by Angela White
"She's off-duty, and the boy who is supposed to be watching is asleep in the cabin. I've got a thermos over here."
Angela considered how badly she wanted the coffee and Kenn's offer surprised her.
"I can leave if you want."
His tone was even, and she shook her head, slowly joining him at the table. She was comforted by the sounds of guards walking nearby, and though she couldn't see the moon, Marc, or Adrian, she knew all three of them were there, two of them watching over her.
A little less nervous then she had been, Angela sat on the opposite side, at the far end. As he began unscrewing the lid, she looked at him, trying to see who her Marine really was now.
He certainly looked different from the Kenny she'd known before the War. Back then his hair had been neat and trim, never a beard, and his fingernails were always pristine. He'd worn designer fashions bought at the most expensive shops in the mall and always sported the latest athletic shoe. She had hated the ones that were solid red, thought they looked like they'd been dipped in blood.
The man who gently set down her cup bore little physical resemblance to that person. This new Kenn wore dusty jeans, muddy black work boots, and a filthy army jacket that had clearly seen a lot of wear. He had a thin, goatee, his jaw covered with a couple days of stubble, and there was dirt under his nails, all things he used to pride himself on avoiding.
"Sugar?"
Angela shook her head and caught his surprised look. She started to tell him that she no longer needed to seek comfort in food, but thought better of it. He wouldn't understand. The Kenny she had come to loathe was a lazy, cruel man who was only happy when he was the center of attention. He hated kids and pets, had nothing good to say unless it benefited him somehow, and he had been a slob. She had picked up after him for a decade, and he'd never once helped, saying it was woman's work and meaning it.
If the man across from her, pretending to read his papers, was what he appeared to be, then he had changed and the slaps were… what? Twitches from the past? This man was hardworking, helpful, sought-after, and when he'd said he did a little of everything, he hadn't been lying. She was sore about how high up he was here, but not surprised by it, and she hoped he wasn't secretly after Adrian's job. Those shoes were way too big for him to fill, no matter how many friends he had.
Angela sighed. Safe Haven’s Xo was calm, easy-going, patient, and she was suddenly filled with cold resentment for the man now lighting a cigarette. Why was Adrian worthy of that kind of strength, but not her and her son? Kenn could stop himself from hurting some drunken camp member who'd taken a swing at him this morning, but he couldn't keep from shoving her 8-year-old son into a wall for jumping on his bed. For Adrian… but not for her.
Angela shivered, recognizing the moment. She had made up her mind, and it had little to do with Brady. She would feel this way if she had come alone, and it wouldn’t go away, even if Kenn never mistreated them again. She hated him for his weaknesses before the War, and his being so different now made it clear. She didn't love him, couldn't forgive him, and couldn’t abide even the thought of him touching her again. It was over.
The door in her mind swung shut with a final thud that echoed, and she could feel the Witch applauding.
"You're quiet." Kenn had been trying to let her speak first so he could get a feel for her mood, but he didn't like the look of resolve he saw in her eyes. He wanted to know what was going on in that pretty, brainless head.
"There are decisions to be made. I can't think if you're talking."
He nodded, heart thumping at her tone. It suggested bad news for his plans of reconciliation. When she said nothing else, just sipped her coffee, Kenn felt that ball of rage return.
"What decisions?"
Cool and untouchable in the flickering light of the big bonfire, Angela’s eyes flashed a warning at his tone. "A lot of things, though I must say, most of the votes have been counted."
Kenn’s face fell and sadness overwhelmed the anger for a moment. He was going to lose it all. It had been so good here, so perfect. "So, that’s it then. You've picked him."
The words were full of hurt and she shook her head, choosing to fight back. He couldn't be allowed to see a weakness like sympathy and she was acutely aware of eyes watching them from shadowy tent flaps. "My choices are based on our past."
"But things are different here. I'd never be like before."
"It's too late."
Kenn was quiet for a long minute. He had known as soon as he'd recognized her show of force. Brady had always been better.
"You want to be with him?" He pushed.
Angela shrugged, forcing an icy tone to cover her fear. Marc wouldn't let him hit her more than once, and neither would Adrian or his men. Kenn's words had been a bluff. "Right now, I only know what I don't want."
The Marine flushed angrily, controlling the violent need to slap her openly for her defiance. "You don't have to be such a bitch about it!"
Angela shrugged again, eyes like chips of ice. "Why should I tip-toe? You never cared for anyone's feelings until now, until Adrian, and that stings for me. One day, it'll be old news, and maybe we'll even be friends, but not right now!"
She shoved herself away from the table, and Kenn watched her go, still wanting her body, but hating her for reminding him of his mistakes. He really was changing, was ashamed of most of his behavior toward her and the boy, but a bigger part of him still wanted to make her pay… hurt her.
Kenn sighed. He had always been skilled at giving people what they wanted. Before, it had always been act one way, and think another, but the War and his time with Adrian was working on him, changing him. If not for Angela and her Wolfman, he wouldn't be feeling like an outsider. Why couldn't she just be happy he'd changed? Why couldn't she give him a chance? Why couldn't she have died on the way here?
10
"I wasn't sure if you'd let me come."
