by Angela White
The van pulled alongside the resting Eagles. Marc opened the doors with a grin. “Who needs a lift?”
Low cheers echoed and they piled into the crowded van, grinning and laughing as they spotted friends. Zack and Seth’s team were quickly occupied with refilling their supplies, but Seth stayed with Marc, hoping for an update. None of the groups they’d stopped by or come across had word on Becky.
Marc held out a small envelope. “This is where she’ll be at noon. Boss said not to be late.”
Seth snatched the paper and slammed his tired body into the seat behind Marc. “This is bullshit!”
It was a feeling that all of them had experienced today. Marc nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go. Everyone in?”
The van pulled into the darkness with a full load of men and supplies, all of them deadly in their own way.
Marc heard Seth crumble the paper up and shove it into his pocket. The anger was thick, and while Marc wanted to ease the man’s fears by telling him that they’d talked to Becky earlier, he didn’t. Angela had said it was best to let Seth get wound up this time. Marc hadn’t argued. Angela saw further than he did and if she thought Seth needed to be strung out by the time the fighting started, it was no problem to accomplish it.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Marc commented. “Want a juice box? We brought grape.”
“A what?” Seth stared in fury. “You’re kidding, right?”
Marc shrugged. “Sorry.”
Seth fumed in silence as Marc eased on the gas. The sooner that ticking bomb was out of range, the better. If Seth did explode, it would take out an entire block.
Marc surveyed them in the mirror, noting that Tracy was being treated like a member of the group and not a whore. He also saw that she had cuts, scrapes, and a nasty bruise on her cheek, and understood she was another piece of bait. Angela had refused to explain what her female team was doing. Marc had assumed that it was bad, that he would have tried to stop her if he’d known. He trusted Angela to do the right thing though, and it hadn’t been hard to let it go then. Now, he was seeing these women being used in ways that he never would have approved and the concern was growing. How far would Angela go to win?
11
Marc shut the van door, clicked the lock into place. They’d reached their final stop of the night and while he needed rest, he wasn’t eager for the dreams. He’d stayed behind to lock up, stalling the moment when someone would shove him into a tent and insist that he rest.
The Indian camp was spread out, with patrols of braves, on and off horses, constantly roaming the perimeter. In the center, a giant bonfire was roaring and natives in full costume were dancing and singing. In other times, Marc would have been in the front circle, taking in as much goodwill as he could. Tonight, the tom toms were an instant headache.
“We’re all set, boss,” Quinn stated, joining him on the short walk into the Indian camp.
Natoli’s people would be their shelter for a few hours and Marc was glad of the order. The still-decorated hunting cabin was getting on his nerves. If he never saw another tree with dead bulbs, it would be too soon.
Marc spotted an old woman cooking outside a teepee and was drawn there, shunning the rows of tents that his men were using.
The woman was holding out a small wooden bowl before he got to her and Marc took it gratefully. “Thank you, old mother.”
The woman didn’t have any teeth, but her grin was warming. She patted his big arm and pointed toward the teepee waiting behind her. “You stay?”
Marc started to say no, then shrugged. “Why not.”
He left Quinn standing there in surprise and sank down on the fur pallet with a groan.
Marc dug into the food with his fingers. He didn’t stop until it was gone. Then, he licked his fingers. Nothing that came out of a can ever tasted as good as what a little old woman with an ancient pot could accomplish.
Quinn went to let the others know, thinking Marc’s choice was right when the men got loud and had to be quieted. Their jokes and chatter drew disapproving looks from their Indian hosts and Quinn had to threaten to send them to Angela before there was peace again. Some lessons were harder than others. Not making noise, even on down time, wasn’t easy for most of these men.
Quinn found a place behind Kenn and Adrian, wondering why those two were acting as if they’d had a fight. The two Marines hadn’t spoken more than a few words since they were picked up.
Quinn noticed Kyle was absent and assumed that Eagle was still sleeping it off in the rear of the stinky van. He revised his theory when he saw who had guard over the tents behind them. Quinn frowned. Angela was burning Kyle at both ends. Why?
“She knows he’ll need it,” Adrian commented, regarded Quinn. “Just like you do, like we all will. This won’t be a walk in the park.”
“When does it begin?” Natoli asked. He knew, but his braves wanted it confirmed.
“Any time now.” Adrian sighed, accepting a small bowl of the pungent venison stew. “Surprised the quiet has held this long.”
Natoli’s men passed that around and the Indians surrounding them immediately began to pack and prepare. Each camp had duties to perform. No one wanted theirs to be the cause of failure.
Quinn gave Kenn a subtle nod and got a glower in return that was also surprising. Quinn shrugged. Kenn was often an ass just because he was Marc’s right hand. Why he would pick now to be one, Quinn wasn’t sure.
“You wanna walk and talk?” Adrian asked Kenn.
The Marine thought about it, and refused, “You go on. I’m good right here.”
That drew more attention from both teams. There was an awkward silence where Adrian left, alone.
“What’s up with that?” Seth asked curiously, drawn out of his worry over Becky.
Kenn didn’t want to lie, so he chose his words carefully. “Things may not be right with him. I’m checking it out.”
