His heart thumped in worry and desire and he followed her to the hayroom, distracted from his fears of tomorrow.
Angela had her own terrors and she was grateful to Adrian for seeing her need. He knew a few hours alone with Marc would help her steel her resolve. She thought about calling Charlie and making it a family moment, but he would know what they were planning as soon as he saw their grim faces. Let the boy have a last peaceful night with Matt and Dog before the world flipped on him again.
Emotions now brewing tightly, she hung her gun belt on a peg and turned to face him. “Kai?”
Marc gave her a warning look, unable to keep from glancing over her battle-scars. “Only the moves.”
“Agreed.”
Her tone was so formal that it drew a snort from Marc. “Relax, will ya?”
Angela frowned deeply, eyes flaring with fear. “Not sure if I can, Brady. All I see is darkness.”
Marc understood that was bad, but didn’t know what to say that would ease the panic lurking in her voice. He did know how to give her brief peace from it, though, and he grimaced as he realized Adrian had, too. There seemed to be no end to the man’s manipulations.
“I wish you’d try to see it from a different view.”
Not wanting to argue, Marc sighed in surrender. “Yes, Dear.”
Angela laughed in surprise, watching his eyes roam her face for clues as to who she was now. He was studying her, like he was working a mystery, and she smiled. “How about we smoke one and play some cards? If you find us some mutated spiders, it’ll be just like old times.”
Marc let out a noise of amusement and felt his bitterness fade. Set up by Adrian or not, he wanted this bonding time with her more than he wanted to stand his ground.
“How about we curl up in a corner with my bedroll, and a joint, and wait for all Hell’s Day together?”
Angela’s body lit up at the thought of lying next to him, maybe stealing the occasional kiss, and she felt her face flush.
“Deal.”
Chapter Twenty Three
1
“It’s almost time.”
Angela nodded. They hadn’t slept much, just dozed and enjoyed their last few quiet hours together. “I know.”
“You’re still going.”
Angela didn’t answer. He already knew. Instead, she pressed closer to his warm safety and felt his arms tighten around her waist. “I love you, Brady.”
Marc felt the terrors rise and pushed them back the only way he could. He rolled Angela against the wall and slanted his lips over hers.
She answered his desperation with a wild clutch of his broad shoulders, tilting her head up. My Brady!
Adrian paused in the flap, feeling the waves of panicked passion flowing from the hayroom. He didn’t need to see it to know what was going on and he turned back toward camp. At least she’s in good hands, he thought, and swallowed the pain that came with it. He’d promised her happiness here and her relationship with Marc had a huge place in that.
His stomach tightened. If they survived the Slavers, he would get to watch Marc and Angela fall deeper in love. Being an unselfish leader who put his people first had some serious downsides and this one he wasn’t sure he would be able to take much of.
For now though, he would try to be content that all the plans he’d made around her were safe. Everything was finally in place to create the world they’d been denied. All that stood in his way was one large group of Mexican Guerillas.
Dawn was still an hour away as he slid into the Mess to join Neil and Doug. He put a single sheet of paper onto the table between them.
We’re going to war, Neil thought. A quiet excitement began to fill him, along with a lot of questions, as he tilted the paper for Doug to see. He kept his mouth shut though, very aware of a third party lingering behind Adrian who was close enough to listen.
Doug, Adrian’s most overlooked man, kept quiet. He’d been waiting for this, sure their Leader would strike out before the Slavers hit this camp.
"We'll reach the mountains within 10 weeks, even if we only travel half that time, and we need to handle something before we settle in for the winter."
His tone was flat and Neil understood it was time to do what he’d wanted to when Angie and Marc had first come. His grin was huge.
Cynthia edged closer. Neil flashed a warning look and she stopped, but didn't take the hint to go away. "Are they really that close?"
Adrian was sure the rest of the camp would soon know, too. The reporter looked very average in her white top and tan slacks, but he understood she was dangerous when she smelled a story. That was why she wouldn’t be in camp for the battle.
"Yes. Soon we'll all get a cozy winter of relaxation together," he said sarcastically. Adrian turned back to Doug and Neil. "We'll leave right before lunch and we'll need 3-4 days’ worth of supplies. Get on it."
Doug and Neil moved off and Adrian tried not to jump as Angela appeared at his side, pushing a hot cup of sweet tea into his hands. She was getting better and he tried not to let her feel his sadness or his jealousy at the twinkle in her eye or the lightness to her step.
Angela nodded politely at Cynthia, who she still considered a stranger, and then turned her back while she dug mercilessly into the reporter’s mind. Rick and Maria were lessons she would never forget and she was now searching all of them at every contact. It was exhausting.
The wind gusted as she and Adrian locked eyes. "Be at the mess in an hour.”
She hated the bloody images filling his mind, the fact that she was condoning it, and she leaned closer, keeping her voice low, "I know we have to do something, but why does doing the right thing feel so wrong?"
He shook his head at the near mirror of Brady’s concern. "Never said we were doing the right thing. That wouldn't work anyway. These guys don't play by the rules. We're headed out to do the one thing we can. Kill them or die trying."
They continued on in silence, both aware of their follower.
"She wants to go along."
Adrian didn’t respond to Angela’s thought. He knew and was counting on it, but for now, he left the reporter hanging.
