Hope of the Future

by Ariana Browning

  “How is she?” Cayla asked upon entering the small room, rubbing her temples.

  They stopped for the night in a small abandoned home. The guards surrounded the entire house. Cayla and the medical technician shared a room that adjoined the room they placed Hope in.

  That strange man who remained off to the side and kept to himself, stuck around, which filled both Cayla and Ronin with unease. They didn’t know him, or what he wanted, other than his name: Vandren. The way Ronin kept watch over him said he felt the same as Cayla. Ronin was adamant about keeping Vandren far away from Hope.

  At first, the medical technician, Alan, wanted to sleep in the same room with Hope, but Cayla convinced him of a better idea.

  Ronin.

  Ronin had received medical training in the military. He was as qualified as the medical technician now that Hope wasn’t in immediate danger. He could also ensure better personal security to Hope. It took convincing, but even Ronin agreed.

  “She’s still out,” Ronin said, sitting up and pointing at the portable EKG. “The beeps on that monitor are the only noise in this room. It’s driving me nuts.” He tried to rub the sleep from his eyes, got up, and went over to the table to get water. He chugged half the bottle, then swiped his arm over his mouth.

  “And you? You can’t sleep?” Cayla walked over and rubbed his back, then went over to Hope and leaned down to kiss the girl on her cheek, whispering in her ear.

  “Not with that crazy monitor. Sounds super quiet, but try to sleep and you’ll find it’s not all that quiet.” He motioned toward Hope. “Glad one of us can sleep through the ruckus.”

  Ronin went back to his makeshift bed. It wasn’t the monitor keeping him awake. It was the woman not regaining consciousness. Otherwise, the man would’ve fallen asleep the instant his head hit the pillow like he always did.

  Smoothing the hair away from Hope’s face, Cayla turned back to Ronin. “Okay. I’ll leave you both alone. Try to get some rest.”

  Ronin glanced her way, already having lain down. “Plan to.”

  Cayla nodded, knowing that’s not what he meant. “Okay. Sleep.”

  Ronin laid back on his arm, “Whatever you say, Mom.”

  Staring up at the ceiling, Ronin listened to the steady beep . . . beep . . . beep . . . of the battery powered monitor, wondering how long Hope would sleep.

  It infuriated him to no end that the scientists allowed her to get to the point she was at. Same with that man, Kaden. The man would never know peace if Ronin found him. Ronin had a special torture for his kind. The thought of him touching Hope tempted Ronin’s rage. He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.

  If only Hope would wake up. That’s all he wanted. She deserved a chance to live her life without worrying over the next person around the corner who wanted to kill her. It was no wonder she was so cold.

  That wasn’t all there was to her. He’d seen the heart she possessed. The way she sometimes dropped her guard and looked at Cayla. Beneath that icy exterior was a woman with a heart of gold. What would Hope be like if she let go of that anger. Let go of that cold side. I bet it’d be an extraordinary site.

  His eyes were gritty and raw. Once more, he dug his palms in, trying to ease the pain, convinced that if he rubbed hard enough, the ache would go away. He checked on the patient again, then went back to staring at the ceiling. His first order of business would be to tell that girl he had enough of her brattiness. She needed to—

  TWENTY NINE

  “TOLD YOU. . . .” HOPE STRUGGLED with a mouth that didn’t want to cooperate, “leave.” She swallowed again and took a deep breath.

  It took everything to say those words, but the presence of the man in the room drove it out of her. Even his breathing was full-of-himself. The man couldn’t breathe without conflict. Someone left a small lantern near her bed and it cast a soft glow around the room. Hope tried to find where Ronin was, but her body refused to obey her commands.

  Ronin’s face came into view a second later and he shook his head. He appeared older than she remembered, more silver in his hair, and more scruff on his face. She liked it.

  “You are a stubborn ass woman. After everything that’s happened and you’re still going to give us shit?” His voice remained low.

  Ronin grabbed a bottle of water. He slipped a hand behind her and lifted her head, producing a hiss from her.

