by Angela White
Adrian looked around at them and was a bit eased by a calming nod he got from Kyle, who had come to the edge of the tape. Everything was under control.
"All right. This time, Jeremy and I will watch. Who's cutting and who's steadying?”
It didn't go as smoothly with the pig, or nearly as fast. The crew had to fight to get the ropes around the animal's sharply stomping hooves. The mess was considerable, but they got the job done, and as the men were washing up, Adrian waved Kyle over.
"Class is dismissed. We'll resume at dawn."
Waiting until they were alone, both men frowned when Kenn left without a word to any of the joking, slightly green, blood-splattered guards.
Kyle's tanned face deepened to a scowl, and he blew out a frustrated breath. Where had this Kenn come from? He was nothing like the helpful, resourceful Marine they were used to.
"Where do you think he's headed?"
"Where he shouldn't be." The mobster caught the eye of the nearest Eagle, who immediately followed the angry Marine.
"Observe only?" Adrian asked, turning to avoid a strong gust of wind as he lit a smoke, red eyes irritated.
"Not anymore. He's been over there three times today, watching while she doesn't know. I changed the order on my last round. If there's a problem, the Eagle will interrupt and say that you want him, but not why."
Adrian nodded, thinking Kyle was wrong about her not knowing Kenn was there. "I don't want the Eagles to oppose him openly if we can help it. Not yet, but quietly pass the word among the higher levels of my Army. She's under my direct protection and to be treated as if she's my heir and doesn't know it. Stress the secrecy part. If it gets out too soon…"
Adrian stopped, and Kyle shook his head, mind racing. "It won't. You can trust us."
Adrian's eyes filled with pride. "I do, most of them. I trust you completely."
Kyle didn't need to ask. He could see it in Adrian’s face. "It's true, then. Kenn thinks he has that honor locked up."
Adrian was shaking his head, watching the clouds gather in the west. For a change, they appeared to be moving below the thinning layer of smog that backdropped the beautiful Black Hills, instead of behind it.
"Right-hand man. No higher for him. Ever."
Kyle felt a heavy weight roll from his shoulders. It had been a single, short conversation with Neil one foggy morning shift, but he had felt terrible since then - like their pact to challenge Kenn for leadership if anything happened to Adrian made them traitors.
"I always knew." The look was compassionate, approving. "You have great instincts, just like Neil, but your secret isn't one and wouldn't be a betrayal anyway. The natural order is already in chaos. Kenn in charge would tilt us over the edge. He's where he belongs. He just hasn't realized it yet."
Adrian sighed at another loud roar from the gaming area, sure Neil and Brady were involved. "Everyone check in? Where are the other new people?"
6
"He's waiting for you at the ball field. Says to hurry up," Charlie announced, sticking his head into the tent.
Angela tensed, causing the pregnant orange cat to sink a claw deep into her wrist as Chris took its temperature.
"He said you'll go to dinner with him after that."
Angela hated hearing the man's orders coming from her child's mouth. "I'd rather stay. Do I have to go to the contest?"
Charlie looked at her with eyes saying yes. "No."
"I can grab a sandwich later?"
Charlie nodded, clearly not wanting to be the one to tell Kenn.
"Bring a double tray." Chris didn't look up from the clipboard. "She'll eat here."
"Deep six that!"
Kenn stepped into the large, smelly tent, and the three of them turned to meet his angry eyes.
"You've hidden here long enough. It's time to go."
The dogs started barking furiously, reading the tension. The vet wasn't the only one who noticed, though he thought he was.
"I'll eat here. We're just about to start with the kittens."
Kenn's face turned red, and Chris saw Angela’s slight flinch when the Marine stepped closer.
"Leave now, and maybe you'll come back later."
"I'm not ready to go yet."
Angela was shaking, her voice full of nervous tremors. The animal doctor frowned. Who was Kenn to her? Wasn’t the Wolfman her owner?
"You'll do what you're told!"
"I'll stay as long as I want!"
