Settling Down
May 17th
1
Kenn stopped at the open door to Angela’s room, ignoring the disapproving looks from her guards.
“You’ll live. That’s good,” Kenn stated, scanning her wounds.
The comment drew a surprised stare from Angela. She could feel how much he meant it. “Yeah. Thanks.”
Kenn was unable to take his gaze off the ‘breathing’ wound. It was by far uglier than anything he’d ever done to her.
“That doesn’t absolve you!” she retorted sharply.
Kenn didn’t answer. He hadn’t come to fight.
Angela watched him, while he watched her. They’d been through a lot together, years of hell, but the war had ended it. They were free now.
“I’m telling the camp about Charlie’s parentage.”
Kenn stiffened, but said, “Most of them suspect. They think you had an affair.”
He took the next step toward peace with the past. “I’m sorry for saying it.”
Silence reigned in the small room at his admission.
Kenn leaned against the doorframe and stared at her with an unreadable blue gaze.
Angela lifted her chin and carefully stood up.
“Ugh.” The thick twinge when she straightened ripped a groan from her lips against her will. She didn’t look at Kenn, hating it that he was seeing her weak.
“You’re on light duty in a week?” he asked.
“Providing John clears it.” Angela slowly took her first steps while the overprotective hens were out of the room. It had been five days since her boots had even touched the ground. It felt good to be standing, to be alive.
Angela carefully inched toward the window. The room they had her in was an office, now cleared of everything except the stiff couch, two chairs, and the desk where photos of a smiling family still sat. The room had one door and one window. An escape route, she thought gratefully, flashing to the country club. Fire was still her biggest fear, one she wasn’t positive she even wanted to try to tame.
Sunlight, bright and rare, beamed in as she peered through the yellowed blinds. Safe Haven appeared, hundreds of happy survivors, and the weight in Angela’s heart eased a bit. She was home.
Angela watched Marc take the dog leashes from Charlie, freeing the boy to come in again. He was so good, so pure.
Being with his father might have given Charlie that type of personality too, Angela thought. Hopefully, there was still time for some of it to rub off.
Behind her, the room was filling with tension, and she realized Kenn wanted something. “What is it?”
Kenn winced. He’d assumed there wouldn’t be magic with her so weak.
“Do you think… Is there some way…” Kenn clenched his hands, forcing himself. “Can you forgive?”
Angela turned, gaping. That was something she had never thought to hear from him.
It was something Kenn had never thought he would say and actually mean. Hoping for her to die on the trip to Safe Haven had been easy. When it was a real possibility, the truth had come like a shovel to the knuckles. He had wanted her for the power, but thought he’d remained immune to her charms. Then the war came, and he had even thought to leave his obsession behind, but she’d made it here. And then earned a place at Adrian’s side! It was the Angela he had first glimpsed working in the kids’ unit at the hospital, settling into her new career. She’d been vibrant, a glowing beacon of hope for his dark soul. He loved her.
Angela was picking up his thoughts clearly now. The ugly darkness she was used to was gone, replaced by the heavy chains of guilt. Her nearly dying had sent him soul-searching and she wouldn’t destroy that progress.
“Yes. In time, I think,” she lied.
Kenn opened his mouth, grateful.
“Well, I won’t!”
Charlie was standing behind Kenn. It was hard to guess how much he’d heard, but clearly, it was enough. Weariness swarmed over Angela, and she braced her wobbly legs. Maybe it was too soon for all this.
“You always get off!”
The open hatred in Charlie’s words was a surprise to the Marine, but not to the mother.
“I’m gettin’ real tired of that. He doesn’t deserve forgiveness,” Charlie insisted, sneering. “But, until I’m an Eagle, I guess there’s not much I can do about it.”
The teenager left with an angry stride that was very unlike the obedient boy the camp had gotten used to.
There was a pause after he left. Charlie’s words had opened a new dilemma. Would Adrian let the teenager into his army? What was the age limit? Was there one?
Kenn started to follow the boy, and Zack stepped into his path. “Leave him alone. You’ve done enough damage.”
“Move!” Kenn snarled in surprise and found Zack’s gun aimed at him.
“You should lie down.” Zack told Angela, full of disapproval. He glared at Kenn. “And you should get the hell out.”
Adrian viewed it all from the front door in satisfaction. She’d won them all over, even the stunned Marine slowly lowering his fist. Kenn was also now hers to command.
Adrian watched her motion Charlie out of the line of fire, and then refuse his request to go get Marc. She understands Charlie needs to see this, too, Adrian thought in approval. It was amazing to find someone who could lead so instinctively. Angela was exactly what he’d begged fate to send.
“Go on then, shoot me,” Kenn ordered. “You still won’t get my place.”
“I don’t want it!” Zack spat. “I want you exposed for the lying pig that you are!”
“Why?”
