Page 3 of Surrender
Of course it would. She’d do anything for her mother.
She wondered how he knew the specific condition Janie suffered from, but quickly decided it didn’t matter. He knew, and he was using this knowledge to force a conversation.
“Fine,” she hissed. “But keep your voices down. Remember my mother’s asleep.” Fiona opened the door and motioned them inside her little trailer, feeling the burn of dozens of eyes on her back as she followed.
They crowded into the kitchen, and she was annoyed when Crooked Teeth pulled out a chair for her. She leaned against the counter and crossed her arms over her chest, glaring from one turncoat to the other.
“Has anyone ever told you how much you look like President Carson’s daughter?” Mr. Combover looked her up and down, his gaze suddenly cold and calculating. Fiona fought back a shiver.
“Yeah, sure, I get it all the time. So what?” Since the First Daughter was the same age as Fiona and President Carson was currently serving the final year of his second term, Fiona got weird looks from people all the time. With her wavy auburn hair, blue eyes, splash of freckles, and similar facial features, she could probably pass for Betsy Carson’s twin.
In fact, she’d gotten herself gussied up with high heels and a faux-designer handbag last Halloween and gone as the First Daughter to a costume party.
It never occurred to her that looking like the president’s daughter was a bad thing—until now. As she studied her unwelcome visitors, she started to get a sinking feeling.
“Are you aware of the marriages that are to take place between Kall warriors and Earth citizens as part of the peace treaty?” Crooked Teeth asked.
Her stomach dropped and an icy chill settled in her veins. “Somewhat,” she said, barely managing to answer, as her throat had gone suddenly dry.
“President Carson’s daughter is supposed to marry a Kall warrior named Merokk in three days, but she’s run off and no one can find her. This is one of the most important unions between the Kall and mankind. If the marriage doesn’t take place, it would be considered a violation of the treaty.” Mr. Combover brushed a hand along the back of his neck in a nervous manner. “As you might imagine, we need to find a woman willing to take the First Daughter’s place.”
The turncoats exchanged a worried glance.
“So, you’ll help my mother if I pretend to be Betsy Carson?” Disbelief swirled through her.
“That is correct, Miss Lockhart. If you agree to pose as the First Daughter—indefinitely—and marry this Kall warrior, we’ll place your mother in a medical resort in the Caribbean, one that wasn’t destroyed during the war. She’ll be safe and sound,” said Crooked Teeth.
“When I saw you standing in the crowd today during the ceremony, I had to do a double take. I followed you home and then checked your records. Imagine my delight to discover your unique situation.” Mr. Combover smirked. No doubt he was proud of himself for so quickly finding the leverage he needed to secure Fiona’s agreement.
Was this really happening? Was she actually considering marriage to a Kall warrior? A lifetime with one of the barbarians who’d conquered her planet?
Crooked Teeth produced a tablet that contained information about the medical resort. He held it in her view and swiped from one page to the next, showing her pictures of the establishment. Sunny and bright with views of the sparkling blue ocean, it looked like one of those all-inclusive luxury resorts rather than a medical facility.
Fiona had to admit it looked like a wonderful place to send her mother. But were they telling the truth? How could she trust them?
Once the government official finished scrolling through the images, he tucked the tablet into his jacket pocket.
“She’ll be well taken care of,” he said, placing a hand upon his heart. “I give you my word.”
“You’re turncoats,” she said, giving each man a sharp look. “Your word doesn’t mean shit to me. How can I be sure you’ll actually follow through with helping my mother?”
“You don’t have much of a choice,” Crooked Teeth said. “But I suppose we can allow youonevideo comm call with your mother once she’s reached the medical resort. Before your marriage to Merokk takes place, you can verify she’s arrived safely.”
“We need an answer now,” Mr. Combover said, sounding rather desperate. “Please. Think of your mother. And think of yourself. You’ll get to leave this place, this awful camp.”
“Think of your country, too,” Crooked Teeth said, “and of your planet. You’ll be helping the entire world if you agree to our proposal, Miss Lockhart.”
She drew in a shaky breath. “Kall, um, they marry for life, don’t they?” She had the sudden sensation that she was falling.
Neither man spoke for a full minute.
“Yes,” Crooked Teeth finally said, his tone reluctant. “Kall marry for life. Divorce is not an option in their culture. However, this marriage is a political one. Your husband will likely wish for a marriage in name only.”
“The Kall warrior you want me to marry,” she asked, dread filling her, “what did you say his name was again?”
“Merokk,” the men said in unison.
“He was a commander during the war,” Mr. Combover added, “and he’s just been appointed to an ambassadorship here on Earth. You’ll live with him in DC.”
