by Angela White
Angela started to refuse and was interrupted by a huge yawn.
Kenn’s lips tilted up. “Two hours?”
Angela considered the state of things before nodding. “Three, if the peace holds.”
“You got it.”
Angela dropped onto the large pile of laundry and shut her eyes without bothering to find a comfortable position. In a lumpy pile of laundry, there wasn’t one and she refused to waste her time on it. She was asleep a minute after lying down.
Kenn didn’t leave the room.
Chapter Eleven
Sneaks
1
Angela woke one layer at a time. The first impression told her to get busy. The second alerted her to a deep thirst and a vague hunger. The final sensation said she wasn’t alone in the bed and the heat wasn’t from Marc.
Angela jerked upright, twisting around in sleepy, angry confusion.
Cody lifted his head to regard her with sleepy concern. So did Roy and Romeo. All three boys had morning hair.
Angela forced a smile for the kids. “Sorry. Bad dream.”
She looked around, realizing she was surrounded by children. All of those awake sent silent declarations of loyalty.
“That’s why we’re here.” Romeo put his hand on her ankle and his cheek on Roy’s arm. “We’ll keep you safe.”
Humbled, Angela almost cried. “Thank you.”
“…honor.” Cody was almost back to sleep already. Resting next to the alpha was wonderful. He’d never felt this safe.
Hearing footsteps, Angela pulled her filthy jacket closed against the draft before sweeping the dim room. Also still streaked in dirt, Kenn was walking toward her with papers and a dented mug that steamed. It was obvious that he hadn’t been down to the portable shower yet.
Around the room, other people were sleeping on laundry piles. Angela realized all the forms were small and lifted a brow.
“The kids insisted.” Kenn shrugged, starting to feel tired. He’d handled kids and camp members while she rested. “Seemed like the safest place to me too.”
Angela noted that most of the two dozen children were descendants. “Problems?”
Kenn handed her the mug, then dropped down onto the floor. “Not yet.”
You foresaw something.
Kenn glanced at Cody. He’s not safe. I can’t tell who.
Angela viewed Kenn’s replay without panicking. She’d just observed it in her dream, with the same problem. “I’ll assign it to someone.”
“I figured you would.” Kenn held up papers. “Read or be read to?”
Angela sipped her tea, waving. The mess floor had been repaired, but most of the kids had been placed next to the walls, where the ledges had held during the quake. Lamps swayed above them, creating a dim den that still smelled of smoke. They didn’t have water to spare for real cleaning.
The charred walls glared at her, screaming with the faces of the dead. “This isn’t a good place for them. Figure out a population number per room and split the kids from the adults. Get guards posted as soon as you clear it. Only people going with us will be allowed on the top floor.”
“What about the others?”
“They’ll sort that out for themselves.”
Kenn got as comfortable on the charred floor as he could. People first. We’ll get this out of the way and then I’ll give you some good news. Kenn was practicing his new gift.
Angela allowed it. Deal.
The Marine brightened. “You’ve been out for five hours. Marc said to let you have seven, so if you could lie for me there, that’d be great.”
Angela chuckled like he expected, but she braced for bad news.
“We had to sedate Dale again. He wouldn’t stop screaming. Our nun, Sister Sarah, swears she’ll stay away from all the kids. We put Logan on her.”
“Why Logan? He hates religion of any kind.”
Kenn stared at her.
“Oh.” Angela flushed. “Okay. Keep going.”
Kenn knew she wasn’t all the way awake yet, so he didn’t comment on it. Logan would watch the nun more closely than anyone else they could have assigned would. “Candy and Cynthia also have guards, but we’re letting them help with the wounded on different shifts.”
Angela sipped again, nodding to Doug when he appeared in the doorway to check on his wards. She could feel his pain over Peggy as he swept the boys, then left.
“They both want a meeting with Marc.”
Anger woke Angela another layer. “Candy, yes. Cynthia can talk to me.”
Kenn was surprised the reporter had survived the quake–especially with Angela’s pet dog roaming. “No one has seen Chris since you dropped out.”
