by Jami Gray
The walls stretched deeper into the canyon, rising on either side and limiting their route. He scanned the walls spotting the sentries as they tracked them from the top of the canyon. He backed off his throttle, hearing the echo as Vex did the same. Before the sentries could raise the rifles he knew they carried, he lifted his hand in a signal known only to a few. The okay to continue came moments later. They took another turn, then another, when a growing rumble of engines announced new arrivals. Two bikes paced them, then pulled ahead. There would be a third behind them, but Havoc didn’t bother checking. Instead he followed their welcoming committee into the canyon’s heart.
Another half mile and he heard Mercy’s sharply indrawn breath as Navajo City came into view. Before the Collapse, water rushed through this and other surrounding canyons feeding a man-made Lake Powell. When the Free People decided to invoke their century’s long water rights, they restructured the dams and created Antelope Lake, corralling the vital resource. The dried out canyons became the foundation for rebuilding their homes. These cliff dwellings weren’t like the ancient ones he had run across while travelling the west territories—simple rock hewn caves. These were a graceful combination of ancient techniques, clever architecture, and renewable resources. On both sides of the canyons colourful awnings mixed with more sustainable coverings resembling small garden plots, both options offering shade and protection, especially during the brutal summer months. Narrow footpaths zigzagged across the canyon walls, but at the floor, a thriving marketplace sprawled.
The Free People weren’t isolationists, not by a long shot, but they were cautious. For good reason. When the world went to hell and it became obvious that man was more concerned about saving his own ass than salvaging the world he lived in, the Native American people set aside tribal differences and became a unified force intent on protecting what natural resources they could. Being a bit more ahead of the game than the rest of society, they banded together in various regions, taking control of critical natural resources—dams, wind turbines and solar fields. Some even managed to save large stretches of crops and grazing lands. In this region, they controlled the water supplying most of the west coast.
Because they protected resources that didn’t recognise territories, the Free People stood apart from the reigning power players—the Cartels to the south, the Rocky Mountain queen, Lilith, to the east, and the Emperor of the West Coast, Michael. Which was a big part of the reason he was here. Recently, the Vultures found themselves reluctantly taking control of the neutral territory between Michael and Lilith. One that stretched from what used to be Idaho, through Utah and bumped up against the Free People in northern Arizona and just happened to include the safest (and he used that word loosely) supply routes between territories. Something the rumour mill hadn’t gotten around to sharing considering Mercy’s comments last night. He hadn’t wanted to clue her in because … well, because no matter how much of a temptation she was, he only had her word about her situation with the Cartel.
Initially, the Vultures worked for Crane, the man who controlled the Central territories, but when he was killed and his second, Simon, got himself strung up and tortured by Raiders, Reaper had been shoved into control. At Simon’s request. Just until he got back on his feet, was what he told Reaper. Havoc thought there were other reasons, like Simon never wanted the damn position in the first place. Which meant that instead of riding free and clear of any responsibilities, the Vultures were currently grounded with a handful of potential problems while a storm of power struggles loomed on the horizon.
Havoc followed their escorts as they turned into a smaller canyon, heading for a garage crouched at the boxed end. The two ahead pulled into the wide lot in front of the low-slung building and rolled to a stop. Following their example, Havoc and Vex did the same. The rumble of engines died away and it took a few seconds for the dull ringing in his ears to fade. He braced his feet against the hard packed ground and waited to be approached. Mercy’s hands at his waist disappeared. Betting she was going for her knife, he reached back and squeezed her knee in silent warning. To his right, Vex braced her bike and waited, keeping Katori behind both her and Havoc. Good choice.
An older man appeared in the garage’s wide doorway, wiping his hands on a stained rag. He walked by the two escorts with a nod. His barrel chest stretched the black t-shirt, thick legs were covered in faded jeans, and a dirt brown cowboy hat perched on his shaggy brown hair, but shadowed his face. ‘Welcome.’
As he came closer, Havoc pulled his bandana down until it hung around his neck. ‘Hey, Ed, you still running the garage?’
His greeting put a hitch in the man’s step. ‘Havoc? Is that you, boy?’ He nudged the brim of his hat back, revealing a weathered face lined with a salt and pepper bristle as he closed in. ‘Damn, man, it’s been what? Four, five years?’ He tucked the rag in a back pocket.
