Chapter 17

MANDY

I pace in the entryway of Kameer’s quarters, anxious for the doorbell. It’s been two weeks since he claimed me, and he’s finally permitting a visit from my family. I glance toward the living room where my mate is seated near the large viewscreen, my heart racing with nerves.

I want the visit to go well, which means I’ll have to lie. I’ll have to look my parents and sister in the eyes and tell them I’m fine and I’m happy.

Will they see through my deception?

Guilt suddenly presses down on my shoulders, a heaviness that makes it difficult to take my next breath. In all honesty, I can’t claim I’m happy—Kameer bought me, and I had no choice but to become his mate—but I can’t claim I’m truly miserable either.

Conflicted. That’s what I am.

Kameer departs the living room and joins me in the entryway. He grasps my hand and turns me to face him, and his nearness prompts heated tingles throughout my body.

I can’t help it. Despite myself, whenever he’s close, I can’t help but enjoy his presence and crave his touch. The feelings of surrender also keep getting stronger. Sometimes when he looks at me in that authoritative manner of his, I find myself lowering my head slightly as a wave of surrender rushes to the surface and I experience a physical and emotional need to submit.

I’m terrified my frequent capitulation to him is a sign of the impending heartbond.

But how can I stop it?

My attempts to hold him at a distance are starting to become exhausting. And as the days pass, basking in his presence and our frequent mating sessions seems to have become my natural inclination.

Yes, conflicted is an apt word to describe how I’m feeling.

“Your heart is pounding fast, pretty human.” There’s a note of concern in his voice that touches me. “Are you nervous about seeing your family?”

I place a hand on my heart. He’s right. My heart is racing as my anxieties over seeing my family increase. “I am nervous,” I admit, “though I still wish to see them. How, um, how did you arrange the meeting?” In my excitement over learning they would visit for lunch today—news he just shared with me this morning—I hadn’t stopped to ask Kameer for the finer details behind the arrangement. Instead, I’d run off to get dressed in one of my new Darrvason gowns, wanting to look as put together as possible when my parents and sister arrived.

“I visited your family’s quarters on Deck Fifteen yesterday evening to extend the invitation. Your father answered the door.” A smirk tugs at Kameer’s lips. “I did not receive a warm welcome.”

Before I can inquire further, the doorbell rings. I withdraw from my mate’s arms and rush toward the door, only for him to grasp me and shove me behind him. He glances over his shoulder with a scolding look. “You are never to answer the door. We have discussed this.”

“But we’re expecting my parents and sister.”

“I understand, and while I’m certain it’s them, you are still not to answer the door.” A strange look crosses his face. “As we have already discussed, it is for your safety, pretty human. Might I remind you, a heartbond hasn’t formed between us yet, and your sweet scent could easily be an enticement to an unmated Darrvason male.”

I suppress a sigh. “But there are Darrvason security officers stationed outside your quarters, mated ones who don’t pose a threat to me, I might add. Surely they wouldn’t allow someone with nefarious intentions to ring the doorbell.”

He narrows his eyes at me, and I follow my instinct to lower my head. I don’t want to be on the receiving end of his displeasure, and I want the visit with my family to go as well as possible. Pissing Kameer off before we answer the door probably isn’t smart.

“Your safety is important to me, Mandy.” His tone is somewhat gentle, and his eyes gleam with truth. I’m still having difficulty coming to terms with his protectiveness when we’ve only been acquainted for a short time. Yes, by the laws of his people I’m considered his mate, but it doesn’t erase the fact that we haven’t known each other for long.

“Of course,” I murmur. “I won’t try to answer the door again.”

“Thank you.” He straightens, approaches the door, then looks in the peephole.

I remain a few paces behind, eager for a glimpse of my family. Though it’s only been two weeks since I saw them, it feels like ages.

At last, Kameer opens the door.

I immediately offer my mother and sister a bright smile, but then I notice my father’s absence, and my smile instantly fades.

He didn’t come. I try to push away the sudden stab of hurt. Doesn’t he want to make sure I’m okay? Doesn’t he care?

Fuck, why do I care? I don’t usually enjoy spending time with him, but I’d assumed he would join my mother and sister. All at once, I’m ten years old again, standing outside Deck Fifteen’s recreation room, waiting for him to arrive as promised while watching other fathers come and go with their children. I try, but fail, to push away the familiar sense of abandonment. At least my mother and sister are here. They care.