Angela glanced toward the dark kitchen.
Kenn followed her line of sight. He sighed in exasperation. “How did he get by me?”
“He was here first.” Angela yawned, rubbing at her face. “Hit me with the bad.”
“The numbers are going up in here…and we’ve had three more deaths.”
“Wounded people?”
“Two were. Agnus lost a leg. Jimmy cauterized it, but we’ve run out of blood type A+. She was too weak.” Kenn steeled himself against her coming misery. “Jacks died about an hour ago.”
Angela’s mood dropped.
“He was lucky we found him under all those floor stones at all.” Kenn didn’t like her pain. “He didn’t wake up. Jimmy kept him doped so he didn’t feel anything.”
A tear ran down her cheek.
Kids stirred in the piles.
Kenn sighed, fighting the urge to hug her. It was the same reaction he’d always had when delivering bad news to Adrian.
Angela locked down on her emotions. “Who was the third death? How high are the numbers?”
“Tony. Medium, approaching high. We found some of the iodine pills. Our new cook is crushing and mixing. We had a dose in the food the night of the quake.”
Angela shoved away an image of Li telling her the camp wouldn’t taste the increased levels in anything he cooked. She suddenly wished for a cigarette to soothe her ragged nerves. “Why did Marc shoot Tony?” Why didn’t I wake up for that?
“They wanted Jennifer and Autumn for the trip. Tony was supposed to grab the baby, but he got cold feet.”
“How do you know all that? Witness? Someone overheard?”
“When Tony found out Francis was dead, he confessed.”
“Marc shot him?”
Kenn snorted. “Kyle grabbed Tony and took off down a tunnel. If Marc hadn’t shot the poor bastard, we’d still be listening to Tony scream. Kyle’s hot. He has Jennifer and the baby in the cubby where you were trapped. Won’t let anyone in except the doctor.”
“Put that top on my list.” She shoved into Kenn’s thoughts. You’re my right hand until you piss me off.
Kenn straightened his shoulders. That’s what I told Adrian when he came to check on you. Then I told him to get lost or I’d call Marc. He’s stalking around somewhere.
Angela smiled as she stretched.
Kenn dropped his eyes back to the list. “The water system can’t be repaired from in here. It didn’t bend much during the quake, but it’s blocked from the top. We assume by snow, which works out because we’ll collect what we remove. I assume you still want me along for that?”
“Yes.”
“I only ask because I haven’t been assigned to the crew. Marc thinks I’ll be in here with you.”
“I know.”
Catching the tone, Kenn locked down on a question. Business came first. “There are no leaks, but the oil is gone. Vents from the stove are connected, so we’re cleaning them. Theo hopes the appliances can just be switched. We had all the extras stored in boxes in the animal areas. They’re messy and dented, but intact.” Kenn paused as another guardian appeared to check on a sleeping ward.
Angela smiled at Shawn, but he paid her no attention. Missy was in a pile of clothes on Angela’s right, sleeping. The girl appeared better. Shawn had found the br
eathing treatment equipment. The doctor had instructed a student on using it while he delivered Mandy’s baby.
Shawn ducked out to be replaced by Marc, who hadn’t been down to the shower either. He was dirtier than Kenn and Shawn combined.
Marc swept the mess, also ignoring her. He centered on the kitchen.
Angela sighed. Chris, he’s coming.
Kenn and Marc both paused to regard her in surprise.
Angela motioned at the remaining paper. “Next?”
Kenn noted Marc’s angry stride toward the kitchen. That was the final warning walk. Kenn had witnessed it during his time on Marc’s team before the war. Back then, it had sometimes become the last straw moment that had preceded removal–in one way or another. “Charlie and Tracy want on the water collection crew. Marc said no, but Charlie insisted you would agree.”
“Why is that?”
“He dreamed Marc got shot.”
“I’m surprised Marc didn’t listen.”
“He did, but he asked Billy to cover his ass.”