‘Hop off,’ Havoc directed Mercy. She didn’t need a second invite. As soon as her feet hit the ground, Havoc kicked his bike’s stand down. ‘Closer to five I think,’ he told Ed as he swung his leg over so he could greet the man properly.
They clasped arms and did the shoulder pound exchange before stepping back. While Ed’s smile was real, it carried visible strain. ‘You staying longer this time?’
Havoc shook his head. ‘Day, maybe two at most.’
‘Like the damn wind, you are, boy.’ His attention left Havoc and touched on Mercy. ‘Ma’am.’ She dropped her head in acknowledgement. When Ed turned to Vex, he caught sight of the boy behind her. Shock paled his skin. ‘Katori?’ The boy’s name came out in a harsh gasp.
The boy scrambled off of Vex’s bike and he flew to the older man who darted around Havoc’s bike. They met with an audible crash as Ed crouched down to wrap his arms around the smaller frame. ‘Oh thank God!’ The rest of his words were muffled against Katori’s slender frame.
Havoc gave them a minute and turned to the stunned sentries. ‘One of you might want to let Istaqa know,’ he offered. The one on the left gave a sharp nod and took off.
Ed finally released Katori so he could straighten. However, he kept ahold of the boy’s hand as he turned to Havoc. ‘I have a million questions.’
‘No doubt. Not a fan of repeating things, so can you hold them until we see Istaqa?’ He made sure to keep the question as gentle as possible.
Ed nodded. ‘Let’s get your bikes inside so we can head up then.’
‘Sounds good.’
He waited for Ed to turn and lead the way, both of them ignoring the occasional face swipe as Katori tried to hide his tears. Instead, Ed held the boy’s hand and told him as they walked, ‘Forgive me, Katori, but I’m not sure I can let go of you quite yet.’
‘’S okay,’ Katori mumbled, earning a smile from the garage owner.
They had the bikes stashed in minutes and were following Ed up through the narrow, winding passageway when running footsteps pounded closer. Despite having an idea of who was headed their way, Havoc moved closer to Ed and Katori, while Vex and Mercy took his back. A figure burst around a corner and Katori pulled free of Ed’s hold, dashing ahead. He barrelled into the man rushing down the path without slowing. ‘Dad!’
‘Katori!’
Tall, lean and imposing, the male dropped to his knees in the middle of the path and wrapped his son close. A male and female rushed in behind him. Both skidding to a stop as the scene hit them. The female’s eyes turned suspiciously bright, while a slow smile spread over the male’s face. Ed slowed, then stopped, letting the father and son have their minute. Havoc came up beside him, their shoulders brushing as they watched the emotional reunion. ‘How’s he been?’ Havoc kept the question between them.
‘How’d you think?’ Ed folded his arms over his chest. ‘Trying to keep him in check has been difficult. If you hadn’t sent that message, I’m not sure anyone would’ve been able to stop him from heading out much longer.’
Yeah, that’s what he thought. Didn’t help that Katori’s father had bru
tally lost his wife years ago. Having his son go missing was bound to drive a man to madness. It was a kind of madness Havoc was intimately familiar with. It didn’t give a damn about anything, except striking out at those who took what wasn’t theirs. In this case, he added his own thanks Katori came home relatively safe and sound, because having the leader of the Free People on a revenge-filled rampage was a nightmare he didn’t want to imagine. Not now, when too many factors were in play and shit was shaky as sin.
A few more minutes ticked by, before Havoc stepped forward and waited until Istaqa’s dark head lifted. ‘I hate to interrupt, but we need to talk.’
The other man dropped his chin in acknowledgement and rose to his feet, never letting go of his son. Upright, he cleared Havoc’s six foot by a bare inch. He held out his hand, and when Havoc took it, pulled him in, Katori stuck between them. ‘Thank you.’ Istaqa’s voice carried a rough edge.
Havoc drew back and held the guarded brown gaze, keeping his voice low. ‘No thanks needed.’
That got a twitch of lip and eased some of the lines on the scruff-lined face. ‘Well, welcome home.’
