by Angela White
Adrian’s pleasure sent peace and light over his camp in thick waves. Despite the wounds they’d suffered, the future had never looked better.
Kenn appeared at his side. “Kyle just checked in. Said he won’t make it back until evening.”
Catching the uneasy tone, Adrian waved a hand. “What is it?”
Kenn filled him in on the Jennifer situation, ending with the last thing Kyle had transmitted. “He said to tell you to tally his account. That mean anything?”
“It’s a warning.” Adrian sighed in resignation. “He’s giving me time to prepare.”
Giving you time to save him, Kenn thought. His own foray into banishment hadn’t been that long ago, and Kenn found he held sympathy for the mobster.
“Tell him it’s been a long run, and I want him home,” Adrian stated. “We’ll handle all that shit when it happens.”
“The other slaves are saying she’s only fourteen,” Kenn added.
Adrian thought of the way Seth had defended Becky’s honor, of how he was still on duty here.
“Then she’ll need a friend like Kyle. They all will.”
Kenn frowned, not understanding, and Adrian didn’t try to explain. With the threat of the slavers gone, more things would change for Safe Haven. The future depended on it. Adrian had expected Neil to break this particular barrier for the camp, but Rick had changed the roles. Now Seth and Kyle might have those parts in rebuilding their world.
“Kyle needs to be an Eagle. It’s who he is now,” Adrian stated. Aware of Kenn lingering, he headed toward the warehouse again. They both wanted a subtle check to be sure Angela was okay. “He’ll walk the lines carefully, like we all do.”
10
“Did you help her?”
Charlie stepped out of the shadows to Adrian’s right, followed by Cynthia, who hung back to give them privacy. Kenn immediately went in a different direction.
Charlie had just been in to see his mom, and he was surprised by how much better she seemed. It didn’t match what he’d been expecting after looking through Eagle minds for the details.
“Did you?”
Adrian flashed to holding Angela close, sharing his strength. “Yes, as much as was allowed.”
“But it won’t last long.”
“No. She’ll use it up quickly.”
“Would you have been able to bring her back, like she did for my dad?” Charlie’s tone wasn’t accusing, but it was hard.
“No.”
The teenager stared, working it through, dealing with his emotions.
Adrian wondered if the boy’s parents knew how restless he was becoming, how apt to swing.
“The Eagles would have killed you.”
Again, Adrian told the truth, saying, “Only if they beat me to it.”
“And you put her in that situation!”
“It’s where she belongs. I can prove that.”
“How?”
Hopeful, but nowhere near the subservient minion he’d been before, Adrian observed. Good.
“If she resigns, I was wrong to put her there. And everyone will understand that, not just my army.”
The teenager grunted in recognition of what Adrian had risked, was still risking. It hadn’t been just the lives of his men, but also the very leadership that had brought them all together.
“She won’t. You knew that or you wouldn’t have set it up,” Charlie guessed.
“Partially,” Adrian admitted. “I watched to be sure, but there was a moment when your mom and I first met that told me where she belonged. With you, it was in that dusty office of Sage Lanes.”
“When I came to you about the new arrivals.”
“Yes. You were serving the greater good, with no idea of what my army was even about yet. I’ve always known you would have a place.”
“They’ll think I’m too young–want to hold me back.”
Adrian shrugged, finally reaching the warehouse door. “Age doesn’t make a man or a woman–awareness of the situation does. They know that.”
Adrian stepped inside, but looked back with a hard stare. “Be reasonable and take their instruction. Everyone needs guidance, but especially those like us. Without self-control, the gifts we have are dangerous. Never forget that.”
Before Adrian could get inside, Neil joined him, and Adrian moved back to the sidewalk. He didn’t think he’d been this tired since right after the war.
“Camp’s up and running.”
Good.” Adrian was currently functioning on a total of fifteen hours sleep in five days. His previous whining came to mind, and the leader grimaced. Not anymore. Every four hours of rest I get after this will be valued.
Neil’s bloodshot eyes went to the hilltop, where a few of the men were getting things set up for the funeral, now that the digging was finished. It was the first one that Safe Haven would attend as a camp. For the Eagles, it was closure for this run. The men were gathering in the training tent for workouts, and he was headed there next.
Kenn moved around the corner and inside the warehouse without looking at either of them, a number of guards following the Marine. Kenn’s mistakes hadn’t been forgotten.
“Should I head that off or let it roll?” Neil asked.
Adrian considered, reading the faces of the men openly trailing Kenn. “If they choose to handle it now, let it roll. He’s still paying.”
Adrian moved closer, though, in case he was needed.
“Adrian.”
The blond turned back, catching the tone. He braced for a blow, and Neil delivered two.
“Use the team as you see fit, but Jeremy and I need a break. And I’m no longer your third. I don’t deserve it anymore. Give it to Marc. I’m done.”
Chapter Five
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 Ma
rc 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.”
