Holmes

by Anna Hackett

“You can wait for me at the truck,” he said.

  “No. It’s fine. I’ll come.”

  He looked surprised for a second, before he nodded.

  Was Adam Holmes just that used to being alone that he was surprised when someone offered something as simple as company? Liberty sank her hands into her pockets, her thoughts churning.

  The old woman was sitting on the grass under a tree. She had wrinkled skin stretched over the strong bones of her face. Not a wilting flower, this one. Her hair was white and pulled back in a bun and she wore a simple black dress that hung on her.

  “Hello.” Adam crouched beside the woman. “I’m—”

  “Know who you are,” the woman said, her thready voice filled with steel.

  “And your name, Ms…?”

  The woman looked up, her faded green eyes filled with tears. “It’s Missus. Mrs. Marinos.” Her voice trembled. “Lost my husband of forty years at Yeranderie.”

  Liberty’s heart clenched and she saw Adam flinch. They’d lost a lot of people at the final battle in the mountains.

  “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Adam’s words came out cool, but Liberty could see him struggling with a bunch of emotions, and guilt was winning.

  Liberty knelt beside the woman. “I can’t really understand how you feel. But we’re really sorry.”

  “Aliens’ fault, no one else,” the woman said, matter-of-factly. “Lost my house, my children and grandchildren, and now George. I’m old. I can’t fight the aliens. I’m useless.”

  Now Adam moved, his voice sharp, but he gently gripped the woman’s shoulder. “That isn’t true—”

  “Not true?” Color flared in the old woman’s face. “Young man, I can see the writing on the wall. This new world is for the young, the strong, the fit. I’m tired of running.”

  “No.” Adam shook his head. The vehemence in his voice had Liberty staring at him.

  “I’ve been focused on the squads, the military support people who help fight and protect us every day.” The blue of his eyes shimmered with ferocity. “But I’m just starting to realize we need the people with the softer touch, too. Soldiers fight, and—” a rueful smile “—generals give orders, but kids need hugs and stories, people need warmth and tenderness, too. They need someone who hands them stolen candy just as much as someone willing to hold a carbine.”

  Liberty felt a warmth move through her. There was praise in his words, and though she’d vowed a long time ago to never need a man’s approval, it made her feel good. Damn good.

  It made her want Adam Holmes even more than she had a moment ago.

  He looked back at the woman. “We need memories, we need stories, we need the glue that holds all this together.” He waved at the convoy.

  The woman stared at Adam for a minute. “We are lucky to have a man like you leading us.”

  Adam gave a half laugh. “You want the truth? Sometimes, I’m not sure I can go on either.” He rubbed a hand at the back of his neck, looking surprised the words had come out. “I’m terrified I’ll make a wrong decision, and more innocent people will die.” He sighed. “Sometimes my only options are two bad choices.”

  Liberty felt a lump lodge in her throat. For the first time, he was showing some of his pain.

  “It’s not easy being in charge, is it?” This time Mrs. Marinos patted Adam’s arm. “And I’m only making it more difficult.”

  “You’ll only make it harder if you tell me you still want to sit here and give up.”

  The woman huffed out a breath. “Not today.” She gripped his arm and waved the other hand at Liberty. “Help me up. I need to get back to my vehicle.”

  They helped her to her feet, and she dusted off her dress. Then she pinned Adam with a stare.

  “Reach out, young man. You don’t have to be so alone.”

  After the woman had walked away, Liberty saw Adam’s mask drop. She caught a glimpse of the ugly, dark feelings welling in him.

  “Adam—”

  With a shake of his head, he stalked off. He rounded his truck, out of view of the convoy.

  Liberty followed. She was good at reading people, and Adam was on the same edge that Mrs. Marinos had just stepped back from.

  She rounded the truck and saw him standing, tall and stiff, staring off at the horizon.

  “It kills me.” His words were like bullets. “Kills me that she just wanted to die.”

  “You brought her back, Adam.”

  He spun. The calm, patient general was nowhere to be seen. “More are going to start giving up.”

