A box had fallen to the ground with the contents spilled across the floor. Leo was grappling with a familiar dark-haired man while Wes was on the ground, bleeding heavily from a stomach wound.
“Stop! Bolt, don't hurt him!” Skye dropped her box and rushed over to intervene.
“Stay back, Skye!” Leo ordered, still grappling with Bolt.
She ignored him, unwilling to allow her former campmate to hurt the man she loved. “Please, Bolt! Let him go!”
Bolt’s eyes widened at the sight of her, and his hesitation allowed Leo to gain the upper hand. Leo slammed Bolt against the wall, but Bolt’s gaze never left her. The weapon he’d been holding clattered to the ground, and she scooped it up. It was one of the handheld laser pistols designed to stun and subdue. Each trading camp had a few, but they usually kept them locked up unless the alarms were triggered. She held it out, aiming toward Bolt.
Bolt stared at her in shock. “Skye? This was your doing? Why?”
She couldn’t help but flinch at the look of betrayal on his face. “I’m sorry, Bolt. We were desperate.”
Chance and Mack ran into the hallway carrying boxes of food. Chance swore and dropped the box on the ground and rushed toward Wes. “Mack, get those boxes to the cargo vehicle. Hurry.”
Mack hesitated for only a second before Leo snapped, “Now, boy. Move.”
She continued holding the weapon tightly, glancing over at Chance and Leo as they bent down to check on Wes. “Is he okay?”
Leo shook his head and looked up at her with an apology in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Skye. It’s too late. He’s gone.” Leo stood and gestured to the boxes on the ground. “Chance, help grab the rest of the boxes. We need to hurry.”
Skye swallowed, her heart clenching at the senseless loss of another life. They needed to minimize the dangers to anyone else. Turning back to Bolt, she asked, “How many people are awake right now?”
Bolt frowned at her. “Why should I tell you anything? We trusted you, Skye. You brought them here to attack us?”
“Please, Bolt. No one else needs to get hurt,” she said, mentally willing them to hurry. Chance and Leo picked up the boxes on the ground and headed out to the cargo vehicle just as Mack came back in. He started grabbing the items that had scattered on the floor, tossing them back into a box.
“Mom?” Veridian’s tentative voice came from the doorway.
Panic flooded through her. Without moving the weapon away from Bolt, she tried to angle herself to prevent Veridian from seeing Wes’s body. “Go back to the transport, Veridian. Now.”
“Oh, fuck,” Bolt muttered, gaping at Veridian. “You were telling the truth. He’s Tyler’s boy, isn’t he?”
Veridian’s eyes widened, and he halted in his tracks. “You knew my dad?”
Bolt glanced at her before turning back to Veridian. “Yeah. I worked with him and your mom a long time ago. He’s a good guy, your dad.”
Skye’s heart clenched as her past and present collided, but she didn’t lower the weapon. Whatever friendship she’d had with Bolt had disappeared the moment she’d left the trading camp. Even if she’d once liked him, she wasn’t sure of his intentions now, especially not when it came to her son.
Veridian took a step forward, caught sight of Wes’s body on the ground, and paled. “He’s dead, isn’t he?”
Unwilling to let the conversation continue, she took a deep breath. “Veridian, please go back to the transport and wait for me there.”
Veridian hesitated for a moment, indecision warring on his face. Leo approached him from behind and snapped, “Now, V. Your mom told you to go.”
Without another word, Veridian turned and ran back toward the vehicle.
“Shit, Skye, I’m sorry,” Bolt said, his expression clearly conflicted. “We didn’t know what to think when Philip threw you out of here. He said you were making up stories, but none of us knew what really happened. Why didn’t you come talk to me?”
She let out a forced laugh. “What could you have done? What could anyone have done?”
“Tyler doesn’t know?”
She shook her head. “I tried to go to the towers to tell him, but they threw me out.”
“Shit. I’m sorry, Skye.” Bolt rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t believe this. He looks just like Tyler.”
