by Angela White
From down the hall, Boyd met that worried gaze with hard words. “If you don’t think we can do this, say so.”
Vince sighed silently. If he said yes, they’d flee but not follow his leadership. If he said no, then he had to stand by it and attack.
Vince chose to be honest. “I have doubts. We should be careful on this run.”
It was how all of them were feeling, and it brought them back together, fading the tension.
“Give us a plan that will work,” Boyd stated, showing his support. “That’s why the Major chose you over the rest of us.”
Vince recognized the manipulation, but it didn’t stop the pride. “They’re prepared for a lot of bad situations. So, we’ll keep it simple and brief. Study the shifts for a bit, dart the new leader between patrols, and bring her back for negotiations.”
“That’s good,” Boyd confirmed. “They think it’s over, that they’ve won. They’ll be off-guard.”
“We say when it’s over,” Vince growled. “And it ain’t over until someone pays.”
8
When the soft glow faded and there was calm silence instead of that humming static, John softly called to the man guarding the flap.
Angela wanted to know who was next in line to be healed or dealt with, but didn’t have the strength to lift her head.
She pushed herself to her feet and her knees tried to fold up. She started to sit back down until she’d woken a bit, but strong arms slid under her and lifted gently.
Cradling her close, the thick, musky scent filled her nose in familiar comfort, and Angela sighed, letting the darkness claim her. “My Brady...”
Marc tightened his grip, going toward the closest empty tent.
When Kyle pointed him toward the one in the center of the QZ instead, Marc frowned as he obeyed. This was a confirmation that he’d known would come, but it wasn’t something he wanted to think about yet.
When Marc ducked back outside, it was to give a short nod to her two rookie guards and then slip into the shadows.
9
“Fire.”
Two hunters obeyed.
Vince watched through his binoculars. “…and the sentries are down. Take the shot when it comes.”
Boyd was already trained on the shadow, fully in the zone. He fired casually at the body on its side, confident of the hit.
“Direct contact! Nice. And we have effect... Subject rolls, falls...is down. Go! Go!”
Five black-clad hunters rushed into Safe Haven’s perimeter without making any noise.
The two end men slit the deluxe sleeper up the sides as the middle man did the same to the bottom. The inner men ducked inside the canvas and quickly jerked a sleeping bag over their prey. They hefted their mark up and over the stockier of their men and ran back out in a hurry, sharing wild grins as they disappeared into the landscape.
Boyd and his commander followed the team to their hole-up and observed as their captive was laid gently on the cot in a back room.
The stocky hunter who had done the carrying wore a light frown, panting. “That’s a heavy bitch!”
Vince’s thick brows came together in disapproval. “Assign a watch.” Vince went to the front of the basement, joining Boyd. “All still and quiet?”
“No.” Boyd extended the night glasses. “The first guard we hit is already stirring.”
“Really?”
“Yup. Which means our girl in there won’t be out much longer either.”
Vince looked down the hall at the three guards, and confident those outside were doing their duty. Still, the feeling was there, the one that said to be careful.
Boyd noticed it, too. “If you call it, we’ll adapt–kill her and roll out.”
Vince hesitated. He didn’t want to make the same mistakes that the Major had. “Yes, do it now and we’ll split. I don’t like the way this tastes. On the way, we’ll set a few surprises and take out half their camp as they load up tomorrow. That’ll be our vengeance.”
A few minutes later, Boyd met Vince at the door with a syringe that would make it quick and quiet. They went in together, as they had for years.
Boyd moved toward the body as Vince waved in his best men, those who had demonstrated a tolerance to the special cargo they were used to hauling. Vince didn’t expect the woman’s mental abilities to be an issue for hours yet, but he wasn’t taking the chance.
“Hey, Vince?”
“Yeah?”
“That hot little brunette’s the one we wanted, right?”
Vince felt the cool hand of fate slide along his neck. I should have said no.
