From the Ashes

by Angela White

  Tension crackled at his veiled threat, hands tensing, getting set.

  Rick slowly stood up and took his smokes from his front pocket. He inhaled, snapped the lighter shut. “Be a shame if Cesar’s camp got a call about you guys deserting him when he needed you the most. Kinda goes against the code, you know?”

  “They won’t survive,” sneered one of the men in the rear of the group. “And neither will you.”

  The Mexican drew in a blur.

  Rick was faster.

  His bullet tore into the Mexican’s throat, and he fell forward, hands clasped around the gushing wound.

  Rick immediately gestured with the barrel. “Strip him and put it in my share.”

  The look the slavers exchanged made Rick chortle happily.

  “You’ve figured it out. Good. That’ll make things go faster. Let’s start with this: you go when I say so.”

  His hard stance dared them to protest the order. He would kill the first one who did.

  The shortest of the remaining men stepped forward calmly, but despite his mild manner, Rick knew this was the one among them who had planned to be their leader for the trip back across the border.

  “And when will that be, gringo? This land tastes like death.”

  Rick hoped to surprise them with half-truths and brutal lies. “Two days. Help me with something, and then you can run like the cowards you are. When I pick my crew, none of you will be on it!”

  They didn’t like that.

  Rick felt it coming and fired again as the would-be leader drew.

  Another body hit the ground with a dull, final thud.

  Rick gestured angrily, patience gone. “You will give me what I want!”

  None of them was eager to die, and the smarter among them began to recognize the new chain of command, bow to it. Rick’s skill with the gun made him the boss.

  “Two days, then we’re gone. You have to sleep.”

  Rick knew better than to put his gun away until he was sure of control. He delivered that chain with a sneer. “There were other survivors.”

  He gestured arrogantly. “And they joined me willingly to avenge Cesar’s death. They’re waiting one hour for word. After that, they’ll make the call. You get one chance, and then you’ll be hunted down by your own kind.”

  Caught by their own cowardice, none of the homesick men considered that he might be bluffing.

  Sensing the victory, Rick lowered his gun. “Meet us half a mile east of the Ellsworth Country Club by nightfall. Don’t be late.”

  Rick turned toward his truck, hand still loose, ready. “Without Cesar to hold them here…or me, that camp of Mexicans will hunt you all the way to hell.”

  The traitor picked up the small bag of treasures he’d looted, swung it over his shoulder before delivering a last parting shot. “Cesar was reckless, and it got these men killed. That will never happen while I lead.”

  It was enough to begin a tentative bond, and Rick kept moving, hearing them start to scavenge. They would show up and be a bit more willing to work, thanks to the manipulative techniques he’d learned from studying Adrian. By the time the slavers realized he didn’t mean a word of it, running wouldn’t be an option.

  Rick kept his stride sharp and arrogant as he went to his vehicle. It’s what Adrian would have done.

  Rick liked that thought. Yes, it was, and he had a very good idea of what the blond leader would do now, too. For a change, that Eagle had no idea trouble was so close. With Angela at death’s door, there wouldn’t be any warning.

  “One mistake, baby,” Rick crooned. “It was all I needed.”

  He moved steadily through the moldy area to prepare for the Mexicans’ arrival. They thought he had more men. He would make sure that impression held long enough to finish what Cesar had started.

  3

  The remaining Mexicans were here. His bluff had worked.

  Rick waited in the shadows of the horse farm, ignoring the enormous, frost-covered skeletons that littered the edges of the fence. Unlike normal frost, this was a layer of frozen white slime that stuck like ice chips.

  The traitor let out a deceptively defeated grunt as the small group of hostile men approached.

  “There are two things you should know. First, we’ve decided we only want willing men for the rush.”

  Rick’s tone said he suspected what they’d agreed on. “No back-shooting that way.”

  Observing their reactions, the traitor saw he’d been right.

  “The second is that if you at least cover us from the outside and pick off anyone we miss, we’ll cut you in for part of Safe Haven’s supplies.”