“Because our camp XO always has to do his duty first, or we die.” Zack motioned with the barrel of his gun. “Jeff overheard Adrian right after the brother snuck into camp and was killed. He said Angie could have been stabbed and shot!”
Zack’s finger tightened, expression twisting in hatred. “You once told me you were the best rifleman on your base. So, why did she get hurt at all?”
Kenn hadn’t seen this blow coming, and the listening men crowded closer, giving Zack a full team of pissed-off, mixed level support.
Zack wasn’t aware of it, didn’t need it. He’d found out the night before the slaver mission and vowed to handle it as soon as he could. “If you’ll do that to a female, to an Eagle, you don’t deserve to be his XO. You should be banished!”
“Or maybe dead.” Allan came to flank Zack. “If you had your own team, it might have already happened.”
“That’s why he doesn’t,” Lee stated angrily. “And why he resents all of us so much. Even the rookies are more worthy than he is. At least they try to get along.”
Zack slowly lowered his arm. “Angela should have your place.”
Kenn had frozen, determined to take his punishment like a man, but now, he shoved his hands into his pockets and leaned against the doorframe, no longer caring about their audience. “I have his right because I belong there. You don’t have to believe it. Adrian does.”
“Then maybe he’s wrong!”
Outside, the camp was growing quiet, becoming aware of a problem.
“Maybe so,” Kenn agreed, flashing that hard new expression that they were all starting to be cautious of, to respect. “But you wouldn’t even be an Eagle right now if it weren’t for me, so your opinion means exactly shit.”
Zack’s arm rose again. “That’s not true!”
“It is.” Ignoring the gun, Kenn swept the other furious men. “The same is true of most of you. I’ve added to his army, too, and I’ve always pulled my weight. I’ve even saved the sheep, all of them, at least once. I’ve bled and sweated, and built, the same as you have.” Having the day for it, Kenn surprised all of them. “And I’ve made mistakes, ones I’m trying to fix. If it’s too late for that, or I find I’m not strong enough, I’ll resign.”
“It’s too late,” Zack insisted. “Look at the mess last night!”
“You don’t get to make that call,” Kenn defended. “And I’d like to see how you would have done so much better with everything going on.”
All eyes went to Adrian, but the blond was staring at Angela. He lifted a brow.
“He stays where he is.”
Faces tightened at her firm answer.
Zack’s anger fled, leaving only a tired hatred. He spat at Kenn’s boots. “You’re a piece of shit.”
Kenn let out a harsh grunt. “Fuck you, boot.”
Everyone waited.
“You’d better kill me now,” Kenn warned, “Because that is the only way I’ll go.”
“Maybe he’ll have help with that,” Allan spoke up again. He hadn’t drawn his gun, but his hand was resting on the holster. “If you had been doing your job, Rick wouldn’t have gotten close enough to try killing Adrian. You let your personal shit endanger everyone in this camp.”
“Too busy plotting and planning to do your job,” Zack accused coldly. “It’s been quiet because we had more important things to handle, but now that the slavers are gone, maybe you should be, too.”
It was a powerful moment for the Eagles, but for Kenn, it was only the rest of his lies collapsing.
“Take a vote, then,” Kenn sneered.
Allan looked to Adrian, who was still in the doorway. “He has your support?”
“Yes.”
There was no hesitation. Allan hadn’t expected any. “Until he doesn’t, we’ll follow, but the second he gets out of line, we’ll kill him.”
“I’d expect no less from the men you’ve become.” Adrian’s tenor was full of careful control. “Now, you’re truly my Eagles.”
“We are that,” Zack confirmed. “As long as he walks your line, things will stay the way they are, but we’re watching now, and we won’t let one fucking thing slide.”
Kenn had known it could get this bad when the truth finally came out. It would be open season on his place now, and the competition was only a part of it. The Eagles would help each other; make their own picks and groups of support. It was quite likely that a month from now, Neil or Brady might have the XO slot. Despite the words that had been said and everything that had happened, Kenn’s mind refused to believe Angela might get that place. The Eagles would never allow it, not when so many of them wanted it so badly.
Head starting to thump, Adrian moved away from the main door and turned toward the camp. The members couldn’t hear what was happening, but thanks to the glass front windows, they were viewing it. The warehouse was in the center, near the bonfire. He wanted Angela to feel surrounded by the golden light that he was throwing out in thick waves.
Angela was reeling from the open emotions and the loss of their men wasn’t helping. Daniel, Frank, and Chris had given their lives and were to be buried tonight, if she were any judge of the small work crew driving up the nearby hill.
Angela heard Kenn leave, and stayed at the window. The constant ache in her shoulder was draining, and she planned to sleep for a while before it got dark. When Adrian put their men to rest, she would be there to pay her respects, even if she had to have a wheelchair ride.
“Is this a bad time?”
The curt rudeness of the past was gone, replaced with a cautious respect.
Angela chuckled at the irony. Just a few days ago, the answer would have been completely different. “No, Cynthia. Close the door so that we can talk.”