Angela’s lips thinned into a line.
Kenn was positive that order would change. He switched to the final page of updates that he’d collected. “The doctor said Mandy will live if we can get regular food into her. The baby is fine. Small little thing.”
“Breathing okay?”
“Yep. Jimmy said Mandy miscounted. Little Sandy was a few weeks early instead of two months.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“It’s time you and I got something straight.”
Marc’s tone was harsh. It drew Kenn’s attention toward the kitchen.
“Was that the good news?” Angela tried to keep them on track.
“Uh, Ray wants a meeting. So do Simon and Nancy.”
“Tell Nancy she’ll be on the rookie list when we get things settled.” It was easy for Angela to guess what the former sailor wanted. After having Shane taken from her, Nancy wanted to be strong enough to keep it from ever happening again. “The other two want answers that I can’t or won’t give. Stall them for a few days.”
“I don’t like Simon.”
“The camp does.” Angela waited for his reaction to the light challenge in her tone.
“I can’t tell if he’s a fake or not.”
I have the same problem with Simon. “So ask him.”
Kenn stared. “What?”
“Very few people know you’re descendant.” Angela smiled a bit. “You have a gift. Use it.”
Kenn scheduled a visit with Simon for himself.
“None of that matters to me. I don’t know why she’s protecting you and I don’t care.”
Kenn tried to keep going and listen at the same time. “The collection team will be ready an hour from your call. We’re sending out…”
“I’m watching for you to become a danger to her. When it happens, I’ll kill you. Then I’ll kill you again. You get me?!”
“Uh, we’re sending out forty men. Half are protection. Half are labor.”
“You say that now, but I know better. The best thing you can do is finish your work, then find a new settlement that needs your skills. And I mean animals, not people!”
Kenn glanced at Angela. He found her staring back expectantly. He cleared his throat. “We decided to leave Shawn in charge on top, with Natoli and his crew. Neil’s got the bottom, with the vetted Eagles who aren’t going on the run.”
“That sounds good. You’re moving everyone to those places?”
“In process as we speak.”
“You won’t get a second warning. When she says she’s finished with you, I’ll be hunting!”
Kenn braced as Marc marched toward him and Angela. Instead of the argument that Kenn expected, Marc held out a single cigarette.
Angela laughed, jumping up to retrieve the gift. “Where did you find it?”
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
Laughing, she wrapped her arms around Marc’s neck. The wave of happiness she let out wasn’t planned, but it was powerful.
Marc didn’t even try to fight. “Whatever you need, baby.”
His surrender was noticed by everyone in the mess. The tension broke, letting kids fall into peaceful, dreamless sleep. Snoring came, making the voices outside the tunnel sound harsh in contrast. The worries of the adults in the mess faded a bit.
On the level below them, Adrian let out the breath he’d been holding since realizing Angie cared for him too. Finally.
Angela turned her head, lips sliding across Marc’s scruffy cheek. “Kiss me?”
Kenn glanced away. It allowed him to observe the vet slinking out of the mess behind Marc. Evil genius. I’m never fighting with her again.
Me either. Marc kissed her again.
Angela was delighted when her body responded without pain. It had been long enough in normal circumstances, but this wasn’t normal.
“I’m glad you’re getting better.” Marc kissed her one more time, then stepped back. “I forbid you to go on the water run. I have spies watching for you to try. The only way you’re getting out of here is if you can become one of my men.”
Proud of himself, Marc rotated toward the tunnel, chin up, and fled before she could respond.
Angela gawked, jaw dropping. Then her eyes narrowed into slits and the V in her chin stood out in vivid contrast.
Kenn snickered. Are you ready for my good news?
“Updates are finished?” Angela was glaring at the doorway in thoughtful contemplation.
“Yep.”
“Hit me.”
When I gathered gear for the run, I gave Jennifer’s full kit to Kyle. He has them both.
Kenn grinned when Angela turned to stare at him. He liked pleasing her. That’s two complete sets unaccounted for. No one’s going to bother Kyle about that.