  There were surprised mutters at the boldness of his plans, and quick glances around the frosty dimness–maybe to verify it wasn’t a trap.

  Rick shrugged cruelly. “We’ll be returning the bodies of Adrian and his Eagles in exchange, but the camp won’t know that until it’s too late.”

  He could have given the Mexicans time to consider it all, but Rick didn’t think Adrian would have, and he acted accordingly. “So, fall in with the plan or get lost. You’re not really needed.”

  “Maybe we will–”

  “Kill me and do it yourselves?” Rick sneered “There are men all around us. You may get me, but they’ll get all of you.”

  That was something they hadn’t been paying any attention to, but now that they were, each of them instantly respected Rick more. There were shadowy forms in trees, a glint of a pistol behind an overturned tractor, the edge of a sombrero showing next to a chicken coop. It was very convincing.

  One of the slavers spoke up. “A fair cut?”

  Rick snorted, hiding triumph. “Not if you don’t take half the risk.”

  His leer was as cool as the wind. “I’m first man in–biggest share.”

  Rick’s lies came easily, and he let their greed seal their fate.

  “I will fight.”

  “Si!”

  “And I.”

  Rick studied them before agreeing reluctantly. “A provision. If I die during the run, you get nothing. If I’m still alive when it’s over, you can split my share.”

  They all scowled at the unexpected generosity.

  “Why would you do that?”

  Rick allowed small amounts of the truth to slip out, and added an irresistible lure.

  “Because Cesar gave me a new life, and they took that, but mostly, because I still want the woman. No one touches her.”

  There were evil leers amid the plans now being discussed, and Rick was aware that they thought he meant Angela. They didn’t know it was Samantha, always Samantha’s cornflower blue eyes that haunted him.

  Deleted Scene #2

  “Why would you tell him that? Make that deal for me?” Jennifer was loud and angry. “Don’t you know I’m broken inside?”

  “I don’t pity you.”

  “You want to be between my legs.”

  Kyle only raised a brow. “And?”

  Flushing, Jennifer shook her head, remembering the surprise, the trust that had flowed between them when he’d given her the pistol on her hip. They were out for a walk right now, being stared at, and Jennifer was uneasy. His admission of telling Adrian he wanted to claim her hadn’t helped that feeling.

  “I’m offering for a lot of reasons.”

  “People should get together because they love each other.” Her cheeks darkened. “Not for lust.”

  Kyle smiled. “How do you know that I don’t? I’m offering a lot for a man who only wants sex that he can get from nearly any woman here.”

  He made sure she understood that wasn’t a bluff. “They’re keeping track–waiting for you to push me away, to prove you’re too young to handle being mine.”

  Kyle picked them out subtly, eyes tracing the shape of the one who resembled Jennifer the most.

  Jennifer turned slowly, counting how many of the females in his line of sight perked up, hoping to catch his attention. He could have one for every day of the week and none of
them would gag in front of him, or fart, or belch, or scratch, or any of the other disgusting things she found herself doing while he was around.

  Flustered, Jennifer snorted softly. “God, I’m a cow.”

  “You’re beautiful.”

  “Why, Kyle?”

  “Because I can.”

  Getting angry, she put her hand on her hip. “Your enemy had me over and over, and I didn’t always fight. I was the slave of a killer, and I used it to my advantage. In two months, I’m having his kids! Doesn’t that mean anything to you?!”

  She was on the edge of tears, and Kyle lifted a large hand to lightly brush away the first one to roll down her cheek. “All of those things make you a survivor Jenny, one of us.”

  Kyle stepped back as the relief and confusion settled in. “Get to know me. Let me prove I’m one of the good guys.”

  “What about my babies?” she demanded, not nearly as afraid now as she had been during these negotiations with Cesar. When she’d realized she was going to become a mother, everything had changed.

  “You already know,” Kyle answered simply. “They’ll love me.”

  “Why would you do this?”