Her voice sounded breathless, and Neil frowned, wishing she was older and longing for an hour alone with the hot little piece. His post was farthest from camp tonight, and he had worried about her coming out here all day. They were surrounded by thick trees and almost total darkness, but alone? He was never really sure, thanks to Adrian's setup.
"I shouldn't have. This isn't safe for either of us."
Becky stepped closer to him in the cool darkness as her heart pounded in her chest. "There's no other guard here. That's why I chose it. We're alone."
Neil shook his head, trying to fight the arousal he felt when her teenage eyes swept over his hard body with innocent desire. This was the furthest their flirting had gone – talk.
"Don't play games with me, Rebecca. I'm not one of the little boys you like to toy with," he warned.
She stepped close, looking up at him with a guiltless gaze full of challenge. "Playing is not what I had in mind."
His body responded to her sexy tone, but his eyes narrowed. "Then tell me why we're here."
She flushed prettily, and Neil knew she was working up the courage for something, but didn't move, wanting to know how strong his feelings for her were. As long as it was her and not him doing the actual deed, his place was safe.
"I need to ask you something."
The trooper swallowed the lump in his throat, suddenly sure they were being watched but unwilling to stop her as his body responded again to the invitation in those big, green eyes. "Go ahead."
Neil's voice was rough, sexy to her virgin ears, and she moved even closer, putting them inches apart. "Do you like me? ‘Cause I sure do you!"
Before he could speak, she had edged forward and pressed her soft lips to his.
Neil froze, very aware of the rules as his male body strained to get to her, and the teenager felt the coolness, pulling back after only a few second. He watched her go scarlet at his frown, and her eyes filled with tears.
She turned away. "Sorry, guess I misread."
Her muffled voice was miserable, thick with humiliation, and Neil was movi
ng toward her even as he told himself he shouldn't.
"Wait."
Neil pulled her gently around and into his arms. "You didn't misread." He moved slowly, carefully, eyes on hers. "Can I kiss you, Becky?"
Her flush deepened as she nodded, and he placed a long, chaste kiss on her mouth. Her arms went around his neck and Neil held himself still with iron willpower. God, it had been a long time!
He broke the embrace, carefully tilting her flushed face up to meet his eyes. "I am interested, but this is forbidden right now, and I won't break Adrian's rules again, not even for you," he stated gently, trying to keep space between their entwined bodies.
When he slowly pushed her back, she let go.
"But in October …"
She let the words trail off, looking at him with big, green eyes full of hope. Neil sighed, body tight. "Come Fall, I'll be one of the many tapping on your tent flap."
She smiled eagerly, but before she could swear he was the only one she wanted, he held up a hand. "No promises from either of us. That's still a long way off yet. There's a lot to be done."
Becky smiled, flashing cute dimples. "And I'm gonna help. You'll see." She took another step back. "October, Neil, and then I expect at least a real kiss."
He was grinning as she left. He wanted the flirty teenager, but right now, there were other, more urgent things, and he wouldn't miss out on them, not even for her.
"You know, there can be exceptions to my rules."
Neil jumped, startled, and turned to see the Adrian step from behind a nearby tree. "She's made a very adult choice. If you want her now, you have my approval."
A little embarrassed and not about to tell the truth, the trooper shook his head, looking around them at the thick, black hills. Clear. "She's not ready yet."
Adrian shrugged, hard, blue eyes knowing, "She thinks she is."
Neil's frowned and pushed his hat further onto his head as the wind gusted sharply. "She's fifteen. What does she know?"
"She knows you're attracted to someone else. I imagine she saw the way all my army was looking at Angela yesterday, and she wanted to stake some sort of claim on you."
Adrian met his eye. "So did it work? Are you marked?"
Neil blew out an awkward laugh, shrugging. "Not as much as Brady, but yeah, she's got some of my attention."
Adrian grinned. "Good. It's a great match for her, a solid start to this side of being an adult. Tell me when you're ready and I'll set it up."
Neil nodded, always so grateful to have Adrian. He was the solution to so many of their problems. Their population was mostly male, and to keep the men from fighting so much, the age of consent had been lowered, but it went deeper than that. Adrian knew they needed babies to keep their country going. Without new life, they were doomed.
"So you spent the day with him."
The trooper lit a smoke, glad of the subject change. This is what the Boss had come for. "Yeah, he should be at the showers now. I told him I'd meet him at your tent."
What's the verdict?"
Neil met his eye without hesitation. "I think he's one of those few you asked me to look out for so long ago. He's already starting to win people over."
Adrian's voice was grim. "While during the same time, my right hand has spent two days pushing everyone away."
Neil's response was quick, angry. "If Kenn doesn't back off, the camp might file a charge and vote for punishment."
"He’ll come around. I hope."
Neil nodded, but neither man thought it would be easy.
"What about Rick?" The trooper asked.
The leader scowled this time. "He's out of quarantine now, with a 24-hour watch."
"His schedule starts tomorrow?"
"Yes. Come morning, all the new people are on company time, though I'm sure that will come earlier for some than others. Kenn will see to that."