2
Samantha watched the door close with resignation. After saving her life–a story currently flying through camp–Cynthia had every right to be Angela’s XO. That didn’t stop Sam from wanting it.
Sam noticed Adrian being surrounded and glared at by Hilda and Peggy, and detoured that way. Obviously, they’d expected him to do a better job of protecting Becky.
“No, I won’t. I trust Seth to handle the duty he accepted,” Adrian stated.
“I’m going in there!” Peggy snapped.
Finally acting like a mother, Samantha thought. About time.
“No,” Adrian answered firmly.
“I’m going, and you won’t stop me!”
“I will,” Sam stated.
Hilda and Peggy gaped, expecting Samantha to be on their side because she was female.
“Let the Eagles work,” Samantha instructed. “It’s what we do.”
Adrian grinned at her open declaration of joining his army.
“What happened to my daughter last night?” Peggy demanded. “Was she beaten like you?”
Sam wanted to shout the truth, but she did what any Eagle would have. She ignored the woman and walked away.
Samantha’s guard–Kevin–denied Peggy when she would have grabbed Sam’s arm. He stepped between them. “I wouldn’t do that. She hasn’t had any sleep yet.”
Peggy glared at all of them, promising retribution.
Samantha stepped by with a casual nod to Adrian, and received one in return. Behind her, she heard the chatter of angry women heading for the QZ.
Samantha hit the button on her new belt, the first time she’d used it. “The QZ is under full quarantine until further notice. We’re not sure what the contaminant is yet. No one allowed in or out.”
“Copy,” the QZ guard replied.
Adrian and Kevin shared pleased looks. If the other females that signed up were like Angie and Sam...and Cyn, Kevin added wistfully–if the others were as smart, Adrian’s army was about to be unstoppable.
A minute later, the rookie guard on the parking area was refusing two pissed women entry to the QZ.
Smirking a bit, Samantha continued on her way to the women’s tents, ignoring the ache in her jaw and the stares her bruises were attracting. You should have cared more when it might have made a difference, Peggy. You deserve to worry.
Samantha was shocked at the callous thought. Didn’t she have any compassion for a hurting mother? A fellow woman?
No, not in this case. Becky had been crying out for help, and her mother had been too busy to even notice, let alone react in time to save her. It was a hard lesson that Becky had learned, and Peggy deserved no less.
3
“She’ll be okay?”
“Yes. John said she can do light duty, as long as she keeps healing so fast.”
The two teenage boys didn’t bother with lowered voices despite the late hour.
“That’s good then, right?”
“Yes…”
Matt was aware of Charlie’s anger. “Are you mad that she got hurt?”
Charlie considered, vaguely thinking that Matt only stuttered sometimes. “No. At least, I don’t think so. I’m pissed at Kenn.”
“Because he hit her before the war?”
“Because he never has to pay for what he’s done!” Charlie stated angrily. “Someday, that will change.”
He held out a hand for the usual bottle they had been sharing.
Matt dropped his eyes. “Sorry. Couldn’t get it this time. My s-source…dried up.”
“You mean he kidnapped two of our women and got himself killed!” Charlie corrected coldly.
Matt was shocked. “If you kn-knew I was helping Rick, why didn’t you tell?”
“For the same reason you didn’t tell anyone about the things I can do.” Charlie shrugged, too upset to lie. “I didn’t want to lose my friend.”
“Yeah,” Matt concurred.
After a minute, Charlie broke the grim silence. “Does Adrian know?”
Matt paled. “I haven’t heard anything yet, but I wasn’t given a schedule this morning…and I might be under guard. Yeah, I think so.”
“What about your dad?”
“Not yet.”
“I could show up when he’s flipping out, try to take some of the heat off you.”
“No.” The pimply teen let out a harsh sigh. “I earned it. I’ll pay for it.”
“Like Becky,” Charlie muttered.
Both boys shuddered at the images. They were old enough to imagine what men did to women. They hadn’t been friends with Becky, but she was their age, and it was frightening to think that she and Samantha had been alone with a slaver.
“You wanna go with me to check-in? Maybe my d-dad’s heard something from Kyle.”
Charlie followed Matt, aware of Eagles giving them suspicious looks. Yes, Adrian knew, and Matt’s punishment would come.
The boys ducked under the canopy and saw Adrian and Mitch in conversation at the rear of the truck.
Ray–the Eagle on duty here–waved them on. “Bad time. He’ll need to cool off.”
“He’s been doing what?!” Mitch shouted. “I’ll kill him!”
The boys immediately fled for the opposite end of camp.
Mitch continued to spout threats, and Ray approved of Adrian’s casual talk-down that would keep the boy from being beaten. Matt’s drinking problem was partly his father’s fault. He had no right to hurt Matt for the methods used to achieve his needs. Mitch had done the same, only his desires had been attention and respect.
Across the way, Dale paused in his digging chore and delivered a quick smile.
