Her Only Son Read Free Page A

they were walking to their cars, Kinsey noticed Hakon’s representative sitting in his car parked right beside her. She stiffened and a knot developed in her stomach. You’ve got to be kidding!
    Exhausted, but with a sense of determination, she turned to Sheila. “I’m going home to get some sleep. I’ll touch base tomorrow.”
    “Okay. Make sure you keep me posted.” She gave Kinsey a hug. “Let me know if you need anything. Even if it’s just to talk.”
    “I will. I promise.”
    As she walked around to the driver’s side of her car, he rolled his window down. “How’s your sister?”
    The knot in her stomach tightened. “What business is it of yours?”
    He laughed. “It was so sad to hear of her…accident.”
    She stood next to her car, but before she got in, she shot him a look and thought, are these bastards responsible? “Why do I get the feeling it wasn’t an accident?”
    “Well, things happen I guess. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider your offer to participate in Operation Vala?”
    She stared into his eyes and it all became clear. “According to the brochure, it’s a voluntary program. Just because you’re selected doesn’t mean you’re obligated to participate, but that’s not the case, is it?”
    The reality hit her like a ton of bricks. The parking lot started to spin and she felt her stomach roll.
    He shrugged. “Well, once Hakon decides on a particular female he usually gets them. He likes to get what he wants.”
    “Well, I choose not to participate. How can I make myself any more clear to you?”
    He leaned back against his seat. “Your parents seem nice. You appear to be a close family.”
    She shot him a daring look, but didn’t respond.
    He smiled. “I’d hate to see something happen to one of them.”
    “Why are you doing this?”
    “You’ve been chosen.”
    “I don’t want to be chosen. Don’t you get it?”
    “At this point, it doesn’t matter what you want, Kinsey. I will give you one choice though. What time would you like to leave Monday?”
    She turned and stared into the parking lot as tears welled up in her eyes. “Does it matter?”
    He sighed. “No, I guess not. I’ll be at your house at 10am to pick you up and take you to the airport. From there a private plane will take you to the facility in Nevada. Any questions?”
    “No.”
    “Enjoy the rest of the weekend with your family. They won’t be allowed to visit the compound where you’ll be living while in the program. I’m sure they’ll understand and be proud of your decision.”
    She slid into the drivers seat, pulled the door closed, and allowed the tears to fall. He tipped his hat at her as he drove away. She hated him for figuring out her one weakness…her family. A family she would do anything for, even surrender to an apparent madman, to keep safe. How in the hell was she going to explain this to them?

Chapter Three
    Kinsey woke the next morning hoping it was all just a dream, but as reality set in, she knew it was quite real. Her sister was in the hospital with a long battle ahead of her. To make matters worse, she now had to tell her parents she would be going away for approximately ten months. She was debating on how much information to give them.
    It sounded unreal and it would take good acting skills on her part to convince them she truly wanted to do it. This type of sudden action was unlike Kinsey and she knew her parents weren’t going to buy her story of the sudden decision to leave. She’d have to be convincing.
    She also thought about her job. How do I simply leave with no notice? What about Sheila? She’d have to talk with her, too.
    As if on cue, her cell phone rang. Based on the number, she knew the caller.
    “Hello?”
    “Good morning, Kinsey. How are you feeling today?”
    “How do you think I’m feeling?”
    He chuckled. “Oh, you’re going to be fine, I promise. Hundreds of women have done what you’re about to do. In less than a year, you’ll be