  “And we’ll help them, too.”

  He made a choked noise, his hands curled so tight his knuckles were white.

  “Adam… I’m right here.” She held out a hand. “Hold on, just for a little while. Let me help you.”

  “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  He lunged at her so fast, she gasped. Strong arms wrapped around her and lifted her off her feet. He pushed her up against the side of the truck, sun-warmed metal against her back and hot, hard man pressed to the front of her body.

  His mouth slammed down on hers and she moaned into his kiss. It was dark, edgy. His hands grabbed hers, slamming her wrists above her head. Liberty wrapped one leg around his lean waist.

  The touch of their tongues was like a bomb going off. He kissed her with an urgent, reckless edge that made goose bumps flare on her skin. He stroked her tongue, deepened the kiss, and arousal sang through her.

  When he finally pulled back, they were both panting. Liberty touched his shoulders and realized some of that vicious tension in him had eased, replaced by red-blooded desire.

  “Feel better?” she asked.

  “Not really.” He nudged her with his hard erection. “But if you’re asking if I’m still on the edge…no.”

  He slid a hand down her leg, then pulled her thigh away from him. She watched him take a step back, shoring up his control, pulling his “man-in-charge” persona around him like armor.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “This can’t keep happening.”

  She touched a hand to his cheek, and he stilled. “Did you enjoy it?”

  He made a growling sound. “That isn’t the issue—”

  She stroked her nail down his cheek, over lips that had given her so much pleasure. “Yes. It is.”

  He sighed. “You are driving me a little bit crazy.”

  She grinned now. “Good. I think that’s what you need.”

  “You were right.”

  “About what?”

  “We need to do something to remind everyone that life is worth living.” His gaze traced her face. “I don’t know what kind of magic you wield…but I can’t breathe from wanting you. It certainly takes my mind off other things.”

  Pleasure filled her. She fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. “I want you, too.” A sliver of fear snaked through her. She hadn’t wanted a man—not like this—in a very long time. An easy, fun romp was one thing. This…

  Well, this was something else entirely.

  “I shouldn’t want you,” he said. “Shouldn’t dream about touching you, tasting you…”

  “Adam.” She arched into him, her breasts feeling full, her skin flushed.

  “But for now, I have to think about the convoy.” There was frustration on his face. “We need to get out of here and think of something to help them all remember that the fight for our freedom is worth it.”

  “What do you suggest?” she asked. “I don’t think a party right now is going to work.”

  “I have something in mind, but I need to talk to Marcus, first.”

  Liberty couldn’t imagine what tough, battle-hardened Marcus could help with, but she trusted Adam. “Okay.”

  “And I’ll need your help once we get to the mine.” That groove between his brows appeared, and she wanted to kiss it away.

  “You have it.” But she heard his unspoken words. If they got to the mine.

 
***

  It was quiet.

  Adam stared out the windscreen. Far too quiet.

  They were nearing the mine where they’d spend the night and they hadn’t seen a single alien. Yes, Roth and Tane and their squads were doing an excellent job with their diversions…but this complete absence of problems was making Adam nervous.

  He knew it wasn’t only him. He could almost feel the tension throbbing off the entire convoy—clipped voices on the comm, vehicles trying to drive too fast, and even Liberty was gripping the steering wheel tight.

  Adam tried to relax. He pressed his head back against the seat, trying to find some calm in the rocking motion of the vehicle.

  But even if he succeeded in forgetting the aliens for a moment, thoughts of the woman beside him made him tense. Looking at her, smelling her, remembering that damn kiss. He shifted, willing his hardening cock to settle down. Now wasn’t the time for an erection.

  “We’re almost there,” Liberty said.

  Her husky voice made Adam close his eyes and swallow a groan. Hell, how was he going to keep his hands off her, if just her voice made him want to drag her into his lap?

  “You still aren’t going to give me details on what you have planned to boost morale?” she asked.

  No, he was keeping his plans for the convoy a secret. He wanted everyone surprised and pleased, not thinking about their precarious position. “No, you just arrange the things I’ve asked you to arrange…you’ll see soon enough.”

