by Angela White
Cynthia hadn’t considered that. “What happens when there are enough?”
“I don’t know. Maybe we can heal the world.” Sam headed toward the garden. “Or maybe we’ll finish destroying it.”
Cynthia noted the unhappy tone that matched her own and followed. “You need a hand in there or something?”
Samantha started to shoot down the pity offer, then saw how Cynthia was braced for scorn. She was making a genuine offer. Why?
Cynthia read it and shrugged. “I’m a bit…lost. I thought you might be, too.”
Sam let go of their grudge in that moment. “I am. Not as much as before the war, but the last weeks have been rough.”
“It’s like there’s no anchor,” Cynthia agreed. “The camp’s divided, I sleep alone at night, and I’ve lost the one thing I thought I wanted most.”
Sam raised a brow. “Thought?”
“I wasn’t going to be the best papergirl,” the reporter confessed. “I’m a lot like Kenn when it comes to being a glory-hound.”
Sam was surprised to hear such an admission, and immediately delivered one of her own. “I was more concerned about trying to keep up with her mentally. Angela’s so much like Adrian that it’s a bit intimidating.”
“I know, right?”
Lurking around freshly made piles of debris, Kyle listened to the females going through the same levels of anxiety his own team had, and understood that the moment Adrian had been hoping for was here. These two had surrendered their competition and come together. It was only one instant in time, but it would lead to more. It was how he and Chris had become so close after competing for Top Eagle.
Kyle winced at the thought of his late XO. Daryl was good, but he and Chris had been a matched set.
Kyle saw a small group of scowling females come from the try-out tent. He slid into the shadows to get the uncensored version that he would report later, if he thought it was warranted.
“How was I supposed to know? I didn’t think females had to kill. I can’t do that.”
“I think I could, but only if my life was threatened.”
“How many of them who stayed can?”
“Only a few,” Kyle muttered, wondering if that was the line Angela had chosen to use in her selections. Having a right hand who would kill for you was hard to find and invaluable to have in this world. Curious and oddly flattered, Kyle kept observing.
The next feet to leave the tent belonged to those who half-heartedly complained about the physical requirements, but Anne didn’t appear unhappy as she ducked out of sight with the others. Instead, the nurse looked extremely satisfied, and Kyle guessed she knew that the last weeks of training had been what pulled so many females into that tent. Angela would end up with roughly twenty viable recruits from which to choose a team, and Anne was now off the hook. She could spend her time with her husband–where she’d wanted to be all along–but now, she could protect him. The little old lady may not be able to keep up as an Eagle, but she was definitely a gunslinger.
More women emerged, a small group wearing the slumped shoulders of people who knew they weren’t making the cut this time around, that more work was required.
“So I panicked and said something stupid,” one of them muttered to herself as she avoided the other sullen, silent females. “Not the first time. I’ll try again.”
The trio vanished from sight, and Kyle inched closer. The noise from the camp dropped as everyone settled in for the night, and Kyle found he could now hear the voices inside the tent.
“Two more, ladies, and then we’ll get a bit more personal with those remaining. Answer this question honestly of yourself, because it will be a requirement. Can you handle being injured? Since I joined Safe Haven, I’ve been stabbed and shot.”
Kyle heard Angela exposing her scars and then their timid reactions, thinking she was smart to handle it that way.
“Wow.”
“Ah, man. That’s gross.”
“Uh-huh. No way.”
Another group of females exited the tent, leaving roughly half as Angela asked her last question. “Will you defend me and this team against the camp?”
Complete silence.
“There will come times that your orders go against camp rules. When they find out, they’ll resent you, as they have all the Eagles who’ve had to make that choice. In time, it always changes to acceptance because the reason behind it was valid, but at the time, it is very hard to live with. If you can’t stand with me against everyone else in camp, including Adrian, it won’t work.”
“We think you should be leading anyway–the camp females.”
