Cancer (The Zodiac Brides #3)

Chapter 1

A new beginning.

Tamara

“You can do this, Tammy,” I repeated to myself. “You can do this.”

My words didn’t matter, I still couldn’t stop the shaking in my hands as they gripped the lip of the sink, or my legs as they struggled to carry me. What a stupid idea this was.

Escaping the duties forced upon me to one man with another. I really didn’t give this enough thought, did I?

I looked at my left hand and at the naked finger that used to carry a ridiculously large ring and everyone’s faces assaulted my damn mind.

My mother and father’s stern looks. Their family and friends’—just a pretty way to talk about their stupid cult—satisfied smirks when I reluctantly agreed to marry their damn golden boy. Jake’s eyes. Cold, empty eyes.

No matter how they used to look, their expression must have shifted entirely when they realized I ran away—or more accurately flew away to a distant system.

I sort of wished I had seen their faces then.

See the realization cross their features.

See stupid Jake’s composure slip to give everyone else a glance to his real personality.

The bastard would never lift another hand on me. I would never let him—or anyone else—boss me around like he’s done the last few months.

I straightened up and fisted one of my hands as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

At my skin, now free from all the darker spots where bruises used to be healing.

At my light brown eyes that used to look darker.

At my carefully braided hair that hid the small spot where strands had been ripped out from the back of my head.

This was a new beginning. Sure, I had traded one abusive man for one I knew nothing about, but it felt safer somehow.

When we met, Mr. Donovan—the doctor who had recruited me for this program—had promised that I would be looked after.

That the Cancos were a respectful and peaceful species under their gruff appearance.

He had even agreed to bring me to the station weeks early so I could escape this Hell and my upcoming wedding.

Of course it also served him; after all, I couldn’t be part of their program if I was already married, but I’d seen the concern on his face.

He had cared enough to help me, and I trusted him not to send me to a man that was worse than the one I’d left behind.

At least, the blood work the hospital had done to me after Jake had given me a beating when he, for some reason, wouldn’t believe that I was still a virgin, had served a greater purpose. My blood was secretly tested, and thanks to my high compatibility, I was given a choice.

“I will not regret my choice,” I muttered to myself. “It’s the first one I was given. The first I’ve made for myself. I’m out and I’m safe. I escaped.” I stared at my reflection some more. “I. Am. Free.” Kind of.

“Miss Matossi?” a doctor called from the other side of the door. “I’ll be waiting outside once you’re ready. Maxwell is expecting you in ten minutes.”

Ten minutes.

I could do it, right? This was the moment the last few weeks had been about. The reason I’d been able to run away.

Grateful. This…Canco man had, unknowingly, given me the opportunity for a fresh start.

And, if he turned out to be the same kind of man Jake was, I could be taken back to the station at any point.

Although Mr. Donovan had promised my future alien husband would be kind to me, he had also assured me that I’d be safe if he wasn’t.

And that was all I needed to find the strength to get out of the bathroom.