Given with a slight tilt of the jaw, Ray’s heart picked up. He’d met Dale right here in Safe Haven, and that was where they were staying. Dale hadn’t been cut out to be an Eagle, but there was a place for him, a purpose other than being one of the herd. Maybe Dale would be good on the fire crew. It was a respected place, more than enough to earn acceptance.
Off duty soon? Dale sent through code.
Ray shook his head, motioning back, No. See you after mess?
Dale nodded quickly, and Ray gave him a lingering smile that sent a flush of happiness over his lover’s cheeks. Ray knew it was likely to cause trouble, but it beat the hell out of ignoring Dale unless they were alone. Honesty, even if it got him thrown out, was the line Ray had chosen to walk.
4
“You need to lie down.”
Angela didn’t protest when Marc slipped a hand under her good arm and gently guided her back to the bed. She had only been up for an hour, but her body was swearing it had been much longer.
Marc helped her into a comfortable position and handed her a bottle of water, not letting himself run through all of the things that she and Cynthia could have been talking about. Deep down, he was sure he knew. “I should wake you, right? For the service.”
“Before that. I’ll need time to get ready.”
Marc settled into the chair next to her bed. “I brought you something.”
He handed her a purple gift bag. “Picked it up a couple weeks ago.”
She slowly removed the trappings to reveal a long, thin box with blue velvet covering. Inside was a beautiful gold chain with a small silver pendant in the shape of an A.
Angela took it out of the box with a smile that filled his heart.
“It’s beautiful.”
“I saw it in a display and thought of you.”
Glad to know it hadn’t been taken from a previous owner, she held it out. “Put it on me?”
“Nope,” Marc denied her in mock regret. “John said not even a bra strap for a few more days.”
Angela blushed and dropped her arm. She wasn’t wearing one now, and her chest grew pointed under the thin shirt that John had given her.
Marc kept his eyes on hers, swallowing a crude offer to hold them for her. Some days, being a man was hard.
Angela caught the thought and flushed darker. “Can you, uh, give me a few minutes?”
Marc snickered, sending a chill through her gut.
“Sure, baby-cakes.” He moved for the door. “I’ll hold that thought.”
Angela gasped, and Marc pulled the door closed before she could recover and fire back. As he went, he motioned a man over to stand guard. When they finished securing the perimeter and putting out the animals, Dog would also be here, ready to eat anyone who came close. The wolf wasn’t any happier about her injury than anyone else.
Angela listened to the settling camp with one ear, and the thoughts of those moving around the warehouse with the other. The mood was half-glad, half-furious, and she didn’t think it would take much to spark the fuse. She also didn’t think it would take much to put the fire out.
The camp thought she was dying. If she showed up for the services, they would understand it wasn’t as serious as rumor had implied, like when Zack’s team had rioted or when she’d been stabbed. The Eagles would know better, of course, but they would spin the story because it served the greater good.
Pain, thick and heavy, dragged at her and Angela let sleep carry her away for a brief respite with Marc’s gift clutched tightly in her grip.
5
“Kyle’s back, Boss,” the radio crackled.
Adrian headed for the QZ, getting there in time to see Kyle pull in.
Kyle didn’t look at anyone, didn’t check in, nod to his teammates, or even acknowledge the QZ guard waiting nearby. He got out and went to open the passenger door of his truck.
The girl climbed down slowly and mutters went around the Eagles. The other slaves had said fourteen, but wearing Kyle’s sweats and Eagle jacket, Jennifer didn’t even appear to be that old. The clothing swallowed her, leaving only a child’s face and a stomach that looked ripe enough to pick.
Kyle grabbed his kit and gently put an arm around the teenager, helping. It would have been fine except for what the Eagles had been told, and for the way he was ignoring everyone.
His handling also drew notice from Adrian. It was too familiar, too caring, too openly done. Adrian saw the frowning Eagles on duty, the scowling camp members who were close enough to witness it, and understood Kyle wasn’t going to be talked down from his choice. He’d come prepared for a war, doing it this way to draw first blood.
And what about this pregnant urchin that had drawn his highest man so hard and so fast? Adrian studied her closely, searching her mind.
He picked up nothing but energy. Some of it was dark, but enough of it was bright to tell Adrian what he needed to know. She’s one of us.
“We may have to do something about that,” Neil stated lowly, coming to Adrian’s side. The urge to roll back out of camp was strong for the trooper. There was nothing here for him but guilt. “After what I’ve done...caused, the camp won’t take much of it.”
Adrian didn’t offer comfort. Instead, he delivered another lesson. “Do you think so?”
Neil shrugged. “The other slaves we rescued have had nothing good to say. He might be in over his head–enough to not see the consequences.”
Adrian regarded Neil coolly. “Like me, when it comes to wanting Angela?”
Neil forgot to breathe.
Adrian didn’t punish more than he had to. The trooper would be doing that to himself for a long time to come. “What did Kyle say, when you went to him about me?”
