“What can I do for you today?”
“I’d like to talk to you about some holes in security.”
Despite knowing their deaths might be coming, Adrian couldn’t prepare openly or warn his sheep, and it was hard to keep his mind on the things at hand. The worry was relentless.
By the time he had cleared the short line waiting to speak with him, Adrian found himself calling out to her. Surely there was something else he should be doing?
Angela heard him clearly and got up from her seat at his Mess table without speaking. She’d been waved into the happy crowd for each meal, and while she was grateful to be welcome, she hated how everyone followed those center people so closely. It was like… sheep watching the shepherds to know when to run, she thought, finally understanding why the Eagles and Adrian sometimes referred to them that way.
The four men at the table didn’t speak and their eyes followed her toward the men’s tents. A few seconds later, Seth casually moved that way, too. Her guards were still mostly unnoticed by both the camp and lower three levels of Eagles and it had to stay that way for now.
Angela walked quickly through the people she was coming to care for, not responding to greetings or questions. She’d done what they wanted for the last two days. She drove; had a shift with the doctor in the medical tent; spent time with Charlie in his new canvas; had a shower surrounded by shadows; and then went back to her tent to spend the night tossing and turning.
It was a routine she didn’t care for. In fact, she hated it after even such a short time. The guards she had started making friends with in quarantine were now hanging back, waiting for Adrian’s choice, she assumed, and she was firmly back on the outside. That brief time had given her a glimpse of the world Adrian was offering and she wanted it.
There were three people in line to see him when she arrived at his tent and she was surprised when he cut things short with them and shook his head at two more starting to move his way. Standing in the flap, he motioned her in, and then shut it behind them.
“Thank you for coming.”
She looked over his spotless canvas home in the manner the Eagles always did, verifying things were okay by the state of his tent.
“If you’re busy, I can come back.”
“Now is better for them too, they just don’t know it.”
Angela heard it in his voice, the assurance he needed, but couldn’t ask for, and gave him a smile that was a bit fuller than she’d intended. “Well then, I’m all yours.”
If only, was his first thought and he smothered it. She already had two Marines sniffing at her heels. She didn’t need a third.
“How are things?”
Angela sighed, impatient too. “I don’t need to be warmed-up.”
Adrian frowned, a bit stung. “I need to know some things about the remaining twin and the Slavers. Like where they are and if the brother will come alone or with help.”
Adrian watched in fascination as she searched for him.
“Not far enough. The Black Hills, using our old campsite.” Her eyes opened to reveal a smoky, rolling blue that waited for his next question.
“And the twin?”
“The weaker of the two. He’ll want help, but he’ll sneak in during the night if he has to.”
Her voice sounds like endless minefields, he thought. “We have plans.”
“But, you have no faith,” she warned as the magic slowly faded. Angela couldn’t stifle the yawn fast enough and quickly tried to distract him before he could bring it up.
“I’ve stayed out of sight about as much as I can stand.”
Adrian heard the confirmation of Marc’s words in her tones. “Brady was by earlier and he made your unhappiness very clear. As of this moment, you are free to come and go as you see fit.”
“But you won’t lift the guard.”
“No.” He saw her brows draw together and shrugged. “They wouldn’t listen to me anyway on this one. Your Wolfman has them in line.”
“When?”
“When you’re safe.”
Angela snorted unhappily. “That could be a while.”
Adrian was torn between needing her protected and making it possible for her to stay. “We might be able to change it to no guard during meals and activities with the Eagles.”
She waited, sure he’d give a little more and he let out another sigh.
“No guard during the day, unless we’re traveling, or there’s trouble.”
She gave him a stunning smile. “Thank you.”
Her happiness faded and he saw a small glint of fear enter her eyes. “I need something.”
“Name it.”
“I want that guard to go on Charlie, an Eagle, who won’t let him leave camp without my permission. Not for any reason or with anyone, but me or Brady.”
Adrian was already nodding. “He talked to me about that this morning too, seemed surprised you hadn’t.”
“I hadn’t made up my mind.”
“So you’ve chosen the other Marine?”
Angela stiffened. After the flashes the Witch had put her through last night, the thought of talking about her love life with this man was mortifying. “Things are over with Kenn. I’ll tell him soon or he’ll provoke me into hurting him with it, but I have no idea what he might do.”
“Accept it.”
“That’s my hope.”
“And when you do go to Brady?”
She flushed, but didn’t deny it. “That’s too far away to think about yet. For now, I’d like to be considered single.”
“You’re waiting to see if Kenn’s going to be a problem? Trying to ease him into the idea of seeing you with another man before you actually do it?”
She gave him a short nod of embarrassment, pale cheeks stained with color at the turn of the conversation, and Adrian leaned back. That would give the camp a choice, but it was one that none of them would care for, including her men. And it wasn’t really what she wanted, either. He could see that.
“But it will give me the two things I need most, if I’m careful,” she forced out, needing him to know she’d thought it through. “Right now, I’m not strong enough to be an Eagle and the mate to a man like Brady. I’ll be constantly pulled between the two things I love and one of them will suffer.”
