The Killin' Fields (Alexa's Travels Book 2)
Page 33
Edward gently set her on her feet and Alexa spent a minute pulling herself together. She stayed in the center as she waved them into a normal pace.
Edward wasn’t sure she could keep up, a big change for them, but nightfall had returned some of her strength and she even managed to stay in the right spot. Around her, the men monitored her progress and continued with their preparations.
“We’ll have to hole up when daylight comes,” Daniel tossed over his shoulder.
Alexa ignored the silence, concentrating on regaining her rhythm, her stride. Not being in the lead was an adjustment.
“Wahoo is the closest town, but its due north.”
“East, to Syracuse,” Alexa said. “I can make it that far.”
No one argued, but thoughts were full of doubt. Even with the extra night boost, she was still weaving and slower.
Alexa sighed. “The noise coming isn’t a threat or an option, so put both notions from your mind.”
The men twisted around to discover headlights behind them, chugging down the road at a slow speed and a low rumble.
Brian behind the wheel of the long black van wasn’t a surprise, but none of the men got into the inviting vehicle. They stopped only because he pulled across the street and forced them to.
“Put her in here,” Brian called out the window that gushed wonderfully warm air over the fighters. “But be clear, she wouldn’t allow this for any of you and she resents you doing it to her.”
Alexa had a scathing retort ready and was shocked when Edward scooped her up and deposited her in the rear of the van. Billy held the door and quickly shut it in her face.
The two men exchanged worried grins as they went to hang onto the side rails. They didn’t want to be in there with her right now. No one did.
The other men also found a place to hang on, sure that Mark would know where they’d gone and with whom.
The van rolled quickly, covering ground too fast to see most of it, and Alexa’s sarcasm spewed all over the inside of the vehicle, chilling it. “Stop and let Mark climb in. He’s behind the trees. You just scared off my dinner.”
Brian ignored her anger, but did as she told him, glad to still be driving. If she were truly offended, he would be on the ground writhing in pain.
“I won’t accept you yet,” she stated. “I won’t cause your death.”
Brian also ignored her warning. There was nothing she could say or do right now to hurt him. Her men had accepted his hospitality and Brian took them straight to his hide out. He’d been waiting for Alexa since the season changed and he was sure she would like the preparations he’d made for her arrival. The dreams had told him to be ready and he was.
A short time later, Brian stopped the van to let everyone inside and the men were relieved when Alexa only glowered. An hour in the wind and they were sorry in a number of ways, including upset stomachs from Brian’s wild driving. He didn’t believe in taking it easy.
Edward took the spot on Alexa’s right and Billy took the left, there to take her anger or her directions, but Alexa had neither for them. The driving had been rough on her as well and she slumped over into Edward’s lap with a groan.
“Damn kid!” Billy snapped, helping Edward get her into a more breathable position. “Slow down!”
But Brian didn’t. He wanted her safe in the den he’d created and he wasn’t pausing for anything, including broken roads.
“Hang on. It gets bumpy through here.”
“That’s what we’re used to, kid,” Edward stated, shifting Alexa’s head to rest on his kit. “Wouldn’t know we were still alive any other way.”
6
Brian stopped in front of his hiding place a little before dawn, and the men climbed out of the van warily, not sure exactly where they were or what to expect. Edward and Mark stayed with Alexa as the other four cleared their surroundings.
When they returned to the van, their expressions said trusting Brian had been a good idea.
“There’s a lake, a bunkhouse, and a cave down by the creek. Two roads, no power lines. Hell, I can’t even find it on the map and I used these every day as a dispatcher,” Billy informed them happily. “We’re good here.”
Alexa was unloaded and carried into the long bunkhouse where a rear corner had been built into a private bedroom area. The female decorations told the fighters that a woman had lived there, but Brian’s words disproved the theory.
“I hope she’ll like it. I made most of it for her.”
Edward noticed the boy’s roughened hands then and the quiet intelligence that Mark had also picked up on.
“You really her son?”
Brian shrugged bitterly. “When she claims me in two years, ask again.”
He left them alone, going out to pull the van under the cover of the trees and camo-netted roof he had created for vehicles.
“He knew she was coming. And how did we miss those eyes being the same shade as hers?” Mark didn’t like how much they’d overlooked on this run. “What else don’t we know?”
“Shut up, will ya? I’m busy here,” Edward grunted, watching shadows on the wall. The lantern was throwing an amazing play.
The others joined in his silent admiration as they realized it was Alexa undressing. The silhouette was perfect except for the bandage around her ribs, and calm filled the bunkhouse.
“Guess it doesn’t matter, does it?” Daniel asked quietly. “That she hides things from us, risks our lives for her own gain.”