The words hit with unexpected strength, raising emotions he didn’t want to identify, and Havoc shifted back. His move drew Istaqa’s attention to those behind him. When he turned back to Havoc, he raised his brow. ‘I’m assuming the Valkyrie is Vex, but the shadow at her side doesn’t quite match what I’ve heard of your Vultures.’
Turning so he could see the women, he motioned them forward. ‘Vex, Mercy, meet Katori’s father, Istaqa.’
Mercy nodded, but Vex folded her arms and cocked her head, flashing the leader of the Free People her crazy ass grin. ‘You got a hell of a son there.’
Istaqa’s hand went from Katori’s back to brush over his head as a small smile full of quiet pride pierced his stoic expression. ‘Yes, I’m extremely lucky.’ Pleasantries complete, he turned to Havoc. ‘Give me a few hours to get Katori settled, then we can meet. Agreed?’
Understanding Istaqa wanted privacy to talk to his son, Havoc nodded. Besides, it was closing on midday and after hours riding through dust, the delay would be appreciated. ‘Your place?’
‘You remember the way?’
Havoc gave another nod, trying to ignore the weight of unasked questions from the females behind him. Time enough to get into that shit when they didn’t have an audience.
Istaqa led Katori over to the woman who now wore a big grin. They spoke and then she held out her hand. When Katori sent a glance to his dad for reassurance, Havoc’s jaw tightened. It would be a long time before that kid felt safe, even here in his home. He wasn’t the only one realising it either. He couldn’t miss the tightening muscles along Istaqa’s shoulders. It was the only outward sign Istaqa gave as he lifted his chin in reassurance. ‘Go on, son, I’ll be right behind you.’ Katori slid away to take the woman’s hand. She led him back up the path, chatting away.
Havoc moved to stand next to the watching man. Istaqa kept his gaze on his departing son, hands fisted at his side. ‘You better have some fucking names for me, Havoc.’ The harsh demand came out in a low voice, but he didn’t wait for a response as he stalked after his son, the young male guard on his heels.
‘Come on, boy,’ Ed called softly, bringing Havoc back around. ‘Let’s go find you three some lunch. Have a feeling I’m going to have to wait a bit for answers.’ He stood just beyond Vex and Mercy, facing the way they’d come. ‘I’m sure Nora will be over the moon that you’re back.’
Havoc couldn’t quite stop his wince at Ed’s comment, and silently cursed when both women caught it.
Vex made a soft hum as speculation washed over her face. ‘Nora?’ she repeated.
He shot her a finger in the futile hope of curbing her mouth. Futile being the operative word.
‘You’ve got some explainin’ to do, partner,’ Vex drawled, her voice low, going no further than them. On her other side, Mercy’s bland expression didn’t change, but her eyes narrowed.
The two women were like damn nosy bookends, both staring at him with a shitload of questions. None of which he felt like answering. Ever. So he strode through them, unsurprised when they shifted to let him pass between them.
‘Not now,’ he muttered, cursing Ed to hell and back.
‘But soon,’ Vex pushed as she dogged his heels.
Ignoring her, he shot a disgruntled glower at the strangely silent Mercy keeping pace on his other side. ‘What?’
She arched a brow. ‘What what?’
The two women existed to drive him fucking nuts. Please God, let there be some home-brew on the canyon floor. It was the only way he was making it through lunch. Catching up to Ed, he grumbled, ‘Thanks a lot, old man.’
Knowing damn good and well the pot he stirred, Ed chuckled.
Chapter 6
Her mouth full of spicy meat, cheese, lettuce, salsa and hard corn shell, Mercy watched Ed head back to the counter for seconds, wondering if she could get away with ordering another taco or two. Nora’s was an open-air eatery, a small building lined with a long counter hiding the bustling kitchen behind it. They sat on the edge of a collection of picnic tables situated under thick awnings. Privacy was a joke as the lunch crowd slowly thinned, but at least she could see who was approaching without getting an ache in her neck.
Next to her Vex pushed away an empty plate where a few surviving grains of rice mingled with straggler pinto beans. Sunlight danced off the delicate metal lacework claw covering her right hand, leaving Mercy blinking away tiny starbursts. Decorative and lethal, it was a beautiful, but strange weapon, obviously created by a talented artist.
