Tormented

by Alison Aimes

  “Right.” Grif rubbed his forehead and Jade noticed swelling at his temple. “Shit. I don’t remember much.” He cast a glance down at his bandaged wrist. Something flickered in his eyes. Something that looked a lot like a secret, but it was wiped clear in the next instant. “I, ah, recall waiting for you and then, bam, nothing. I woke up in the alley, no sign of you, no sign of anyone, dust storm in full effect.”

  Who could have knocked him out? Jade puzzled through the possibilities, as well as the man’s strange reticence. A guard? Perhaps, but if Ryker’s friend was anywhere near as skilled as he was, being taken by surprise by a single guard would have been near to impossible. Plus, what kind of gang member would just knock a stranger like Grif out and then leave him be? No killing blow? No rape or torture? It didn’t make sense.

  “Hell. I really wish I remembered more.” The man’s troubled stare slid away. A handsome man with a chiseled jaw and bright green eyes, he had the pretty-boy looks her employers favored. Personally, she’d come to prefer a more raw, rough look.

  “It’s okay. We’ll get it figured out.” Ryker’s voice was full of the kindness she’d come to expect. “How’d you end up here hurling an ax at my head?”

  That brought on a smirk from the injured man. Jade gave a mental shrug. There were some things she might never understand about male behavior.

  “When I came to and you weren’t around, I thought maybe you’d gone back to the hideout so I headed in that direction.” Grif pushed himself to sitting, his voice lowering as his stare flickered toward where the others were huddled. “I came across a caravan of guards and their slaves.” He swallowed hard. “The things these people have had to endure.”

  In his eyes, she saw the same horror she’d seen in Ryker’s gaze and her certainty that his friend’s survival was a good thing solidified. These people needed all the champions they could get.

  “Some are Resistance,” continued Grif. “All sent by Council and turned into slaves. They had some kind of deal—”

  “We know.” Ryker’s voice shook and she experienced that now familiar flare of guilt and shame at what her ex-employers had done.

  Grif nodded, then continued with his own tale. “I tried to free them…and I, ah, guess that knockout affected me more than I thought. I ended up shot and captured instead.”

  “Shit.”

  “Yeah.” Bleak lines snaked across the man’s face. “It was touch and go. I thought for sure I was dead. But…”

  “You talked them out of killing you.” Ryker’s voice was thick with pride as he guessed how the tale ended. “And managed to hold on until you could kill them instead.”

  “Once the storm started, they left only two guards behind. I seized my chance. Killed them. Used their key to free us. I had a couple of the others hide the corpses behind the rocks. I was just gaining some steam—and figuring out our next move—when someone spotted figures on the horizon.” Grif shook his head. “I thought it was more guards. You were a nice surprise.”

  Her respect for the injured man rose another notch. To be so injured and still successfully orchestrate an insurrection and implement a trap took a great deal of strength. It also made her certain there was more to his initial knockout story than had been explained. Someone like him wouldn’t be so easily taken out.

  But did he not remember? Or was he choosing not to say?

  “This man”—Ryker gestured her closer with a handwave, as if it was the most natural thing in the world to include her—“he can talk himself out of anything. Charm the skin off a hester snake. And then strike twice as fast.”

  Her training had given her no clue how to negotiate such a situation. She decided on a simple nod.

  It was therefore a relief when Ryker winked in return, seemingly satisfied by her response, before turning back to his friend.

  A friend who was now staring at her, a watchful glint in his gaze. Was he plotting even this moment how to take her down despite his injury? There was no chance he’d succeed, but having to immobilize Ryker’s friend would definitely be awkward.

  She studied him back.

  “You Council?” he said at last, his hand creeping toward Ryker’s ax.

  “Not anymore.” Repositioning his body so that he was directly in front of her—and his ax out of reach—Ryker answered before she could.

  She shot him a warning glare, but with his back to her it did very little good.

  “She’s helping us now.” Ryker’s tone suggested that was all that needed to be said on the subject. “Can you walk? We need to get away from here as soon as we can.”