“No,” Jacob confirmed. “Because what we’ve gained is still enough to drown the bad things.”
“And when that isn’t the case anymore?” David wondered. “If we lose respect for her, or each other, we’ll fall.”
“Yeah, but after Paul, which one of us feels good right now?” Edward demanded. “She’s right that we drove him out and helped that temper of his get out of control. Don’t we deserve to pay for that?”
“Of course, my pets,” Alexa said, coming from the private area in only a long blue robe that stole their breath. “But not today. These things add up for death’s tally. Right now, you’ve succeeded in your mission. Allow yourselves a moment’s peace. You have earned that.”
Alexa handed each of them a chocolate from Billy’s reward and popped the last one in her mouth, grinning at them.
“She found the pain killers,” Brian commented, coming inside. “We may be able to stand her for a while.”
Alexa grimaced at the tasteless joke, but her men scowled and Brian understood his disrespect wasn’t allowed.
“Fine, whatever. Here are the keys to the van in case you have to split. Half a tank of gas in it but you know how the old shit works. It really doesn’t.”
Brian handed the keys to Edward, staying away from Alexa, and he pointed toward the cave. “I’ll be there if you need something. Thanks for coming.”
The boy left them and Mark had to ask, “Why can’t he stay?”
“Because of who he is,” Alexa stated, taking the seat Billy guided her to. “A descendant.”
Edward, who understood things more clearly than the other men who hadn’t helped free the bunker kids, changed the sore subject. “We figured a week here.”
Alexa rested her head against Billy’s hip, hurting all over as she listened to the wind. “I think we’re ready for a break, my pets. A long one.”
“Here?” Edward asked neutrally. He didn’t mind being around Brian, but he still felt too close to Lincoln.
“No. We’ll remain here until I’m good to travel again. Then we’ll pick a place to den for the winter and get it ready.”
The men were a bit surprised to hear her say that. They’d wondered occasionally what she planned to do once winter came, but they’d assumed she would get a vehicle and try to keep going.
“Many people have frozen to death out here trying to do that,” Alexa answered the thought without scorn. “The cold is merciless and I’d not risk you just to gain time. Safe Haven will be there when we are.”
“Better,” she praised, waiting for him to turn away before wiping at her mouth. When she began to lick the pillow on the armchair to get the taste from her mouth, the men burst out laughing, sending light and love through the bunkhouse.
Brian watched without bitterness. He’d waited for this for a long time. As she improved, she would teach him things he needed to know to survive until he was of age. If he learned it well and completed the final test, he would be free to join her as an equal. He would never ask if he had to play Paul’s role. That life would be intolerable.
Brian listened to the group until they put up a sentry post and bedded down. Dawn was coming and Alexa needed rest.
Brian closed his lids and replayed his moments with her. None of them was particularly special, but in a way, they were more than that. Rumors and legend were built easily. Backing them up was something else and Alexa was able to do just that. She was an alpha, a leader, and the mother that had been stolen from him.
Brian couldn’t wait to get to know her. It was killing her that he was dreading.
End of Book two: the Killin’ Fields
Notes from the Author
Dear reader,
Thank you for reading my work! I hope you enjoyed it. I will get the next book in this series out as soon as I can, but please be patient.
Stay warm world, and have a Merry Christmas!
Waving,
Angela White
Extras
2 Deleted Scenes
Book Three Sneak Peek
From the Author
Deleted Scenes
Deleted Scene #1
“I’m off duty now.”
Carol spun around, caught off guard, and Daniel kept his distance as she made up her mind. The slaver’s tent was full and he’d watched her make a bed behind all the gear to have a bit of privacy.
Carol was suddenly afraid. She hadn’t been with a real man since the war and back then, she hadn’t been willing.
Daniel sensed that and more, and slowly removed his jacket.
Her nervous gaze went to his arms and chest, and lingered on his lean hips. The form-fitting black shirt was tucked messily into his waistband and Daniel held still against the urge to fix it. He hoped it was coming off and didn’t need to be straightened.
Carol swallowed, not sure what she wanted, and Daniel draped his jacket over a stack of crates, but didn’t come toward her. They stared at each other, one with incredible longing, the other with infinite patience.
Carol found her voice. “You won’t…hurt me?”
Daniel delivered a soft, inviting smile. “Not even if you wanted me to.” He moved a bit closer, keeping his hands still and his eyes on hers. “Would it help to know what I want?”
Carol nodded nervously, tension flooding her stomach with sweep pangs of fear of need. This was what it felt like to be alive. She’d missed this!
Daniel carefully reached out and stroked his thumb down her weathered cheek, body tightening when her lips parted in a gasp. They had great sparks.
