by K. A Knight
“So, what are you doing down here?” I question.
“Protecting.” He shrugs.
“I don’t understand, what are you going to do with bombs?” I frown and he smirks.
“Of course you don’t understand, that would require a brain.”
Archel moves quickly, smacking him so hard his head jolts around and blood and teeth clatter to the floor.
“We went out there to protect our people, always the grunts, but someone made us a better offer.” He grins, spitting more blood on the floor. “The Cities, they approached us on patrol, told us they knew Paradise was hiding a weapon, one that meant whoever controlled it would be in charge. They offered us a place in their new world when they took over, grunts no more. We would have everything we ever wanted.” He grins. “They hide these down here, forgotten, didn’t even try and use them. They could have controlled the Wastes with these weapons, but instead we hid down here and hoped no one ever found us. They were weak and stupid, I’m not. The Cities are going to use these to persuade those idiots who live out there to follow them, that this is their land now, to work for them, otherwise they bomb the North.”
“They can’t,” I snap. “They need the North, they are running out of food and supplies. Kill us and kill their shot at the future of their people.”
“They can always go south.” He smirks. “They have already started exploring down there. Either way, they want control of the Wastes. With or without the people, dead or alive.”
“Then we have to stop them,” I exclaim. “We have to make sure they never get their hands on these bombs.”
“Too late, they know we found them. They have sent patrols out into the Wastes to see if they can get through to us. If not, we are to put them in trucks and drive them to their borders where they will wait with our reward.”
“You forget one thing, there are already leaders in the North. This is our land, our home, and we won’t bow to any southern bastards! The bombs are ours now, we control their secret weapon…without them, their threats are useless. They will fall to the Queen of the North, and I will be by her side. You picked the wrong team, Captain, and you are going to die for it.”
“You are all fucking savages, just playthings for my boys until we were put into action. They have had this planned for years, and no cunt, queen or not, is going to change that. The Wastelands will fall and so will she.”
Thirteen
Princess Problems
His words fall into the silence of the room until everyone explodes, yelling and moving, but I just smile and step towards him. “Well, really, I have to thank you for monologuing and telling us their plans and yours, makes this a lot easier, you know?” I look at my men. “And they say us savages are the idiots.”
He stares at me with wide eyes as Archel starts to laugh. “Oh, Princess, one day I’m going to marry your crazy ass.”
Okaaay, moving on.
“So what do we do with him now?” Evan inquires, and I see him inching closer to the captain as I turn to Jago.
“We kill him,” I answer, and he nods.
“Make it hurt,” he growls, eyes flashing just as we hear the sound of skin hitting skin.
We both turn to see Evan punching the captain again. He shakes out his hand and looks over at us as we stare. “He deserved it.” He shrugs.
“Aww, now I feel left out, everyone has hit him but me.” I pout.
“Hit him, Princess, it’s a good stress reliever,” Archel advises, leaning back against a crate.
“Remember how I showed you, don’t break your hand on his face or I’ll have to kill him,” Jago warns as Evan nods.
“I’ll get the med kit just in case,” Evan mutters and walks away.
“You can’t hit me, I’m your commanding—” I smash my fist right into his eye and yell from the pain as I grip my throbbing hand.
“Worth it,” I chirp, before looking at the others.
I nod my head to the side and they follow me over to the corner of the room where the captain can’t hear me. “We have a problem.”
“What’s wrong, Princess? I can kill him if you want me to. I can start by ripping off his balls and then I’ll burn them so he doesn’t bleed out, then flay his legs and arms—”
“Yeah, no, not that,” I say, staring at him. “Though we may need to talk about your anger issues.”
Then, I sigh. “We can’t leave the bombs here unprotected and we don’t have the manpower to take them with us, not to mention it would draw too much attention. What do we do?”
Jago grins. “Leave it to me.” He looks at me, and Archel winks and saunters away as Jago moves closer, his eyes a low simmer. “Brawler, are you going to be okay with…” He gestures at the captain.