Neil couldn't help grinning. "Did you see his face when we stepped into line at the contest? I thought he was going to choke."
There was no answering smile on Adrian’s tight lips. "Yes, I did. He didn't want me to know how good Brady is, didn't tell me that Marc was his team leader. What else does he keep from me?"
Chapter Forty Six
Day 3
1
Before light dawned Adrian was moving through the quiet camp at a pace that was faster than usual, racing heart keeping him from feeling the chill in the wind as it pushed at him. Sickly-looking leaves blew from the twisted trees overhead, the scent of rain thick in the air.
Adrian stepped under the Mess canopy and headed for the table where his best men were eating, but not really talking. The mood was clearly tense over last night’s victory for Brady, and the silent-but-hard declarations of loyalty to him by so many in the chain-of-command. It was one of the things about to change. This would bring them together. Danger.
"We need more water. The tankers are closed for testing."
Adrian had their undivided attention as he sat down in his waiting place.
"The dogs are acting funny, foggy. Someone may have tampered with it. Hopefully, they only stole some, but we'll take no chances."
His full table was now covered with opening notebooks, with one stack of half-finished trays piling up in the center. They all wondered how much of what they'd already consumed might be contaminated.
"Morning and lunch are drawn the night before so we're okay for the moment, but dinner and tomorrow will have to come from the reserves. John's testing those now."
Everyone held their questions as he lit a smoke, knowing he wasn't done. The quiet watchfulness of his men drew the attention of the half-dozen sleepy-eyed camp members around them. Many still in robes and housecoats, their eyes began to wake and spread the word. Trouble.
"Kenn found an untouched water tower last week. I had hoped to leave it for an emergency, but we need it now. It's back toward our last known location of the slavers." Adrian paused to look around. "This has to happen, highest security procedures, no one below a Level Three goes."
Kenn was thinking of the Slavers that had to still be furious over their rescue of the Cheyenne survivors. "They'll be waiting, maybe."
Adrian had also thought trap. "We'll send our hardest men. You'll stay, though. I need you here. We'll push travel back a day and wait until the water crew gets back, instead of heading out tomorrow. One of us will change the schedules as we go."
Adrian looked at Neil and Kyle. "Do not engage. Evade and elude."
He spotted Rick moving into the line and his eyes narrowed as he stood up. "Kenn has point. I’ll be around."
The Marine kept his smile to himself as the other black-clad men left the table without a word to him. Kenn was more than glad that Brady's new friends would be leaving for a couple of days. Maybe he could get some time alone with Angela and talk some sense into her.
Kenn saw a flash of long black hair (down, again!) coming through the light fog. Or, whatever it took to make her see reason.
Angela's third day at Safe Haven dawned damp and foggy, the sun still a distant shadow clouded over by the thinning layer of toxic grit. She was thankful for the blue, button-up shirt over her white tank-top and jeans as the cool wind gusted harder. She headed for the coffee line, trying to look at this as a new beginning. She wondered if Samantha might be, too, having spotted the blonde further up in line, looking quite normal in her slacks and soft brown sweater.
Angela kept her eyes out for Marc, just hoping for brief eye contact. When heavy boot steps crunched next to her, she knew who it was by the way the people around her turned aside.
"I was looking for you," Kenn whined.
The tone was grating, and Angela instantly wished she'd skipped the Mess. She was glad to hear Dog’s soft paws come up behind her. He made her feel safer.
Kenn's face tightened when he noticed the wolf.
"I wanted coffee," Angela grunted, very tired. She had gotten little sleep these last two nights without Brady at her side.
"I wo
uld have brought it to you."
. "Since when?"
Angela raised a brow, face challenging. If he wanted to start shit, she would help today. The mood she’d woken in was ugly, and she found herself silently warning him to back off.
Kenn flushed, eyes pleading. "I've changed. Can't you give me a chance?"
The dish noise and conversations died down suddenly, the alert camp members wanting to hear her response.
Angela’s eyes were still full of her nightmares. "Not unless you can make me forget. So long as my ghosts scream, there won’t even be forgiveness.”
Kenn choked back an angry snarl and shoved a folder at her. He noticed Adrian come back through the other side of the Mess - frowning.
"That's your schedule. Follow it!"
Kenn stomped off at a fast pace, and people got out of his way, not wanting to draw his ire.
Angela sent a quick message to Charlie, warning him to stay out of the angry Marine's path, too, but got no answer. She sighed unhappily, ignoring the frowns around her. They thought she was being a hard-ass, trying to get something she wanted…and she was. Her freedom.
Angela pulled out only the top two sheets and read the first note, this one handwritten by the Marine.
"I am sorry for the past. I know it's hard to believe, but I do care for you, want you. Please don't tear apart the only family I've ever had. Here's my truce. I release you from our deal. You're free to go to him.”
Her heart wanted to be happy, but she just couldn't believe it. If he had put love and need instead of care and want, maybe, but it wasn't just that. After everything he had put her through, a note wasn't enough to settle things between them. He was a fool if he thought it was.
As she walked with her mug to the food line, Angela skimmed the schedule for what she was supposed to do today… She was with the doctor. Finally! Something she could do without being so careful and bored!