He turned to see Boyd pull the sleeping bag off a body that was clearly male. A furious pair of blue eyes marked Vince first.
Marc raised two cold Colts. “That hot little brunette is mine!”
10
“We can’t find Marc.”
Angela heard Allan’s comment and began mentally searching. He’d woken her, told her to sneak out of the tent and leave the area–that he wanted to test something. She’d assumed it was the rookie guards.
“You searched?”
Allan frowned. “Twice. It’s like he took off.”
“You know he wouldn’t do that,” Kyle stated firmly.
The two men glanced at Angela, and found her staring east.
“You got a fix on him?” Kyle asked.
Angela scowled. “So will you, in just a second.”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Let’s go help,” Kyle ordered.
Bang-Bang!
“That was Neil’s gun.” Angela didn’t draw her weapon. “Come on. We’ll give them an honor escort back to camp.”
11
“How many?”
Neil’s expression was split between respect and excited comedown. He’d provided the outer defense, picking off the men who’d tried to get inside and help. “Twenty-eight.”
Marc scowled. “That’s the same as Angie’s group. We’re four light.”
“From the stories of the mission team, these guys won’t ever stop,” Neil stated, excitement changing into concern.
“There weren’t supposed to be survivors in my old job.”
Neil heard the need. “I can be ready with a fresh hunting team in an hour.”
Marc was about to say yes, but they’d run it by Angela first this time. He didn’t get the chance.
“We won’t follow.”
“Don’t shoot.”
Marc picked out three shadows cleverly hiding in the nearby brush.
The hunter who’d spoken slowly stood up, and the other two did the same, keeping their hands away from their holsters.
“We don’t want any more bloodshed,” the hunter promised, misreading the situation. “We’re done, if you are.”
“I’m not,” Marc stated furiously, hands dropping.
Bang-Bang-Bang!
“We’re still short one...there!” Neil pointed to the fleeing hunter.
Marc dropped the Colts and unslung his rifle.
He didn’t miss.
Neil slapped him on the shoulder as they turned toward camp. “Sweet shot.”
“Yes, he does make a fine killer, doesn’t he?”
Angela’s cool voice stopped them.
Marc met her glare, fully braced to pay for the choice he’d made.
And I’ll do it again, so be warned, he sent.
Angela sighed. Right after the war, she’d been foolish enough to believe in second chances for everyone. Now, she understood those had to be earned.
“If you’re finished here, we’d like to escort your stubborn ass back to where you belong. Under full honors for this and for the animal attack that happened while we were in Little Rock.”
Marc grinned happily in surprise as the men with Angela congratulated him and Neil.
Angela was pleased and uneasy at the same time. She would never like killing–not by her hand or someone else’s–but it was a necessary evil in this world, and like Adrian, she was grateful to ha
ve men around her who could do the chore.
12
Deep weariness like after her gunshot settled onto Angela’s shoulders, and she leaned against Marc’s strength as he led them back into the quiet QZ. Their escorts scattered to do work or rest, leaving them alone.
Marc tugged her closer, flying high on the day’s victories. When Angela’s matted hair brushed his cheek, that inner Marine lunged forward. She needs a hot shower...
Marc immediately steered them that way.
Angela was barely awake and didn’t protest when he led them toward the campers. Going to bed clean sounded great.
Marc guided her inside and turned back, waving Lee over. “This shower is off-limits.”
Lee caught the vibe and grinned. “About an hour?”
Marc didn’t answer. Need, hot and heavy, was controlling things now. Marc closed the door, and the sound of the lock clicking echoed loudly to his ears.
Angela didn’t notice, busy adjusting the water in the center stall. Her mind was mostly shut down, running on reserve power. Helping Adrian and their wounded men had drained her.
Marc turned on the water in the stall next to her, for once not caring about conservation. He wanted steam.
Angela got a towel and cloth from the shelf, and draped them over the door. She stripped her jacket, guns, and boots eagerly.