I glance back at the man who ruined my life, who changed it so dramatically, but knowing where I am now, I can see maybe everything happens for a reason. Maybe you have to walk through hell to live in heaven. I thought that when I saw him I would be…broken, scared, and weak, but all I feel is sorry for him. He is filled with greed and hate, and he will die alone and in pain. I’m not scared because my men are with me, and I know this man will never hurt me again.
But that doesn’t mean he can live, he hurt me…badly, and if I don’t, they will…Also, what if I let him go and he warns the Cities or hurts someone else? No, he needs to die, and it needs to be by my hands.
I need to put that part of me to rest, and I think ending his life will help me get over it, knowing the men who hurt me are all gone…it sounds wrong and normal people probably don’t think about killing to help the healing process, but in this way, I don’t think I care.
“He needs to die.” I nod, resolute. “I have to do this, Beast, I have to look into his eyes when he realises all the pain and vile acts he has wrought have finally caught up with him.”
“If you can’t do it, one of us will for you,” he whispers, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around me, pulling me into his warm embrace. “We’ve got you, Brawler. When you can’t be strong, we will.”
I breathe in his scent for a moment, absorbing his warmth and comfort before pulling away and leaning on my tiptoes, then I kiss him softly. “I know, I got this, you go sort our bomb problem, big guy.”
He nods and kisses me again before heading out of the room as Evan comes back in with a med kit. Jago whispers something to him and he looks at me and nods before stepping back down here and setting his kit to the side.
“Right then, let’s get this show on the road,” I yell cheerfully.
Strolling back over to the captain, I see him coming around. I’m pretty proud I managed to knock him out, I’m going to ignore the fact that Jago probably set it up with his big ole punches.
Pulling my crossbow around, I load a bolt and aim it at his face. He needs to die, but I can’t bring myself to torture him or make it last, it’s not who I am. I will never be the monster he is.
His eyes clear, his lips kicking up at the corner as he stares down my bow to me. “Go ahead, cunt, it won’t change what happened to you. You’ll always be the useless little girl who couldn’t even save herself.”
I don’t know why I’m hesitating, he needs to die. Maybe it’s because I don’t usually get time to think about it or second-guess my actions. It’s spur of the moment and over quickly and usually to protect my friends and family…but now, I’m staring into his eyes and having to consciously pull the trigger.
“Princess,” Archel murmurs.
No, the princess saves herself in this one.
I pull the trigger.
Archel deals with the body, I don’t ask how, I’m beginning to learn you shouldn’t know everything…especially if it comes to an assassin and his obsession with killing and mutilating.
Evan checks over my hand and kisses it better before we go to find Jago. I collect the bolts I used and add them to the bow before we follow the bodies back to the bunker door where we find Jago waiting with a grin on his face.
“Yo
ur carriages await, my lady,” he teases, and opens his arms to show the massive trucks they usually kept at the back of the bunker and under lock and key. They are the size of old-school oil tankers with massive beds in the back. “We put the bombs in here with some of the Paradise people, the rest can go on bikes and cars.”
“Not bad, Beast Man, not bad at all.” I grin, it’s a good plan. We can’t leave it here, the Cities know where the bombs are, so we can take it back with us and hide it where no one will ever look…with The Forgotten.
“Alright, let’s go see if everyone is packed up. I want out of here before those patrols arrive,” I call and they agree. “Jago, Archel, Evan, you start a system to move the bombs, I’ll send down the biggest men I can find, okay?”
“Sure thing, Brawler.” Jago nods and pulls his shirt off and passes it to me. My mouth goes dry as I check out his flexing muscles.
“Two can play at this game,” Archel mutters, and throws his shirt at my face. I turn to see him winking at me, his golden skin on display.
Christ, it’s an all-you-can-eat man buffet.
“Oh hell no, I’m not being left behind!” Evan yells, and I turn yet again to see him ripping off his shirt, grinning at me.