  “And you’re still trying to tell me what to do.” She managed a few sips of water, stuck out her tongue, then tried shoving him away. Yet she already felt better. The moment Ronin touched her she felt . . . warm and the pain eased. So did the soreness. “Jerk.”

  Ronin placed the water on the small table next to the bed. Hope tried to shove up to a sitting position and found it a struggle and a half. Ronin’s growl came from beside her, “Hope. . . dammit.”

  Hope paused and took a good long look at him. The way he said her name. It wasn’t as threatening as he hoped it to sound. When he leaned down, she learned there was a lot more behind that tone than mere chastising. His strong arms helped her to a sitting position.

  Ronin grabbed the pillows and adjusted them behind her back and head. His scent surrounded Hope, bringing with it a comfort she hadn’t known in a very long time, so familiar to her senses. Wanting more, she placed her nose in the crook of his neck and inhaled, bringing her hands up to his back to press her body into his as far as humanly possible.

  Ronin stiffened beneath her touch and a tear slid down her cheek. A moment later, his arms encased her in such a tight grip he may break her in half. He had no plans on releasing her anytime soon. She was okay with that. She didn’t know how bad she needed him to touch her until he held her. Ronin sat down so he could hold onto her and enveloped her further. Neither of them said a word.

  After a few minutes, Hope moved to whisper in his ear, “Thank you.”

  Ronin leaned back, but still sat next to her. He swiped the next tear that fell. “Don’t suppose you can repeat that?”

  Hope’s lips drifted up. The man was incorrigible. Couldn’t show emotions if he tried. “First and last.”

  Ronin took it with a shrug. “I’m surprised to see you aren’t healing as fast, but your color is better. How do you feel?”

  “Tired,” she told him, looking down at those incredible lips while he spoke, losing herself in thoughts she shouldn’t have. “Wiped out.” Tired of having to deal with this was what she was. Not physically drained, but emotionally.

  “Hope?” Ronin asked, knowing full well what she was thinking. Hope raised her gaze back to his. Ronin appeared to be suppressing the urge to kiss her. “Do you trust me?” he asked.

  Did she? He’d come all this way with them and never once tried to work her over in any way. He hadn’t tried to trick her, play games with her, seduce her, or hurt her. Hell, he didn’t show any attraction to her, which made her wonder if he had any feelings for her.

  Time and again, he saved her and asked for nothing in return. No matter how hard she pushed him away, he was still there and didn't ask for much. Other than to tell her what to do every two darn seconds.

  “Teeny tiny bit. It’s possible.”

  Ronin grabbed her chin and pinched. “Yeah, you’ll be fine.” Releasing her, he tapped her on the nose, then scrubbed his face, trying to erase the tiredness. “I promise you I’ll get you somewhere safe. If it’s the last thing I do, I will make sure you don’t have to worry about looking around the corner anymore.”

  Hope was struck with the impact of those words and more so the feeling behind them. The thought of Ronin dying to save her was like a punch in the gut and she didn’t know why. “Don’t say it that way. I’ve told you not to—”

  “There are some things you can’t control. I didn’t say it to argue. I always uphold my promises and that’s a promise I give you. Like Cayla, it’s my choice to be here. The both of us will keep our promises. We can help you and we will. It’s that simple.”

  Hope narrowed her eyes. Goddamn frustratin
g man. “Never gonna listen, are you?”

  Ronin smiled and his eyes danced in the dim light. Hope did a double-take. He was far too close to her. It was much too unfair of him to look so damn adorable. His body was still against the side of her and he didn’t seem too intent on putting distance between them. Her body thought about things she shouldn’t be thinking about. She was no longer the girl she once was. She couldn’t heal herself. Her body was too weak, too frail, too human.

  “Do you?”

  Hope pursed her lips. “I’m cute, I don’t need to. You? Not so much.”

  Ronin laughed. Hope enjoyed the sound far too much. “Then stop looking at me like you think I am.”

  Hope pretended he was crazy for having such thoughts. Her eyebrows shot up. “Or not. One woman you can check off that short list.”

  “So why are your eyes twinkling? You wouldn’t be lying now would you? Easy to be blunt on everything but that?”

