by Jami Gray
Crowding her, he took it out of her hand, wrapped her braid around the back of her head and pulled the cap on until the brim almost touched her nose. ‘No need to get fancy. They’re looking for a woman in a headscarf, not a dust rat.’ He pulled the shirt down and held it out.
Eyeing the bedraggled material in his hand, she had to admit he had a point. No matter the town, street rats were basically invisible. Dammit. Sighing, she shrugged out of her oversized shirt, wadded it up and tossed it in one of the lockers. The grimy, baggy t-shirt followed, leaving her in a faded, fitted olive tank and her cargos. She went for the shirt, but Havoc kept it just out of reach, a small smirk on his lips. Hitting him with a barely restrained glare she demanded, ‘Hand it over.’
‘Don’t rush me.’ He held the shirt out, forcing her to reach up to take it, his eyes riveted on her, practically leaving scorch marks on her skin. Heat that had nothing to do with the temperature outside and everything to do with the illicit images his intense scrutiny created, whipped through her, leaving her aroused and aching. She shrugged on the stinky shirt, trying to ignore the weight of his gaze and her body’s errant reaction.
Of course, stripped as she was there was no way for him to miss the bruises and cuts ranging over her arms and disappearing under the tank. Or the layer of dirt and dried blood adding an authenticity to the street urchin disguise. Both of which shifted his attention from bothersome to worrisome. Sure enough, she caught his soft curse followed by, ‘Holy shit, woman.’
An unexpected surge of embarrassment left her innards squirming and her voice sharp. ‘Why?’
Her surly question snapped his gaze to her face. ‘Why what?’
Tipping her chin up she nailed him with a glare, hoping it hid her other, more disconcerting reactions, propping one hand on a hip. ‘Why are you helping me?’
If she hadn’t been watching, she would have missed the slight twitch of his lip. ‘An inherent need to serve my fellow man? Or woman, in this case.’
His flippant response sparked her severely frayed temper and she couldn’t squelch her frustrated growl. ‘Truth, Havoc.’
That wiped his amusement right the fuck out, leaving his face hard. ‘Truth?’ He backed her against the lockers, bracing his hands on either side of her head, the metal groaning under the pressure. His head lowered until her eyes almost crossed trying to keep him in focus. His voice was so low, it vibrated through her, setting off shivers that had nothing to do with anything as mundane as temper. ‘You’re offering me something I want.’
Before she could rein her imagination in, illicit images of what a man like Havoc could possibly want from her exploded through her brain. ‘I don’t remember offering you shit.’ Too damn bad she couldn’t seem to catch her breath, otherwise that would have been a growl.
‘Oh, but you did.’ Something cruel and ruthless slid under his face, a hint of something she recognised. ‘A chance to fuck with the Cartels crosses my path, I will gleefully take it and make it my bitch.’
Even as every warning bell she owned rang its heart out, savage anticipation curled through her veins. Maybe running here hadn’t been quite as futile as she believed. Maybe, just maybe, this man was the key to fixing her problem. Or making it worse. Ignoring the insidious voice, she buried her excitement at an unexpected opportunity, and focused on the second part of his answer. Time to clue him in to who he’d be working with—emphasis on with. ‘Try making me your bitch and your dick won’t be good for much.’
Instead of anger, she got a disturbing smile, one that sent adrenaline streaking through her veins even as it seduced. ‘Is that a challenge?’
Bringing her hands up, she flattened them against his chest and leaned in. ‘Nope.’ She lifted her gaze, letting him see it all—her calculation, her desire, and her mercenary soul. Not looking away she rose on tiptoe until their lips brushed in the lightest touch. ‘A warning.’
Chapter 3
Even as Havoc slipped through the maze of Page’s back streets, forging a path through narrow alleyways twisting through the eclectic mix of structures created from salvaged materials, he wondered what the hell he was doing. Rescuing this woman was asking for trouble. Her entanglement with the Cartel meant this could be the worst decision he’d made in a long time. He knew it, but couldn’t find it in himself to give a damn. Causing damage to the Cartel was a soul deep addiction. An addiction he had no intention of recovering from. Not any time soon.