“To trust you,” Neil forced himself to answer, suddenly afraid that he’d lost ground he couldn’t recover.
Adrian watched Kyle assist the girl into the nearest empty QZ tent and drop the flap against prying eyes. “We’ll honor him the same way. Leave them alone for now.”
Neil moved away, frowning, but Adrian glanced over his camp in tired contentment. Another of his needed few had come, this one to lead the camp into the next level of progression, the next level of survival. It was another moment of feeling like fate was on their side, and it made Adrian’s determination stronger. When he was finished, this camp of survivors would all be Eagles, even down to the children. The color of their skin, their sex, or even age, meant little other than a new challenge to the camp’s pre-war mindset. It was that individual light inside–the personal value that had allowed each of them to be a survivor–that he appealed to, but it was the same red blood that pulsed through each of their veins that he needed them to recognize. When it did, they would become a country united, able to withstand.
6
The sound of the final mission member reaching the warehouse woke Angela with the cheers and crackling radios.
She immediately found Marc in the dim corner, hand on his gun belt, and knew he’d been standing guard over her. Dusk’s orange glow washed through the shadows, bringing his details to light–that sexy jaw, those full lips.
“It’s Kyle. Easy.”
She smiled, stretching gingerly as desire rose. It was another welcome feeling. “You need sleep, too.”
Marc grunted in response. He’d been thinking about how he had watched her sleep on the trip to Safe Haven, and about how being without the sound of her breathing when they’d been separated had nearly broken him. She was his world.
Angela didn’t push, reading his dangerous mood. His acceptance was also clear. After this, he wouldn’t hold her back anymore. He would be by her side, helping to give life to Adrian’s dreams.
“Yes, I will. For you.”
“Eventually, it will be for them, as well.”
Marc didn’t grunt this time, quelling a sharp response to keep from upsetting her.
“So that’s how it’ll be? You’ll close yourself off?”
Marc snorted, loving her sharp mind and hating it at the same time. “Like I could do that unless you wanted me to.”
Angela sighed. No, at the rate her gifts were growing, none of them would be able to keep her out. It was isolating.
“Are you ready?”
Angela let him help her up. It was time to pay their respects.
Marc stayed on Angela’s right as they came to the mess, aware of an entire camp observing their exceedingly slow progress through dusk’s glow. He had thought she was hurting at first, but quickly realized that she was showing people she was okay enough to linger. Despite her good act, Marc didn’t think she should even be out of bed, let alone walking around.
He looked down to find Angela’s gaze on his arm. He’d chosen a black tank top because of the coming work, and she was staring at his arm and shoulder.
He flexed, unable to resist.
Angela drew in a quick breath as his muscles tightened into a thick rock. Sexy!
Marc swept the parking area, hiding a snicker.
Angela tried to ignore the daze, following his line of sight to find Cynthia standing her first shift with a team. Cynthia would have to work her way up, the same as everyone else. Killing Cesar hadn’t guaranteed her place with the Eagles, only Adrian’s approval to try, and Angela had made that clear.
Cynthia nodded to her, face expressionless.
Angela returned the gesture, still marveling over the swift change in loyalty from not only the reporter, but also from herself. Cynthia saved her life. It was still shocking.
“Do you need to talk to her again?” Marc asked.
“No.”
“You sure?” Marc was trying to give all the support he’d denied before, eager to make up for his mistakes.
“Yes. I will talk to Sam, though, if she’s here.”
Angela allowed their hands to subtly brush. Even when they were alone together, he stayed covered, and she needed human contact right now more than ever. The black muscle shirt he had on was revealing hard skin and the ability to protect her, ruthlessly, if necessary. He’s still my John Wayne, she thought. That gunfighter’s walk and those matching, ivory-handled Colts only added to the impression.
Vaguely aware of Angie’s gaze running over him, Marc was doing his own silent check-ins. He was becoming Adrian’s go-to man, and the Eagles wanted him to challenge Kenn for the XO slot.
Picking out an unguarded corner, Marc motioned to Tucker, who reluctantly went to cover it. Marc wondered vaguely where the rookie’s fresh bruises had come from.
Finally feeling more comfortable with the authority that Adrian insisted on giving her, Angela keyed her mike. “Man on Point to the parking area.”
“Copy.”
Marc understood she wanted Neil to know who had that spot, even if it was temporary. She was still worried. Why else would she personally be concerned with their security? She was only a high Level One, though, if she wasn’t injured, Marc was positive she would pass her tests. As it was, she wouldn’t be taking them with other Eagles this time. John had already ruled it out.
“It’s part of my job now.” Angela steadied her legs and ignored her shoulder. “I haven’t picked up anything new–just being careful.”
“Okay.” Marc was still bothered by it. He had hoped there might be some downtime for her, time they could spend together, but it didn’t appear that fate was going to give them much of it.
The camp was eerily quiet as the couple reached the mess, full of a respectful awe that one of them found embarrassing. The other thought she could become addicted to it.