She managed a weak smile. “I know. Veridian’s my reason for everything I’ve done here tonight. I’m just sorry this had to happen in the first place.”
Bolt frowned. “You’re here because they shut down trading, aren’t you?”
She nodded. “Yes, but I don’t want to hurt you or anyone else. We just want to take the few supplies we’ve collected and leave. Will you allow us to do that?”
Leo took a step toward her. “Skye, I don’t think—”
She shook her head. “Bolt, please. You know me. We didn’t come here tonight to hurt anyone. Outside of Tyler, you were my closest friend. Please don’t make me use this on you.”
Bolt squeezed his eyes shut and didn’t answer. She took a step toward him. “If I lower the weapon, are you going to sound the alarm?”
Bolt lifted his head and glanced toward the garage again. Mack and Chance had finished collecting the rest of the boxes, but Leo hadn’t budged. After a long moment, Bolt shook his head. “Go. Get out of here. I’ll give you ten minutes to escape before I hit the alarm.”
Tears sprung to her eyes, and her hands shook as she lowered the weapon. Walking over to Bolt, she kissed his cheek. “For what it’s worth, thank you.”
He hugged her. “Just take care of yourself and that kid. And make sure you keep him the hell away from here. No one else in this camp knows you, Skye. I’m the only one left.”
She swallowed and nodded, offering him the weapon. “I won’t come back. Take care of yourself, Bolt.”
He accepted it and slid it into his pocket. “You too, Skye. Be safe.”
Leo put his hand on her lower back. “Let’s go.”
Giving Bolt one more grateful smile, Skye turned her back on the trading camp and walked away one last time.
Chapter Eleven
Skye pulled back on the throttle of Wes’s speeder, following closely behind the transport carrying Chance and the children. Leo was riding on his speeder beside her, and he kept checking behind them for any signs of pursuit. So far, they hadn’t seen any sign of the trader’s crew, and it was reassuring to know Bolt had kept his word.
They’d been driving for almost two hours, making sure to cover their tracks so nothing could be traced back to them and lead anyone to Daryl’s camp. The supplies they’d acquired would assure her and Veridian of at least another year of living within the camp. But it was going to be an uphill battle fighting for Kayla’s right to remain.
She didn’t believe Daryl would agree to it, but Leo had asked her to trust him. She did trust him, even if a part of her was already making a contingency plan. This time, she would hold some items in reserve—including a speeder. If necessary, she’d try to convince Leo to leave with her. Together, they could start over. She was pretty sure Chance and Alanza would come too, and Niko if they managed to get the medical supplies back to him in time. She just wished Wes hadn’t lost his life in the process of trying to help them survive.
Skye caught sight of the building which housed Daryl’s camp. It felt as though a lifetime had passed since she’d left. Lives had been lost, and new bonds had been forged. She wasn’t sure she could forgive Daryl for what he’d done. She might understand his reasoning, but it didn’t make it right. It’s in the most desperate moments that someone learns the depth of their strength. Daryl had proven to be weak, and his decision had destroyed any lingering respect she might have had for him.
Pulling up beside the transport, Skye climbed off the speeder and waited while Chance backed his vehicle in as close to the entrance as possible. One day soon, she’d get both children their own sets of UV gear. They’d proven themselves and their ability to handle difficult situations ov
er the past week. It was time they started their scavenger training. It would be several more years before they were able to go into the ruins on their own, but she intended to make sure they were ready.
Skye climbed into the back of the transport where the children were sitting with the stolen supplies. She pulled off Wes’s ill-fitting helmet. “You guys okay?”
Veridian frowned. “We’re back at Daryl’s camp?”
“Is he going to make us go back to the family camp again?” Kayla asked, mirroring Veridian’s worried expression.
Skye crouched down in front of them and took their hands. “We’re a team, right?”
When they both nodded, Skye managed a smile. “If he doesn’t want us to stay, screw him. We’ve proven we can accomplish anything together. Besides, we have a bunch of supplies we can use to start over. No matter what, we’re going to be okay.”
