by Angela White
Samantha sighed. I can’t get the hang of things here. “It was a joke, sorry.”
She strode toward the bleachers at a fast clip and Neil stared after her in confusion. Awfully jealous tone for a joke, he thought. What the hell?
She stiffly bypassed the filling seats and disappeared behind them. She wasn’t staying for the practice now. Damn.
The rest of the gun class was tedious for Neil. He kept watching for her to return or even walk by, and he wasn’t paying attention. Usually, this was the best lesson to be in charge of, but shortly after the women began firing, he found himself shuffled to the rear by his own team. It was where they put Eagles who were having a bad day, so that it wouldn’t rub off on the women–something that no one wanted–and it was humbling to find himself in that position. Then it was torture as he spotted the object of his frustrations coming back toward the class, but couldn’t go talk to her.
Samantha stepped around the corner of the bleachers with determined feet. Neil was the one who liked young girls. Why should she miss her test and the hunting trip? She strode to the guard with the clipboard, pretending the trooper wasn’t watching her heatedly. “Am I too late?”
Jeremy subtly rotated so that he could view Neil’s profile. “Nope.”
He waved her to the line, noting the sudden life in his team leader. “Last shooter.”
Neil’s XO took a minute to study her paperwork and her. This was the first woman that Neil had shown any interest in, other than Angie, and who could blame him for that? Neil liked to flirt, especially with little Becky, but he needed someone stronger, and Jeremy began evaluating Samantha as if she were in line to be Neil’s mate.
“Whenever you’re ready.”
Samantha got set, trying to remember everything, and she jumped at the man’s low voice near her ear.
“Grip’s too tight. Try to relax; pretend none of us are here.”
His soothing tone allowed her to do just that.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
“Three hits at fifty feet. Pass. Pack it up,” Neil ground out, instantly hating how close Jeremy was standing to her.
He sounds mad, Samantha thought. “Can you tell him I didn’t mean anything by it?”
She turned to leave, but Neil’s second in command stepped in front of her, following those instincts that Adrian was slowly teaching them to trust.
“Level Two test, now.” Her chart notes came to mind. No blindfolded attempts yet. Apt to panic and fire randomly. “No blindfold,” he amended.
Samantha opened her mouth to say no, but met Neil’s angry glare over the guard’s shoulder. Tension crackled.
“He doesn’t like this, you talking to me,” she guessed.
Jeremy didn’t deny it. “It is for him, though.”
Curious. Why wouldn’t Neil want her talking to his team? Because of Rick, maybe? Samantha shrugged. “Okay.”
She needed five bulls-eyes in any target or one in the farthest to achieve Level Two. She wanted to go for those closest to be sure of passing, but at that moment, she wanted Neil’s respect more. To get that, only the best shooting would do.
“Are questions allowed?”
“Absolutely,” Jeremy answered, pleased she had one.
“What’s the wind at? I know it’s south to south-east again, but I can’t feel the gusts for the bleachers.”
The Eagle automatically checked the flagpole dials Adrian had put up, not avoiding the glare. With that blanket of skycrap, as the teenagers were calling it, still lingering above them, there wasn’t any. “Ten to eighteen.”
“Thanks.”
Jeremy wasn’t sure what else to say and cleared her a wide line of fire. She’d asked an Eagle’s question. Would she be like Angie and want to join the Eagles? Did it matter? Wouldn’t being an Eagle make her a better candidate for Neil’s side or would a strong woman intimidate him?
Bang!
“Damn it!”
“Bulls-eye, farthest target!”
Samantha’s exclamation was mostly lost under Neil’s impressed call.
“That’s a pass.”
“Got a band aid?”
Jeremy saw her hand dripping blood and instantly knew what had happened. “I’ve done that so many times I almost don’t feel it anymore. Come on over here.”
As soon as the sentry pulled out the first aid kit, they were surrounded by men, Neil the first to reach them.
“She okay?”
“What happened?”
“That sucks.”
“Slide got her.”