The entire camp had been draped with black crepe paper and every camp member was wearing black clothing to show their respect. Even the table covers in the mess were dark colored, and Angela felt her heart swell with renewed love for them all. The Eagles hadn’t done this, and neither had Adrian or his pets among the women. This was the camp telling the Eagles that they were wanted, that when they gave their lives, the herd wouldn’t just keep grazing–their fighters would be remembered.
Seeing Samantha wasn’t at the mess, Angela continued to the empty center table amid a resounding cheer. As she neared it, subtly grabbing the edge for support, the camp members who were there surrounded her.
Marc uneasily let himself be edged away. With a quick glance at the two snipers on the area, he hovered along the far wall and waited for her to be finished.
Watching, Marc understood that if he agreed to fight for Kenn’s place, these people would love him that strongly, too. It was heavy information to carry around and not act on, because he now knew the way to Angela’s continued affections was through these people. If he did big things for them, she would want him more, and he was wise enough to know it wouldn’t be right to use her emotions that way. He also knew that all was fair in love and war, and this was both.
Angela let the camp run on for a long minute, understanding they needed it, but she didn’t give them much in the way of conversation. The services were about to start.
On the hilltop behind Safe Haven, the lines of torch-bearing Eagles were providing escorts through the darkness. Three of their men were waiting, about to become a part of this apocalyptic landscape forever.
The camp members sensed her sorrow and fell silent, moved back. They hadn’t been there, didn’t know exactly how their men had died, but she did, and it was haunting. She would never view another battle scene the same way.
She glanced at Marc. I’m ready.
The silent words brought him to her side, and Angela allowed herself to clasp his bare arm for support as they walked.
Marc sucked in a tight breath at the contact, need surging for an instant. Even in a moment of sadness, he wanted her.
Angela slowly led them toward the hill, shoulder already throbbing. With so many moving torches, the steep incline head of them appeared to be on fire with tiny, rolling flames.
“This is such a hard new life. We’ll have to do this again.”
Marc knew what she needed and he could give it now. “You’ll save as many of them as you can.”
He felt her shoulders stiffen in determination and was sure that V was standing out in her chin.
“Yes, I will.”
He bent down to place a gentle kiss to the top of her head.
Angela smiled happily. It was okay for Marc to show how much he loved her. She was ready for that now.
As they reached the bottom of the hill, Marc noticed the beads of sweat breaking out on her pale skin. He started to ask if she wanted him to push her up in the wheelchair, and caught Cynthia’s motion as she left her post to the next shift of Eagles. The reporter made a gesture that got Marc’s heart thumping.
He raised a brow. Really?
Cynthia surprised him by knowing the hand language, using it to answer.
Yes. She’ll love it.
Marc drew on his courage. If Angela rejected him in public, he would survive. Right now, she wanted to be at the service, and this was the easiest way.
Angela tensed when Marc’s hands went around her, under her, but she didn’t protest the gentle move from the ground into his strong arms. He tucked her close and advanced, cushioning her body from the jarring climb.
The pain of remaining straight subsided, and Angela rested her cheek on his shoulder. “Mmm... Thank you, Brady.”
Marc was bathed in soothing light. He had Angie, a son that he was bonding with more every day, and a set place in the chain of command. Life, for him, was amazing.
7
At the top of the incline, the camp had gathered. The countryside below was mired in darkness and fog, but the hill was alive with light as the torch-bearing Eagles escorted people to the gravesite. Three ornate boxes with intricately carved gravestones were already waiting. All that remained was to put the coffins into the ground.
The camp was a mix of relieved, angry, and triumphant expressions behind thick lines of deeply mourning Eagles. Losing three of their own made the threat of death more real to the men serving as Safe Haven’s defenders, but it also brought a satisfying sense of awareness. The slavers had gotten further into America than any other foreign army ever had. They’d tormented people through thirteen states–more than two thousand miles of towns and cities conquered–and the Eagles had eliminated them.
Adrian stood in front of the caskets, his profile a mask of respectful sorrow. He and the other Eagles were standing together in full mission gear and it gave a sense of them being a private society inside Safe Haven. The camp didn’t truly understand, but it was clear that the Eagles were different, stronger.
Unlike funerals of the past, where words took up most of the service, the ceremony now consisted of only a single sentence.
Adrian slowly raised his torch as long, brilliantly stitched flags were draped over the coffins. “It was my honor to serve with you.”
Behind him, the Eagles did the same, torches rising, lips repeating. Some of the camp members did the same, but most were aware that they didn’t really belong to this other hard group. They were only glad that the dark intelligence of Adrian and his Eagles was on their side.
Zack broke the respectful silence. “Escort duty, one o’clock. Teams Two and Three.”
His own team and Kevin’s, rushed to surround Angela as Marc carefully put her on her feet.