My brain is officially blown.
“Nipples,” I blurt, looking between them. “So many nipples, why do men have nipples? It’s not like they breastfeed, you know?”
“I honestly never know what you are going to say,” Archel comments with a laugh. “Now, Princess, who has the best chest?” he calls, and I start to back away.
“Nope, no, not judging that. It’s like how you can like three flavoured ice cream, you know?” I offer as they all turn to me. Holy vagina, this isn’t fair.
“Yes, but you have a favourite,” Evan points out.
“What’s that?” I gasp, pointing behind them, and as they all turn, weapons drawn, I laugh and run away. “Later, suckers!”
I head back out into the sun, shielding my eyes as my gaze adjusts to the difference. I find Lupin waiting outside with two Paradise people. “Lupin, head in, there isn’t anyone but our people left. Get that door open fully, will you?” I request, and he blinks but rushes inside. “Keep your eye on the door, if anyone but us approaches, you holler, okay?” I tell the guards, before rounding the building to find Worth’s dad.
Everything is a go where we were camping. Everyone is packing up and rushing around nervously. I find him in the center, giving orders and helping pack. “A word,” I order, as I walk past him and lean against the building in the shade, watching them run about.
He helps finish the sorting of some supplies before dusting his hands and coming over, looking nervously at me. “What did you find down there?”
“Did you know?” I ask, crossing my arms. “About the bombs?”
“Bombs?” he echoes incredulously, his eyes widening, and the shock isn’t fake, it’s real.
Well, shit.
Sighing, I scrub at my face before filling him in on what we found and the plan. “I didn’t know, it makes sense now though. They were trying to take over Paradise, probably so they could control what was going in and out. Fucking traitors,” he snaps. “Okay, I’ll make sure they are all ready to go by tonight and send my biggest men over.”
I nod and he starts to turn away before stopping. “Thank you, Piper. I know I wasn’t gracious before, and I apologise for my rudeness. Not everyone is good with change, and I guess I am one of them. I shouldn’t have taken that out on you, you were only helping. I’ve made them aware that you are in charge and to listen to you,” he offers peacefully, before walking away and shouting some names.
When there are twenty or so good-sized men around me, I lead them back to the bunker and to my men who are in the garage waiting, with ropes and what looks like a pully system in place. “I brought you some men,” I call.
“Leave her alone for one minute and she has twenty new booty calls,” Archel jokes.
“Shush, Shadow, now get to work, my merry band of men! I want to move out at dark!” I yell and clap my hands. The Paradise men rush to help as my guys start giving out orders, even Evan.
I leave them to it because it seems they know what they are doing, but instead of going back outside to help pack, I slip past them and into the bunker, heading to what I used to call home.
I don’t know if there is anything there I want to keep, but it feels like I need to say goodbye. I have no doubt this will be my last time here, especially if I don’t survive the oncoming war.
I wander the familiar hallways until I come to my room, and then I press my hand to the scanner which allows me inside. Lupin must be doing his work, because the lights and air conditioning are back online now, illuminating the messy room I left behind.
Nothing has been moved, my bed is still unmade, my clothes are littered everywhere, and souvenirs and mementos of my life line the shelves, including pictures and teddies.
“Huh, wonder why they didn’t clear this place out,” I mutter, as I pick up one of my shirts and toss it towards the chest of drawers as I step farther in. I pick up a picture of Evvie and me when we were thirteen or so, both of us pulling silly faces and grinning like crazy.
“Because I wouldn’t let them,” comes his reply from behind me. I turn as I hear the door shut behind him.
Leaving me alone with Evvie in my room, old times anyone? Only this time we both know where we stand and we are a lot older and wiser, even though it wasn’t that long ago.
“I thought you were helping?” I query, tilting my head, the photograph still in my hand.
“They told me they had it. I was on my way to pack up the medical equipment and drugs when I saw you slip in here, why? Don’t want me here, Pip?” he asks, stepping closer, almost pressing me to the wall.