“Can’t tell you how many times I’ve done that.”
Instead of scaring her, Samantha felt that uneasiness lift a bit at their concern. She held up her hand as Jeremy opened a bottle of alcohol. “A bleed is an automatic pass, right?”
There were snorts and chuckles from all of them except Neil, and Jeremy leaned a bit closer to the woman than he needed to, testing the strength of Neil’s attraction. He had a plan forming, but Jeremy was suddenly positive he would be the one unhappy when it was done.
“This part’ll hurt a bit,” he soothed, drawing a smile that was cut off by a grimace of pain as he dumped the bottle over the gash.
“Damn it!” Sam squeezed her lids together against the sting, barely aware of shuffling noises.
“Think you used enough?”
Neil’s voice was full of a hardness his team wasn’t used to hearing, but Jeremy glanced up innocently. “Do you think I should do it again?”
Lids still shut, Sam tried to pull away. “No!”
“Stop it, let me check it out.”
Samantha froze, realizing it was Neil now gently holding her throbbing hand.
“It’s not that bad, but there’s gun oil under the edges. John or Angie should clean it out.” Neil fished through the kit for a bandage, trying to hide how touching her had affected him. “You can look now.”
Samantha grinned sheepishly as she took the bandage. “Sorry. I’m a coward at heart.”
“The opposite, maybe,” he responded as she slapped the patch on without wincing. “Do you want someone to walk you to the medical tent?’
He realized they were alone, his team suddenly busy packing things up, and grunted at the obvious matchmaking. “I’ll walk with you. I need to talk with John anyway.”
“I’ll throw some Neo on it later. I’ll be fine.”
Neil chuckled. “You don’t want the alcohol again.”
“Or the time,” she admitted. “I needed to pass the first test today, so I can go hunting.”
Storing the knowledge that she’d come for a Level One test, but gotten Level Two, Neil pushed his hat up, countenance still as cool as ever. “I’m surprised you’d want to. It’s bloody work.”
“Life is bloody.” She wiped her stained gun down the side of her jeans before sliding it into its holster with a loving pat. “I’ll clean you up after. Our work is not yet finished.”
Sam moved toward the parking area, adjusting her bandage. “Catch ya later, Neil.”
“Yes, you will.”
It shocked him to hear those words fall from his own lips, and he spun around to keep her from reading it as she turned back around curiously. Those were the words Marc and Angie used.
His team observed the want and the confusion, and exchanged grins of recognition. Neil did have an interest and they were glad. It took a real woman to complement a real man, and they wouldn’t let him destroy the harmony of their team by choosing a mate who was too young to handle the secrecy of what they were doing. Samantha, on the other hand, was a grown woman who knew life’s lessons well. If Neil was willing to switch his affections to her, they might be able to support it.
3
“Do you still plan to join the Eagles, even though everyone is dead set against it?”
The question wasn’t unexpected. “Yes, Charlie, I do.”
The teenager was quiet for a minute, letting that sink in, and Angela could feel his disapproval and fear for her. She wa
nted to tell him it would be all right, that she wouldn’t be hurt, but stopped herself. She had no idea if it was true, only that she was willing to take the risk.
“Why?”
“It’s how I want to help, contribute.”
“But you’re already doing shifts here.”
“I’ve got more to offer.”
They were in a corner of the medical tent sorting through files, and though the doctor and his wife could hear, neither of them censored their words.
“Eagles are men. The camp won’t like this.”
“They’ll adjust.” She gave him a pointed look. “And so will you.”
Flushing, he ducked his head and Angela let out a sigh. “Adrian needs the help, Charlie, and I can give it. Should I tell him no?”
Torn, he hesitated. “Maybe.”
“Would you?” Her tone softened. “Could you?”
Telling him she knew of his hero worship of Adrian.
“I don’t think so.”
“Same here.” She handed him a stack of folders. “Put those in E-F. Have you seen your dad today?”
