by Angela White
Candy directed him to the barber chair that Adrian had provided and tried not to scold him for all the new injuries she saw on his lean body. She would patch those up, and everything would be fine. He would understand that she’d changed.
Lee held his wife’s hand for a minute, not speaking, just glad to have made it back. There had been a couple times on this run that he hadn’t been sure any of them were coming home.
Candy sighed in pleasure. “Welcome home.”
5
“I’ll relieve you shortly,” Marc told the tired mobster still standing outside the medical tent. “And, at some point, get yourself drunk.”
Kyle grinned in weary surprise, but didn’t stop searching the darkness. It didn’t feel over. “Thanks. I need it.”
Missing his best friend, Marc stepped into the tent, full of unease at so many wounded. A couple of the men were awake, but most were still unconscious, including Adrian.
A few tents over, Dog was stable, but by no means out of the woods. Marc’s demon had been just strong enough to pull the wolf back from death’s hands, but not strong enough to heal him. Marc was hoping Angie would spend a few minutes with the wolf after she’d gotten some rest.
Angela’s eyes popped open, hand dropping to her gun despite knowing they were all safe now. That told Marc exactly how bad Adrian was.
Angela forced herself to stand and stretch. She was sore all over. “How was it being in charge?” she asked, stalling the queries and answers.
“A challenge.”
“It’s certainly not what we pictured when we were alone in that bedroom in Nebraska,” she distracted further.
His expression darkened at the memory. Until recently, it had been his favorite. “No, it’s not even close.”
“But is that all bad, because it didn’t work out the way we hoped it would?”
“No, mostly because it did work out,” Marc answered carefully. “If you’d asked me that two months ago, I may have given a different answer.”
Angela’s tone hardened. “But not now, right? I have your complete support?”
Marc didn’t like the feeling he was getting. “Yes.”
“Good,” she muttered. “I may need it. What did you come in for, other than wanting to actually check for yourself that I’m okay?”
Marc didn’t blink. “Most of the camp is gathered around the tape, waiting for word on Adrian. I’m afraid to even try to budge them without some kind of answer.”
Angela considered. “Tell them he was awake when you came in. I rushed you out, but he didn’t seem that bad to you.”
Marc frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s what he wants. Tell them they’ll see him sometime tomorrow, but that he’ll still be quarantined.
Marc left with a curious glance, and Angela swept the men that were awake and listening.
Before she could say anything, Doug held up the arm that wasn’t broken. “We’ll hold these things for you, the same way we have for him, so long as you’re worthy.”
Doug’s timbre sounded odd to her tired ears, but in her exhaustion, Angela didn’t catch the hint. “I’ll make sure he knows you were with him and what he wants.”
“And we will stand with him on it, until he’s back or dead.”
Angela returned to her chair, not telling them she was prepared to use her last forbidden door to save him. “So will I. He’ll be in charge, where he belongs, as soon as I can get him there.”
Her lids closed, and the men around her exchanged satisfied nods. She didn’t want what was already hers. He’d been right to pick her over the uneasy senior men now roaming the camp and QZ in a slightly selfish daze. Each of them was considering what it would be like to be given the mantle of command. They didn’t realize that it had already been gifted to someone else.
6
“Why her? She’s only been here for a few months. Nearly every one of us deserves it more based on that,” Tucker stated.
“Clearly, he didn’t base it on seniority. Would you? ‘Cause that would mean Kenn in charge and right now, Tonya as his XO,” Zack defended.
Jax was stunned. “I thought Marc...”
Zack gave the shift of guards the answer that they needed. “Adrian chose the one person that few Eagles or camp members will cross, the one most like him.”
“The one with the same goals,” Lee added, stepping from the shadows. “We will all support her, gentlemen. And crush anyone who gets in her way.”
The message was clear.
Lee checked his watch. “She’ll stay with him until she drops, sleep for a few hours, and then she’ll come searching for help. Be ready.”
Kyle came from behind them, adding, “From this moment forward, there’s an Eagle running things and we don’t take shit from anyone. Let’s make sure she knows it.”
7
“Does that look like a change of command meeting to you?”
“Yup,” Boyd agreed. “They gave leadership to a slit.”
Vince frowned at his go-to guy. “They put a witch in charge. Always classify them that way. It’ll keep you from making the mistakes Hudson and the Major did.”
“We saw the Italian carrying her into the cells,” Boyd reminded. “She won’t have those powers until dawn at the earliest.”
Vince wasn’t sure Boyd understood her kind was dangerous with or without power, but didn’t argue the point. “Set up a perimeter and get their patrol schedule down. We’ll also have to plan for her guards. The Italian was Mitchel’s killer. She’ll have her own.”
Boyd went to the front of the room in the power plant outbuilding that they were sheltering in. Their team was waiting patiently to make these Safe Haven people pay for the Major’s defeat.
Vince was also reluctantly considering a fourth option. He could leave. That’s what he had done in the past when the feeling of doom came, and the nagging whisper he’d listened to before was currently screaming. He might not walk away from this one, and instinct said to go on a patrol and not come back.