“But if you’re already in my army…”
“Then I’d never let it be taken from me. I’d know going into things that I’d still be an Eagle first, no matter what.”
They were the words that each of his highest men had told him in confidence after realizing his dream, and to hear it coming from a female was a bright moment for Adrian. It was not only proof of his hard work and plans, it was also a sign of their future finally starting.
“There’s a private lesson tonight, during mess. First, you have to find it without being stopped by any of the guards. If you still want to be an Eagle when it’s over, you’ll start training publicly.”
2
“And you’re sure?”
Samantha smiled apologetically. “Sorry, but I’ve never seen him before.” She tilted her head. “Are you sure you did?”
“Yes!” Cynthia snapped. “He was government, I’m sure of it.”
So am I, Sam thought, but only gave the reporter a cool glare. “Lies like that could get him banished.” She turned away. “Or you killed.”
The Storm Tracker moved toward the area behind the supply trucks without looking back, pondering her defense of Adrian. Cynthia was the enemy, representing the old ways that she was always accusing Adrian of. She was so blinded by her obsession to know who he’d been, that she couldn’t see herself. The camp appeared to have written her off as another bitter star from their past, but Samantha thought Adrian needed to be very careful or the reporter would figure it out. She was far from dumb.
As for who Adrian had been, Sam had already placed him. It had come to her late last night and taken only a short deliberation to understand it didn’t matter. It may have if she hadn’t sp
ent the time alone with him in his rig. He wasn’t like the leaders of Before, he actually cared. Adrian wasn’t responsible for the mistakes of the old world, no matter who his father was and she thought most of the camp would agree. It was those few who wouldn’t, that would keep the rest of them stirred up until he was forced out and Safe Haven collapsed. Like it or not, he was right to hide it from them.
Samantha mouthed a hello at the ponytailed guard on duty at the gun class, his surprised face a good feeling. He’d thought no one could see him in the tree, but Sam was getting better at spotting extra eyes on her now. She moved toward the bleachers with a small smile.
Since her ride with Adrian, some of these healing people had also been friendlier, and she was glad, but that feeling of doom was impossible to shake. Even having the doctor tell her all the tests had come back negative hadn’t erased it…
“Morning, Samantha.”
The Den Mother was alone, two steaming mugs on the bench next to her, and Sam moved that way reluctantly. It wasn’t that she didn’t like the German, she just didn’t feel like listening to her today.
“Morning, Hilda.”
Knowing it was rude, Sam chose to sit at the far end, not in the mood for all the chats these women wanted to have or the advice they gave. She needed time to think, to figure out how to…
“Death surrounds you.”
Now standing in front of her, Hilda’s words gave Sam a deep chill and she automatically took the mug that was held out.
“It followed you here. You and the other one he wants us to see as a man.”
Ready to do battle to get out, Samantha was unprepared for the woman’s harshly spoken words.
“It is good, ya? You have led them to their deaths. Those they’ve slaughtered will be grateful.”
The woman left and Sam sipped the strange brew that smelled like tea and tasted like coffee. Was Hilda right? Was it supposed to work this way? If Adrian and his Eagles could handle Cesar, then she hadn’t done anything wrong.
Sam sighed. That evil man wasn’t the only problem. When the Slavers attacked, the blond Leader would be busy protecting his people from outside threats, not insides ones. With Rick already here, Adrian was in danger…
“Hi.”
Sam looked up to see Neil and his team walking by with hands full of equipment and realized they were teaching the class today. She’d noticed him before now, but with the dim sky to light up the golden flecks in his eyes, she felt her body respond. He was cute.
“Hello. I’m Samantha. Sam.”
Neil studied his sheet like he didn’t already know who she was. “Right on top.” He met her eye curiously. “You’re early. No breakfast?”
Sam was aware of his team giving them funny looks and quickly shook her head. “Not hungry.”
She flashed a smile the Trooper saw through. “Besides, I wanted a chance to get here first and mess with things so I can pass.”
Neil chuckled, surprised by his instant desire to help her feel welcome. What was it about this group that had come in? Other than Rick, they all had a spark that drew people.
“Come help us set up, then. Better chance that way.”
Appearing very self-conscious, Sam followed Neil into the midst of the working Eagles and none of them missed the way her hand hovered over the gun on her hip. They recognized the weapon as Adrian’s, but the males were well-trained, and none of them asked about her having it even though she hadn’t been through the class yet. There was only one way she’d gotten the boss’s gun, and they wouldn’t question his choice.
“What can I do?”
Neil gestured at the line of targets. “Help me roll these onto the spots they’re marking off.”
The roller-bound targets were large and bulky, but she was sure the State Trooper could have done it by himself. Make-work to keep her from feeling so alone while watching them? Probably, she thought, shoving against the ruts in the ground. It was nice of him.
“This is good. Let’s get the next one.” Neil used his eyes to tell the Eagles to leave the remaining targets for him and Sam to move.
They worked on other things, watching curiously. Did he like the blond? Jeremy had mentioned his suspicions to the rest of their team and the Trooper was unaware of his every expression being scrutinized.
Sam and Neil moved all the targets onto their marked and measured places, silent except for his directions. Each one took them further from his men and the large rollout put at 200 feet was nearly at the edge of the caution tape.