“Oh, yeah. Look who that’s coming from,” Quinn stated dryly.
Kenn flushed, but didn’t defend himself. It told the men around him that he was serious.
“What are you talking about? Adrian’s the shit,” one of Zack’s team said firmly. “Nothin’ he can’t do.”
“Really?” Kenn watched his idol walk into the shadows and vanish. “He can’t quit chasing Angela. I had to, and even our new alpha asshole was stopped by the camp, but not Adrian.”
There were frowns and furrowed brows, but no denial.
Kenn went on, sounding confused. “He said he isn’t one of us, told Marc and me that during the ride out here.”
“What did he mean?”
Kenn found the choice easier than he’d thought it would be. “I...I think he might be a traitor. Maybe he was one all along and we all overlooked it to save our skins and have some glory along the way.”
“That can’t be true!” Zack protested.
Kenn was deep in his own mind as he began to repeat the conversation from the truck almost word for word.
Aware of what was going on, Adrian stayed in the shadows. There were questions to be answered and fates to be chosen.
Do I still want it? Adrian asked himself suddenly. I’ve screwed most of it up. But there are others, in other lands. I could be that again.
It wasn’t an easy choice for Adrian, but he made the only one that felt close to right.
I’m staying until the end.
And will you give them the truth they think they want? his demon asked.
Adrian nodded, voice like razors. “As soon as she gives the order, I’ll deal out so much truth, they’ll choke on it.”
Chapter Eleven
Wet Work
1
“Wake up!”
Jennifer’s demon couldn’t wait to face what she’d spent so long surviving. Her lashes opened to reveal crimson orbs. “You can’t keep me. Better kill me now.”
Donner grinned eagerly. “Oh, I will, have no doubt about that, sweetheart. Now, where were we?”
Jennifer drew in enou
gh air to spit in his face.
She was rewarded with Louis hitting her too hard and knocking her out again.
Success! she thought as the darkness slammed into her.
Donner shoved up from the table to pierce Louis with inescapable rage.
The Special Forces man dropped heavily to his knees, clutching his throat as he fought for air.
“She brought the witch out!” Donner screamed. “I had her!”
Louis shrieked as Donner roared, blood trickling from his nose and hairy ears.
Donner spun from the room, growling and snorting like something wild.
Everyone stayed out of his way. Donner was the uncontested leader here. Unless one of Safe Haven’s descendants took him out, it would stay that way.
Louis slowly picked himself up off the cold floor, not completely sure what he’d done wrong.
When Jennifer moaned lowly, Louis dragged her to the crate that Donner had insisted on. He dumped her inside, only making sure she was breathing as he reveled in the scrapes, bruises, and dried blood on her body. He’d been getting into punishing her every time she displeased Donner. When she’d spit, the urge to tag her temple had been too strong.
Louis held his head as he straightened up, vision swimming. He missed the shadow near the open door as he shut the lid to the crate and left by the opposite exit. He needed a bathroom. Donner might have made him shit himself a little. He needed to check.
The shadow by the door came into the room and advanced toward the crate as quietly as he could.
Conner opened it and slipped the small bundle inside without looking. He could hear her breathing. It would have to be enough. His job was to arm Jennifer, not rescue her. His instructions had made that clear, but it was one of the hardest things that Conner had to do. If he looked at her, there wouldn’t have been any way that he could have.
Conner remembered to leave the door open, reasonably sure he hadn’t been noticed. Everyone had faded into the woodwork when Donner melted down. Conner had taken advantage of it. The teenager returned to the vehicle area he was lingering around during their stops. He had to hope no one noticed that he didn’t have any military training. He was surviving off the supplies in his kit, items that were quickly running low. He was supposed to have a delivery coming and he hoped so because when they arrived, he was going to insist they help him break Jennifer out against Angela’s orders.
2
“Sir?”
Donner didn’t answer.
The private took a step back. “I’m sorry, sir. I have a message.”
Donner grunted, mostly under control now. “What is it?”
“The other two base camps are set up and getting ready, but they don’t know what to do with the hostages they’ve gathered.”
“How many?”
“Three in northern camp. One in central. None so far from our western base.”
Donner was glad to hear it. Safe Haven wouldn’t be guarding from that direction.
“Have them transferred here,” Donner ordered. “One daily transport.”
“Where do you want them stored?”
Donner shrugged. “Out in the rain, naked and shivering for their men to see. How does that sound?”
The private had paled. “Cruel,” he answered honestly.
“Excellent. Get on it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Donner turned back to the tree line he’d been concentrating on to calm himself. So far, things were going as he’d thought they would, though there were more spies being sent in than he’d predicted. All of these first roundups would be attempts to do to the government, what the government had done to them, but Donner wasn’t new to this game. He now had three small camps to launch his attacks from. It was time to make contact.
Donner turned around and caught a jerky movement from the corner of his eye, sensing quick, worried thoughts.
He narrowed in on a soldier who clearly didn’t belong among them and grinned sarcastically. “Oh, Louis? Come here a minute, will you?”