The open defiance made Charlie gasp.
The Marine’s hands curled into fists before diving into his jacket. "Angela."
It was an ugly tone, hinting at violence. When Chris saw her move subtly for the gun on her hip, he stood up, drawing attention as the dogs continued to bark and transfer their unease to the other animals around them.
Soon it would raise the guards, the vet thought, but didn't wait for backup. He didn't need it. He knew how to handle this. "Wonder what Adrian would say?"
Kenn's face was a surprised mask of anger as he looked at the annoyed doctor. "Stay out of this! It's none of your business!" he snarled.
Chris shrugged, not seeing but sensing the Eagle now in the doorway. He always knew when he was being watched. It was a side effect of being in a POW camp for seven years. "You brought it in here, not me. She said she's staying. Get lost!"
The vet clearly wasn't afraid of him, and Kenn knew if he pushed any further, the surly doctor would put it in his nightly report to Adrian. Grunting, Kenn spun and stomped out of the tent, furious eyes promising payment.
Angela breathed a sigh of relief. He had been checking up on her all day, sending hostile waves of warning, and while she'd known she would have to face him eventually, she hadn't expected the woman-hating veterinarian to defend her.
Before she could thank him, Chris shoved another pregnant cat into her gloved hands, taking the orange one and giving Charlie's pale face a comforting nod. "When it's time, bring a double tray here and do it openly so he can't hassle you."
"You sure?"
Angela gave him a tight smile, and Charlie left with worry in his heart that she knew he was right to feel. The old Kenny was a dangerous foe who never forgot a transgression, and just in case all this self-control was play-acting, she would avoid being alone with him and knew Charlie would as well. Her man (warden) was on the edge, and she pitied the person who finally sent him over. They probably wouldn't survive the encounter.
Chapter Forty Five
Night Two
1
Neil and Brady's team won the second game, and as the dim sun started to sink below the grit, they left the third match, up 5 to 2. Invitations to join their teammates for the meal were accepted, and as they walked toward the shooting area, Marc gave the trooper a look.
"So, did you plan all these… encounters?" He paused to adjust his gun belts, still trying to get his breath back. "Or, did you just get lucky... it all turned out so well?"
The sweaty cop shrugged, met the eye of a nearby guard for a check-in and got a nod in return. Clear. "Both, I guess. Really, I just set up the hands. You played 'em."
Marc grinned. "Thanks. I need all the help I can get."
"That's what Adrian said. Come on. Let's see how you handle yourself under pressure."
Marc's grin widened as he fell in step, tired, sore, and not nearly as wound up as he had been. "Today wasn't pressure?"
They laughed together, moving with the thickening crowd toward where he had taken his gun test. The sounds of people, of a large group, floated on the cool breeze, swelling as they got closer.
The brawler inside tensed as they came in sight, seeing guns, hostile looks, and hard bodies wanting to back up the glares. This camp looked nice and normal with their jeans and jackets and pain-lined eyes, but underneath, there was still a glint of rage that Adrian hadn't been able to erase. The blond still had a lot of work to do.
There was no time for a shower, and Marc was a bit self-conscious as they merged with a constantly shifting
group of about a hundred, being careful not to bump anyone, but also not shying from those who intentionally got in his way. There were blondes, brunettes, and older, slower blue-hairs everywhere he looked, but no Angie.
People were in lawn chairs and on blankets, the two rows of bleachers packed, and the males were stopped many times for congratulations on the games and for introductions to those who had heard about it, or Doug. The people were only a little friendlier though, a lot nosier, and Marc could hear them whispering about him and Angie and Kenn.
Neil gave him a sympathetic grin and waved at home plate, where bales of hay were stacked in a neat half circle, two deep. "We have to sign in."
They went around the chain-link fence, and Marc felt an immediate change in the atmosphere, especially from the front row of camp members. These were the ones who had been here for hours to get a good seat, the real fans of Kenn and Adrian, and basically every other shooter except him. Their stares were hard, disapproving, and it surprised him when they let out a cheer as he and Neil stepped into line. Then he heard their words.