  “I will crawl if I have to.” The man started to rise, lips pressed tight as he shifted his feet beneath him. His face instantly lost its color.

  He was more injured than he was letting on.

  “He will need a crutch,” she observed. “I will look around for something. In the meantime, stay put.”

  “Thank you.” The gratefulness in Ryker’s gaze brought on another low tug in her chest.

  Skirting the other group of captives, still huddled together in serious discussion, she scanned the pen for some kind of useful tool. Options were limited. Most of the area was bleak rock and wire.

  Weapon out and ready, she ended up on the other side of the bulder where the people had huddled for protection, in a small eddy-like area where the dust storm had blown debris.

  Shifting through the broken junk for something that might be useful, the murmur of voices drifted to her, barely discernable over the wind—until they rose in volume and sharpness. Then, she heard them all too clearly.

  “Jade’s been amazing.”

  “Amazing, huh?” Ryker’s friend’s impish tone signaled he’d returned once more to charmer mode. “She does look pretty amazing.”

  “Stop looking,” growled her felon and Jade’s heart beat faster. “But wait until you see her fight.”

  The warm sensation in her chest unfurled into a surge of heat.

  “But Council? And one of their esteemed assassins, no less?” Concern crept into Grif’s voice. “Are you sure she can be trusted? You only have to look around to see what their kind is capable of doing.”

  A long pause. “She hasn’t done anything yet to make me think otherwise.”

  Not exactly a rousing defense, but a practical answer nonetheless. She tried to be pleased by that.

  “Got it.” A bit of a rustling and she suspected the friend was shifting position. “I’ll admit I hope she’s not too good to be true,” continued Grif. “Not just because she’s gorgeous. But because I also suspect she’s responsible for the change in you from the angry, closed-off bastard who started this mission to the man looming over me now.”

  “Screw off.”

  “Ah, there’s the old you.” Grif’s teasing tone trailed away. “I always hoped you’d find a way to be happy again.”

  “Grif.” Ryker’s voice was sharp with warning.

  “What? You don’t think I see it? First the Commander. Now you. Even on this piece of shit planet. Gives me hope. And, if she turns out to be for real, it will be no more than you deserve. It’s definitely what Saralynee would have wanted—”

  “Enough.” The snap of Ryker’s voice lashed like a whip. “I’m happy because I found your ugly ass. No other reason. The assassin and I fight together and we fuck. Don’t make it into something it’s not.”

  Her hand jerked, the sharp edge of a rusted nail slicing her palm.

  “So, it’s only temporary?”

  Heat burned across her skin as the excitement in the friend’s tone dissipated, settling into disappointment. As if he’d allowed himself to hope only to discover he’d shouldn’t have. It felt all too familiar.

  “You need to mind your own business.” Ryker’s tone was still razor sharp. “I’m happy to have you back, but you need to calm the fuck down with your happy-ever-afters and your white-knight rescuing bullshit. That’s not in the cards for either the Council assassin or me.” He paused. “Fucking Cou
ncil shoved a nano-bomb inside her. It’s set to detonate, unless she returns the weapon to the Council, and kills all of us before she goes.”

  “Shit.”

  “Yes. Shit.”

  “Ava?”

  “Jade thinks there’s not enough time. I disagree.”

  “So, what’s the plan?”

  “I’m going to figure out some way to help her—and get the damn weapon away from 223.”

  The heaviness in her chest lessened.

  “Good plan,” said Grif. “I’m in. And once you save her ass, you can start talking happy-ever afters.”

  “Jade is amazing.” Ryker’s voice was again sharp with irritation. “But she isn’t the kind to stay. She’s not the kind you keep, either.”

  The depth of the cut took her by surprise, stealing her breath.

  Anger came next. All of it self-directed. Why should his words sting? They were nothing more than what she’d always suspected.

  Why would a group who’d been tortured and tormented by the very same employers she’d dedicated her life to want a Council assassin with blood on her hands among them?

