“Yeah, model citizen. He’s thinking about presidential assassinations right now,” Angela exclaimed in horror.
“Thinking about next time?” Adrian asked, stopping Neil and Kenn from moving that way with a shake of his head.
“Yeah. He’s our guy.”
“Now we have to catch him.”
“We lost one, Boss.” Alex stated lowly. He’d been waiting for Neil to tell Adrian and received a glare from the Trooper instead. Oops.
“Who?”
“The women from Omaha. Lee’s wife tried to hold them, but she said they wanted Ernie back. That he had the sense to hide when the Slavers came.”
Normally, there would have been crushing loss, but this time, everyone at the table knew Adrian was angry.
Neil saw Sam stand up and move toward their table. Would she call it publicly? He’d stand behind her.
Sam handed a single folder to Adrian before heading back to her seat, leaving Neil disappointed until he spotted Rick guiltily slipping out of the Mess while everyone’s attention was on the center table.
Adrian sat back down and the conversations slowly resumed.
Sam left the folders and papers spread across the table without a second thought, following Rick as the camp stared in curious suspicion.
“Go on if you want,” Adrian told Neil lowly.
When the Trooper did, Angela turned back to Adrian. “She’s sure.”
“Yes.” He slid the folder toward them, showing Sam’s note.” She is.”
He has to be in contact with them by now. Better channel monitoring - search his tent and check for a radio on channels 24 or 83. Those are Slaver standards, too. And stop Mitch from spending time with him. No access to anything, but especially whiskey, so he can’t bribe our radioman. Herd him now!
“Checking his tent will have to wait,” Jeremy stated, coming up behind them to read the short note. “His was one of a dozen burned during the trouble. He got a new one.”
“Convenient.”
“Yes, it is, but it won’t matter,” Adrian stated with a soft menace that they rarely heard. “Our final battle with his master is coming soon. After that, the need to be careful with him vanishes.”
4
“I’ll tell you again Ms. Quest. No. I won’t give you any details about his condition and as you can see, he’s resting and I’m busy.”
“Are you hiding something, Doctor? It was a simple question.”
John’s tone was cold. “Please take your accusations and rudeness and get out of here.”
Marc threw his body in front of the flap as the reporter came out of the medical tent. They collided, and he grabbed her arms to keep her from falling. Marc jerked her up against his chest, playing it like they were about to fall. Her flowery perfume struck him in the throat, preventing the words he’d wanted to say and she twisted in his tight grip.
“Watch where…” She fell silent as she saw who was holding her and the feel of his hard body was enough to halt her power of speech. Cynthia had a thing for spying on him and Marc had noticed.
Taking a chance, he kept her close for a moment longer, making full, intense eye contact. Maybe the reporter could be convinced to back off.
Cynthia stared into those sexy eyes without a real thought, too absorbed in the feelings. She’d been observing the Wolfman here and there, but she’d thought Adrian was the only one who held such magnetic appeal. With his feathered black hair, and smooth, gypsy-tinted skin, Marc was as good-looking as Adrian. His best feature, after those bright blue eyes, was his lips. Full and sexy, they promised pleasure, the kind that took its time and hung around for a while. Camp women had been trying in vain to snag his attention, but it was clear that only Angela would do.
Marc slowly moved the woman back from the instinctive lean-in she was doing and saw her flush. “You okay?”
His hands fell away from her hot skin and Cynthia shook her head. “Yes.”
Marc smiled at her, stealing her breath again as he turned on the charm usually reserved for Angie. “Didn’t mean to startle you, Cyn.”
His voice was a low octave of chills over her spine. “I’m fine.”
Marc leaned a bit closer, ready to deliver the final blow. “Better than that, I’d say.”
A dark flush ran up her cheeks and he moved back as her rate of breathing increased. “Maybe I’ll run into you again sometime.”
Cynthia didn’t answer, couldn’t talk through the lump in her throat.
Marc stepped around her with a satisfied nod. Now, she would be distracted and give Adrian a little more time to get her under real control.
He ducked into the Bengay-smelling tent to see John chuckling in admiration.
“Very nicely done.”
Marc shrugged at the doctor’s low words, thinking the man looked extremely tired. He was so pale, the sheets looked darker. “Just doin’ my part.”
He frowned at the nearly empty tent, expecting to see Kenn and Adrian here, along with Angela and Anne, but there was only the Marine, who had stopped snoring the instant he heard Marc’s voice.
“She wanted to know about Kyle’s team, but she moved onto Kenn pretty fast.”
“She’s connected the two,” Marc commented, distracted. Where was everyone?
“As have others.” John finished writing.
“Is it right?” Marc asked suddenly, unaware he was going to. “Lying, manipulating, all this undercover shit?”
Peeling off his gloves, John’s voice was tired, “I wish I could say no, but if you’d been here two hours ago, I don’t think you’d ask that.”
“Neil said it was tense,” Marc commented.
John snorted. “Tents turned out, fights, searches being conducted by Kenn’s allies, levels of Eagles confronting each other. It was more than tense.”
Marc was surprised. “I didn’t see any signs of that.”
