The Life After War Collection

by Angela White

  “Hell of a mind on that one,” Doug commented, pulling on his army jacket.

  Marc tried to joke through the throbbing and the heavy feeling of doom settling over him. “Not a bad temper at all.”

  Doug chortled. “Adrian will settle her down. Maybe you should wait and talk to her afterwards.”

  Marc’s countenance hardened. She hadn’t come here by chance.

  “Good idea,” he muttered, turning toward the flap. She’d run to Adrian. What did that mean?

  His stomach clenched with fresh waves of anger. Damn this place!

  It was colder again and the darker skies were a complement to his mood as he exited. When she needed something now, it was clear who she would go to. She’d replaced him.

  Marc’s gut was burning with injustice. Nothing was turning out as he’d hoped. Even Kenn is still here! Marc couldn’t believe they’d let that piece of shit return. She’d been hurt, before and after coming here, and they were giving him a pass because he had taken advantage of a prime opportunity. It was so wrong! They’d almost been free of him!

  Marc’s mind was full of the anger he’d been carrying for the last week, but now despair had begun to creep in. Unless he could get Angie away from here, he’d lost her.

  2

  Angela had leaned against the hayroom wall, arm tensed to greet Marc as soon as she heard his steps, and Doug’s words to him had her swiveling. Adrian was in here?

  Adrian stayed still, taking it all in. She’d set Marc up by leading him here and was now ready to give a vicious temple hit meant to disable. How had she planned to deliver enough force with a hurt shoulder? Her gun.

  “I wasn’t going to kill him, you understand.” Angela’s tone was conversational. “Just get my point across.”

  Adrian’s expression was unreadable, but she could feel his pleasure. Even emotional, she reacted like one of his men.

  “He doesn’t understand how much I want this.”

  “Yes, he does,” Adrian refuted. “And that’s the problem. On the trip, teaching you was fun. Here, it’s serious and he recognizes the danger you’re about to be in. It’s eating at him.”

  That fell into place and she put the .357 away. “Yeah, Brady doesn’t like feeling helpless.”

  “None of us do,” Adrian stated. “How about a lesson?”

  Angela agreed right away. Other than standing duty over the kids’ area and her first aid class, they hadn’t been letting her do much. “Yes.”

  Adrian came from the shadows and kept his distance, despite the urge to discover if any of those bloody streaks needed tending. “Why did you come here?”

  “It was the best place to ambush him, get some space.”

  Adrian raised a brow. “And you would have followed through?”

  Her nod was fast, but her voice was heavy. “And probably hurt him if he hadn’t realized what I intended.”

  “After the first greeting he received, you hoped he would back off or keep coming?”

  “Both.”

  Adrian gestured at the cracks, where eyes suddenly disappeared and Angela felt the anger grow deeper. She needed a workout that her shoulder couldn’t handle. Brady lied to me!

  Adrian handed her the knife he’d pulled from the target. “Practice and we’ll talk.”

  Angela felt her anger flare higher. He should have come to me right away!

  She threw the sharp blade with little thought and Adrian wasn’t surprised when it stuck in the center.

  “What should I talk about?”

  “Versailles.”

  Angela flinched, retrieved the blade. “You’re the boss.”

  3

  “New arrivals in the QZ.”

  “Copy.”

  No changes in plans were mentioned and Jeremy listened for the next call to come across the radio, along with everyone else who knew.

  “Angela to the QZ.”

  “Copy.”

  At least she sounded calmer now, Jeremy thought, impressed with her reaction. Kyle’s full team was on duty at the QZ today, but Jeremy had little doubt a few other off-duty Eagles would quietly show up, too. None of the higher levels who took turns guarding her liked the idea of her being so close to strangers who might be sick or dangerous, especially with the bandage on her shoulder that the Eagles still felt bad about.

  Jeremy took a quick check to verify their full team was now in their perimeter spots on the garden area, ending with Neil, who had come through the tent area to join them. Jeremy recognized the need and gestured in response to his leader’s silent question. Do you have this covered?