“New blood...Hard lesson...Get what he deserves.”
Letting out a resigned sigh, Marc tried not to let it bother him that most of those watching would be happier if Kenn shot him instead of the targets, eliminating the problem.
As it was, the Marine was already talking angrily to Adrian, casting a furious look toward where he and Neil were standing. Clearly, Kenn didn't think he should be allowed to shoot.
Marc began digging for his paperwork even as the trooper held out a hand for it.
"Let’s see how red his face gets," Neil leered openly.
Brady had to grin back. Kenn had really rubbed the trooper the wrong way.
Neil handed the green sheet to Adrian and when his eyes locked with Kenn's, Marc was pleased to see that the cop didn't look away or back down. It made him try harder to conceal his anxiety. Being alone hadn't been healthy for the Marine inside, Marc thought. He'd become skittish around people…again.
"He's good. Get signed up." Adrian handed Neil the paperwork, waving off Kenn's protests.
The furious Marine stomped to the far end of the line, face like thunder.
"If he didn't hate you before, he does now," Marc observed, putting the paper back in his pocket.
Neil nodded, both of them turning toward the field as four huge spotlights came on. "He did. Still worried I'm after his place at Adrian's side."
Marc met his eye, testing their new bond a bit. "Are you?"
Neil grinned at the furious Marine from across the line of shooters. "Negative, but since it bothers him to think it, why should I say different?"
Marc laughed. "I knew I liked you."
They signed up and got in line. While they waited, Marc noticed there was a lot of space between them and the other shooters and was glad the trooper stayed close. There were a lot of hard looks coming from the other side of the line, but especially from those surrounding Kenn. Zack's glares were bordering on dangerous. I might have to watch out for that one.
Seth was a few people down, talking quietly with Doug, whose taped nose and discolored face was still drawing a lot of attention. Marc took a breath, found the smell of fresh powder comforting. Nothing to lose, right?
He met the redheaded guard’s eye, nodded to him. His gut tightened when both Seth and the burly man next to him almost immediately stepped out of line, and moved his way.
Marc’s hand tensed, and he knew a little more of how Angie had felt when he had to fight not to draw on the pair. He really had lost some of his edge.
The first few rows of people went still, silent as they watched. Marc could feel them waiting to be avenged, like he was a part of the old world that needed to be punished.
Waves of tension rolled over the crowd, drawing the more eyes. The sounds of practice fire stopped as Doug locked glares with him. The big man's eyes bored into his, searching as he and Seth stopped a few feet away.
Marc shook his head, tone full of warning. "This time, no flinching. I finish it."
Doug took another step forward and held out a hand. "Welcome to Safe Haven."
Marc shook automatically, as surprised as the disappointedly muttering crowd.
The giant grinned. "Good luck. You'll need it."
"Thanks. You, too."
It wasn't much really, not in the grand scheme of things, but it was significant to these people. Marc could tell by the fury on Kenn's face. He'd thought Doug was one of his too, especially after hearing about the big man trying to stand up for him.
Wondering if the Irishman had been testing him earlier, to see if he was able to match Kenn, Marc watched Doug move back to his place in line. Seth stayed with him and Neil.
They all grinned when Kenn spat toward the big man and Doug flipped him off.
It’s been an interesting day with Angie’s Wolfman out of the QZ, Neil thought. "Doug's never been knocked down with a single hit. Only two men have brought him down at all, and some think Kenn cheated with the kick to the balls."
Marc nodded at the trooper’s quietly spoken words, easily able to see Kenn doing it that way. Though he would have been declared winner when Doug couldn't get up, Marc was almost sure Adrian hadn't liked the way he'd accomplished it. He also probably didn’t like how openly his men were deserting Kenn, but Marc loved it. Let the Marine suffer a little of what he’d dealt out over the years. How many new recruits had Kenn sent packing with stupid jokes and extra work? How many female Marines had he sexually harassed until they’d transferred out? What the hell did Adrian see in him that outweighed all the Marine had done?