He was certain which male she meant and glanced at the doctor and nurse before answering lowly, “They’re at the trucks, still sorting the new stuff. Dog, too.”
Angela hoped Neil or Seth would keep him from reacting to anything else that Kenn might try. Marc had spent all day yesterday helping the vet and she hadn’t spotted him once since then.
“It would be nice if you could find some time to spend with him. He came a long way to meet you.”
Charlie’s words came quickly, “He came for you, not me.”
Angry and full of a teenager’s temper, he shoved himself up off the floor. “I’ve got things to do.”
Angela let him leave, ignoring the sympathetic gazes of John and Anne. He was scared of pushing Kenn into hurting anyone, but he was also angry that Brady hadn’t been in his life all these years. They would have to talk about that before any real bond could grow between them. His fault or not, Marc had time to make up for and questions to answer.
John monitored her, as did Anne. They weren’t sure of the new female healer yet, still a bit uneasy about her beauty and her tag-a-long, but it was obvious that there was a hard road ahead for Angela and her son.
For us all, John thought, stiffening at a fresh wave of pain in his burning gut. The war hadn’t ended yet.
4
“I want you to switch me or Neil on the driving schedules.”
Kenn didn’t come out from under the hood of Adrian’s overheating semi. “No.”
“Kenn.”
“What? We won’t be alone. Zack and Lee will be with us.”
“Yeah, your biggest fans. Switch one of us and take it out on that one.”
“No.” Kenn still hadn’t looked up. “Go away.”
Kyle gave a mock sigh that instantly had the Marine’s full attention.
“Okay, but you know it’ll be hard for my Eagles to concentrate on covering your six, if they’re worried about hers.”
Kyle left for the mess as Kenn stood up angrily.
“It’s something to think about. Anything can happen out there on the road.”
Kenn didn’t hide the hatred on his face as Kyle left. One day the mobster would push him too far.
“You want I should kill him for you, Boss?”
Zack’s heavy mock-Italian accent had Kenn snorting laughter. “The sooner, the better.”
Zack’s grin faded. “You gonna switch the schedules?”
Kenn shrugged resentfully and wiped the sweat off his forehead. “Probably. They’re playing hardball right now.”
“Rumor says she’s gonna be an Eagle.”
Kenn stiffened. “What did you hear?”
Zack frowned, remembering Kenn was out of the loop now. “She told him she wanted to be in his army.”
“What did he say?” Kenn demanded, fear tightening, stretching his nerves.
“He’d get back to her.”
Kenn’s heart sank. That was as good as a yes where their leader was concerned. Adrian was only evaluating the reactions to take care of any problems that might arise.
“The men are worried they’ll have to hit her.”
“She won’t draw numbers for cage matches, bet on it.”
“It won’t matter, if she fails the private lesson with Neil. Or if Adrian’s own guard dog grows a spine and refuses.”
Kenn had forgotten about that and instantly felt better. The trooper was a boy scout, like Brady. “He won’t be able to hit her.”
Zack swept the trees, narrowing in on a shadow padding through the molding foliage. Just that damn wolf, he thought.
“Not so sure about it, boss. She got him in trouble with Adrian, and he’s been worse than usual with the Eagles.”
“She won’t be able to take it. One hit and she’ll be on the ground, crying like she always has.”
Zack’s voice was soothing. “Either way, she’ll never really be one of us, will she?”
5
“So what does it take around here for a guy to become one of you?” Rick’s tone was just right. “’Cause it’s getting lonely on the outside.”
Mitch was surprised the man was taking the time to talk to him. He’d picked out how important that group was and immediately started sucking up. If the other three would be high up here, maybe this one would too.
The radioman leered. “Yeah, these people know how to give a cold shoulder.”
The traitor extended his hand. “Richard.”
“Mitch.”
They shook firmly, and the drunkard bobbed his head at the peaceful camp behind them. “They like people who are useful. Do something big for the boss, and you’ll have more friends than you want.”