Behind her, Marc did the same.
Clink!
Dog tags...
Thud!
Heavy boots hitting the camper floor...
Angela turned slowly in surprise.
Marc pulled his shirt over his head and let it fall to the floor. His eyes smoldered as his hands went to the buckle of his jeans.
Angela didn’t look away from Marc’s body. All those years ago, there had been clothes between them, and he was beautiful to look at.
Try touching, the witch seduced.
Angela blinked and remembered to breathe, struggling to think.
Marc took the few steps that brought her in reach.
Angela held still when his hands went to the edge of her shirt.
Marc slowly removed her grimy top, not even looking at her skin, and Angela relaxed a bit. The images in his mind kept her from flinching when he unbuttoned her jeans and gently tugged them down. He planned to let her shower and tuck her into his bed.
Marc faltered when she pulled her leg out, female odors and silken skin brushing his knuckles triggering a rush of need. Her fingers tangling in his hair was perfect torture. Marc rested his cheek against her leg.
Angela was almost naked before him. “I love you. More than I ever have.”
Marc kissed her thigh, lingering to shoot sparks through them both. “You’re the air I breathe.”
It was a powerful moment.
Marc rose to his feet and stepped back as she reached around to unsnap her bra. He held himself under tight control as she lowered the straps and revealed the beautiful breasts that he’d dreamed about for so many years.
Angela pulled her socks off using her feet, jiggling enough to make Marc’s hands clench into fists.
Angela flushed, smiling a bit.
Marc knew his limit and gently guided her into the steaming stall.
Angela slid under the water with a groan. “Mmm... That feels good.”
Marc leered while she wasn’t watching, memorizing the sight of her. Sexy! Mine.
Marc stepped into the stall with her and leaned over to tilt the other running showerhead at himself. Aware that she’d wiped her face enough to stare at him the same way he had her, Marc spent a moment enjoying the heat beating on his shoulders.
Angela watched the water run over his hard body with growing desire. She wanted him, wanted to feel his hands on her.
Victory, the demon gloated. Finish it!
Marc wiped the water from his face and took two rags from the shelf. He wetted and soaped them both before handing one to her. I’m going to.
Marc’s wash was quick and routine, while Angela’s was a detailed scrub that took off the grime she had accumulated in Little Rock. The sight of those soapy breasts gave him a deep ache. When she began washing those long legs, Marc swallowed a groan. He wanted her so much!
Angela twitched lightly when Marc began unbraiding her filthy hair and smiled tolerantly at herself. Maybe a bit of her jumpiness was simply a part of who she was now.
Marc washed the blood and filth from her hair, keeping her shoulders under the water to prevent her from getting a chill. He used his long fingers to scrub and rub until she was putty in his hands.
Angela groaned. “Nice, Brady.”
Marc smirked eagerly as he rinsed her. You ain’t felt nothing yet, baby-cakes.
Angela wasn’t picking up thoughts, only the thick, sensual vibes of his naked body standing behind her. It was all so different from anything she’d envisioned.
Marc’s hands slid around her as he finished, turning her so that they were both under the water. Angela waited for more, and when it didn’t come, allowed herself to relax. Her arms came up to hold him, and she rested her cheek against his warm chest.
Marc stood with her patiently, letting the steam do some of the work for him.
Angela snuggled closer, skin perfectly warmed between him and the water. She was pressed along his hip and the feel of his hardness was sensual. Without society’s required faces and covers, Angela didn’t think she’d ever been so drowsy or comfortable.
And horny, she realized. Her nipples were hard rocks against him, flesh between her legs becoming slick. Did he know?
Marc nodded against the top of her head, pressed a soft kiss to her damp curls. “I smell it.”
Angela flushed, tensing self-consciously.
“I’m supposed to. It’s how I know your body’s ready for mine.”