He glanced over his shoulder. Mercy kept her head down as they wove in and out of the people heading home, or wherever, as evening settled in. He turned back around, knowing she would stay on his ass. Her presence was a hum in the back of his head and she moved with a deceptive ease. No doubt about it, she was a walking, talking headache. With a capital ‘h’. Yet instead of sending her on her merry way, he decided he was keeping her, like some damn lost, rabid puppy. A puppy that would as soon rip your throat out as kiss you, asshole. Yeah, okay, so if he was honest it wasn’t just about the Cartel. His reluctant admission came from the deepest, darkest depth of his non-existent soul. It was more than that. There was something about this woman that whispered to his uncivilised side. She managed to go from lost waif to dangerous temptress in the blink of an eye. As unsettling as that was, it intrigued the hell out of him. It had been a damn long time since any woman managed that.
His grim thoughts were interrupted as a flailing ball of human limbs exploded from a nearby doorway and rolled across his path. He pulled up short and felt Mercy jerk to a stop behind him. The worn path lining the front of the shops cleared as people gave a wide berth to the two drunken idiots, who continued to whale on each other amidst slurred curses and unintelligible grunts. It didn’t take long for the empty doorway to fill as a bull of a man stepped forward and dumped a pail of questionable liquid on the drunks. ‘Don’t come back, either.’
The smell of vinegar hit Havoc’s nose as the uncoordinated mass of limbs slowed and stilled into two bleary-eyed men. They managed to sit up and blink stupidly at the big man, but couldn’t be bothered to wipe away the dirty water dripping over their faces. ‘Sorry, Lee,’ mumbled the one who wasn’t weaving.
The half-assed apology earned a disgusted look and head shake. ‘Both of you, go home. Sleep it off.’ When neither drunk moved, he snapped, ‘Now!’ Which got them up and scrambling in a stumbling zigzag guaranteed to end up face down further up the street. Lee turned to head back in and caught sight of Havoc, his fierce expression interrupted by a wide grin. ‘Havoc, my man, been waiting for you.’
‘Looks like the night started early, Lee.’ Not surprising since Lee’s was the best place for a hot meal, not to mention decent booze. But what made it perfect in Havoc’s opinion, was the small apartment tucked upstairs.
A puff of air through pursed lips joined another head shake. ‘Those two idiots do this at least once a month. If it ain’t a girl, it’s over some imagined insult. Good for entertainment, shit for business.’ He started towards the door, motioning with the now empty pail. ‘I sent food up a bit ago, but if you need more, holler.’
‘Thanks.’ Havoc followed in his wake, Mercy’s mute presence tagging along. ‘Might just have to do that.’
Once inside and off the street, the tension racking Havoc’s shoulders eased. Lee strode through a scattering of tables, most of which were empty, unlike the stools ranging along the long bar top. He stopped near a door in the back, pushed it open, and waited for Havoc.
Heeding the silent summons, Havoc ignored the few individuals who looked their way, keeping his body between Mercy and the curious as he aimed for Lee. When the door closed leaving them in the privacy of the kitchen, Lee spoke. ‘Not one to be nosy, but if you’re heading up the canyon, keep your eyes open. Things ain’t right up there.’
The obvious worry in Lee’s face caused Havoc’s stomach to do a slow, sickening roll. ‘How so?’
Lee set the empty pail in the corner and went to a stained sink to wash his hands, giving Havoc his back. ‘S
omeone’s determined to damage the dam. So far just half-assed attempts that ain’t done much. Sun-crazed idiots, if you ask me.’ He turned back around drying his hands. ‘Those boys I threw out? They work up there for the Free People. Their argument started over who’d be stupid enough to screw with the dam and face the People’s wrath.’ He tossed the towel on the counter, shaking his head. ‘Whatever’s going on up there, it’s getting worse. Messing with the water supply ain’t real bright.’
Unfortunately, intelligence wasn’t a prerequisite for those who lusted after power. As craptastic as the news was, it wasn’t completely unexpected. It was just another cluster in a slowly growing pile of clusterfucks, lately. ‘Appreciate the head’s up.’
Lee dipped his head in acknowledgement. ‘Got to get back to it.’ He headed to the front, pausing to clasp Havoc on the shoulder. ‘Kitchen’ll stay open another few hours, yeah?’
‘Yeah,’ Havoc murmured, rubbing his chin as his thoughts spun unable to find traction without more information. Information he wouldn’t get until tomorrow. Nothing to be gained gnawing on it now. He looked over his shoulder to find Mercy studying him. ‘Come on, we’re heading up.’