Rick beamed. He did indeed have something big planned for Safe Haven’s boss. Just last night he’d begun to cut the hole in the rear of his tent that would give him some freedom to set things up.
“Got any suggestions?” The slaver-in-disguise leaned in. “And can I do anything for you?”
Always one to grab an opportunity, Mitch lowered his voice. “I always need things.”
“Maybe I can get them for you.”
“Everything okay here?”
Kevin didn’t like the new guy talking to their communications man, and his stance was hard as he came closer. “Where are you supposed to be?”
Mitch glared. “Ease up, Kev. We’re talkin’. He ain’t askin’ anything he shouldn’t be.”
Kevin ignored the hostile tone. “And what did he ask?”
Mitch and the sentry were not friends. Kevin could feel Adrian’s quiet dislike, and the Level One man had made no secret of the fact that he thought Mitch should be banished for being drunk on the job. Because of that, the ex-dispatcher didn’t think twice about covering for his new friend.
“If there were food and clothes limits. Look at him. He needs new rags.”
Kevin wasn’t fooled, but knew he’d get no other story and he went to find Kyle so it could be added to their nightly reports.
Behind him, the two men exchanged satisfied glances that had other Eagles in the area glaring until Rick was once again in the main camp.
6
A little before evening mess, Adrian was with Brady in a supply truck. They were on the bumper, smoking and waiting for another full trailer to be brought around so they could keep sorting.
Adrian turned to Marc as the wolf disappeared into the bushes that surrounded the camp. “You know what answer I’ll give if she passes the private lesson?”
Marc snorted in anger, voice sharp. “Of course. You set it up that way.”
Adrian didn’t rise to the challenge. “Will you leave over it or stay and suffer because you don’t think we can keep her safe?”
Marc’s mouth was fast. “Safe? How about alive? I know you can’t protect her yet, and that’ll hold me here more than any of these little bonding moments, so you can keep the offer you’re about to make.” Marc
looked away. “I’m not going anywhere, anytime soon.”
Adrian let out a sound of annoyance. “You’re either a leader or a follower here. Want a chance with her? This is how you get it.”
“And in return?” Marc asked, suddenly weary again. “What do I have to do to stop being the extra man she brought along?”
“Embrace the dream, Grunt,” Adrian’s stated flatly. “Not blind and unquestioning, but not the half-assed shit you’re currently delivering, either. Stop fighting the current and swim with us, help me lead them.”
As the hunting crew pulled in, Adrian left the truck, not lowering his voice. “If you can’t share her, you can’t have her. She’s as much as said so. I’d spend some time concentrating on winning her respect and learning to play better with others.”
Adrian’s remark had Brady shaking his head in annoyance. He knew the warning, understood that the leader knew Angie might want to be an Eagle now more than she wanted to be his mate, and Marc resented him for it. If not for Adrian, she might be his even now!
Marc sighed, pushing away the bitterness. He and Angie couldn’t be together until they found out if Kenn was crazy enough to get himself banished and sneak back in as he’d threatened. As someone who knew every detail of camp defenses, there was no way they’d ever be able to protect her from all sides against Kenn.
And Marc knew if he were climbing into the rack with her every night, he’d never stay alert enough. The dangerous Marine needed to be right here where they could monitor him and that meant pushing him, small steps at a time, to determine if he needed concrete shoes.
7
Instead of the normal rookie shift, most of Neil’s team was on duty when the two trucks of hunters pulled in. Safe and sound, covered in crusty animal blood, Sam left the truck amid calls of good work.
The five men guarding the area understood that it had been a test of her own strength and she’d passed. Usually, only rookies did that and it helped seal Jeremy’s decision. He knew Neil wouldn’t be happy with Becky for long, even if she wasn’t so…flaky. He’d always be the teacher. With Samantha, Neil would be challenged. His entire team had been hoping he’d show interest in anyone else, and now that he had, they would try to make him happy and secure their new lives. Of all those here, Neil tried the hardest to emulate Adrian, and it made him easy to follow.
