Unexpected Mates (Sons of Heaven) Read Online Free

practice ritual female mutilation...sometimes. But not to women escaping arranged marriages. Considering this situation, it amazes me that you claim the opposite is what Alice should be subjected to.”
    Coleman, the elder of their two federal liaisons, half-hid a laugh in a fake cough. “We understand your concern about the wings.”
    “Then kindly understand this,” she requested. “Not only do we intend to see to Alice’s care... And if that doesn’t sit well with you, we can certainly leave the United States and wash our hands of this entire country until you mature.” Jannie let the threat hang between them.
    No one spoke, though the representatives from child services and the foster care system looked like they wanted to take her up on that offer.
    “Not only will we protect Alice, at all costs, we would like to arrange several new initiatives.”
    Brady, the younger liaison, spoke up. “Of what sort?”
    “The first is very similar to your laws on surrendering infants and toddlers to the state. If a child tests as being Sakk-descended, we will allow surrender to us of that child, up to the age of two. Both parents must agree, if both are named on the birth certificate, save in cases of the death of a parent. Since this is Sakk sovereign soil, we have the ability to make such a decree as you do, state by state.”
    He nodded. “I can’t see how we could stop it. And?”
    “If a child is orphaned and is a ward of the state, we would like to test them routinely.”
    “To what end?” the woman from the foster system inquired coolly.
    “Giving them a home outside the overworked and overrun state systems.”
    Coleman seemed to consider it. “That would have to be worked out, state by state. Some may insist that only children with no living relatives may be tested, and some may simply not approve it.”
    “Understood.”
    There was a moment of silence. Everyone except the liaisons started packing their paperwork and heading for the door.
    When they were gone, Coleman sighed and pushed a hand through his heavily-grayed hair. “Have you had a chance to consider the extradition paperwork that was filed with you? I don’t mind telling you that there are a lot of people out there steaming for a shot at Meredith Mallory’s head.”
    “It is denied.”
    He gaped at her. “Seriously? This is not going to go down well.”
    Jannie wished Ellwood was here. He wouldn’t have argued this with her, she was sure. “She did abduct a Sakk child, and she was captured on Sakk soil.”
    “I’m really starting to loathe the consulate rules,” he admitted.
    Brady piped up. “We’ll have to check on her. You don’t mind, do you?”
    “Of course not. But do be aware that we will not return Ms. Mallory to you unless she asks to face your justice instead of ours.”
    “Fair enough,” Coleman decided. “We can play up the fact that she’s facing justice there.”
     
    ****
     
    Meredith looked up from Alice’s diaper at the sound of a knock. “Just a moment,” she called out.
    “At your convenience, Meredith,” Janice replied.
    She rushed through putting on the fresh diaper, dropped the soiled one in the waste unit, then wiped her hands on a cleansing cloth the Sakk had provided for the chore. With Alice on her hip, Meredith made her way to the door and opened it.
    Her smile faded at the sight of what appeared to be two human—and very official—men. Her heart pounded out a warning. Had they decided to turn her over to the human authorities after all?
    Why? What have I done? She’d been caring for Alice for three days, and there had been no complaints Meredith was aware of.
    Janice covered Meredith’s hand with her own, squeezing lightly. “May I present Representative Ellwood and Representative Gorse? They are two of our liaisons. It is their job to check on you and report whether or not you are being treated well in your confinement.”
    “Of...of course.” Meredith backed off a step and waved them to