Kyle had expected most of the remaining females to leave and was surprised by not only the answer, but by its source. He hadn’t noticed her entering the tent. How had she gotten in?
Angela studied Tonya’s flushed face in the thick tension. “Why? He’s done well by all of you.”
Tonya didn’t drop her eyes. “Kenn says you’re purer, you won’t sacrifice as quickly, or risk lives as often without better reasons.”
Angela leaned back in her chair, more than surprised at the words. “Why does Kenn think you’ll make a good Eagle?”
Now, Tonya did look away, shrugging. “’Cause he’s sleeping with me, maybe. I’m not sure.”
Angela suspected that, too. “Why do you think you can?”
“Because I’m harder than any of the women you’ve interviewed.” Her voice lowered into a slightly shocked misery as the others protested. “And, because I didn’t even know I wanted it until he said you wouldn’t take me.”
Angela understood the challenge had brought Tonya to the tent, and she raised a brow, ignoring the other smirking females. They thought the redhead had blown it, but honesty was everything.
“And if I told you that I won’t stand for a team member who spies and reports to Adrian?”
Tonya lifted her chin. “Then I’d say good luck, ‘cause that’s in the job description.”
Angela stared at her. “Yes, it is.”
She studied Tonya’s tense profile, her acceptable clothes and fiery green eyes. She was trying to fit in and succeeding. Would she be able to bring that determination to a team? “Can you shoot?”
“Level three.”
“Self-defense?”
“Level two in kai. Kenn teaches me in his downtime.”
“Organization, following orders?”
“Won’t be a problem, no matter where I’m put. He’s helped me get a schedule down that I’m good with.”
The other females began to realize that Tonya’s interview was being taken seriously. Her answers were too good for this to be a joke.
“What about your lust for power?”
Tonya spoke her heart. “Fading in place of the dream, like with everyone else who joins his damn refugee camp.”
Angela was satisfied. “Thank you for coming.”
Tonya shrugged, turning toward the flap. “Just seemed like I was supposed to.”
7
“Hang on.”
Kyle caught Tonya’s attention as she ducked out.
Tonya braced to hear that she’d never be allowed to be one of them. Kenn had warned her that the senior Eagles wouldn’t like it.
“You gave good answers.” Kyle studied her thoughtfully. “You really think you can kill?”
Tonya was astonished that he hadn’t cut her dead. “Yes. I have enough hatred to let out when it’s needed.”
Kyle motioned to a mutated ant wandering in panicked circles as it tried to pick up the scent of the colony over the dog odors. “End that. Now.”
Tonya had noticed the training lessons using knives on the mutations and slid hers out of its sheath. She didn’t know why she was being given a chance, but she wanted it.
The throw was good. Not great, it only stuck in the ant’s rear end and caused it to emit a low shriek. Still, she hit it, and Kyle was impressed.
“Again, and finish it off this time.” He tossed her his knife and
was surprised when she caught it.
Tonya flipped the knife around and threw, harder. It pinned the ant to the ground, ending the barely audible cries–the newest mutation. Ants were developing vocal communication.
“Very nice.”
They both spun to find Angela at the flap.
She raised a brow. “Anything else I should know?”
Kyle shook his head. “Nope.”
“Good. Carry on.”
She vanished into the tent, and Kyle snorted. That felt so much like Adrian that it was perfect. She was going to be a good leader.
Tonya retrieved both blades with no signs that it bothered her to rip them free of the ant.
Kyle took his back, seeing she automatically wiped hers on her jeans. Interesting. How much was this one ready for?
Tonya gave him a nod, understanding she’d gone up in Angela’s opinion. “Thanks.”
Kyle pointed at the training area where half a dozen of his remaining team was practicing on the ant colony lining their western perimeter in search of scraps. “Tell them I sent you. Stay a few minutes and make an impression.”
Tonya’s mouth fell open in shock. “Why? You hate me.”
