Page 35 of Kameer's Mate
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’ssentence.” 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 ofJansonna’sprisoners 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 ancestralmarkings 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.