  She arched a brow, a faint smile on her lips. “I might have a few surprises for you, too, General.”

  Before he could even process that thought, Elle’s voice came across the comm. “General, I’m picking up a faint, single heat signature heading toward the convoy from the side. It’s right near your vehicle!”

  There was a blur of something running in front of their truck. “Watch out!”

  Liberty cursed and slammed on the brakes. The truck skidded, the wheels screeching on the road. Liberty spun the wheel and Adam pressed a hand to the dash.

  “Hold on,” Liberty yelled.

  Chapter Eight

  The truck stopped, rocking a little on its wheels.

  Adam released the breath he’d been holding. “Good job.”

  Liberty nodded, looking winded.

  Adam looked through the windscreen.

  It was a woman. She was rail-thin, huddled in the center of the road. Her clothes were tattered and dirty, and splattered with blood. Her hair was a tangled cloud of brown, and he couldn’t see her face. She stumbled onto her hands and knees.

  Adam shoved open the door and reached over and touched the comm. “Squad Six, I need you. Possible survivor just ran out onto the road.”

  “On our way,” Marcus replied.

  “Stay in the car,” he told Liberty and got out.

  He walked slowly toward the woman. Up close, he could see that the blood on her clothes wasn’t fresh. It didn’t look like she was injured. She was staring at the ground.

  “Help me.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

  “Adam, wait…” Liberty’s voice.

  “I said to stay in the vehicle.” He scanned around, searching for any movement.

  “Hell Squad is coming,” Liberty said. “Please, wait for backup. This could be a trap.”

  All he saw was a terrified, traumatized woman…but the Gizzida had fooled them before. “She needs help.”

  The woman lifted her head a little, and even with her eyes staring down at the road, he saw her face. “Adam…help me, please.”

  He froze, his muscles locked tight. It was Diane. His ex-wife. “Diane?”

  She held out a thin, shaking hand.

  She wouldn’t look at him, but it was her. A gaunter, more fragile version of his former wife.

  “I was at the Enclave,” she whispered.

  Adam’s heart stopped and he took a step forward. “What happened?”

  “Everything is…gone.” Her voice broke, and she pressed her face into her hands and started sobbing. “All gone. The aliens came.”

  No. Adam had spoken to Nikolai, one of the Enclave leaders, that morning. They’d been fine. It couldn’t… This couldn’t be happening.

  Diane’s sobs grew louder and she pressed a hand to her mouth. “I’m all alone.”

  The words arrowed into him. He knew loneliness. “No, you aren’t. We’ll help you.”

  “Adam.” Liberty’s tone was bordering on desperation.

  He forced himself to ignore her concern and knelt beside Diane. He no longer loved her—hell, he wondered if he’d ever loved her—but she’d been an important part of his life once, and he couldn’t let her sit here, broken and alone. Dimly, he was aware of Hell Squad’s Hunter pulling to a stop nearby.

  “Let me help.” He held out his hand.

  Diane’s head whipped up. And in a fraction of a second, he took in the red raptor eyes and the fact that her face was not quite right—the nose too sharp, the cheekbones too pronounced.

  “This is for you, General Holmes,” the woman—the thing—said with a hiss.

  She thrust her hand forward, and now he saw claws extending from her fingers. He dodged to the side. She was holding something in her palm.

  It was some sort of giant beetle, and it had four slender, dark tentacles waving madly, reaching for him.

  Shit. Adam moved again, shoving backward. She aimed for his neck, trying to slap the thing against his skin. He gripped her arms, thrusting his head to the side to avoid the creature. His fingers sank into her skin like she was made of nothing more than thick foam.

  What the hell? He wrestled with the raptor-Diane creature, forcing it backward.

  Suddenly, something swung into view and slammed into his assailant. It growled, but redoubled its efforts to shove the strange beetle on Adam.

  Liberty swung again. Adam realized she was holding a metal crowbar. Her powerful swing wouldn’t have looked out of place in the baseball leagues. She smacked the bar against the alien creature’s head.