Marc took her hand and placed it on that part of him. He immediately sent his hand to do the same for her.
Angela jumped at the quick movement, and Marc gripped her thigh firmly as he slid his thumb over her soft folds in wide circles. With each pass, he narrowed the area until he was gliding through her slickness and brushing the sides of her clit.
Angela closed her eyes, unable to fight the sensations. He wanted to please her. She would let him.
Her hand hadn’t moved on him, and Marc bucked eagerly in her grip. “Help me here, baby. Let’s make some magic.”
Angela moaned willingly, stroking softly, the way he’d responded to during the moments that had led to this one. The feel of his fingers stuttering on her flesh was incredible, and she tightened her grip as lust flared hotter.
Marc shifted them and nudged her back against the wall with her towel draped over it. His thumb flipped the tip of her clit as he stepped between her legs and Angela arched.
“Ooohh...”
Marc kept flipping, gently, hand growing sticky, mind sliding into a sensual daze where only they existed. A quick movement smeared that moisture onto her hand and Marc leaned his head back as she used it to stroke him with. More!
Lust flowed unblocked and pleasure bonded the couple. Searing waves of light soaked them each time the other groaned or tightened their grip in ecstasy. For this moment, Safe Haven and all its worries were out there. In here, was only heat and flames.
Marc moved closer, feeling her body tense as she neared the edge. Keeping his fingers in the same rhythm, he positioned himself to be ready for it, and sent his free hand to her rocky nipple.
Angela arched. “Oh, Brady!”
Marc’s control broke, the demon’s hot lust coming from nowhere to snatch rational thought.
Angela felt the mood change, but his fingers didn’t stop, and she stroked faster, straining. “Marc...I...”
Marc felt the spasm as her orgasm exploded, felt her legs start to close. He thrust a hand between them, dislodging hers from his stiff flesh. He grabbed her thigh, holding it in place as his other hand continued to extend her waves of pleasure.
Now! the demon demanded. If you don’t, I wi
ll!
Marc eased forward, pushing through her cum to bump against that pulsing heat. He cupped her hips, tilting for the angle as she gasped in surprise. Her small entrance clenched against him...and then opened in welcome.
Marc shuddered. No stopping now. He shoved forward.
Angela tried to pull away as he pushed inside, and Marc’s hard hands slid around her wet body, holding her in place. He wanted to stop, to comfort, but the feel of her!
He pulled out and thrust in again, grunting as he slid deeper. So tight!
Angela’s hands on his shoulders were grips that raked those jagged nails across his skin with each movement. He trembled as he pushed in further. Angie!
Angela caught the ecstasy and the intense desire, and faced her fear the same way she had every other challenge since the war. She spread her legs and tried to relax.
Heat like Marc had never felt rushed through him, and he lowered his mouth to hers, gasping.
Angela grinned as his pleasure began lighting up her nerve endings again. Coming to the final understanding that some discomfort was involved in sex, but the good outweighed the bad, Angela wasn’t about to deny him the same pleasure he’d given her.
“That’s was amazing,” she said softly, still pulsing. “Your turn.”
Marc growled, shoving forward to sink himself all way in. When she shifted uncomfortably, he used his hands to hold her thighs open so that he could get that deep again.
Not yet! the demon protested feverishly. Not yet!
Marc couldn’t wait, it had been too long, and he jerked out.
Angela watched him, nipples tightening, and heat flaring. She’d expected to sleep for a while, but...Marc shuddered, head against her unscarred shoulder as he gasped for air and coated her thighs.
Again! the demon demanded. It wasn’t long enough!
Almost panting from the lack of oxygen, Marc leaned back to look at Angela and found the red eyes of the witch waiting impatiently.
He laughed gruffly. “Whatever...you want.”
She pressed a soft kiss to his jaw, loving his rough breathing and twitches. “Just you.”
Angela ran a hand along his hip and got a jump from softening flesh. “Two minutes still apply here?”