Conner was taken before he knew they were onto him, grabbed and hauled to the ground where Donner blew a dart into his neck.
As he faded, Conner glared at the enemy. “My dad’s coming. For you.”
“Tell that cow farmer I’m right here,” Donner quipped.
“No farmer,” Conner muttered, trying to hold on. “Mitchel.”
Donner froze. That name was on the top of every fugitive descendant list. Donner felt the winds of fate glance in his direction as he considered the odds of success. In the end, it was the challenge that made the choice. By accident, he now had Adrian Mitchel’s son. If he were careful, and sly, Donner might be able to turn this all guts, no glory run into a tale that would become his legend. After Canada, Donner had known he was going freelance, with thoughts of taking over in some far southland or even challenging Benjamin at the big bunker, but with two alphas…
Donner made his choice and didn’t care that it would cost him nearly every one of the nine hundred soldiers he had left under had command. This was his chance to improve upon the result he’d gotten in Canada. Adrian had gone rogue himself and according to the rumors, that had happened because of Angela. Donner considered it proof of compatibility. They could be forced to send out a Maker’s Call. After that, Donner didn’t think he would care about bunkers or power anymore. He would be going home.
Still at Donner’s side, Smucker realized what had happened and wasn’t surprised that Donovan’s body was one of those reported found outside the campsite. The two ammo dumps were already stripped clean, and the third had been a trap that killed all but two of the men. Those soldiers hadn’t been all the way to the cave entrance when the explosions had started. Now, the enemy had come in, killed, assumed a hiding place in plain sight, and Smucker had fallen for it. Everyone understood why Smucker wasn’t in command of anything. Jobs like these took men like the Major.
3
“I have your spies.”
The evil in that voice would have stunned the listeners if they hadn’t already been shocked by the radios suddenly working. All over the camp, in the trees and across the two hundred miles between them, Donner’s ruthless words spilled out in a disruption of every activity that was taking place.
“Some of these hostages are being sent to base. The rest will be executed for treason.”
Eagles quickly turned down overlapping volumes and stood silent in thick dread.
“If you attack anymore of my men, I will kill those being held here and elsewhere. Defiance will result in much bloodshed of your kind.”
All those listening waited for the surrender demand, expecting Angela to pop up at any moment after that. She would defy this hard, merciless man and more of their fighters would die.
“I demand the surrender of the Safe Haven council, all of them that I don’t already hold, anyway. You have ten seconds to reply.”
In small camps and groups, people exchanged terrified glances, hearts pounding harder. The enemy had made first contact and he didn’t sound forgiving.
“This is a negotiation attempt. Would you hear terms?” Angela’s voice was cheerful despite the situation.
“I would, if you’re discussing surrender.”
“Terms to be discussed include that.”
Donner’s voice finally showed some signs of life as he chuckled. “So we can meet face-to-face? No, that won’t be necessary. You’ll surrender yourselves.”
“No.” Now, Angela’s voice was as hard as his. “You’ll send a representative here to negotiate.”
“Or what?” Donner led. He had obviously expected trouble from her.
“Or, I will shoot myself and Adrian, destroying your mission, ruining your career, and making sure that none of these people ever stop trying to kill you, no matter where you land after this mission.”
Shock, outrage, determination to make her words the truth–the survivors felt all of those things. Every one of them was handed a tiny victory when Donner cave
d.
“I’ll send a chopper.”
“We’re ready when you are,” Angela replied. “One man, one guard, and the pilot. We’ll shoot it down if we read more.”
“At noon,” Donner answered. “In return for my negotiations, you’ll send Adrian Mitchel with the chopper.”
“Agreed.”
Angela hadn’t hesitated. Donner read the tone. His voice held a deep frown. “Alive, Ms. White. A dead body will earn you the bombing you deserve.”
“And a bombing will earn you a slaughter!” Angela retorted. “My people are everywhere.”
At an impasse, Donner fell back to the deal they’d made. “Chopper at noon. Mitchel sent back on the bird.”
“Agreed. Out.”
Angela hanging up first, on top of the impasse, gave the Eagles some hope. They talked about how badly it could all go, and whether or not Adrian was being given up so easily because he’d come between her and Marc. A few of them also wondered if he was being sent in as an assassin or decoy.
In Safe Haven, where very few people remained, Angela stayed in her tent. Donner wasn’t going to be fooled–not in the ways she needed him to be. He had an obsession that she hadn’t count on, one that was infinitely more dangerous than a bomb. Their losses would go higher than she’d estimated and in the end, it might not matter anyway. Now that she’d read Donner, Angela wasn’t confident her plan would work. Daryl may have been right that she was about to get them all killed and Angela stayed in her small tent, working on it. Every cloud came with a silver lining. She just had to find this one before the storm slammed into them and drowned everyone.
4
“Well, that was a great way to find out,” Adrian bit off as Marc and Sebastian tied him up. He hadn’t bothered to struggle after seeing how quickly Marc had reacted to those words. The wolfman had known all along that this was coming.
Kenn was already unconscious nearby. When he’d tried to stop them from taking Adrian into custody, Shane had knocked him out with a rag soaked in chloroform.
