Desperate by Kallista Dane

Ever since a vicious enemy destroyed our planet, I have labored in the bowels of this solport.

My family, my betrothed, everyone I knew was savagely murdered. All that remained were a few of my fellow warriors, a handful of ships, and the trade goods in our cavernous hold.
As quartermaster these have been mine to protect. Primarily from the admiral’s human mate, Trina, who was determined to deck out every inch of our craft with the last of the precious goods produced on Arythios. After the slaughter, our captain declared that no color would be displayed. We were in mourning. Once his Terran female arrived, that changed. I tried to hold my tongue, but she’s stripping away all that we have left, trying to decorate an entire planet.

Instead of validating my concerns, the admiral fired me as quartermaster. My new job is to find the resources on Centauri to recreate as many Arythian products as possible. We’ll need furniture, fabrics, household goods… everything.
Unable to call an end to my grief, I set about my task still clad in the grays of mourning. Someone had to remember them all. When Zaroq informed me my name was next on the list for a bride, I refused.

In the Arythian space force, one does not say no to a superior officer. The alternative is the brig. Once I came to my senses, I agreed to mate and provide young so our race could go on. No more, no less.
For my brothers who have rediscovered joy and love, I am glad. But for me, this brilliantly colored world might as well be gray.
What will you give? What do you want?
If I can come up with the right answers to those questions I’m in. Of course, it means pretending to be the willing bride of an alien warrior.
No problem. I can do that.

After all, I spent ten years pretending to be a loving mate to Daniel DeLuca. Working side by side with him building some of the most iconic structures in the modern world. When I signed up for the Centauri Brides program under a fake name, it came complete with credentials in structural engineering close to matching my real ones, along with a resume that included two glowing references. They cost me my last dime.
Money I’d set aside to escape. To disappear. If I ever told anyone what my brother found out about the things my partner did to become a success they’d lock Danny DeLuca away for the rest of his life.

You want to know what I can contribute to this new colony? The skills and knowledge to make Centauri the most beautiful, livable world in the entire galaxy.
What do I want? A place to hide. Because if Danny DeLuca ever finds me, I’m dead. Just like my brother.