The children exchanged a look, but their shoulders relaxed. Skye’s smile deepened, and she motioned for them to climb out. She glanced over at Leo who was speaking quietly with Chance. Mack was standing nearby, looking somewhat unsure but attentively listening to everything Leo was saying.
Leo met her gaze and walked over to her. “You ready to do this?”
She nodded, gathered the children, and followed him into Daryl’s camp with Chance and Mack trailing behind them.
The moment they entered, they were greeted by a not-so-friendly face. Daryl was waiting at the entrance. Alanza was a few steps behind him and rushed toward them.
The young woman smiled brightly at Skye and hugged Veridian tightly. “You’re safe! We’ve all missed you. The camp’s been so empty without all of you.”
Skye smiled. “We missed you too. How’s Niko?”
Alanza lowered her gaze. “If you want to say goodbye, you should do it now. He’s barely holding on.”
Skye walked over to Alanza and hugged her. Leaning in close, Skye whispered into her ear, “Go outside. There’s a bone mold and some other medical equipment that might help Niko. Take what you need for him. I’ll be in soon to check on you.”
Hope shone in Alanza’s eyes, and she nodded. Skye smiled at her and squeezed her hand. “Can you keep an eye on the kids while we talk to Daryl?”
“Of course,” Alanza agreed, taking Kayla and Veridian’s hands. “Come on, guys. Show me what you have out here.”
“Leo,” Daryl said sharply, his brow pinched with disapproval. “I want some answers. What the hell is Kayla doing back here? And you’ve brought me another kid?”
“You’ll get your answers,” Leo retorted, heading down the hall toward Daryl’s office without waiting for a response. Skye arched her brow but followed Leo, somewhat amused at the approach he was taking.
Heading over to a nearby crate in Daryl’s makeshift office, she perched on the edge of it. Daryl waited until Leo, Chance, and Mack were inside before crossing his arms over his chest and nodding toward Mack.
“Who’s the boy?”
Mack scowled. “I’m not a boy. The name’s Mack, and I’m a scavenger.”
Daryl scanned him up and down. “Not looking for scavengers without experience. You get some first, then come back and talk to me.”
Leo strode forward. “You’re not the one leading this conversation, Daryl. We came here to give you an option. If you decide not to take it, we walk back out the door.”
Daryl arched his brow. “Is that supposed to intimidate me?”
Chance cleared his throat. “You might want to hear Leo out.”
Daryl narrowed his eyes at Chance. “If you have a problem with how I run things, you know where to find the exit.”
Skye had had enough. She straightened and pushed off the crate. “Watch it, Daryl. I had reservations about even taking this opportunity to you, but Leo wanted to give you a chance first.”
Leo walked over to her and put his hand on her lower back in a reassuring gesture. She’d agreed to let Leo take the lead, but she’d be damned if she was going to allow Daryl to bully him. Forcing her body to relax, she clenched her jaw and remained silent while Leo addressed their camp leader.
“In the transport outside, we have enough supplies to feed this camp for the next six months.”
Daryl froze, his eyes widening a fraction. “How did you manage that?”
“We also have enough medical supplies and equipment to last at least a year, maybe longer if we’re conservative.”
Daryl’s brow furrowed, and he darted his gaze back and forth between all of them. “What the fuck did you do?”
“We stole them from a trading camp,” Leo admitted, and Chance chuckled.
“Are you crazy?!” Daryl shouted, his face turning red. “You’re going to get us all killed! They’re going to track those supplies, and I won’t protect you when they come here. You’re out of line.”
“They won’t track them,” Leo said, crossing his arms over his chest. “You may have abandoned Skye when she needed you, but not everyone did. It was with her contacts and knowledge that this was even possible.”
Daryl’s eyes focused on her. “So you’re responsible for this latest fuck up?”
“Watch it,” Leo snapped, taking a threatening step toward Daryl. “You were right. Trading is suspended for the foreseeable future because the leader of the Omni Towers was killed. None of us know how long we’re going to be without supplies. If you want a bite of what we have to offer, you’re going to shut up and listen.”