  It had been irrational to imagine more was even possible for someone like her.

  Foolish, too. Since the likelihood of her ever having such an opportunity was next to none.

  “It doesn’t have to be like that.” Exasperation tinged Grif’s voice. “Don’t be a fool. Your past doesn’t have to deny you a future.”

  “Leave it alone, Grif, and let’s just concentrate on getting these people back alive to the caves so I can go find this damn weapon, find a way to neutralize a nano-bomb, and we can go home.”

  “Your assassin, too?”

  “I have no damn clue what Jade is thinking to do after this is all over—and it really isn’t my concern.”

  With a ruthless tug, the clutter around the stuck metal pipe finally gave, and the coveted piece slid free.

  In its twisted, discarded form she saw so much. She saw herself.

  It was suddenly crystal clear that despite Ryker’s talk of partnership and a life for herself unfettered by Council control, he’d been holding back on her. Leaving her a trail of breadcrumbs she’d imagined might lead to the same kind of loyalty he had with his crew. But the truth was he didn’t want that with her. He didn’t particularly appear to want her coming to his settlement, either. She’d been dining on scraps and calling them a meal. Her mistake.

  With more experience, she might have known better.

  Metal pipe in hand, she rubbed at her chest, an old scar, since regrafted, throbbing as if she’d received it yesterday. Too slow to draw her weapon during her first kill-training session, she’d been beaten, cut, and raped by her opponent and she’d never again hesitated. Pain could be a useful teacher.

  She’d learn from this, too.

  24

  “Here.” Returning to the pen, Jade held out her prize to the two men, impressing herself with how even her voice sounded. “This was the best I could find. There are some sharp edges so be careful.”

  “Thank you.” Ryker had managed to get his friend standing and propped up against the rock while she’d been gone.

  “Beautiful, enterprising, and concerned for my well-being. You have my thanks as well.” Grif’s smile was warm as he reached for the pipe. Standing, Grif was only an inch beneath Ryker in height, his chest almost as wide. The man looked a lot more formidable than he had when splayed on the ground. But the other arm clutched protectively over his stomach gave away just how much even small movements cost him.

  “Save it, smooth-talker,” growled Ryker. “Jade is immune to such bullshit.”

  Arching a brow, she cast a side glance at Ryker before gifting Grif with a queenly smile. “Actually, it is rather nice to be appreciated in such a fashion. I will look forward to more such exchanges before I go.”

  Ryker looked as if someone had stolen his last protein unit bar. “Go? Where the hell are you going?”

  “Griffin, are you okay?” The sweet, small voice had them all turning.

  A tiny, stick-thin, dirt-streaked girl with tangled brown hair, freckles, and eyes far too knowing her for years stood beside Tyson, her somber gaze locked on the injured man. Behind her, in a tight circle, stood the other captives, including the sister.

  Jade’s chest pinched tighter. The two girls were so young.

  “I’m fine, Melody. Thank you.” Leaning on the crutch, Grif gestured toward Ryker while he spoke. “This is the friend I was telling you about. He and I have been crewmates since before we grew facial hair. That’s how I knew he’d come. Our team never leaves a man behind.”

  What were a few short misadventures and raw, grasping thrusts in the dark in the face of that kind of connection? It was another good reminder of just how temporary her time with Ryker was always going to be.

  “Thank you for bringing my dad back.” The young girl’s gaze remained wary, darting to Jade before returning to the two men. Nor was she the only one. All of those they’d rescued, seven in total, stood as if ready to flee at any moment. Some with gazes full of suspicion, others with resignation. Even after speaking with Tyson, all remained hesitant to hope.

  “We’re here to take you all to a safer location.” Ryker’s voice was steady and calm, but she noted he didn’t look directly at either little girl as he spoke. Jade didn’t blame him for it. There was only so much the soul could take. She hoped Grif would make him laugh when the memories of his family became too much.

  “We’ll need to form a single file.” She took solace in the details of the present. “Each person will place a hand on the shoulder of the person in front. Ryker, you can take the lead while I’ll be in back. If you have any supplies, get them now. Time is of the essence.”