Kenn was having another bad day. Though he'd managed not to put his hands on anyone yet, he had a sinking feeling those teetering edges were about to fall. The feeling of doom had arrived when Brady stepped into the shooting line, and he watched his former team leader with a bitter hatred, wishing he'd shot them both through the window.
Marc saw his son come through the crowd and subtly locked eyes with the boy, who was clearly surprised to see he had entered the contest. Charlie looked older than fourteen, his face carrying the same lines of horror as the rest of these people. His jeans and black jacket couldn't hide the pain he'd suffered while away from his mother…and father.
“How's your mom?”
Charlie stiffened, stopping well away from where Marc stood.
The father sighed. It was so unfair that he'd never gotten the chance to be his dad. Years they'd never get back. “I'm sorry. You're the only one I can ask.”
Marc could feel the battle raging inside the teenager and turned to watch Adrian, letting his pain bleed through their connection. "I love her, always have. Does he?”
The other shooters were warming up now and Marc lit a smoke, still waiting, hoping… He clamped down on a smile as the response came.
“She's tired and lonely and scared and I hate it. Let her go so he'll stop being mad!” Charlie hesitated., “He'll hurt her. You have to leave!”
Marc didn't answer. When they asked if he wanted a few warm up shots, obviously eager to see what he could do, he refused. Knowing Angie was unhappy, in danger, had instantly put him on edge again. He watched and smoked, nerves now under an icy wall of control. This was when he was at his best.
Adrian stood on the pitcher’s mound and faced his people. Slowly, everyone quieted to a low murmur backdropped by tents flapping softly in the cool breeze. His gaze was calm, reassuring. He was clearly happy with the way things were progressing. When he grinned, people responded, felt their hearts lighten. Adrian’s happiness was their light in the apocalyptic darkness.
"Who's your winner?"
Adrian shouted the question, and the crowd roared in answer, Kenn's name easily the loudest.
“Well, let’s find out. We'll eliminate one each round until Level 5, a single shot each, then it's two shooters gone each level, until we have a winner." His grin widened. "Or need a duel."
Adrian waved a hand at Kenn. "Our previous win
ner will shoot first. Kenn Harrison, best gun in camp!"
The crowd let out another loud cheer as the Marine stepped up to home plate, and Marc could hear the betting now going on behind the fence.
"Can I use my own weapon?" Marc asked quietly.
Neil ran nervous eyes over the shadows at the edges of the tape. Crowds and noise draw trouble, Lesson Four.
"Most of us do. Any piece is okay as long as it fires right. He keeps extras on the bales for those who want to try, but don't have their own yet."
Kenn pulled the trigger once, arm barely moving, and stepped back confidently.
"Bulls-eye!”
Clearly a favorite by the shouts of approval, the Marine flashed them a peace sign, grinning. They roared in response.
The next man up was someone Marc hadn't met yet, a sandy-haired man with the look of a laborer. He couldn’t match Kenn's shot. Almost none of them did. When Doug stepped up, only Seth, Neil, and Marc were left to shoot in round one.
Doug found Marc’s eye and again gave him a nod of recognition, doing it for the camp’s view. He’d been wrong about the Wolfman. He too had some loyal followers and wanted to show them that Brady now had his respect. Maybe it would help a bit that Marc had proven he was at least a physical match for Kenn.
Doug drew in a tight breath and fired. His shoulders immediately slumped.
"Out of bounds! No hit!"
The crowd groaned and cheered, and the big man moved to stand with Neil and Marc as Seth stepped up.
"Vision's still a little blurred," Doug confessed, amazed that someone smaller than Kenn had brought him down with only one hit. He had previously considered the arrogant Marine to be his only match. He had too much respect for Adrian to even compare. The blond would always come out on top.
"What did John say?" Neil asked.
Doug frowned, and then grimaced in pain. "Said next time I should think about shutting up before I get speak."