Angela didn’t thank her honor guard, too emotional to respond normally. Days ago, she had bonded with the men in those coffins, won them over and trained with them. It was hurtful to think she would never hear Chris’s jokes or Daniel’s laugh, never argue with Frank again.
Angela stepped to the coffins, not caring about the drama coming through the crowd for this minute. She had too much grief in her heart. “It was my honor.”
As she stood there, two more darkly-dressed people joined her guard, not giving the senior men time to refuse. Cynthia and Samantha flanked Angela, ignoring the mutters. It was the first plan they’d made together, reluctantly agreed upon with hand gestures and glares.
Adrian noticed the teamwork. His men wore many expressions in response to the open declaration, but when the two females only stood guard and didn’t speak, the men allowed it. Those who knew of the coming power shift expected these females to eventually be to Angela, what Kenn and Kyle were to Adrian.
As Angela left, her rookies stayed close. Walking on the right flank, Samantha was aware of how powerful the sensation was. She was also aware of the fear. Not of failing, but of losing this when the camp found out who she’d been. She and Adrian had the same secrets, though, she was sure his would destroy these people. The camp had complete faith in their leader. Adrian had delivered them from every threat that had crossed Safe Haven’s path. To find out that he’d been a part of the danger from the very beginning would be a blow they wouldn’t recover from, and Samantha was trying to find a way to keep it all hidden.
On the other side of Angela, Cynthia was concentrating, doing her duty. They hadn’t gotten any training yet, only the rookie gear and a slot in the tryouts, but the reporter wasn’t worried about being able to do it. This wasn’t like babysitting someone’s kids. This was keeping the wolves at bay while Adrian and Angela rebuilt their country. It was worth getting dirty for.
Slowing as the ache sank deeper into her shoulder, Angela pondered the differences in the thoughts of the two females openly demonstrating their loyalty to her and to Adrian’s dream. One selfish but good, the other riding both of those lines, each would be strong examples for the camp. There would be times of chaos, Angela didn’t doubt it, but she was also positive there would be moments of stunning glory, and she couldn’t wait to start teaching them to be Eagles… Mine!
Marc trailed the three women, observing guards and camp members. It should have felt wrong to be left in the rear, but he was smart enough to know that he was witnessing one of the proudest moments of Angela’s new life. The happiness flowed from her, reaching out to calm those she passed.
No longer fighting the pull, Marc sent out his own wave of light, as he had with Cynthia when she’d come from Adrian’s arms. Angie wanted the camp settled down so that the mission teams could do the same. He would help.
Adrian also understood that Marc was now on board, but he couldn’t help a faint twinge of envy as the new couple went by him. They were the future. He was the past.
8
Kyle and Jennifer made the short walk from the medical camper with slow steps. She’d just found out that twins, at least, were in store for her. John wasn’t sure exactly how many heartbeats he’d heard.
Aware of Eagles and camp members watching them, Kyle still couldn’t stop stealing glances at Jennifer. In his robe, she was all soft brown hair and pale white skin that smelled even better than Angela’s vanilla.
Across the QZ, a group of former slaves was talking with a few of the camp women who were lingering on the other side of the caution tape. The way their cruel glances stayed on him and Jennifer told him what the topic was. It wouldn’t take long for this to get out of hand.
Jennifer, who was picking up the mistrust of the men and the dislike of the women, sent out a wave of distress.
Kyle stopped, turning to her. “Yes?”
He waited, dazed, for her order.
Jennifer pulled back, realizing she had hit him too hard. She was getting more food and energy, and her gifts were already stronger.
Now that she wasn’t pushing that bright light, Kyle could think again, and it only took a few seconds of replaying his thoughts to discover what had upset her.
“You don’t have to do that, pull me in that way. I won’t abandon you.”
While she stared at him in concern, Kyle strained to build the mental block that Angela had told him about.
Jennifer slipped into Kyle’s mind, needing to know if he meant it, and found a small stack of bricks. He was building a wall against her.
Cute. He didn’t understand, yet, that there was no barrier strong enough to keep her out.
Jennifer dropped her empty water bottle on the ground, and Kyle frowned.
Jennifer looked at him questioningly, and Kyle glanced toward the slowly burning garbage can they were closest to.
Understanding these people took care of their trash; Jennifer retrieved the bottle and tossed it into the can. She automatically glanced to Kyle for approval.
Plans and terrible ideas began forming in Kyle’s mind–one of which he immediately tested.
“Good girl.”
Jennifer smiled at that–not a grin of contentment, but a grimace of familiarity that had Kyle snapping his head toward the tents. She had a weakness. She was conditioned to respond like a slave. He could use that. But I won’t. I’m not like him.
“All men are like him,” Jennifer corrected gently, snooping. “It’s why the world fell.”
“I’m not. I serve the greater good.” Kyle ripped his attention from her light. What would Adrian do with this one? Unlike Angela, Jennifer would use her gifts to get what she wanted.
Unless someone takes charge of me...