  Hope rolled her eyes. “I’d tell you if I thought you were cute, but I don’t. Sorry bucko. Bob was cuter than you.” Hope paused. “Wait. What happened to him? I thought I heard him.”

  Ronin’s humor evaporated. The anger that enveloped him only made him that much cuter. She felt a massive surge of desire strike her. There had only ever been one other man who made her feel that way. In this light, they could be twin—

  “You didn’t imagine it,” Ronin snapped, bringing Hope out of her thoughts. He told her what happened and Hope blew out a breath.

  “Wow. Wonder why he didn’t help more.”

  Ronin’s jaw tightened and warmth enveloped Hope. Would it be bad to egg that on? Yes, yes it would. Oh, but that protective side he showed did bad, bad things to her healing body. A healing body that didn’t matter to her at the moment. Already, she felt much, much better in his presence. Better than she had since the day Gideon died.

  Hope took the shot offered, not that she could stop herself. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer, crushing her mouth onto his. The desire that swelled was too much. She couldn’t stop it. Ronin didn’t push away. He wrapped his arm around her waist and the other hand wrapped around the back of her neck, then his hand moved up to her head, deepening the kiss.

  Inch by inch her system came alive again under his touch. Ronin’s grip let her know he had no interest in letting her go. A new life was beginning.

  “You are the most infuriating woman I’ve ever known.” Cayla ran into the room and to Hope’s side. The girl was teetering on the edge of the bed, trying to stand on her own two feet.

  The commotion woke Ronin and he rolled over, dragging the sleeping bag over his head while mumbling, “Like you can stop her?” Knowing it was futile, he threw the cover back down. Cayla struggled to help Hope, who shoved her away.

  “I can do it if you leave me alone, Cayla. I’m fine.” Hope pushed off from the bed, stumbled, wobbled, teetered, then steadied herself with a smug smile.

  Cayla shook her head, but laughed all the same. “You’re gonna give me a heart attack. My god, you’re stubborn. As stubborn as that man on the floor who seems uninterested in wasting any effort to stop you.” Cayla waved her arm toward Ronin and he sat up, holding his hands in front of him.

  “Don’t look at me. I told her last night she should take it easy. Does she listen?” He stretched and watched the medical tech enter the room with a closer eye than normal.

  “How is she doing?” Alan asked, not in the least bit surprised to find Hope moving about.

  “She . . . is standing right here and can speak for herself,” Hope huffed. “I’m weak, not mute. Thank you very much.”

  Alan smiled. “Seems to be fine. Let’s get you checked out so we can get moving.”

  Ronin shook his head and wandered over to Hope. “Can I leave you alone to get dressed? You won’t try to kill the tech, will you ladies?”

  Hope gave him a dirty look and the technician’s face lit up. “You can stop babying me, Ronin. Thank you so much. You are dismissed, servant.” She waved him off as if he were a servant. “I may ring for you later so remain close if you would be so kind.”

  Ronin gave her a threatening look when he stopped at the door. “Keep that crap up. I’ll take you over my knee.”

  “Promises, promises,” Hope teased, and saw him stiffen. She pressed her lips together.

  Cayla laughed. “Lay off him. He’s been worried sick about you.”

  The med tech motioned Hope over to the bed so he could check her out.

  “And I would care why? He’s chosen to do that all on his own.”

  “Sometimes I wonder about you. You work so damn hard to prove you don’t care, but I see the way you are around him. He brings you comfort. Whether you admit it or not is up to you. If I thought you as cold as you make yourself out to be, then I wouldn’t have bothered to help you. I saw through that and I don’t doubt he does. It is likely why you frustrate him so much.”

  Hope shrugged. The technician finished and Cayla grabbed pants and a shirt for Hope to dress. She threw them at Hope’s face.

  “Again, that’s up to him,” Hope said after peeling the clothes off her face. “You stayed on your own. If he wishes to stay, he will. If not, he won’t. Why should I bother wasting feelings on him?” The technician left the room so she could change.