  Neil was another shadow who would be around the QZ anytime Angela was, and Jeremy was glad the tight-assed cop would be there. In a fight, Neil was the only one he wanted on his six. Neil was ruthless.

  Jeremy scanned the stalk-covered area again, slower this time. They were still on doubled duty; no sign of the slavers was making them all worry. Most of their team was on this side of the tape, scattered around the livestock and parking corner, and each of them gave Jeremy a motion of disappointment as the trooper left. They’d volunteered to be here because of the new garden being put in, eager to observe their team leader as he protected Samantha.

  Jeremy made a motion with his hands. He’ll be back.

  Jeremy scanned the crew now emerging from the trees. Samantha was in the lead, loaded down with gear and appearing eager to start her first project for Adrian.

  Jeremy came forward when she peered his way, and was rewarded with a smile that he returned openly. She was cute. Neil had good taste in adult women.

  Men behind him shifted uneasily as Jeremy said something that made Samantha giggle. Did he want her, too? It was something none of them had considered. A fight over the new woman would be as bad as Neil taking little Becky for his legal mate come October.

  “I’m pretending to be in love with you today. Do you mind?”

  She put her bag and box on the ground, feeling his hot gaze slide down the front of her shirt.

  “I guess not.” Samantha blushed a bit. She wasn’t immune to the appreciation she read. “You got a role in mind for me too?”

  Jeremy chuckled, thinking she’d probably been a great secretary or something. He could easily imagine her in an office. “Got three spots open for the day’s scenes; the screaming shrew, the confused bachelor, and the slightly willing bachelorette.”

  Sensing a ring of truth, Samantha shrugged, voice cooling. “Games are fun until people lose. You got that covered?”

  “Not yet.”

  Samantha studied Neil’s right-hand man intently, ignoring the group of women waiting curiously just out of hearing distance. After adding up the clues from the gun lesson and the babysitting, she had realized Neil’s team was matchmaking, but Samantha still wasn’t sure if she was okay with it.

  “It’s just for today?” she clarified, not wanting to be involved in any drama.

  Jeremy almost caved, but held out. She’s so smart! “That’s up to you.” Neil had spotted her first… By their unspoken Eagle rules, he had first claim.

  Curious and more interested than she wanted to be, Samantha gave Jeremy a slow, sultry smile that had his team tensing again.

  “Just pretend, right? I need that part clear upfront, especially if you plan to play the other guy.”

  There was a note of curiosity in her voice that Jeremy let himself answer honestly. “I can’t promise that, Samantha. He may not see your worth yet, but I do and I’d be honored.”

  Jeremy left the pleased blush on her cheeks, ignoring the reporter staring at him in shock from the parking area. Cynthia refused to let anyone know about their relationship, saying it would hurt his place under Neil. Over the last weeks, since Angela had come, it felt more like the reporter was only with him for the information supply and that wouldn’t do. Neil wasn’t the only one who would get a wake up.

  And if you get hurt in the process? his mind asked. Jeremy answered bluntly, Then, it’s what I’ll deserve for cha
sing her, too, when I know she belongs to Neil.

  Angela caught the thought as she passed by the area, but she didn’t react, sure Jeremy didn’t want to own Samantha, only care for her. As for Neil…she wasn’t sure. The trooper was hiding a possessive streak that was very similar to Kenn’s, but it was something for Adrian to handle if he needed to.

  Fake blood mostly cleaned off now, Angela was more nervous than she appeared as she approached the QZ. She even managed to keep her expression blank when Doug held up the tape for her, drawing murmurs from the small group waiting near a beaten-up RV.

  Doug motioned at a small table under a long green awning, still amused at her tactics. When would the other women here act that way? “We’ll be around.”

  Angela sat down without acknowledging the small group of refugees, feeling them out. John only needed one form to get them registered and it wouldn’t take long with these people, she was glad to discover. The little girl on her father’s hip was busy whispering her favorite story to him while they waited. It was about hunger. As soon as Angela mentioned food, she knew they would be convinced to stay.