Daryl’s expression hardened, but he inclined his head. “I’m listening.”
“This is how it’s going to be: you’re going to step down as camp leader in the next six months. During that time, I expect you to slowly turn over the reins to me. In exchange, you’ll be allowed to stay here to help oversee the day-to-day camp activities. But the final decision about who’s going to remain in this camp will be solely up to me.”
Daryl scoffed. “You can’t think I’m going to go along with this. If this is about keeping Skye and Veridian here, I’ve already agreed, provided she can keep covering the boy’s expenses. But I will not have another child here. You’ll burn through those supplies in record time if you want to go along with this foolishness.”
“This isn’t a negotiation,” Leo said sharply. “I’m telling you what the terms will be. Otherwise, I will walk out of this camp and take everyone with me who wants to go. How many of them are going to stick by your side in a dying camp?”
“All of them, if they want to survive after those supplies run out. You don’t have the experience to run this place.”
“You’re right,” Skye agreed, moving to stand beside Leo once more. “You have a lot of experience in running the camp, but Leo’s got something you don’t: the respect of everyone here and the willingness to take risks.”
Daryl glared at her. “You’re going to take him down with you, and why? For a kid who’s not even yours?”
“Kayla will be my responsibility, not Skye’s,” Leo announced in a firm voice.
She stared up at Leo in shock. “Leo, I can’t ask—”
“No,” he said, interrupting her and taking her hand. He gave it a light squeeze and added, “I told you, we’re in this together. You’re not going to walk away from Kayla, and I’m not walking away from you. If she’s important to you, she stays.”
Skye’s eyes filled with moisture, and she nodded.
Daryl sighed. “You both have lost your minds. Fine. The girl can stay.”
Leo gestured toward Mack. “Mack will also be staying on as a scavenger. I’ll show him the ropes, but he should be up and running in a few weeks.”
Daryl gave him a look of disgust. “Is there any point in arguing?”
“No,” Leo replied.
Skye lowered her gaze and bit back a smile.
“Well, since that’s all settled,” Chance clapped Mack on the shoulder, “welcome to the camp. Now, why don’t you help me start unloading those supplies? Afterward, I’ll show you around.”
They headed out
of the room, and Skye turned back to Leo. An overwhelming surge of love and pride filled her at everything he’d accomplished. He’d be a great camp leader, and if it happened sooner than they expected, they’d all adapt. He met her gaze and leaned down to kiss her.
“I’m not hiding anything anymore, Skye. You’re it for me, and I don’t care who knows it.”
She smiled up at him, and his gaze softened. He ran his thumb over her cheek and murmured, “Those fucking dimples of yours. They did me in the moment I first saw you smile.”
Her smile deepened. It was tempting to thank Leo in a more personal manner, but he still needed to finish ironing out the details with Daryl. “I’ll go check on the kids while you’re finishing up in here.” She leaned close and whispered, “Come find me when you’re done.”
“It’s a promise,” he said, squeezing her hand again before releasing her.
With one last smile, she turned and left Daryl’s office. Heading back down the hall, she stopped outside the room where Niko had been moved. Alanza and Pepper, another one of their scavengers, were sitting on the floor together unpacking some of the medical supplies. They’d already hooked up the bone mold to one of Niko’s legs. Once it had been corrected, they’d switch and do the other one. But it was obvious they’d been busy. Niko was sleeping, but his color was already looking better than it had been when she’d left for the family camp.
Alanza looked at Skye with tears in her eyes. She jumped up and embraced her. “How can I ever thank you? He actually has a chance now.”
Skye returned her hug. “You don’t ever have to thank me for this, Alanza. We all love Niko. I’m just glad we got here in time with those supplies.”
Alanza sniffed and nodded, wiping away her tears. Skye looked over to see Veridian sitting on the floor beside Pepper and Niko. He was busy talking around the nutrient bar in his mouth and telling Pepper about the past week.
Skye frowned. “Where’s Kayla?”
Alanza gestured toward the hallway. “She went to use the bathroom. She should be back in a minute.”
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