Jennifer’s voice in his mind was young and lost.
I don’t want to be bad.
Kyle was snared, but not for the reasons Jennifer assumed. He heard the evil behind the manipulation and responded–it was an echo of his. Adrian had almost passed him by. Kyle had always known and the wound had never healed. What would Adrian do with Jennifer? Would he curb her light until she could control it? Would he recognize her value the way he had with Angela?
That thought was ugly. Jennifer, who’d clearly already been through too much, could be the next female Eagle lying in a deserted warehouse with bullet holes and lighter burns. No!
“Women can be fighters here?”
Kyle groaned at the eagerness. Damn it! Adrian would put her to use as soon as he could.
“Yes.” Before she could comment, Kyle blurted the first distracting question he thought of. “Does Cesar have a lot of kids?”
“No,” she responded angrily. “They keep turning up dead. He thinks it’s his men trying to take control, but their mothers made the choice. They’d rather their children were smothered than to have them live as slaves.”
“Cesar’s the father?”
“...yes.”
Jennifer didn’t know for sure who the father was, him or the Kelly brothers, but the odds on Cesar were the highest.
Not calling her on the evasion he picked up, Kyle let his thoughts run where they wanted as he stopped by the door of a large camper.
“This isn’t a tent,” Jennifer protested, reminded of the semi she had called home for so long.
“This is my new place, haven’t even slept in it yet. Help yourself.” Exhaustion was pulling at Kyle. He opened the door for her and pointed to a large green tent. “I’ll be in the canvas across from here.”
He left before she could protest or thank him, and after a minute, Jennifer climbed inside, closing and locking the door with a flash of pain. She hadn’t been inside walls of any kind except a semi since the war and she’d never touched that door.
Jennifer noticed the dome light over the small stove. They’d had one like that at home–before the war had destroyed her hope.
A thick layer of homesickness, of grief, swept over the teenager, crushing her. She sank into a chair and didn’t try to stop the tears that came.
Kyle got a change of clothes from the pre-stocked tent and went to the showers, glad no one else was there. All of the women and kids had been checked out by the doctors, cleaned up, fed, and given a place to sleep and wait for their test results. Kyle hoped they were resting comfortably, but doubted many were. Being freed physically was a lot easier than escaping mental prisons.
Like the graves waiting for him to pay his respects, and the men waiting for comfort on their future as Adrian’s top team. Kyle planned to do those things as soon as he’d had some sleep. He would still cover his duties, but his heart was no longer in them. He only wanted one thing now.
Kyle stayed in the water for a few minutes over the time limit, letting the water beat on his tired, sore muscles. His body was ready to sleep for about twelve hours, but his mind was racing. He was going over it, planning it all out, but one thing mattered more than anything else.
What if she doesn’t want me, even after I give my all?
When Angela grilled him, Kyle would say the expected thing–he would let her go. But he’d known, lying there with Jennifer’s big stomach moving against his hip last night, drawing out hidden longings, that it was a promise he wouldn’t be able to keep. If Jennifer couldn’t love him, he would have to leave Safe Haven or ask Adrian to handle it. Come boots or bullets, she wouldn’t ever be held against her will again–not even by him.
9
Uneasy, Marc studied the medical camper through his scope, waiting for Angela to come out. Kyle and Jennifer had been gone for a while, and Anne too, leaving Samantha and Cynthia to restlessly prowl the QZ.
Angela had insisted on stopping in, and with her multiple guards, Marc hadn’t argued about leaving her there while he took his shift. He’d expected her to come right back out.
“Should have known better,” he muttered. Wasn’t she in pain? It had only been days since she’d been shot. She shouldn’t even be… Marc keyed his mike. “Rookie to the medical camper.”
“I’ve got it.”
Cynthia sounded like she’d been looking for an excuse to check on Angie. He spotted the reporter a second later, coming around the corner of the camper.
She wasn’t far away to get here that fast, he thought, pleased.
The good vibe faded as radios crackled, “John to the medical camper! Now!”
Marc leapt to his feet and ran down the hill with his rifle still in his hand.
Angela opened her eyes to see several people frowning down at her.
Realizing what had happened, she groaned, “Shit.”
“Yep,” Adrian agreed. “You are hereby relieved of all duties until cleared by John.”
“And that’s going to be awhile,” John muttered, washing her blood from his hands for the fourth straight day. “You’re gonna heal even if it kills you.”
“Thank you.”
Marc’s gratitude drew agreement from the rest of the worried people in the room. Charlie, Cynthia, and Samantha had refused to leave.
Angela let out a harsh sigh, too weary to fight. Her top stitch had come out again as Kyle left with Jennifer, and she’d tried to replace it herself. She had passed out during the procedure, and left a bloody mess to walk into.
“Okay,” Angela conceded wearily. “You’re the boss.”
Adrian felt the heavy weight of the last months begin to ease, and turned toward the door, thinking he could probably sleep now. “Yes, I am.”