  Satisfied they weren’t hiding anything big, she smiled in welcome. “I’m Angie, one of the doctors here. Come on over and fill out a paper, and then we’ll get you all fed and settled for the night.”

  “Where do you want me?” Charlie asked sullenly as he joined her under the canopy. Braced for a reprimand, he obviously knew she and Marc had been fighting about him.

  “In your tent tonight so we can talk.”

  Charlie caught her off guard by sneering, “My dad already handled it.”

  Angela felt the flames go up, but instead of being nasty, she slid into a comfortable position in the hard seat. “It’s good that you two are getting along.”

  Not sure what to say, the teenager reacted with the only emotion he seemed to have for her these days–anger.

  “Someone needs to protect him from being hurt.”

  The wounded mother snorted, shoulder throbbing mercilessly. So much for peace. She was fed up with both of them.

  “Marc always lands on his feet, boy. Look at the current problem. He lied and gets your support. I, on the other hand, give you the truth to every question and still get shit. It appears that you have the same double standard as your father.”

  Leaving him speechless, she surveyed the curiously waiting people. “My apologies. Even the war couldn’t destroy teenage angst.”

  Moving by the over-patrolled QZ, Adrian heard the sharp remark and smothered his amusement and approval. You could only have a light touch for so long and then a heavier one was required. Adrian got a gesture of things being fine from Doug and kept going. It was Angela’s first time meeting the new arrivals without John there to direct her or alert the sentries to any problems, and all the Eagles were nervous about it.

  Waiting until he was out of sight of the area, Adrian waved Kenn over, aware that the Marine was ready to leave for a shift on road clearing. Things were far from fixed between them, but the much quieter man was working on it. Kenn had spent most of the last week out of camp, gathering food, water and fuel. Tomorrow evening, he, Zack, and a small team would leave on a slaver recon. In their case, no news was not good news, but a sign of danger.

  “I need photos this time. If you get the op.”

  Kenn knew he would make the time. On this, he and Neil agreed. The Eagles were ready, but until Kyle put his vote with theirs, Adrian wouldn’t budge. There was complete trust of the mobster’s judgment there and it bothered Kenn as much as it always had, only now there wasn’t a struggle inside to hide it. His true nature, surly and quick to spark, was on view for all to witness. Kenn and the camp were both slowly adjusting.

  “Main men, special spots and weapons?”

  “Everything. Their chain of command, captives, blood–get it all.”

  Adrian’s voice had hardened with a frustrated anger that told Kenn the leader wouldn’t be able to ignore the threat much longer. Kenn wasn’t sure why it was so important to get it now, but anything was better than being here and seeing Angela welcomed by the Eagles for her determination and strength. He’d tried very hard to crush those things.

  “Marc, wait up!”

  Neil’s loud call drew attention and Kenn spun away from the parking area as if he’d been burned. He may have to accept the changes and he would, but it didn’t make the need to kill Brady any easier to deal with.

  “Hey, Marc!”

  Marc couldn’t keep ignoring Neil, like he had been for the last week. After witnessing the way Angela was so set on being an Eagle, he wasn’t even sure he was angry about the Kai lesson anymore. A couple of shoulder slides were nothing compared to witnessing the clumsy trooper put in that stitch.

  Waiting, Marc saw Charlie sitting next to Angie, Dog at their feet, and felt his heart clench. His happy family…except they weren’t his anymore than they were Kenn’s. After this morning, Marc wasn’t sure if the small hope he had held for them still existed. If Angie wouldn’t give up being an Eagle, he would end up leaving and it was that thought that stopped him from doing more than nodding at his son when Charlie glanced his way. It will be easier on him if there wasn’t a bond yet, he thought, and realized he had expected the teenager to be upset that his mom now knew their secret. Instead, there was only sympathy in a quick message.

  Don’t sweat it. She’s sharper now.

  Marc’s mind flashed to the morning’s fresh set of bruises. Tell me about it.