Did you do things like this for Adrian?
When I needed to. It’s part of the job. He smiled at her again. I also happen to know that Charlie and Tracy swiped two sets of gear in case they were told no.
Angela sighed. She couldn’t stop Charlie from becoming an adult who lived in a child’s body. She’d gone through that herself. “I’m in. Tell me his plan.”
Kenn wasn’t surprised that she knew it was all Charlie’s idea. The boy was like her in almost every way. When he’d told Kenn to find extra gear for Angela, Kenn hadn’t argued. “There’s a third crew going out as support. We’ll blend right in.”
Angela surveyed the mess, where nervous children were peering at them through laundry piles. “Who did you get for duty?”
Kenn pointed at the trio of women entering the mess. “Gus and his brothers will be up here in a few minutes to help them.”
Angela watched Britani, Nancy, and Tonya clear every inch of the mess and kitchen before taking up places around the walls.
Dirty, worried faces melted back into the laundry. Those guards were good. It was okay to sleep.
“Brit fed everyone with beef stew that only had beef and broth. It wasn’t bad. They’ll all hold for a few hours.” Kenn frowned. “I hope, ‘cause that’s all I’ve got.”
Angela welcomed the adrenaline now waking her. “It’s more than enough. We’ll be the four wildcards.”
“Any idea yet who we’re aiming for?”
“Anyone who aims at us.”
2
Kenn went down the repaired ladder first. The water collection team was outside. Digging noises were echoing through the cave, telling him the crew had gotten the steel door open.
Angela studied everything as she descended, trying not to cry or be bitter over how much work they’d done to have it destroyed. She knew what her mood was. She needed to know theirs.
It took only a minute to determine that most people were too tired to fight. Those who had energy were with the water crew. Good job, Marc.
Angela controlled her expression as she began a search for danger next. She wouldn’t leave camp if she found anything.
Waiting for her, Kenn surveyed repair
s that had been made while listening to the thoughts of survivors. Theo’s team had stretched extension cords to the bottom for lamps and small appliances. Fires were burning in rock piles in the corners, with the top vent pulling the smoke out. It was dim and stank, but at least the people weren’t fighting. Most of the guards were going with Angela, while the students and many of the wounded were staying here with the doctor. Kenn had worried over assigning some of the Eagles at all because they were friends with Simon or had been with Tony, but Marc had insisted it was fine. The possible problems were going with him. Kenn knew Marc planned to scan the remaining unvetted Eagles while they collected the water.
Angela took her time moving through the bottom level to the storage area that had been cleared. She talked to people, making promises that brought more calm. Most of the survivors just wanted things back to normal. She vowed to do that for them.
She ignored the man who had point on this level, but she was aware of his pride as he observed her.
Adrian knew she would help Kyle. He was impatient for it. They needed the mobster. Jennifer’s injury had cost them two sets of reliable hands.
Kenn rapped sore knuckles against the stone storage chamber. “Boss is comin’ in.”
Kenn scanned the space, approving of the camping lantern and the Glock pointed at him. If it had happened to Tonya, he might be reacting the same way, but like Adrian, Kenn was certain Angela would get things under control without trouble. He stepped over to let her through the narrow entrance.
She stopped at Kyle’s wounded, accusing glower, ignoring the gun. “Why would I do that? She’s going to inherit leadership when I’ve had enough. I’ve been protecting her at other people’s expense.” Angela stepped into the cubby, not needing to use her gifts. She had the truth. “And why would I do that to you? We’re just as bonded. I haven’t forgotten the rest stop. I never will.”
“I told you.” Jennifer’s mutter was lost in Kyle’s relief. He sank to the edge of the wall and began to weep through bloodshot eyes.
Kenn made contact with the sentries on the level, then blocked the entrance to the storage chamber with his big body.
Angela resisted the urge to hug Kyle. Shooting Jennifer hadn’t been easy on him. “You’re not trapped. She’s not in danger from me. You can leave whenever you want. Today, even.”