From down the hall, Boyd met that worried gaze with hard words. “If you don’t think we can do this, say so.”
Vince sighed silently. If he said yes, they’d flee but not follow his leadership. If he said no, then he had to stand by it and attack.
Vince chose to be honest. “I have doubts. We should be careful on this run.”
It was how all of them were feeling, and it brought them back together, fading the tension.
“Give us a plan that will work,” Boyd stated, showing his support. “That’s why the Major chose you over the rest of us.”
Vince recognized the manipulation, but it didn’t stop the pride. “They’re prepared for a lot of bad situations. So, we’ll keep it simple and brief. Study the shifts for a bit, dart the new leader between patrols, and bring her back for negotiations.”
“That’s good,” Boyd confirmed. “They think it’s over, that they’ve won. They’ll be off-guard.”
“We say when it’s over,” Vince growled. “And it ain’t over until someone pays.”
8
When the soft glow faded and there was calm silence instead of that humming static, John softly called to the man guarding the flap.
Angela wanted to know who was next in line to be healed or dealt with, but didn’t have the strength to lift her head.
She pushed herself to her feet and her knees tried to fold up. She started to sit back down until she’d woken a bit, but strong arms slid under her and lifted gently.
Cradling her close, the thick, musky scent filled her nose in familiar comfort, and Angela sighed, letting the darkness claim her. “My Brady...”
Marc tightened his grip, going toward the closest empty tent.
When Kyle pointed him toward the one in the center of the QZ instead, Marc frowned as he obeyed. This was a confirmation that he’d known would come, but it wasn’t something he wanted to think about yet.
When Marc ducked back outside, it was to give a s
hort nod to her two rookie guards and then slip into the shadows.
9
“Fire.”
Two hunters obeyed.
Vince watched through his binoculars. “…and the sentries are down. Take the shot when it comes.”
Boyd was already trained on the shadow, fully in the zone. He fired casually at the body on its side, confident of the hit.
“Direct contact! Nice. And we have effect... Subject rolls, falls...is down. Go! Go!”
Five black-clad hunters rushed into Safe Haven’s perimeter without making any noise.
The two end men slit the deluxe sleeper up the sides as the middle man did the same to the bottom. The inner men ducked inside the canvas and quickly jerked a sleeping bag over their prey. They hefted their mark up and over the stockier of their men and ran back out in a hurry, sharing wild grins as they disappeared into the landscape.
Boyd and his commander followed the team to their hole-up and observed as their captive was laid gently on the cot in a back room.
The stocky hunter who had done the carrying wore a light frown, panting. “That’s a heavy bitch!”
Vince’s thick brows came together in disapproval. “Assign a watch.” Vince went to the front of the basement, joining Boyd. “All still and quiet?”
“No.” Boyd extended the night glasses. “The first guard we hit is already stirring.”
“Really?”
“Yup. Which means our girl in there won’t be out much longer either.”
Vince looked down the hall at the three guards, and confident those outside were doing their duty. Still, the feeling was there, the one that said to be careful.
Boyd noticed it, too. “If you call it, we’ll adapt–kill her and roll out.”
Vince hesitated. He didn’t want to make the same mistakes that the Major had. “Yes, do it now and we’ll split. I don’t like the way this tastes. On the way, we’ll set a few surprises and take out half their camp as they load up tomorrow. That’ll be our vengeance.”
A few minutes later, Boyd met Vince at the door with a syringe that would make it quick and quiet. They went in together, as they had for years.
Boyd moved toward the body as Vince waved in his best men, those who had demonstrated a tolerance to the special cargo they were used to hauling. Vince didn’t expect the woman’s mental abilities to be an issue for hours yet, but he wasn’t taking the chance.
“Hey, Vince?”
“Yeah?”
“That hot little brunette’s the one we wanted, right?”
Vince felt the cool hand of fate slide along his neck. I should have said no.
He turned to see Boyd pull the sleeping bag off a body that was clearly male. A furious pair of blue eyes marked Vince first.
Marc raised two cold Colts. “That hot little brunette is mine!”
10
“We can’t find Marc.”
Angela heard Allan’s comment and began mentally searching. He’d woken her, told her to sneak out of the tent and leave the area–that he wanted to test something. She’d assumed it was the rookie guards.
“You searched?”
Allan frowned. “Twice. It’s like he took off.”
“You know he wouldn’t do that,” Kyle stated firmly.
The two men glanced at Angela, and found her staring east.
“You got a fix on him?” Kyle asked.
Angela scowled. “So will you, in just a second.”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Let’s go help,” Kyle ordered.
Bang-Bang!
“That was Neil’s gun.” Angela didn’t draw her weapon. “Come on. We’ll give them an honor escort back to camp.”
11
“How many?”
Neil’s expression was split between respect and excited comedown. He’d provided the outer defense, picking off the men who’d tried to get inside and help. “Twenty-eight.”
Marc scowled. “That’s the same as Angie’s group. We’re four light.”
“From the stories of the mission team, these guys won’t ever stop,” Neil stated, excitement changing into concern.