Sam saw Neil’s eyes go over those on duty before sweeping the area himself. Comforted, she gave him a short smile. “Anything else you don’t really need help with?”
Neil laughed. “I’ll think of something for you to do, Miss Moore.” The offer sounded very personal, he realized, but before he could make it clearer, she surprised him again.
“If Becky hears you say that she might try to kill me.”
The Trooper froze and Sam moved a step back, realizing she’d made a mistake. She’d found out by listening to the other women talk. Surely Neil knew it wasn’t a secret?
Apparently not, because his mouth was slightly open and his face was flushed with guilt. Sam sighed. She just couldn’t seem to get the hang of things here. “It was a joke, sorry.”
She moved toward the bleachers at a fast clip and Neil stared after her in confusion. Awfully jealous tone for a joke, he thought. What the hell? He watched her stiff back bypass the filling seats and disappear behind them. She wasn’t staying for the practice now. Damn.
The rest of the gun class was tedious for Neil. He kept watching for her to come back or walk by and he wasn’t paying attention. Usually, this was the best lesson to be in charge of, but shortly after the women began taking their turns firing, he found himself shuffled to the rear by his own team. It was where they put Eagles who were having a bad day so it wouldn’t rub off on the females (something none of them wanted) and it was humbling to find himself in that position. Then it was torture as he spotted the object of his frustrations coming back toward the class, but couldn’t go talk to her.
Sam stepped around the corner of the bleachers with determined feet. Neil was the one who liked young girls. Why should she miss her test and the hunting trip? She headed for the guard with the clipboard, pretending the State Trooper wasn’t there, wasn’t watching her with those heated eyes. “Am I too late?”
Jeremy subtly turned so he could see Neil’s face. “Nope.” He waved her to the line, noting the sudden life in his team leader’s eyes.
“Last shooter.”
Neil’s XO took a minute to study her paperwork and her. This was the first woman Neil had shown any interest in, other than Angie, and who could blame him for that? The Trooper liked to flirt, especially with Little Becky, but he needed someone stronger, and Jeremy began evaluating Samantha as if she were in line to be his mate.
“Whenever you’re ready.”
Sam got set, trying to remember everything, and she jumped at the guard’s low voice near her ear.
“Grip’s too tight. Try to relax; pretend none of us are here.”
His soothing tone allowed her to do just that.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
“Three hits at fifty feet. Pass. Pack it up,” Neil ground out, instantly hating how close Jeremy was standing to her.
He sounds mad, Sam thought. “Can you tell him I didn’t mean anything by it?”
She turned to leave, but Neil’s second in command stepped in front of her, following those instincts that Adrian was slowly teaching them to trust.
“Level Two test, now.” Her chart notes came to mind. No blindfolded attempts yet. Apt to panic and fire randomly. “No blindfold,” he amended.
Sam opened her mouth to say no, but met Neil’s angry glare over the guard’s shoulder. “He doesn’t like this, you talking to me,” she guessed.
Jeremy didn’t deny it. “It is for him, though.”
Curious. Why wouldn’t Neil want her ta
lking to his team? Because of Rick, maybe? Sam shrugged. “Okay.”
She needed five bulls-eyes in any target or one in the farthest to achieve Level Two. She wanted to go for those closest to be sure of passing, but at that moment, she wanted Neil’s respect more. To get that, only the best shooting would do.
“Are questions allowed?”
“Absolutely,” Jeremy answered, pleased she had one.
“What’s the wind at? I know it’s south to south-east again, but I can’t feel the gusts for the bleachers.”
The Eagle automatically checked the flagpole dials Adrian had put up, not bothering to cover his eyes against the glare. With that blanket of sky-grit, skycrap as the teenagers called it, still lingering above them, there wasn’t any. “Ten to eighteen.”
“Thanks.”
Jeremy wasn’t sure what else to say and moved back. She’d asked an Eagle’s question. Would she be like Angie and want to join the Eagles? Did it matter? Wouldn’t being an Eagle make her a better candidate for Neil’s side or would a strong woman intimidate him?
Bang!
“Damn it!”
Sam’s exclamation was mostly lost under Neil’s impressed call. “Bulls-eye, farthest target!”
“That’s a pass.”
“Got a band aid?”
Jeremy saw her hand dripping blood and instantly knew what had happened. “I’ve done that so many times I almost don’t feel it anymore. Come on over here.”
As soon as the guard pulled out the first aid kit, they were surrounded by men, Neil the first to reach them.
“She okay?”
“What happened?”
“That looks bad.”
“Slide got her.”
“Can’t tell you how many times I’ve done that.”
Instead of scaring her, Sam felt that uneasiness lift a bit at their concern. She held up her hand as Jeremy opened a bottle of alcohol. “A bleed is an automatic pass, right?”
There were snorts and chuckles from all of them except the Trooper, and Jeremy leaned a bit closer to the woman than he needed to, testing the strength of Neil’s attraction. He had a plan forming, but Jeremy was suddenly sure he would be the one unhappy when it was done
Adrian's Eagles: Book Four (Life After War) Page 11