Page 3 of My Monster, My Choice
Unless…will her match be so horrible that the marriage mart is a better option?
“We bargained for her to be matched to avoid the marriage,” Elex says. “Your president tricked her into changing her address so he could have control over her fate. She doesn’t know. She was so upset when he brought her out here to visit herkishling, she changed it without knowing it would make her a citizen of Earth. When we found out, we came up with the match as an alternative plan. It won’t be a stranger that she’s matched to. Her best friend that I mentioned? Captain Relion Liloni? He has volunteered. We just need her to accept because it is always a female’s choice. In order to keep your president from blackmailing her into a decision he wants, we need you to keep herkishlingsafe. Your other…Kenny. Please change the permissions for his visitors and those who check him out of the facility to Adroki and Britonian only.”
My eyebrows about shoot into my hairline. Is he fucking kidding? He wants me to sign permission for my son over to aliens?
“Trust me,” he says. “In his fury, the president may send a member of his secret service here to escort your son from the premises. If you are already located in Eden, which is annexed from Earth and considered a neutral territory, he may hold him hostage until Tera does his bidding. You also can be used against her. But we can keep you safe in Eden. We can’t keep Kenny safe unless you give us permission.”
I’d like to spout off on him, but Tera and I made a pact never to swear. Not because we believe it is a sin, like most women do—there was no one around to force me to raise her with such contrived bull—but because we were afraid Kenny would pick up on it and it would give others more of a reason to call him devil’s spawn beyond the shape of his eyes and the herbs that his mother grew.
“I have no reason to trust you, Elex. You’re a complete stranger to me. You’re telling me my daughter’s best friend is one of you, but I have no proof. I haven’t seen my child in six years. However, I do know the president and if what you’re saying comes to pass—if I get a message from him wanting me to see Tera’s ceremony—I’ll know you’re telling the truth then.”
His lips are pressed into a grim line. “I hope it’s not too late, Christina,” he rumbles.
My belly does a little flop. If I could close my eyes when he utters my name in that dark, deep voice, I swear I might become aroused.
Confusion makes me stand abruptly. “Nice to meet you, Elex. Thank you for the warning regarding my children.”
He holds out his hand and all at once I’m aware that it’s larger than normal. I’m not sure about touching him. It feels like I hesitate forever, staring at his outstretched hand.
But slowly, I reach out and he clasps mine gently.
His skin is warm, which is surprising. I’m not sure what I expected but warmth wasn’t it. I concentrate on the feel of his skin, not the weird feelings fluttering around in my belly. It feels like his skin might be thicker than mine, stronger, and he’s all strength and hardness everywhere.
With large fingers.Ack, don’t think about how long and thick his fingers are.
And warmth.Ack, definitely don’t think about that.
His big hand completely engulfs mine and for some reason, it feels like I’m protected. Like I’m cherished.
Like I’m not on my own, fighting the world to protect babies that are not biologically mine. To protect babies I can never have.
“Relion will take care of your daughter, Christina,” he rumbles. “And I will take care of you. Please trust me.”
A whoosh of longing that I haven’t felt since I was a teen sweeps through me. It’s like he knows exactly what to say. I want to trust him, despite his strange looks.
I nod once and, almost reluctantly, he lets go of my hand. I think maybe he’s unsure whether or not he convinced me. I want to trust him, but I don’t trust strangers. Not when it comes to protecting my children.
Dori’s eyes are just as huge as they were earlier when we walk out of the dining room, Elex heading toward the front door as I stand near her at the front desk.
“Everything all right?” she asks and I’m sure she wants to know what transpired.
I nod, distracted as I watch him disappear down the front steps. “Do me a favor?”
“Anything,” she agrees readily, without even asking what it is.
“If President Montgomery comes to escort me from the premises, will you enact a permissions retraction for my son that I’d ‘signed’ years ago?” I use air quotes to punctuate my meaning.
“What are you redacting?”
“All humans. If I’m not here, the only people who can remove him are the Adroki and the Britonians. That’s anif.”
She nods, speculation narrowing her eyes. Her own child is a resident here, one of Kenny’s friends, so she understands. “Sign a redaction form, and I’ll produce it upon you checking out. You’re sure you won’t leave the premises unknowingly?”
“I won’t. I don’t have any business trips scheduled for the next month and this matter should be taken care of by then.”
Tera’s marriage mart is coming up soon. If this is real, President Montgomery will approach me before then.
“Okay.” A shuffle of paper produces the form we need. “Sign here and backdate it. I promise on my life I’ll only produce it if you leave for any reason.”