  “I get that. But you’re not always going to be surrounded by people who want to hurt you. Some of us stick around because though we know the dangers, we love you. Even if some of us don’t say it.”

  Hope snorted. “Love? Cayla, you love me, he doesn’t.”

  “What if he did?” Cayla pushed the line Hope always held regarding feelings. “What if he loved you a lot more than he let on and I knew he did? Would you run from him? Or try to let him in?”

  Hope fell silent and dressed. Cayla gave up. Love wasn’t a subject that Hope liked to discuss. Whenever Cayla tried to push the subject, Hope would shut down and lock Cayla out. It was time to back off and let the words sink in that thick head of hers.

  At least Hope heard her.

  They made it back onto the road and Hope couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Every time she glanced at Ronin, he was watching for signs of anyone following them. They changed vehicles a few times and more people joined them in the caravan. The van used to be an old prison transport vehicle, but it was much longer than the medical van they’d used. The med tech stayed with her in the vehicle, as well as that odd man nobody could figure out.

  Hope didn’t want to tell anyone she knew him. Vandren. Jake had warned her of him once during their conversations. When she described the way he looked, and saw Jake’s reaction, she asked if he knew him, and he said yes.

  Vandren was the same man who watched her from the corner of Scott’s, at least she was fairly certain about that, but that was over fifty years ago. Yet he looked the same. Since he didn’t act as if he recognized her, she didn’t trust that idea, but he still set her nerves on edge.

  She kept a closer eye on him just in case. And it seemed it wasn’t just Hope. She could swear that he kept a close eye on her as well. Vandren kept a seat up near the front of the van to keep an eye on both the front, and back of the vehicle.

  Hope glared at the soldier who sat next to her on the bench. When Cayla got up and moved to the front of the vehicle to check on their progress, Hope was left sitting alone next to him. He seemed lost in his thoughts and she wondered if it had anything to do with her.

  When the soldier noticed, he said, “Something wrong? I don’t like people staring at me. Speak up.”

  A shadow loomed over her and made her heart skip a beat. Ronin moved from the other side of the van to take the small space between her and the soldier. Ronin sat between the two of them on the bench. Hope scooted further away.

  Ronin glowered at the man. “Something wrong with a woman who was nearly killed, trying to figure out who surrounds her?” He stared at the man’s name patch on his jacket, then added in challenge, “Briggs?”

 
; Hope chewed on the inside of her cheek. She could only imagine how Briggs would take someone challenging him, especially Ronin. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone else, but maybe, just maybe Ronin did bring her a bit of comfort. Hope felt it the moment he sat down next to her. Knowing he’d protect her from harm made her feel safe. It’d been a long time since she felt that.

  Ronin turned her way. “Now I’m being studied, hmm? And do I check out?” He smirked.

  Hope shook her head. “You’re a bad man. I shouldn’t trust you at all.”

  Ronin grinned. “Glad we cleared that up. Go to sleep.”

  Hope sucked in a breath. “Don’t tell me what to do.”

  “Take a nap.”

  “Stop that.”

  “Now.”

  “No. Stop telling me what to do.”

  “Do it.”

  “I feel no need to,” Hope said, crossing her arms. “I will stay awake just to spite you.” She gave him a so there look, before staring through the back windows, intent on not allowing Ronin to have his way, and to keep herself from smiling.

  “Hope, your body needs rest,” Ronin said. “You can’t fight it. Go. to. sleep.”

  Hope whirled around to stick her tongue out at Ronin and caught Cayla grinning at the debacle, which annoyed her more. “Stop telling me what to do.”

  “I do as I please.”

  “Are you two finished?” Cayla asked with a laugh from the front. “Remember that whole old married couple comment, Ronin?”

  Hope shook her head. “Who could ever stand to be in a relationship with that,” she tilted her head toward Ronin. “They’d have to be crazy. I’d never.”

  Cayla said, “You’re looking at one?”

  Hope shrugged. “Eh. You are crazy.”

  “You’re one to talk.”

  Ronin butted in, “Thank you for talking as though I am not sitting here. I told you Hope, take a nap.”