He led the way to the narrow back stairs, the wooden steps uttering soft groans under his boots. Reaching the top, they stepped into a short hall covered in well-worn carpet, the wood floorboards showing through in some spots. There were two doors, one on either side of the hall. He rapped his knuckles against the door on the right. It didn’t take long for the click of a lock being turned to sound, then the door swung open.
‘What the hell, Havoc?’ The question came from his partner and massive pain in his ass, Vex. The evil woman stood in the doorway, arm braced against the doorjamb blocking entry. ‘You bailed hours ago.’ Her gaze slipped past him, narrowed, and came back, shooting sparks. ‘Tell me you aren’t bringing back a piece of ass to tap.’
Pushing against the door until she let it go, he sighed. ‘For fuck’s sake, Vex.’ He turned to Mercy, nabbing her wrist as she began slipping away. ‘Stop.’ He dragged her close, propelling her into the space between an irritated Vex and the door. ‘Get inside.’ He added a firm nudge between her stiff shoulders to emphasise his order. As soon as Mercy cleared the space, she spun around, putting her back to the room and faced Vex, her hand slipping under the stained shirt. Probably going for her damn knife.
‘Don’t even.’ He pointed a finger at her just in case she decided to use the blade, and turned his attention to Vex, a tall woman who missed his height by a couple of inches. ‘You either.’ Bringing Mercy here was his only option, but given Vex’s inability to interact with, well, anyone, if he could get through this without either female drawing blood, he’d put it in the win column.
As expected, Vex stuck her tongue out but straightened and stepped away from the door so he could close and lock it. He could feel the two women eyeing each other, like two rabid dogs. It was there in the screaming tension choking the room. Fucking great. Facing the door he took a second to close his eyes as he questioned his sanity. Not much rattled him, but locked in a small space with two deadly women? He wasn’t stupid. He should lock the two women inside and sleep in the hall. Sucking it up, he turned. ‘Vex, Mercy. Mercy, Vex.’
Then he broke their staring contest by walking between them. ‘No bloodshed, child present.’ He gave the useless warning as he moved around one of two beds, to the table and two chairs by the far window. The room contained the basic amenities, but more importantly, it was clean.
At the table, a young, dark haired boy holding two playing cards watched him approach. Despite his youthful appearance, his eyes were stained with soul-scarring experience gained from recent events. Those eyes woke an old sorrow, but he smothered it before it could spread.
Checking the three cards laying face up in the middle of the table—a king of hearts, a five of spades, and a six of diamonds—he settled in an empty chair. ‘Hey, Katori, she teaching you poker?’
He got a slow nod before Mercy’s voice cut through the room. ‘Vex and Havoc.’
Picking up Vex’s discarded hand—a pair of fours—he waited, knowing his little runaway finally figured out who she was dealing with. Sure enough …
‘I’m going to take a wild guess and say you’re the same Vex and Havoc belonging to Fate’s Vultures.’
His lips twitched at her aggrieved tone.
Vex gave her a slow clap. ‘Brilliant deduction.’
‘Right.’ Mercy’s voice went tight. ‘I’m out of here.’
‘Not so fast, sugar.’ He didn’t look up from his cards confident that Vex would ensure Mercy didn’t escape. Katori dealt the turn, adding an ace of clubs to the dealer’s hand. Hmmm … He added another (was that a jelly bean?) to the growing pile and waited while Katori ponied up with a few candied pieces of his own. When Havoc finally looked up, Vex was leaning back against the door, arms crossed and her patented crazy grin firmly in place barring Mercy’s intended escape. ‘You that anxious to die tonight?’
‘Not particularly.’ She shifted until she could keep him and Vex in sight, palming the knife at her thigh. ‘But I’ve got enough odds against me, don’t need to stack the deck.’
The boy reached for the dealer’s pile drawing Havoc’s attention, and added a fourth card to the river. A two of diamonds. Damn. ‘Fold,’ he murmured, pushing his pair off to the side.
Katori’s eyes brightened as he flipped over a queen and king, nudging his king next to the dealer’s to claim the high pair.
‘Nice.’ Havoc pushed the pot of candy to the kid.
On the other side of the room the women were revving up. ‘Oh look, she plays with knives,’ drawled Vex. ‘Wanna see if mine is longer?’ There was the soft hiss of metal leaving leather.