Kyle thought of how Adrian had put her to work during the sinkhole, and of how she’d still been at it come dawn. “No one hates you anymore. You’ve been forgiven. Don’t stop earning it.”
Tonya smiled, one without greed or seduction, and it made her beautiful.
“You’re in good with the girl. She digs you a lot now.”
“I hope so,” Kyle grunted, fading into the shadows of the tent he was guarding. “I’d miss this shit.”
Inside the tent, Angela’s stony gaze raked the twenty-two females waiting restlessly. They were the best of the lot, minus those she’d sent away first, and Angela gave them a challenging smirk. “Who’s ready to get dirty?”
She approved of their wary expressions. They were right to be concerned. Next, to narrow down the field, was work with the animals. The vet was bringing a load of dogs by, the ones they’d found in the Library in Wichita, and they still stank. The rest of the evening would be spent grooming those fortunate animals and noting who had the stamina for it. After that, she would take them to the kids’ area.
Adrian had three failsafe ways to determine the character of a camp member, and Angela planned to use them all. No one could hide their true nature around animals, children, and the elderly, all in the same night. Come bedtime, she would have her list ready to be posted. As it was, she now knew who was going to be on her right, and it was as much a shock to her as it would be to everyone else.
8
“Can I go?”
Kenn regarded the sexy redhead who had just appeared at his side, very pleased that she’d spent the last half hour helping to clear ants from the perimeter with Kyle’s team. He was also shocked that the mobster had not only allowed it, he’d evaluated her during, studying her like he did with all their rookies.
“Depends.”
Tonya frowned. “On what now?”
“On you being able to keep your mouth shut and follow orders for two hours.”
Tonya didn’t censor her reaction. She hugged Kenn tightly and pressed a quick kiss to his scruffy cheek. With a shaggy crew cut and pouty lips, she still thought he was as good looking as Adrian. Did he think about her that way, compared to Angela? Tonya let it go. It didn’t matter. He was hers now, and that did.
Seeing Kenn and Tonya moving through camp together drew attention. Tall and dark, with sexy red, it was sometimes like watching a model and her bodyguard with the way Tonya liked to strut and Kenn liked to smirk. Always cool and calm now, Kenn had started to regain the respect he’d lost. The camp females were beginning to let him know they were interested again, but he wasn’t. Earning back his place and providing one for Tonya were his goals now, and no one could hold a candle to that. Kenn felt that he’d done something nice for her, but in reality, she would probably be bored and cause chaos. He might even catch trouble for it, but if he was wrong and she did well, Angela would honestly evaluate her, as she was with Sam and Cynthia.
That sent Kenn’s thoughts to the small group who’d been enjoying the bonfire lately. Seth and Becky were often joined by his team, and Ray and Dale, with the vet sometimes in tow. Adrian was pleased to discover that they’d made friends. Seth and Ray were currently directing camp traffic and putting up with glowers and silence, but Kenn had little doubt where they’d be in a few hours. And the thing was, it was drawing other people that he hadn’t thought would ever mix with them, such as Kyle and Jennifer. The campfire group, as they were becoming known, had nearly a dozen members now. Adrian said they were healing each other’s wounds. Kenn didn’t question it. His need to fight was gone. And he owed them for that, didn’t he?
Kenn wasn’t sure, but he was willing to keep proving he belonged here, even though many of Adrian’s top men had now shown that they, too, were human enough to screw up. All he had to do was join the group at the fire, Tonya with him, and he would be accepted.
Maybe even forgiven, but if he did, that wouldn’t be the reason. If he showed up in support, it would be to tell the camp that he’d had enough of their treatment. Seth and Becky, Kyle and Jennifer, Ray and Dale, and himself with Tonya–they’d all made mistakes, but it was time to let it go and pull together. It was something Adrian would do himself if he could have gotten away with it.
9
“Got a minute?”
Adrian followed Angela into the deepest shadows, where only their two personal guards could hear them. When she turned around with that V standing out in her chin, Adrian immediately caved. “Just tell me, and I’ll do it.”