  Kyle’s eyes were glowing as he answered. “I get to right a terrible wrong. I get to be a father, something I’ve always wanted…and I get you.”

  The words were possessive, powerful. Jennifer was shocked to be flattered instead of terrified.

  Kyle got them moving again, aware of how many camp gossips were nearby, trying to eavesdrop.

  Spotting Marc, Kyle took a chance. “Got time for coffee later, Marc?”

  On his way to the first half of the level tests, Marc ran a quick glance over them and shook his head, tone curt. “No.”

  Kyle didn’t need to ask what the problem was. Sighing in resignation, Kyle headed them for the animal area.

  Also on his way to watch the tests, Charlie observed the short exchange in surprise. His dad wasn’t supporting Kyle?

  “Have you figured it out yet?”

  Kyle slowed them down. “What?”

  Jennifer noticed the way his glance went over her stomach protectively, before resting on her face. “Why you want me.”

  A muscle twitched in Kyle’s jaw. Unlike Cesar, Kyle kept himself clean-shaven. He showered every day and always came to her smelling good. He didn’t wear cologne–that amazing smell was natural.

  “Yes.”

  Jennifer swallowed. “Is it good? The reason?”

  Kyle considered. “Yes and no.”

  Sensing that she honestly seemed to need an answer, Kyle directed them toward the trees, where Eagles subtly came closer.

  Kyle took her hand, slowly getting her used to his touch, the sound of him. “You’re my light, my way to remain good in a world that is smothering me with evil.”

  Jennifer wasn’t expecting such a deep answer–she’d assumed it was sex. She stared at him. “You’re so different, even than the other guards.”

  Kyle wasn’t sure how she meant that, but her next words cleared it up.

  “It’s why I can trust you, I think. You don’t lie to me, even when it’s ugly or wrong.”

  Kyle’s thoughts were blazing with secrets. “And I won’t. Just don’t ask me if you can’t take it.”

  Jennifer agreed, smiling a bit. “Okay.”

  Kyle was aware of the disapproval from those nearby, but he didn’t care.

  “Thank you. For getting us out of there.”

  Kyle’s heart eased a little more from the knot it had twisted into upon first finding her in that filthy semi. “It’s my honor.”

  Sparks flew, reminding Kyle that despite his altruistic appearance, he really did want to be between her legs–more than anything.

  He glanced at her in anguish. “I will leave you alone, Jenny. But not until you tell me to.”

  A heavy sense of loss settled over her young shoulders, and she shivered. “I know. And I know they’ll keep you away if I want it, or even…banish you if I say you’re hurting me. The den mothers made sure I know.”

  Kyle was firm. “I want you to tell them if I ever do.”

  Jennifer snorted. “Like I’d do that after all you’ve done for me, for those kids!”

  Kyle refused to allow her to sacrifice herself again, but also used the moment to judge if there might be any caring yet on her part. “I mean it, Jen. I’ve seen men change since the war. They get so wrapped up in what they want that they don’t care for other people’s needs. Treating you that way will get me killed.”

  Jennifer was unable to resist, fingers going to his arm. “You won’t.”

  She lowered her head, but not her hand. “I’ll think about it and try to figure out if it’s what I want, too.”

  Kyle knew he should pull away, but her willing touch held him captive. They entered the Vet’s zoo arm-in-arm and smiling.

  Jennifer’s memory of the healing was vague, blurred with long moments of pain and short instances of sleep. She knew she’d been burned–on the inside–and was grateful. She wouldn’t have any other kids, but these would live so long as she kept Kyle close. Angela’s demon said the mobster was the one man she could trust completely, though he didn’t think of himself that way.

  Jennifer agreed. The more time she spent with Kyle, the more she realized what a good person he actually was.

  “Do we report it?”

  Zack denied the eager rookie. “Only if he does something wrong. Adrian thinks it’s a good match.”

  “It is for her, but what is he getting out of it?”