“Adrian and Kenn went out there, even though that Marine has 3 broken ribs and a concussion.” John gave him a pointed hint. “The camp thought Kenn was dead...”
Marc understood he had been accused in his absence. “Guess that means I need a new canvas. Zack stirred ‘em up?”
“Yes. They’ve been suspended from the Eagles.”
“And order was restored.”
“Yes. If the camp knew it was an attempted mass-murder, the peace and security here would be gone.”
“And I’d lose them.”
Adrian moved into the tent, closing the flap, and Angela took up a place outside in the shadows with the other guards after a fast look around the tent verified there was no danger.
“And I’ll do anything… say anything… to keep that from happening.”
Marc shrugged, not hesitating now to voice his concerns. “I just don’t know that it’s right.”
To his surprise, the Leader laughed.
“What’s funny about that?”
“Right and wrong doesn’t matter, Marine,” Adrian stated firmly. “Only survival does.”
Marc conceded the point. If things had been that bad here, that fast, it proved how unready these people were to be on their own.
“Anything turn up?”
“A shovel and some prints too tracked over to make a mold.”
“We’re almost out of time.”
“I know. I feel it, too.”
“Three attempts in two weeks. They’ll come for her themselves now, since the mole hasn’t been successful.”
“We’re as ready as we can be.”
“So is she, for the time we’ve had.”
Marc scowled. “When they come, she’ll expose what she is to protect these people. I hope you’ve got that covered, too.”
Adrian ignored the bitterness in the man’s tone. “The Eagles are on board. She’s worked hard and the women here already see her as a champion for them.”
“That’s not enough of the camp,” Marc stated. “They might still turn on her.”
“Yes...”
Marc’s expres
sion turned fierce. “You have to stop that from happening! After all she’s already done for you, you owe her better!”
Adrian was scowling. “Don’t you think I know that? They need time that we don’t have.”
“Then you have to keep her from using her magic in front of them, even if the Slavers openly attack this camp.”
“That won’t happen,” John stated. “The best you can do is to take the fight away from here.”
Adrian and Marc had a long moment of silent admiration.
“We lure them away from camp.”
“Yes. And what will do that?” Adrian already knew, but need Marc to say it.
“Angie.”
The order was short. “Dope it out according to the setup you gave me.”
Marc forced himself to pretend it was someone else’s love about to be used as bait. “I’ll have a final battle plan ready and in your tent before dawn.”
Behind them, Kenn listened in dumbfounded shock. He hadn’t known those two were doing that deep-level work already. It was another of those life-changing moments, realizing Marc had been doing his job all along and hadn’t tried to take credit for it. Brady could have had the XO’s slot anytime he wanted it.
5
Early the next morning Safe Haven rolled out of Cedar Bluff with the annoying cries of mating cicadas ringing in their ears. A few short hours later, the Slavers rolled in and even the invading insects went quiet.
They’d been traveling for nearly a week, using the cleared roads to catch up and they’d made great time thanks to Rick’s messages. Cesar shook the dirt from the baggie and scanned the letter inside quickly.
They are headed for Georgia. They plan to use the caves there. Made 3 attempts, all failed. She keeps saving him. I can’t do it from here - up to you now. Will be listening at midnight for the next week.
Cesar turned to the men now taking over the cleared area. They were more than 300 strong, all seasoned killers, and he brandished his deformed fist.
“In three days, we will have a new camp of supplies and whores!”
There was a resounding cheer from the Mexicans, the last three towns already empty before they arrived, and Cesar moved toward the center of the clumsily unrolling camp. There had been more problems without fresh females to enjoy, but the smart Leader had broken into his own harem, passing out the ones he’d had for a while with no sign of pregnancy. It had calmed his men down and made him more popular, but it also sent a hotter fury into Cesar’s heart to hear his girls cry out in pain and him not be the cause of it.
Chapter Twenty Two
May 10th, 2013
Near Hays, Kansas
1
“I’m telling you it’s too heavy. Unload half of it and we’ll add a box or two to each vehicle that’s left.”
Angela’s voice was annoyed and Zack sneered hatefully. “What the hell do you know about it?”
He and the others from the mini-riot had been taken back into the Eagles after just two days, but they were now Level Ones again and had to work their way back up. Zack wasn’t adjusting well to being the same rank as her.
Angela shrugged, turning back to the churning, debris-filled river. “I’m smart enough to know if the pontoon’s sinking, you don’t send the truck across anyway.”
Zack’s face went scarlet and he waved an angry hand at the rest of the convoy that had already reached the other side and started up the hill. “We’re falling behind. We’ll get split up!”
Angela flashed those flecks of blue steel they were all familiar with now. “What’s worse? We show up an hour late with the water, or go now and lose a reserve truck because you can’t stand to do what I say?”
They glared at each other for a long moment and then Zack dropped his head. “Losin’ water. We’re low.”
“Is there a problem?” Kyle asked from behind her.
Angela grinned sweetly. “Not anymore. Will you help us unload a little weight? The pontoon keeps going below the waterline with just the weight of the front tires.”
“Sure. Good thing you caught it. That’s the last of our reserves after Mess tonight.”