“Welcome, Adrianna and Tasha. I’m pleased to see you again. My mate and I are happy you accepted our invitation to lunch.” Kameer offers a deep nod to Mom and Tasha, then gestures for them to come inside. They both cast a cautious look around before stepping into the entryway, and I sense their unease in the huge Darrvason’s presence. Not that I can blame them.

“Hello,” my mother says in a trembling tone.

Tasha offers a brief smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. She’s holding a large bag which she’s quick to set down. I notice it contains my clothing, shoes, and other belongings, and I shoot her a grateful look. In recent days, I’ve acquired quite a few dresses in the Darrvason style, gifts from Kameer that he created quickly using a materials replicator, but I’m thankful to receive my belongings, nonetheless. Particularly the old-fashioned e-reader I spot tucked between my shirts. To pass the time while Kameer is working, I’ve been reading physical books left behind in the Founders’ quarters, but it’s nice to have my e-reader back since it contains all my favorites.

Wanting to diffuse the tension, I move to Kameer’s side and place a hand on his arm. “It’s good to see you guys. I take it you’ve already met Kameer?” While my mate said my father answered the door yesterday evening, I’m not certain how much interaction, if any, he’d had with Mom and Tasha.

“Yes, we met briefly last night.” My sister clears her throat and casts another awkward look at Kameer.

“Please come inside and join us for lunch,” Kameer says, his tone formal, and we all follow him to the dining room where a large meal is already waiting on the table.

“Wow, looks delicious,” Mom says. “Did you have this catered?”

“Actually, Kameer prepared it using a Darrvason food replicator,” I say, not offended by her assumption that the meal was catered. We’re in Founders’ quarters, after all, and many of the wealthy residents of the Jansonna often have meals delivered from the nicer mess halls. “The replicators are programmed to make all sorts of human food in addition to Darrvason food.”

“Can’t wait to try it,” Tasha says.

We take our seats and start loading up our plates with the mix of Darrvason and human fare, a long silence stretching between us.

Every time I’m about to say something to my mother or sister, I second guess myself and keep quiet.

I want to ask why Dad didn’t come. I want to assure them I’m fine and they needn’t worry. I also want to inquire about the salon and ask Mom if she’s overwhelmed with work. But it feels a bit weird to speak of such matters in front of Kameer.

You will soon be free of Chief Kameer.

The mysterious message from the info screen comes to mind, and I fight back a wave of guilt. Am I just playing house until something or someone takes Kameer away? My gut twists.

“So,” Tasha begins in a conversational tone, another forced smile spreading over her features, “I’m sure you’re wondering why Dad’s not here.”

“I’m sure he’s busy with work. I know how crazy it can get in the hydroponics bay.” I take a sip of water and glance at Kameer. What I wouldn’t give to have a private conversation with my mother and sister.

Mom inhales a deep, steadying breath and meets my gaze. The hesitation in her expression is enough to put me on edge. She discreetly elbows Tasha under the table.

“What is it?” I blurt. “Where’s Dad?”

“He’s in the brig,” Tasha announces. Mom jabs her again under the table, and my sister looks over with a frown. “What? We have to tell her.”

“Tell me what? What did Dad do? Or rather, what’s he being accused of?” I’m pretty sure half the occupants of the brig are there on falsified charges, though I hope whatever Dad’s being accused of isn’t a serious crime. At the very least, I hope it’s not execution-worthy.

Mom and Tasha exchange a look, and Kameer stiffens beside me and places a comforting hand on my thigh. Even though I wish he would leave, his presence is calming.

Oh God. What if my father remains incarcerated even after we reach 58-Zallnanis? It’s bad enough that I won’t be settling on the human continent with my family, but if Dad isn’t around either, I worry Mom and Tasha will have a difficult time adjusting to life beyond the worldship.

Finally, my sister speaks. “He trespassed on the bridge and punched Captain Warren in the nose. Knocked him flat on his ass, too. Everyone is talking about it.”

I glance at Kameer. “Did you know about this?”

He frowns. “I’d heard about the incident, though I didn’t know your father was the assailant.” He squeezes my thigh. “Please do not worry, pretty human. I will talk with Captain Warren and see if anything can be done to reduce your father’s sentence.” He peers between Tasha and Mom. “Has he been sentenced yet?”

“Not yet,” Mom says. “He’s supposed to go before a judge in a few days. He’s been charged with trespassing, assault on a high-ranking officer, and resisting arrest.”

I can’t believe it. My father, who often goes days without interacting with me in any way, punched Captain Warren in the nose on my behalf. Because he thinks the captain gave me to Kameer as a gift. That’s the official story. Fucking hell. What a mess this has turned into.

