Page 27 of Saved By the Servali

“Not really. It could be any one of a dozen managers, and they’d all go through a few supervisors. People cover different shifts based on a schedule, who is overloaded, who’s on leave—you know how it works.”

“Yes... Convolutedly. We’ll dig, Miss Kinney. Thank you for helping us. We’re ready to speak with the next person you picked up, Captain.”

“We’ll be opening a new screen. She’s still in the med bay, and her doctor will be with her.”

“That’s fine.”

Nessa let Talos lead her from the room, her mind spinning. “Someone in my department knows about this.”

“Mhm.”

“There are hundreds of people in my department.”

“True. And that might explain why they were quick to say you abandoned your job—not that you were stolen from it by thugs with weapons.”

She shivered even though the ship's passageways were a pleasantly warm temperature.

“You probably need a rest after that. Why don’t I take you down to see Kamau?” The tall Tigerite suggested as he towered over her.

“Kamau? Why him?” Nessa blurted.Is it obvious? Am I obvious? Can they smell that we were together last night, or sense it with those long whiskers and their weird, twitchy tails?

Fuck, those tails are problematic. Like lie detectors and radars, and so, souseful.

“He was keen to take care of our new guests, and you are the Queen who needs less medical care and more nourishing at this stage. That’s his flight path, if you’ll pardon the expression,” Talos smiled.

Which was terrifying.

“He... He wanted to take care of a Queen?” she stammered.Any Queen? Or me? Or is it that I’m just the first one awake?

“Oh, he is a kind soul! He would take care of anyone. He takes care of my Queen, Wendy, so beautifully, making her the most nutritious meals that help her with cravings and morning sickness as she carries our cub.”

Talos’ smile melted into something beautiful. Blessed.

He really loves her. Queen isn’t just a term to them. It’s a way of life.

They take relationships so seriously here. King and Queens—royal couples, paired up for life like in the olden times.

Happy fantasies we don’t get to live out on Sapien-Three.

“You have to get to that meeting. I’m going to my room for a rest, but maybe he could bring me some lunch. I think I know how to contact the kitchen.”

“Just shout, and he’ll fly to your side,” Talos chuckled.

And if that’s not the sexiest thing in the world to a lonely, single woman, I don’t know what is...

“I THINK NESSA WOULDwelcome something to eat. That interview was long and exhausting. I simply had to sit there and recite a few facts about the shuttle itself and confirm the timeline, and I’m famished.”

Kamau nodded. “Don’t eat all the floribunda biscuits. I see crumbs on your whiskers, Tigerite.”

“I just had one or two. Or four,” Talos shuffled his feet guiltily. “But Nessa—”

“I will send her something on a tray in a moment.”

“She might like some company, too.”

“I’m sure she would find plenty of company with Jaxson or Elio.” Kamau turned away, cursing himself.

You are acting like a jealous cub who is almost of age and just noticing Queens. How could you be so stupid to think she would choose you? Belong to you after one evening?

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