Daniel unbuckled his gun belt and put it with his jacket, then dropped down into her bed with a sensual grin. “Can I hold you first?”
It was, of course, the perfect thing to say. Carol crawled into his arms without any more delay, and Daniel closed his eyes as sensation rushed over him. He couldn’t help but compare the feel of her to Alexa, but he refused to decide which was better right now. Ruining the moment wasn’t part of the plan.
Carol trembled when he gently tilted her head up so he could look at her. “We can just stay like this.”
Carol answered him with a kiss that begged him to take her all the way to the edge and shove her over.
Daniel groaned in response, grip tightening, and he didn’t let her pull away when he felt fear trying to creep back in. She’d obviously not been treated well.
“I won’t hurt you, baby,” he swore, kissing the corner of her mouth as his hands pressed her close. “Just love you.”
Carol was helpless to the rush of emotions and hormones, and she held tight to his big arms as his tongue danced with hers. When his long fingers found a rocky peak and gently squeezed, she arched in his embrace. The erotic promise in his touch was enough to conquer her will and carol gasped again as his body pushed against hers.
“I want you naked under me,” Daniel whispered against her lips, hands roaming, bringing bolts of pleasure. “Take your pants off.”
Carol did as she was bid and the feel of his hand sliding over her slick flesh brought a cry to her lips that Daniel let ring out in male pride. He tried to muffle the rest with his mouth while he made sure she was glad she’d chosen him. He was certainly grateful.
Carol was unaware of anything shortly after the biker began touching her and she didn’t want it to end. When the edge slammed into her and then so did Daniel, she clutched his shoulders and let him have his way.
For Daniel, it was a release for all the tension of killing and waiting, of waiting to kill, and he didn’t hesitate to spill himself inside her. It was something women had to pay for now and he gave it freely, but Alexa’s face never left his mind.
When it was over, Daniel curled around her and dosed for a while, not pretending anything, simply enjoying a peaceful moment. He might have been able to make a connection with Carol, but Alexa had found him first and there hadn’t been another female since that he’d bonded with. He didn’t expect that to change and was content anyway.
Deleted Scene #2
Daniel didn’t want to, but forced himself to go to Carol as she lay dying. He was prepared to hear anything except what came from her bloody lips.
“It didn’t happen. But I wish it had.”
Daniel wasn’t sure what she meant, but the life ran from her eyes and then her body, and he was left alone with yet another corpse.
“Tell the boss we lost another one,” he ordered angrily, shoving to his feet. “Where the hell is that doctor?”
Daniel stormed to the door of the warehouse, read to hit anyone who got in his way, and Alexa was the one who stepped in front of him.
“I need a minute.”
Alexa studied him, seeing what was really causing the anguish and she placed a gentle hand on his cheek. “I’ll make sure you don’t witness it. Does that help?”
Daniel shrugged off her hand for the first time. “No. I’ll still know you’re dead.”
He went outside to stalk around the perimeter and Alexa left him alone. Daniel didn’t want to get close to anyone and she understood the reasoning. It hurt when you lost them and her illness was reminding her men that she wasn’t invincible. At some point, they would have to watch her die. It wasn’t an easy knowledge to carry.
Book Three Sneak Peek: Unnamed
“I killed the president.”
Mark ignored the surprised mutters and scowls. It was only the second time he had ever spoken the words and liberation was still a new, exciting emotion to be controlled.
“I’d been in that Slam for years, enduring their interrogations and trying to stay alive. If not for my training and my peculiar mind, I wouldn’t have lasted a month.”
Mark flipped a fresh log into their fire. “I was a part of the resistance, the rebels who knew the lies, and the government wanted us shut down.” His voice thickened. “My family was found dead in their cells, murders used to hurt and control me, but they went too far with my sister. She was the last one and I lost the will to live. I was starving to death when Alexa came for me.”
“Did you feel me calling to you?” she asked.
“I thought I’d gone crazy finally and welcomed it. There was only one thing I wanted at that point.”
“And now?”
“I still want more,” he confessed. “I long to taste vengeance.”
“All you can kill
out in this world,” Alexa pointed out.
“Like the day you took me from the ground,” Mark compared, grinning savagely.
“Yes. Would you tell them of it? They’ve been curious.”
“No,” Mark denied.
“Because of your guilt?” Alexa prodded.
“Because I never wanted it to end!”
Alexa was tolerant. “Do not be shamed by what you’ve become. Without it, you would never be able to do my work.”
“I’m a killer. That’s why you came for me. But I’m also dangerous because I don’t care if I die.”
“Yes, you are,” Alexa confirmed. “Now face those fears and tell us everything that still weighs on your soul, convict.”
Mark opened his mouth and did just that.
Alexa’s Travels: unnamed.
Release date: TBA.
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