“How many years do you think he’ll be sentenced to?” I don’t bother asking if Mom and Tasha think he’ll be found not guilty. Of course he’ll be found guilty. There were probably dozens of witnesses. Even if there weren’t, when Captain Warren accuses an individual of a crime, the charges always stick.

“A lawyer we talked to said he’ll be lucky to receive less than five. We were also told that most of Jansonna’s prisoners will be used for hard labor on planet 58-Z. For construction, mining, drilling wells, etcetera.” Mom wipes away a tear. “It’s going to be tough without him. But at least he won’t be facing down a depressurization chamber. The lawyer assured me that his crimes aren’t severe enough.”

I swallow past the burning in my throat and fight back tears of my own. I hate seeing Mom cry. I’m also gutted that I won’t be around to help. Unable to stop myself, I shoot Kameer an accusing look. If he hadn’t bought and mated with me, none of this would have happened.

“As I said, I will speak with the captain. Perhaps there is something I can offer him to convince him to drop the charges,” he says, and when I realize he’s talking about another payoff, my fury ignites.

“Yes, I hear Captain Warren is open to taking bribes,” I say.

Kameer’s eyes darken. “Mandy.” He utters my name in a warning tone. “Please help me with something in the kitchen.” Then he pulls me to my feet and escorts me out of the dining room.

Not wanting to alarm Mom or Tasha, I summon an air of nonchalance and go willingly. Once we reach the kitchen, Kameer turns me to face him, and though I can’t be sure, I think I detect a hint of guilt in his visage.

“I will resolve the situation,” he says. “I will make sure your father isn’t mistreated, and I will make sure he’s freed by the time we reach 58-Z. Please do not make a scene and cause your sister and mother to become even more uncomfortable than they already are.”

“So, I take it you don’t want my family to know you bought me?”

“They already know. When I visited your family’s quarters last night, I told your father the truth about how I acquired you. I also offered to transmit the exact amount I paid Captain Warren to your father’s account, though it was at this point that he started yelling and demanded I leave.” He draws in a long, steadying breath. “I know resources on the human continent will be scarce at first, and I want to make sure your family is taken care of.”

I stare up at him, stunned. I’m not sure what to say. I still don’t know how much he paid for me, though he’d indicated it was an exorbitant amount. The kind of money that could change my family’s life forever. If they had access to the same resources as Founders, they would never have to worry about starving or going without medical care or basic necessities again.

If only my father would agree to such an arrangement, but with a sinking heart, I realize he never would. Even to the detriment of my mother and sister.

I take a few deep breaths, trying to cool the last of my anger. I should be pissed as hell that Kameer is trying to throw his money around just to get what he wants, but I sense he’s only trying to help. I don’t think he offered my father money to try to buy his approval, though Dad probably believed that was his intention.

“I appreciate you offering to help my family, Kameer, but my father is a proud man, and I know he’ll never accept your money.”

“I gathered that during our brief conversation last night.” A thoughtful look comes over him. “I could always transmit the galactic credits to your sister’s account, and I could arrange for a house to be built for your family on the human continent. But you know your father better than I. Whatever you think would work best, I will do it. They are your family and it’s obvious to me that you care about them, therefore they are also important to me. I cannot return you to your family, Mandy, but I can help them.”

As his words settle over me, the last of my anger fades. How can I remain furious when he’s offering a shit ton of money to the people I care about most while also offering to build them a house?

“Thank you, Kameer. I appreciate that you want to help them, and I’m sure I can figure out the best way. But first, we have to see what happens with my father, and then I’ll need to discuss it with my mother and Tasha.”

You will soon be free of Chief Kameer.

Oh God. What am I doing by making plans for the future when my union with Kameer might not last for much longer?

My stomach clenches. Should I tell him about the ominous message? Will he be angry that I’ve kept silent about it for days?

He grasps my face and leans down to kiss my forehead. My upper arms tingle, and I can’t help but wonder if his ancestral markings always tingle at the same time as my arms. But I don’t have the courage to ask.

Do I still want to escape him?

The truth is, I’m not sure. With each passing day living as his mate, I’m becoming more conflicted. And now that he’s offering to help my family, including getting my father released from the brig before we reach 58-Z, it’s more difficult than ever to shield my heart.

Maybe I should tell him about the message on the info screen. But even if I told him, would it make a difference? For all I know, he’s a secret criminal who’s about to be arrested by his own people. I pray it’s not anything especially sinister, like a threat to his life.

I’m starting to hope the message was nothing but a prank.

“Come, my sweet mate. Let’s return to the dining room. I would like to get to know your mother and sister better.”