  Zack didn’t argue the general view of the situation. “Absolution right now. Later?” Zack shrugged. “That’s up to her. Maybe happiness, maybe hell. Too soon to say at this point.”

  “Women trouble–it’s all over the camp right now,” Anderson quipped. “Glad I’m not in that mix.”

  Zack didn’t respond, thinking that the truth–“You’re so rude, not even the whores will hook you up, Andy, so don’t stress over it.”–probably wouldn’t help in this case.

  The extra weight Zack had been carrying around was gone now, and he was well liked–high up in the Eagles and gaining ground. Zack was certain his sons were watching, waiting for him to pick a mate, too, but Zack wasn’t interested. Despite the way he had mistreated his wife, he’d loved her. His heart wasn’t ready for the pain of picking a replacement.

  Deleted Scene #3

  Angela moaned, head tossing on the damp pillow as the dream called, pulled. She didn’t want to go, she wanted to remain here in the fog with her Brady, but there wasn’t a choice. It was growing, this power inside that fed from the hope and horror around her.

  Letting out a defeated whimper, Angela sank into the grayness, surrendering. There was something she had to show him, something he had to understand.

  Adrian stared over the side of the tall cliff, not worried even though he was ten stories up and the hard stone was slick from the salty sprays of the angry waves below. The ocean roared at him, seduced as it pulled him closer. If he could just touch it…

  “You must be strong.”

  Angela’s concern cut through his daze, and Adrian turned in slow motion.

  The water crashed onto the rocks below angrily, protesting her interruption, but Adrian appeared not to notice.

  “Why is the water only blue going south? Why isn’t all of it red?”

  Angela smiled, appearing much like an angel with her white pajamas and flowing black curls.

  “That is your path. Venture into the red, and death has you.”

  “But where does it go?”

  She shrugged, realizing the water was trying to demand Adrian’s attention from her, calling to him.

  “It understands what this means, as well. Know now that it will never willingly let you cross, and yet, that is the way you must go.”

  “Is there no place left here?”

  She shrugged, timbre a soft, eerie echo. “That has not been revealed.”

  “What about the bl
ue? Where does it go?”

  “That also has not been–”

  “I need to know!” he shouted over the water’s roar. “I can’t keep them alive here!”

  Adrian’s frustration fed the waves, and the sprays crashed harder against the rocks.

  “Go away! Kill you! Never let you pass!”

  He could hear the rage now, the buzzing in his ears. Below them, the red water began lapping the edges of the blue until the entire ocean as far as they could see, was as red as blood. Scarlet drops sprayed them from the crashing waves.

  “There’s not much time.” Angela was fading, floating away from him. “You have to get ready!”

  Adrian snapped awake, but sank down into his dreams quickly, the ocean distantly calling as the shadowy form of a sorceress danced for him.

  Deleted Scene #4

  The starving thin boy stared at the large group with longing, remembering a time, a life, when he’d been loved and wanted. Were these the right people? Conner was the oldest and the others had left it to him to make contact, but he was only a kid. How was he to know?

  The tall boy ignored the rain, the cold, and the nasty muck soaking into his duct-taped shoes. Desperate and too weary to keep pretending help would come, his intent stare never left the large group of people now unloading, setting up camp.

  He could tell the leader from the way he cared for his people, and by the respect he was given. Those things would have told him even if Conner hadn’t recognized the man. It was almost a dream, that walk, those waves of power!

  Conner swayed on his cold feet, unable to believe. Certain it was the hunger, he knelt down for warmth and kept studying. The men with Adrian convinced the Conner. There was no mistaking that style of teaching. His father had finally come!

  Instead of relief at the sudden hope he could now allow himself to feel, or even anger at how long it had taken, there was only fear in Conner’s mind. His memories of Adrian were vague, shadowy pictures from a time when life hadn’t been blown up. What if he was only remembering what he wanted? The other kids trusted him with their lives and he was terrified of making the wrong choice and getting them all hurt. And still, his heart already yearned to be a protected member of this man’s camp.