The Alliance by Shannon Stoker

thought it would,” he said. “I think we will all feel a little better after some sleep.”
    Even in the air-­conditioned vehicle Mia could feel sweat forming on her forehead. She tried to focus on her breathing and felt her body cool down. This mission was bigger than her ideals or the idiot agent’s outlook toward women. Agent Barker’s views didn’t matter. In only a few short weeks the Registry would no longer exist and he would have to deal with a new way of life.

 
    UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
    HarperCollins Publishers
    ....................................
    Chapter 20
    We arrived to see that about one thousand survivors had picked up our message and traveled to our destination. Almost all of them are soldiers and they are celebrating new faces. Something is wrong though; the men outnumber the women at least ten to one, if not more. The general seems confident more will come, but it seems to me the only ­people who survived this poisoning are ­people who were not present.
    â€”­The journal of Isaac Ryland
    The Mission was becoming a second home to Grant. He didn’t appreciate being summoned at Ian’s beck and call but was getting used to the building. He knocked on the door to Ian’s office and let himself inside. He couldn’t wait until this room belonged to him. Ian was behind his desk and waved Grant over. The old man was on the phone.
    â€œSplendid,” he said. “Please keep me up to date on their travels.”
    Grant sat down and smoothed out his striped shorts. They were black and white with small red lines. He wore a light red sweater to match. Grant leaned back in the chair and brought his foot up to his knee. He noticed a scuff in his black penny loafers and tried to rub it out.
    â€œDid you look into the backstory?” Ian asked. “Remember, these ­people are our allies. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about as long as everything checks out all right. Some information may get lost in translation.”
    The scuff was coming out and Grant was glad to have a way to hide his interest in Ian’s conversation. He wondered what problem the grand commander was overlooking now.
    â€œThank you,” Ian said. “Good-­bye.”
    He set the phone down and wasted no time engaging Grant in conversation.
    â€œOur international guests are starting to arrive.”
    â€œIs there a problem?”
    â€œNo,” Ian said. “A typo on one of the forms. Three of the nine countries have arrived. They will be here by the end of the week.”
    â€œCould I take a look at who is coming?” Grant asked. “I would like to memorize their information.”
    â€œYou only have to worry about the countries’ leaders,” Ian said. “Not their escorts.”
    â€œI want to use everything at my disposal to charm them,” Grant said.
    This was the third time he had made this request. Grant was pleased when Ian opened his desk drawer and pulled out a flash drive.
    â€œSince you’ve asked so nicely,” Ian said. “Is your home coming along?”
    â€œEverything will be perfect for the wedding,” Grant said.
    â€œTamara is excited,” Ian said. “It’s all she’ll speak of.”
    â€œIs that why you called me down here today?”
    â€œOf course not,” Ian said. “I scheduled another taping of The Greg Finnegan Show . You haven’t been in public for almost two weeks. He is going to interview you about the wedding.”
    Grant smiled through his teeth. He hated Greg Finnegan and his television show. It was the most watched program in all of America and the ­people regarded Finnegan as their nightly source for the most important news. The man was a flake though, and Grant wished he could limit their interaction.
    â€œYou could have phoned to tell me that,” Grant said.
    â€œThe last time I did that you had an excuse why you