“Shut up, Evvie, just wondered why you had taken a page out of Archel’s book and stalked me is all,” I tease and he grins, tipping his head down until we are almost touching.
“Want to finish what we started in the closet?” he whispers seductively, his eyes flickering to my lips hungrily.
“Well, it would be rude not to…seeing as though you are shirtless and there’s a bed.” I grin but he shakes his head.
“No,” he snaps, and then smashes his lips to mine, tracing them with his tongue until I gasp and then open them. He slips it inside and tangles it with mine as his hands go to my ass and hoist me up, slamming me back against the wall as he pulls his mouth away.
“No, I’ve had this recurring fantasy of slamming you up against the wall and fucking the sass out of you every time we had a stupid fight or you looked at me with those eyes…” He trails off then. “Yes, those eyes.”
“Well, we can’t let your fantasy down, can we?” I tease breathlessly. My hands have a mind of their own and trace down his neck to his shoulders to his pecs, feeling him up as I talk.
“Shut up, Pip,” he groans.
“Make me,” I challenge, and I see the glint in his eyes, the one he used to get when we fought or I made a bet with him. He slams me harder into the wall as his hand yanks up my top until it’s around my neck and my bra is on display, he pulls down the cups and as I watch, he leans in and kisses across my chest to my nipple.
He sucks it into his mouth and bites softly before pulling back and giving the other the same treatment. Holding me up with one arm, he slides his free hand around and unbuttons my jeans before he buries his hand in my panties.
He cups my pussy through them, finding me wet. Evan groans against my nipple, the vibration travelling through me and making me shiver in need. Fuck, I like this side of Evan. There’s no hesitation or holding back, showing me exactly how much he wants me, no games, no arguments.
For once we are on the same page.
Trailing my hand down his solid chest, I flick open his jeans and he rips his mouth from mine, dropping me to the floor before stepping back and shoving them off, kicking them away until he’s bare before me. His cock is long and hard, thinn
er than Jago’s but so fucking long. Jesus, my mouth actually waters until my eyes widen when I realise he has a piercing down there too.
“You pierced your cock? Did that hurt?” I ask curiously, and he laughs.
“Why, you going to kiss it better?” he counters huskily.
Instead of answering, I yank down my jeans and toss them and my boots aside, my top joins them next, then I’m naked as well. He licks his lips, his eyes running across my body, trailing a fire in their wake, like with each look he is actually touching me. The stark hunger on his face and the worship undoes me.
Not the least bit shy, I strut over to him, run my hand down his chest, and grasp his cock, rubbing at the tip where it’s pierced before leaning in.
“Didn’t you promise to fuck me against the wall?” I whisper.
Like I wanted, he moves, faster than I’ve ever seen him move. He grips my hand on his cock and shoves it away, then he spins me and pushes me against the wall before kicking open my legs and yanking my hips back.
Leaning in, he licks my ear as he rubs his hard cock along my pussy, wetting it with my cream, nudging at my clit and entrance until I’m moaning and pushing back into him. “You’re not in charge of me, Pip. I might follow you around on everything else, but here? Between us? You are mine,” he growls. “Mine to touch.” He traces down my side. “To lick,” he whispers and licks my ear. “To kiss.” He drops one on the slamming pulse in my neck. My heart is racing so loudly, I can barely hear him over it.
“To fuck.” He lines up at my entrance and slams inside me.
Groaning, I splay my hands on the wall and push back, taking all of his long cock until he’s balls deep and panting in my ear. Gripping my hips, he pulls out and pushes back in, slow at first, working through my tight pussy before speeding up. With each thrust, I’m thrown into the wall. It’s hard, wild, and oh so fucking delicious.
Pushing back to meet him, I turn my head and he kisses me, swallowing my moans. Only when we break apart to breathe does he speak again. “Want to know why I got the piercing?” he questions.