Vex leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, causing the string of colourful beads lining one of her thin braids to dance together in a soft clicking chorus. Her attention was on Havoc as one metal tipped finger tapped against her cheek. ‘So?’
He took his time using the last of a flour tortilla to capture his refried beans before meeting her gaze. He took a bite, chewing slowly, his face impassive.
Undaunted, Vex continued. ‘Nora seemed happy to see you.’
Thanks to Vex’s not-so-subtle gibe, Mercy’s stomach soured, turning her previously delicious bite into tasteless mush. Not her business. The stern reminder did jack shit to ease her unwarranted jealousy. She set down the last bit of unfinished taco, glaring at her plate as her appetite went up in a puff of smoke. Dammit. Just because Havoc razed her world to ash with a simple kiss, didn’t give her a right to play the jealous bitch with one of Havoc’s women. And no matter how low key Nora played it, Mercy hadn’t missed the subtle signs marking Nora as one of his women. Obviously neither had Vex.
When they first arrived, Ed led them up to the counter and called out a greeting. Mercy, busy checking out the handwritten menu propped against the side of the building, didn’t see Nora at first. But when the woman turned and spotted Havoc, her entire face lit up, taking the strikingly strong features to the edge of beauty. That stunning and telling change caught Mercy’s attention. Nora had wasted no time slipping out front and wrapping her arms around Havoc with an ease of intimate familiarity. Even that hadn’t bothered Mercy—much. It was when Havoc returned the hug, the hard lines of his face softening, that the green-eyed serpent struck with viper quickness, leaving behind poisonous images of what lay behind their closeness.
Her unexpected ache of want threw her normal live-and-let-live world off kilter. She wasn’t naive enough to believe sharing a simple thing as a kiss with a man like Havoc equalled some kind of commitment. Hell no. Not only did he have the whole silent and brooding thing down pat, but there was a tangible distance surrounding him, an emotional fissure no bridge could cross. All of which acted like catnip for the female half of the population. Even her, though she knew better. She wasn’t the kind of woman a man would let close. Not unless he liked living on the edge of uncertainty. Not to mention her lifestyle was hell on relationships. But while witnessing that poignant exchange, none of that had mattered, le
aving her wondering which of her impulses would win out—sinking her blade in between Havoc’s shoulders or ignoring the two altogether. Fortunately for her, she managed to stalk to the counter on the pretext of ordering lunch. Barely.
Blessedly ignorant of Mercy’s upheaval, Vex didn’t back down. ‘Thought for a moment we’d have to give you two some privacy.’
That finally got a reaction. Havoc’s face darkened, from anger or embarrassment, Mercy couldn’t tell. However, she voted for anger since he didn’t strike her as someone easily embarrassed. ‘Drop it.’
The thin layer of Vex’s amusement disappeared as if it never existed. In its place was the Vulture behind the merciless reputation. ‘What the fuck, Havoc? You have history here.’
Based on how pissed Vex was, it was a history he obviously hadn’t shared with his partner. A fact that left Mercy’s mind churning out question after so-not-her-business question.
‘We all have history somewhere, Vex.’ There was no missing the underlying threat to shut it.
Vex’s eyes narrowed as she took the hit, but she came back up swinging. ‘Not talking about the woman. The other history.’ Her gaze deliberately swept over their surroundings, silently making her point before going back to him. ‘That one seems pretty damn important, partner.’
Mercy managed not to wince at the caustic whip in Vex’s voice, nabbing a chip from the basket holding centre stage. Watching the two of them made for good entertainment. Something that came around too infrequently.
Havoc snapped back, ‘The definition of history, is that it happened a long fucking time ago. It has nothing to do with now.’
‘Still, would’ve been nice to know it existed before we got hit with your welcome home party.’
Nibbling on her chip, Mercy found it difficult to determine if it was jealousy or frustration she was getting from Vex. It wasn’t the same sickening jealousy or frustration crawling through Mercy because it carried a different flavour. It fascinated her, this relationship the two Vultures had, almost as if Havoc played the role of big brother and Vex the bratty ass little sister. Lethal little sister at that.
