Casey snorted. "Then don't come into the kitchen. I am shocked and… disgusted several times a day. But I guarantee it all tastes good. Just don't ask."

"Catalina. Cas and I would like to ask you a few questions so we don't cause you any distress. We are huggers. If we reach out to take your hand, or give you a hug, will that bother you?"

She blinked. That was not a question she would ever have come up with. Cat didn't know how to respond.

Casey sensed her confusion. "Cam and I were only slaves for a hot minute before the brothers saved us. We know it was longer for you. You have not had the right to say no, to choose what you want for a long time. We absolutely want to know what your boundaries are or my sister and I are liable to stomp all over them. We want to be there for you. But you need to give us some guidance on what is good for you. For instance, is it always Catalina, or can we call you Cat? Which is extremely cool, by the way."

She smiled. "Cat is good. Hugs from the two of you, or touching, are good. Thank you so much for asking." The smile disappeared. "But I hope Baby warned you. I don't have long to live."

This time, the women reached out to her. Both taking hold of one of her hands. Casey was the one who spoke. "Don't believe that Cat. Believe in Baby and the brothers. They will move heaven and earth to save you. And so will we. So will another planet populated with women from Earth. But you'll find out more about that in a minute."

Frowning, Cat wasn't sure what to say.

Cam didn't give her any time. "When our mates saved us, the brothers went shopping and bought us clothes. They had no idea what we looked like, or how tall or round we were. I think they bought everything that even remotely looked as if it were for a female."

Casey laughed. "You should see some of that stuff. We brought a few things in here, thinking you might want to change your clothes. I know I hated wearing what the damn red aliens gave me."

Cam shrugged. "I was unconscious. Then I had a hospital gown. Once Reb saved me, I wore his shirt. So, not the same experience."

Cat's head was spinning. With hope, with the offer of friendship and laughter. And now, with the offer of a really beautiful dress that looked like it might fit her. When tears fell, she had company in her sorrow. The three women held on tight and cried together.

BaOBy

The sight of Catalina in the deep green, floor-sweeping dress made Bao forget to breathe. Her long blonde hair was loose about her shoulders, falling to her waist. The color of the dress was identical to the color of both his skin and her eyes. And it made her pale flesh gleam. Her pink, lush lips were shiny.

Her gasp shook him out of his adulation. He noticed her frown when she whispered, "You shaved your head."

Bao reached out for her hand. He brought her fingers to his lips. "For you. And our new sisters."

There wasn't time to speak about his decision, as Lan let out a low whistle. "Everyone, choose a seat. I'll have both the Father and Megoth on screen in just seconds."

There was room at the large, U-shaped table for everyone. This afternoon, Bao went through the ship and researched his options. Deciding this smaller room would be more comfortable for his mate. He also asked that only those who needed to be involved in the call—be in the room.

Reb and Cameron were there because they were the group's medical team. Brode and Casey, because the female seemed to have an instinctive grasp of the issues. Plus, it gave Cat another woman in the room. A friend, hopefully. Lan was also there. Sitting in the corner with the communications deck to ensure there were no issues with the call. He would handle all the technical issues that arose and keep the rest of their brothers in the loop.

Within moments, both screens at the front of the room filled. One showed the Father, sitting alone at his desk. The other highlighted an Earth woman with an enormous, muscled male beside her. Bao figured he was the woman's mate. He was a Guardian. Closing his eyes for a moment, he felt the rush of hope fill his soul. They had to come up with a solution.

Catalina

She didn't know what was going on. Oh, Cat was pretty sure it had to do with her, but Baby hadn't explained anything. She bit her lip. Admitting to herself, he really hadn't had a chance. After her meltdown last night, and kicking him out of her room this morning, she only left him the time it took to walk from her house to the ship. And Jay was with them. She didn't want to answer his questions about why she was upset. Not realizing he might need to tell her something.

Cat took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax. Whatever this was, she would listen.

The single male on screen number one stood and faced them. "Thank you all for coming. I am Chancellor Yce. The men before you are my clone children, the women their mates. Captain BaOBy and Catalina are in the front on the right. ReBOrB and Cameron are sitting in the front on the left. BrOdByc and Casey are next to them. Casey and Cameron are twins. LanBeOB is in the back, handling the communications."

Catalina was stunned. She knew who Yce was. He was one of the top members of the Alliance—if not the absolute ruler. She concentrated on her breathing. In, out. Slowly, so she wouldn't hyperventilate.

It helped to concentrate on the man and not on the title. She refused to think about what it might mean that this powerful man was Baby's creator. And probably knew all her secrets.

She could see Yce's features stamped on the men in this room. The Father's skin was tan, and not the colors designated for clones. He also appeared to be a few decades older than the brothers. His dark hair had just a touch of gray. Where… she looked around the room. Well, Lan was the only one of them who had hair now. But his long dark hair mirrored the man's on the screen without the silver streaks.

Yce was clean-shaven. Yet all the brothers she'd seen had some sort of facial hair, from light scruff or a mustache—to beards that hung down to mid-chest. All the brothers were tall, strong, and muscular. They were physically stunning humanoid men with dark brown eyes. So was the father.

Yce turned toward the other screen. "I'd like to introduce Raptor and his mate, Grace. Raptor is a Guardian." He turned back. "Grace and Raptor have a couple of questions for Catalina."

Raptor was tall and muscular. He had long brown hair that flowed over his shoulders. His eyes were a light golden brown. Grace was incredible. Just a few inches shorter than her mate, she had a curvy, strong body. A massive dark braid was draped over her shoulder. She had pale skin, freckles, and green eyes. She looked like an older, healthier version of Cat.

Others had seen the resemblance too. Looking at both women and frowning. Even the man at her side had a perplexed look on his face.

But it was Chancellor Yce's next words that frightened Catalina. "Grace is a human doctor who specializes in childbirth."

Her gaze jumped to meet Baby's. He nodded. "Last night, I explained everything I knew to my brothers, their mates, and the Father. He reached out to Grace and Falcon. They've been researching all day. Grace would like to ask you a few questions." He reached out to take her hands in his. "Will you give us a chance to help you, Cat?"

Catalina was afraid. Then she remembered what Casey had told her. Urging her to believe in Baby and the brothers. Was she strong enough to take a chance? Looking around the room, and at the people on two monitors, Cat realized she had never had anyone on her side before. She always wanted a family who would have her back. Now she had it. She needed to trust that they'd try to help. She met her green alien's eyes—and nodded.