“There weren’t supposed to be survivors in my old job.”
Neil heard the need. “I can be ready with a fresh hunting team in an hour.”
Marc was about to say yes, but they’d run it by Angela first this time. He didn’t get the chance.
“We won’t follow.”
“Don’t shoot.”
Marc picked out three shadows cleverly hiding in the nearby brush.
The hunter who’d spoken slowly stood up, and the other two did the same, keeping their hands away from their holsters.
“We don’t want any more bloodshed,” the hunter promised, misreading the situation. “We’re done, if you are.”
“I’m not,” Marc stated furiously, hands dropping.
Bang-Bang-Bang!
“We’re still short one...there!” Neil pointed to the fleeing hunter.
Marc dropped the Colts and unslung his rifle.
He didn’t miss.
Neil slapped him on the shoulder as they turned toward camp. “Sweet shot.”
“Yes, he does make a fine killer, doesn’t he?”
Angela’s cool voice stopped them.
Marc met her glare, fully braced to pay for the choice he’d made.
And I’ll do it again, so be warned, he sent.
Angela sighed. Right after the war, she’d been foolish enough to believe in second chances for everyone. Now, she understood those had to be earned.
“If you’re finished here, we’d like to escort your stubborn ass back to where you belong. Under full honors for this and for the animal attack that happened while we were in Little Rock.”
Marc grinned happily in surprise as the men with Angela congratulated him and Neil.
Angela was pleased and uneasy at the same time. She would never like killing–not by her hand or someone else’s–but it was a necessary evil in this world, and like Adrian, she was grateful to have men around her who could do the chore.
12
Deep weariness like after her gunshot settled onto Angela’s shoulders, and she leaned against Marc’s strength as he led them back into the quiet QZ. Their escorts scattered to do work or rest, leaving them alone.
Marc tugged her closer, flying high on the day’s victories. When Angela’s matted hair brushed his cheek, that inner Marine lunged forward. She needs a hot shower...
Marc immediately steered them that way.
Angela was barely awake and didn’t protest when he led them toward the campers. Going to bed clean sounded great.
Marc guided her inside and turned back, waving Lee over. “This shower is off-limits.”
Lee caught the vibe and grinned. “About an hour?”
Marc didn’t answer. Need, hot and heavy, was controlling things now. Marc closed the door, and the sound of the lock clicking echoed loudly to his ears.
Angela didn’t notice, busy adjusting the water in the center stall. Her mind was mostly shut down, running on reserve power. Helping Adrian and their wounded men had drained her.
Marc turned on the water in the stall next to her, for once not caring about conservation. He wanted steam.
Angela got a towel and cloth from the shelf, and draped them over the door. She stripped her jacket, guns, and boots eagerly.
Behind her, Marc did the same.
Clink!
Dog tags...
Thud!
Heavy boots hitting the camper floor...
Angela turned slowly in surprise.
Marc pulled his shirt over his head and let it fall to the floor. His eyes smoldered as his hands went to the buckle of his jeans.
Angela didn’t look away from Marc’s body. All those years ago, there had been clothes between them, and he was beautiful to look at.
Try touching, the witch seduced.
Angela blinked and remembered to breathe, struggling to think.
Marc
took the few steps that brought her in reach.
Angela held still when his hands went to the edge of her shirt.
Marc slowly removed her grimy top, not even looking at her skin, and Angela relaxed a bit. The images in his mind kept her from flinching when he unbuttoned her jeans and gently tugged them down. He planned to let her shower and tuck her into his bed.
Marc faltered when she pulled her leg out, female odors and silken skin brushing his knuckles triggering a rush of need. Her fingers tangling in his hair was perfect torture. Marc rested his cheek against her leg.
Angela was almost naked before him. “I love you. More than I ever have.”
Marc kissed her thigh, lingering to shoot sparks through them both. “You’re the air I breathe.”
It was a powerful moment.
Marc rose to his feet and stepped back as she reached around to unsnap her bra. He held himself under tight control as she lowered the straps and revealed the beautiful breasts that he’d dreamed about for so many years.
Angela pulled her socks off using her feet, jiggling enough to make Marc’s hands clench into fists.
Angela flushed, smiling a bit.
Marc knew his limit and gently guided her into the steaming stall.
Angela slid under the water with a groan. “Mmm... That feels good.”
Marc leered while she wasn’t watching, memorizing the sight of her. Sexy! Mine.
Marc stepped into the stall with her and leaned over to tilt the other running showerhead at himself. Aware that she’d wiped her face enough to stare at him the same way he had her, Marc spent a moment enjoying the heat beating on his shoulders.
Angela watched the water run over his hard body with growing desire. She wanted him, wanted to feel his hands on her.
Victory, the demon gloated. Finish it!
Marc wiped the water from his face and took two rags from the shelf. He wetted and soaped them both before handing one to her. I’m going to.
Marc’s wash was quick and routine, while Angela’s was a detailed scrub that took off the grime she had accumulated in Little Rock. The sight of those soapy breasts gave him a deep ache. When she began washing those long legs, Marc swallowed a groan. He wanted her so much!