God save him from female pissing matches. ‘Enough.’ He didn’t bother raising his voice, relying on the whip of command instead. He turned, resting one arm on the chair’s back, the other on the table. Pinning Mercy with a practiced look he normally reserved for Vex and her equally irritating twin brother, Ruin, he said, ‘You’re about to keel over. You need rest, food and probably a shower. Not necessarily in that order.’ Turning to Vex he added, ‘You, go down and grab a couple more plates from Lee. You want to sharpen your tongue on someone, pick on some idiot downstairs.’
He got identical stubborn chin tilts in response. Years of dealing with Vex honed his handling abilities, so he maintained silence, waiting them out. Sure enough, it took maybe half a minute for Vex to shoot him a finger, turn and slam out of the room. One down, one to go. He shifted his gaze to Mercy. It wasn’t hard to see the unravelling edges of her composure. It was there in the tremor she tried to hide in the hand wrapped around her knife and the white lines etched near her bruised eyes and chapped lips.
The quiet stretched between them before her shoulders dropped, not much, but enough. Then the knife disappeared.
‘We scored an attached bathroom.’ He tilted his head to the towel-draped door behind her. ‘Water’s a bit limited, but should be enough to get most of the dust off.’ Eyeing the stained shirt, he got up and went to the bed nearest the door and pulled his travel bag from under it. Setting it on the bed, he dug around and found a fairly clean t-shirt. He tossed it to the bleary-eyed woman. ‘Here, clothes until we can find something that fits.’
Catching it, she stood there, staring at him.
‘What?’
She tilted her head at Katori. ‘That the reason you’re heading up the canyon tomorrow?’
So, she hadn’t missed Lee’s comment. ‘Shower, then we’ll talk while you eat.’
She stood there, probably cataloguing her options, nibbling on her lip. She heaved a sigh and her head twitched to the side, coming to some decision. ‘Fine, but I’m having you take the first bite.’
He fought to keep an unexpected grin from his face. ‘More likely she’ll spit in it.’
A little snarl escaped as Mercy wrinkled her nose. ‘Definitely making you take the
first bite.’ She turned on her heel and disappeared in the bathroom.
Chapter 4
Minus a few pounds of grime and drowning in the massive t-shirt that smelled like Havoc, Mercy emerged from the bathroom to be hit with the mouth-watering scent of roasted meat. Her stomach clenched so hard she was left gritting her teeth as the ache receded. Not much she could do to silence the audible growl her stomach emitted though.
‘How long since you ate?’ Havoc’s rumble broke through her momentary paralysis.
Her brain turned his question over slowly, like trudging through honey. How long had it been? Before she hit the sand-scoured remains of Phoenix, definitely. ‘Couple of days.’ Wanting to avoid his too-knowing gaze, she turned and hooked the damp towel over the door. Thankfully, Havoc’s t-shirt was big enough reaching up didn’t flash her ass. She wasn’t complaining, because nothing beat being clean. She almost felt normal. As if waiting for that particular thought to hit, her vision swam, her head going light, and she braced a hand on the door riding it out.
‘Come dig in before you pass out.’
Once things returned to normal, she took her sweet ass time, turning with a hand on a hip to face him. ‘You order everyone around?’
‘All the damn time,’ Vex answered cheerfully from the bed where she was playing cards with the kid.
Mercy missed his name earlier, more concerned with the lethal woman partnering with Havoc, but from the boy’s features—pitch black braid, dark eyes, razor blade of a nose and burnished skin—he belonged to the Free People. Hence her earlier guess on Havoc’s intentions about heading up the canyon before she hit the shower. She wanted to drill Havoc with questions, but her stomach chose to voice another demand, so she took her place at the table.
Havoc continued eating while she settled in and began devoting serious dedication to dulling the edge of her hunger. The plate was piled with two slices of cornbread, shredded meat smothered in sauce, and a pile of steaming corn. Two red apples rested next to a pitcher of water. All in all, it was a veritable feast. As she ate, she couldn’t help but note the earlier tension was gone. In its place was a strange calm, broken by Vex’s teasing as she wagered against the quiet child and the occasional utensil scraping against stoneware plates. She managed to plough through the majority of the meat, about half the corn and both pieces of bread before she had to stop and take a moment. Uncomfortably full, she cradled her third glass of water as she sat back and waited for Havoc to begin his inevitable interrogation.