They both saw Zack stiffen and Angela turned away to hide a smirk of her own. “Back it up, Allan, and let the cars go on. We’ll just be a little out-of-order for the check-in.”
Allan was relieved despite being on Zack’s team. He hadn’t wanted to go out on that merciless river; had been sure he would have to jump and maybe even get drowned.
He met Angela’s eye as she hung on the side to stay out of the way as Kyle began directing traffic. “Thanks. You… okay and all?” His look went over her various scars in a quick sweep.
It was another sign she was making progress with the rest of Zack’s team and she smiled. “I’m 5-by. What about you?”
The Eagle grimaced, turning back to the choppy waves of the Smoky Hill River that were sloshing onto the pontoon. He hated water. “Right now, I need a drink.”
Angela pulled a beautiful silver flask from her pocket and tossed it onto the empty seat next to him. “Make sure I get that back.”
Allan was surprised she would share the gift with him even after the coldness a few of Zack’s team had still been stubbornly treating her to. He handled it with care. “I will. If I don’t, Lee will rack my head for me.”
Angela laughed. “You’re probably right. He’s a big fan now.”
Allan’s words were grave. “He should be. You’ve given him his heart back and… I’m sorry.”
She nodded easily, mentally moving his name to her side of the board. “Change takes time.”
“I guess she don’t have to work,” Zack complained as he walked by the window with a large box.
Allan turned to frown at him. “Lay off.”
The team leader looked back in surprise and Allan finished declaring his loyalty. ”You were wrong; we all were, so lay off.”
Zack stomped away and Angela delivered another sweet smile. “Thank you.”
Allan shrugged, uncomfortable at the kindness he didn’t feel he deserved from her. “He might have gotten me killed.”
Angela’s thoughts were along the same line and she stepped down, catching Kyle’s motion. “It’s probably light enough now. Ease the wheels out and we’ll see.”
The truck went across the pontoon bridge with no further problems and Angela resumed her post as the other vehicles went on. The last four jeeps were full of Eagles and when Neil stopped, moved to the passenger door, she got behind the wheel without protesting that there were still cars left. If the trucks had made it, the rest would as well.
She eased them out onto the floating pontoons, feeling them give and then accept their weight. She tried not to stare into the river. They were across a minute later and the last two jeeps of men quickly ran back to collect their equipment. They were up and loaded with routine precision and then all four vehicles were rushing to fall in behind their convoy of light in the barren wilderness.
“I hate these damn hills,” Angela muttered as the convoy slowed again for another sharp curve. The road was two lanes, cleared only an hour before, and it wound upward at an awkward angle. Complete with steep drop-offs on both sides, after Adrian’s accident, it was a cruel reminder of how things could go wrong without any warning.
Neil flipped the radio off, tiring of the female ballads she had put in. “Yeah. We’ll be out of them in another day or two.”
Angela narrowed her eyes against the lightning, not looking forward to the storm that was coming with it. Sam had warned Adrian and he’d moved them to higher ground. Day after tomorrow, they would be in the clear from a Slaver attack during the bad weather, but until then?
Angela turned to Neil. “Will you switch with me?”
“Sure.”
When they were rolling again, Angela leaned her head back and closed her lids. Breathing becoming shallow, it was the only sign of magic and Neil thought maybe she’d fallen asleep. He couldn’t stop from glancing over, checking on her ever
y few minutes, though, uneasy and not sure why.
2
Angela still hadn’t moved when they finally stopped for the night and the Trooper killed the engine. “We’re here.”
Not expecting a response from his lowly spoken words, he jumped when she spoke.
“I’ll catch up.”
Her tone was… disconnected and when the dome light flashed on, her eyes seemed much too big. He got out and closed the door quickly, mind telling him not to disturb the power behind those empty sockets.
“Who’s her shadow?”
“I am.”
Seth was already near her door despite his limp and he motioned Neil on. “I’ll handle it.”
Seth opened the door with caution, able to feel the hum of the Witch hidden within her. “Is everything okay?” He spoke lightly, using his hand to reach in and cover the glare.
“We look.”
There was an eerie double timbre to her voice and Seth put the window down before quietly closing the door. “Take your time. I’ll deflect.”
There was no answer and the Eagle stepped back, searching for anyone coming their way. Seeing they were all busy hurrying to get camp set before the heavier rain came, he tapped out a short message, aware that this was over his head.
Angela blinked when the dome light came on again and she took the bottle of water that was handed to her, but didn’t open it.
Adrian slid into the driver’s seat and closed the door. “When?”
“Tomorrow or the day after. In these trees, on this road.”
“Kyle just checked in. They have spies on us now, two groups.”
“One in front, one in back?”
“Two in front, covering the two main roads east. To run, we’d have to go south from here or be pinned in by the Interstate and that’s where he expects to trap us with the main group.”
“How will it happen?”
Adrian gave her a tight smile. “Is that the question you really want to ask?”
Flashing back to her first day at Safe Haven, Angela grinned at the bittersweet memory. “No. I’d like to stay with you for the whole thing, no matter the risk or ugliness.”
Adrian's Eagles: Book Four (Life After War) Page 55