  Neil was glad Marc hadn’t embarrassed him by refusing to stop. “Can we talk a minute?”

  Marc shrugged wryly. “I’ve got the time if you do.”

  Neil gestured toward the small wooded area outside the tape. “Let’s take a short walk.”

  The two men slipped out with only a few witnesses. One was Jeff, the guard on the area and that man hesitated. Those two weren’t as needed as Adrian. Surely, they didn’t need a tail too? Jeff was the only man on Seth’s team who hadn’t swung to Marc’s side yet and he turned toward Safe Haven in defiance. He and Zack had been from the same Texas town before the war. When the horror had destroyed their lives, they’d set out together and it was a bond not easily broken. What Zack thought was best…Jeff intended to go along with.

  Of the other two witnesses, one was hoping the guard might feel that way and the other never considered the danger of following three grown men out of Safe Haven’s perimeter.

  Neil led them to a secluded area before stopping and then he did what Marc expected least. He took his hat off.

  “I’m sorry. I hated it. I only did it because–”

  “Of Adrian’s orders,” Marc tried to finish.

  “No. Because of Angela. She pushed me too, hard.” Neil sighed, dropping down on a nearby boulder. “She wants it, Brady. Neither of us has the right to stop her.”

  “And when she gets killed?”

  “We won’t let that happen.”

  “Bullshit! If not for me and Kenn, the brother would have already ended her.”

  Neil didn’t answer, couldn’t. It was true.

  Marc wanted to stay angry, but the sadness was too consuming and he let Neil off the hook. “I’m done. It’ll be her choice from now on.”

  Neil sighed in relief, missing the wording. “Good. Now spend some time with her that doesn’t involve an argument.”

  Marc let out a snort. “No problem there. I doubt she’ll even speak to me.” He tried not to be bitter when his friend laughed.

  “She’s as dangerous as the rest of us, only in different ways.”

  “Yeah.”

  Now perched carefully in a nearby tree, Becky’s attention was pulled between the talking men and Rick. Clearly, the new guy was spying on Neil and Marc, like she was, but why? Was he a slaver in disguise? A delicious chill shot into her gut and she forgot to breathe as the suspected traitor turned her way.

  Rick’s vivid stare held her, saying everything she wanted to hear, and yet nothing. He was an exotic,
foreign mystery to her slowly awakening female body, and when he went back to spying, the teenager flushed happily. He’s letting me stay!

  Not sure why she hadn’t already alerted someone to the new guy’s odd behavior, Becky studied him. He had acquired a uniform somehow and gave the appearance of being an Eagle… The same Eagles that were adamant about Adrian’s age rules.

  Rick wasn’t. She could see it in his hot glances and feel it in his body language. If she offered herself to him, there wouldn’t be any hesitation. He would be between her legs before she could change her mind.

  As if hearing the thought, Rick surveyed her again. The open need in his gaze had her mind sending up flares of alarm and her body tightening under his perusal. Suddenly feeling shy, she switched her attention back to the conversation, but not before a small smile of invitation crossed her young lips.

  “Are we okay?”

  Marc answered, glad that he could. “Yeah.”

  Neil’s relief was obvious. “Great.” He did a quick sweep. “You ready to get back?”

  “After you tell me what’s up with you and Samantha. I thought you wanted–”

  “Wait.”

  Neil’s tone was sharp enough to stop Marc.

  “I heard something.”

  Becky froze as Neil swept the area she and Rick were hiding in. But neither of them had budged, she realized, and let herself draw in air as the trooper scanned another direction. He didn’t know they were here.

  “What was it?”

  “Like a…growl?”

  Marc’s mind flashed to Nebraska and the wolf battle that he and Angie had fought to get here. “Let’s go.”

  Both spies held their breath as the two men walked right by them without noticing. When the Eagles were ahead, their shadows followed silently, keeping track of each other’s progress and the conversation.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  Marc chuckled as they neared the caution tape. He hadn’t repeated his request, waiting to see if Neil wanted to talk about it.

  “Samantha, no question.”