  The alien hissed again and pulled back. It gave up on reaching his neck and dived at him.

  Adam felt a sharp sting on his arm, heard Liberty swear, then Liberty tackled the creature, pushing it off him.

  There was the thunder of boots on the pavement, and Adam heard the Hell Squad soldiers swearing. He saw Liberty wrestling with the creature, tossing damn good punches into the alien’s face.

  Then he felt pain run up his arm. He looked down.

  The beetle thing was clamped around his forearm.

  Ignoring the burning pain, he surged up. He had to help Liberty.

  Cruz and Marcus appeared beside him. They had their carbines raised.

  “Can’t risk a shot without hitting Liberty,” Marcus bit out.

  Adam yanked out his laser pistol.

  Marcus eyed him for a half a second before nodding. Adam had always been a decent shot, and had used Blue Mountain Base’s firing range when he could.

  He strode forward, aiming the pistol. He had to get close enough so he could guarantee he didn’t hurt Liberty as well.

  The woman and alien rolled, and he had a perfect view of the creature wearing his ex-wife’s stolen face. He fired.

  Liberty jerked back. The raptor creature jerked too. He pulled the trigger again, unloading laser fire into its chest. It stopped moving. Then, the skin shrunk away from it, like ice cream melting in the sun. It left behind a bony, skeletal figure made of a scale-like substance.

  Liberty fell backward, staring in horror at the alien.

  “Some type of new raptor tech,” Cruz said. Hell Squad surrounded the alien, everyone staring. “It can mimic human forms.”

  Adam ignored them and sat beside Liberty. He tugged her into his arms. “You okay?”

  She nodded jerkily, but her face was pale and her usually pristine hair was in disarray.

  “You’re sure?”

  She nodded again.

  Adam just held her, not telling her
he needed the contact to settle his rattled nerves. He looked up at Hell Squad. “It had the face of my ex-wife.”

  The soldiers cursed.

  “This isn’t good.” Marcus scowled at the thing on the ground. “It’s some sort of doppelganger.”

  “Yes. But it still had raptor eyes, and the copy wasn’t perfect.” Adam tried to calm his racing pulse. “It said it had come from the Enclave. That it had been destroyed.”

  Silence fell.

  Adam shook his head. “It’s a lie. Have Elle make contact with the Enclave. Check that everything is okay.”

  With a nod, Cruz turned, touching his earpiece and murmuring to their comms officer.

  “And the thing on your arm?” Hell Squad’s leader asked.

  God, in the frenzy, Adam had forgotten. Now the full force of the pain hit, and he grimaced.

  “Oh, my God.” Liberty half turned, her hands gripping his forearm. “It wanted to get this on Adam. Marcus, we need Emerson.”

  Marcus touched his ear. “Elle, we need the doc.”

  Adam shifted slightly. The pain was traveling out of his arm now and into his chest. He felt like his heart rate was speeding up, and his breathing was becoming constricted. But then he realized something worse.

  He looked into Liberty’s eyes. “I can’t feel my legs.”

  She pressed into his side. “It’s going to be okay. Doc Emerson will sort you out.”

  Soon Emerson appeared. Her head nurse, Norah, was with her, carting a large medical box. The doctor knelt, her white lab coat spreading out around her on the pavement.

  “Hmm, got something new for me, I see.”

  Adam gritted his teeth. Perspiration broke out on his forehead. “Well, I didn’t think you were busy enough.”

  Emerson snorted. “Thanks for thinking of me.” She prodded the alien thing with a scalpel, and then held up her small hand-held scanner.

  “It had little tentacles, Doc,” Liberty said. “Four of them. And now he can’t move his legs.”

  Grimly, Emerson nodded. “I can see the tentacles.” She raised her head. “They’re embedded in your skin, traveling up your veins.”

  Adam grimaced.

  “I can get it off, but it’ll hurt.” The doctor’s tone was matter-of-fact. “The longer it stays, the more embedded it’ll get. Not to mention, it’ll try to do whatever the hell it is designed to do.”