Angela was satisfied that he understood. “Make sure he sees you with someone tonight. And then, make sure he keeps seeing it.”
Adrian had already thought of that. “Anything else?”
Angela held out a sheet of paper. “This is my team.”
Adrian looked it over without revealing how he felt about those eight names.
Angela didn’t wait for a response. She left him there and went to get cleaned up. She wanted to be ready, not a cactus.
Nearby, Marc watched with dark eyes. When Angie was inside the shower camper–Jeff lurking in the shadows–Marc turned to look at Adrian.
Adrian pretended not to have noticed Marc, instead breaking his own rule about being with a woman publicly. He motioned toward a willing female and was out of Marc’s sight seconds later.
The camp wasn’t surprised to see Adrian with one of the whores–they’d come to expect it after understanding he wasn’t the type to have a mate yet–but Marc’s eyes narrowed in thoughtful speculation.
He looked toward the showers, and then back to where Adrian was disappearing into the rear of his semi. Angie had set that up, he was suddenly certain.
What did it mean?
Nothing, he decided. She wanted Adrian satisfied so he would stop sending out those waves of need. Marc could live with that.
10
Word spread that Kenn was taking a team of female rookies out of camp, and those Angela had interviewed in the tent began to show up at the parking area where he was packing the truck. Some stared in envy, some snorted in embarrassed scorn, but the rest understood that a big moment could change things.
By the time Kenn had the vehicle and gear ready, there were twenty women waiting at the tape with eager faces.
Kenn started pointing, picking a team of eight lucky rookies for their first mission out of camp.
“Samantha, Cynthia, Tonya, Crista,” he paused, ignoring the mutters at his girlfriend being chosen. He swept the group and picked out one that he was surprised to find. Shouldn’t she be at the bonfire with Seth?
“Becca, Tracy, Leslie…” There was only one spot left, and Kenn sighed, doing his duty. “Peggy.”
The older woman didn’t move, but swept the teenager in worried concern. She’d come for a minute with her daughter, not to chaperon
e, Kenn realized in relief. Then he frowned. She still didn’t understand that little Becky wasn’t little anymore.
Kenn waved at the stack of double vests in the rear of the truck. “Get one on and get in.”
After they reluctantly helped each other, the females automatically headed for the back, leaving the front seat for Peggy.
“Hey.” Kenn pointed. “She’s here as a rookie, same as you. No special consideration is warranted.”
A mad dash for shotgun ensued, and Kenn snickered as the first three women there began to fight it out. While they were struggling, a slender form climbed into the rear and then over the seat to claim the spot.
“Time’s up!”
Kenn’s shout directed the fighting trio’s attention to the now claimed passenger seat.
“Hey!”
“You didn’t fight for it!”
Becky raised a brow at their surprise. “Why fight for it, if I can take it? Rookie Lesson 9. How to properly supply your own needs,” she sneered, showing an ugly side that made her mother’s eyes narrow. “I’ll be able to give her everything as XO because there’s nothing else I want. She knows that, and now, so do all of you.”
Becky was the youngest female here, but she’d made it clear that she wasn’t to be dismissed.
“Let’s go,” Kenn instructed, worried about a real fight starting, but Becky wasn’t finished.
“I want time from each of you, training me in the ways the men won’t.”
Sam sat up, shoving Tonya’s tightly packaged butt over so she could see Becky. “Why would we do that? You’re obviously holding a grudge, and we’ve pretty much let it go.”
Becky’s eyes blazed. “Of course you have. You didn’t pay for your mistakes the way I did!”
Instead of the expected guilt, Sam’s mind flew to her journey to Safe Haven. “That’s not true. I’ve paid the same price you have, a few times over.”
Becky considered that. Knowing Samantha was also a rape survivor absolutely made a difference.
“You know we’re going to have to work together?” Sam asked pointedly.