  “But what about Mother?” This time it was the other little girl, Hope, who spoke. At six years of age, Tyson had said she was the younger, but more bold of the two girls. Likely because she’d had two fewer planetary rotations to suffer at the hands of the guards. “We can’t leave without her.”

  A bad feeling wormed its way through Jade’s gut. “What does she mean?”

  Grif released a shuddered breath. “The guards took some of the others away soon after I arrived.” His voice lowered. “They wanted more targets for practice. Their mother, Luna, was among those taken.”

  Another damn crack, this one so large Jade was sure she’d never fit back together again.

  “I’ll go for them.” Rafi would understand the reason for her delay. Ryker had his real partner back. They could make do without her.

  She was already moving toward the gate when a heavy hand landed on her forearm.

  “Wait.” Ryker shifted to stand in front of her, his brows low and severe over his eyes. “You can’t just take off.”

  Jade is amazing. But she isn’t the kind to stay. She’s not the kind you keep, either.

  “On the contrary,” she pointed out. “I can do whatever I like. I no longer take orders from others.”

  Rather than answering her with anger, his expression softened. “You set me right only a short time ago, so I’ll do the same. Trying to hunt down their mother while we have no idea where she’s been taken makes no sense.” He paused. “Believe me, I know better than anyone how easy it is to let feelings rule, but you can’t allow it right now.”

  She reared back as much as his grip would allow, heat suffusing her skin. “I am not…” Her voice trailed off. Were her newfound feelings causing her to act erratically? Was this unwanted ache in her chest affecting her thinking?

  How funny that she had once labeled Ryker as the hothead who cared too much, when it had turned out to be she who had the problem with control.

  He stepped closer, the intoxicating scent of him—strength, power and raw emotion—flooding her lungs at the worst possible of moments. “I want those girls back with their mother as much as you. But the others need us. We have to get these people to safety and check on Rafi and the others and I can’t do it withou
t you.”

  “You’re right. They do need me.” She’d allowed herself to get turned around. But the truth was, she might not be the kind one wanted to keep, but she was definitely the kind you wanted in a crisis.

  Rolling her shoulders back, she stood taller. “Thank you for the reminder.” She shook off his hold. “This feeling business isn’t easy. I am…having trouble adjusting.” The admission scraped like glass against her throat. “I will remain in check from here on out. There will be no more such incidents as we return to the cave.” If she could put aside her foolishness altogether, it would be for the best. “Then, I will depart. It is a logical, sound plan.”

  “Depart?” He recoiled as if struck. “That’s the second time you’ve made such a reference. What’s going on?”

  Her emotions cooled in the face of his heat. “Once I’ve helped you get these people to the caves, I will take my leave to find the weapon and, if possible, pursue a way to deactivate the nano-bomb inside me. If I am successful, I will look for the girls’ mom.”

  “Alone?” he growled.

  “Yes.”

  “That’s bullshit. It’s too dangerous. Besides, I thought you and I were a team.”

  “You have your partner back.”

  “Yes, and Grif is great. But he’s not you.”

  She cocked her head to the side. Studied him. “Because he doesn’t have sex with you?”

  “What? No. That’s…” He shook his head. “The sex between you and me is great and a definite plus, but that’s not all our teamwork is about. Plus, I meant what I said about helping you find a way to deactivate the nano-device. That’s non-negotiable.”

  Anger rose again, ice cold and brittle. “There is no need for this kind of false flattery. Be assured I will remain to help you and Grif get the others to the cave. It is the right thing to do. But I heard what you said to Grif.” Ryker’s confused expression propelled her on. “‘Jade isn’t the kind to stay. She’s not the kind you keep, either.’”

  Surprise, then regret, twisted his handsome features. “That came out wrong.”

  “Actually, I suspect it came out exactly right. We have had a productive partnership, but clearly its usefulness is coming to an end. Just as we both expected it would. There is no need to pretend otherwise.”