"You think they’ll follow us?"
Adrian gave her the truth. "I do. Because you're going.”
Angela’s face was pale, but determined. "So, we're the bait. What happens when he starts running with the line?"
"We yank the bastard up and cut his head off."
"Can I bother you for a minute?"
Angela felt Adrian’s satisfaction, and had to turn away from the annoyed look he gave the reporter.
"Are you leaving camp?" Cynthia asked as soon as Angela walked away.
Adrian did a quick sweep. Clear… for now.
"We have some business to take care of. Care to tag along? It’ll be dangerous," he warned, thinking it would be more than she could resist. After all, what was a reporter without danger to write about?
Cynthia was surprised at the offer. She was basically ignored by them, so long as she pulled her shifts at babysitting and Mess duty.
"What should I bring?" she asked, pretending his hard face didn't make her feel like an outsider.
"An overnight kit and your gun. Be at the Mess in half an hour."
Her shoulders had slumped at his words. "I don't have a gun anymore. I feel very safe here."
The words pleased Adrian, but he forced out a sigh of frustration, always playing the role he’d been born for. "Can you fire one?"
She shrugged, flushing as she remembered trying to bluff him down at their first meeting, with a weapon she’d found. "Just pull the trigger, right?"
"See the two men getting the shooting class ready? Tell them I said to give you a 15 minute crash course and your own weapon.”
"But won't they get mad? I'm..."
"Do you want to go or not?" Adrian barked, having to force it past the coldness sloshing into his heart.
“I’ll be there.”
Cynthia headed for the class area.
If they got upset because she wasn’t scheduled, she would deal with it. There was no way she would miss this chance to work in the field again. She had heard enough to believe Adrian was about to do something the camp would either love him or loathe him for, and she would tell them everything.
Adrian did a sweep, seeing Angela had taken Charlie to the self-defense area for a fast lesson and few words of explanation. He thought there might be a problem, but there was only a quick hug that he was glad to see. He was comforted even more when Dog came from the high grass and sat down at the boy’s heels. The wolf turned his way, golden eyes calm. “The herd will be here when you return.”
Adrian grinned. “You need a mate. It would be amazing to have all the camp’s workers come from your bloodline.”
Dog sniffed the air curiously, but his tone in Adrian’s head wasn’t interested. “With those common mutts? I’d see my breed die out before polluting it that way.”
Adrian shuffled his surprise to the back of his mind. So even animals were bigots. Who knew?
He went to his tent and the two men now waiting there, not responding to the people trying to catch his eye, to question. With him and Angela leaving, and a lot of supplies going with them, the Slavers wouldn't be the only ones to think they were jumping ship. It was all a part of the plan… Marc’s plan.
"I added a bit to your trap. Kyle and his men will be behind the razor wire." Adrian stated as he stepped inside.
Marc instantly felt a little better. The Level Seven Eagles were deadly and all of them liked Angela, liked the thought of having their own magic. They would look after her, too. Even after all that had happened, it never crossed his mind that she would be one of those actually involved in the battle.
"What else do you need?" Marc asked as Adrian sat down.
"A way for Kyle and his men to see and hear the Mess meeting that starts in half an hour. I don't want the camp or the Slavers to see them. We need everyone to think we're less than two dozen people, choosing to run. Line up the trucks to block the view. For every four men who carry supplies in, only one or two will come out."
Kenn was relaxing in the corner, feeling better, too. Kyle and his team had been on numerous quiet missions and done well, from catching mutations for John's tests, to the executions of evil in the towns they passed through. They would handle this.
Catching the thought, Adrian hoped Kenn would keep quiet about the things the Eagles had done, but didn't tell him to. Maybe it would be better if the camp had a day or two to think about it anyway, and he left it to fate.
These Eagles were about to be exposed to the camp they had been lying to, and he hoped their success would help the sheep accept the cover-up. He had warned these men from the beginning that the people they protected might turn on them when they finally found out the lengths the Eagles were going to in order to ensure that safety. They’d all said they understood, but Adrian knew they hadn't, not then. They did now though, had seen and taken care of those few who had been banished, and it would make them more determined not to make any mistakes.
Adrian turned to Marc, who already had his pen and notebook out for the instructions he knew were coming.
"We'll be on the coded setup, so you'll be able to keep track of us all day, I think, and some of the night. You two have to get this camp ready to defend itself. Do it quick and out where everyone can see it. You'll have a few hours before we leave. Be inventive. Make a strong show; encourage them to take us instead. They're aware something's going on by now and they’re watching, deciding. It’ll make our little caravan seem like an easy target in comparison."
His instructions to Kenn were simple, "You're in charge and everyone knows that. They'll listen to you if you're careful with your words and always put them first. If we're not able to come back, get these people moving towards those mountains and make your stand there, not out here in the open. If we're not back in a week, there are a couple of notebooks inside my mattress that you’ll need. I expect you to keep working on my dreams."
Kenn nodded, pleased and scared, and Adrian blew out a sigh, "Damn, I wish I could take you guys."
"You sound like you're not coming back," Marc stated stiffly, only Angie’s reaction keeping him onboard with this suicide run. She wanted him here to defend their son and he couldn’t deny her need.
Adrian shook his head. "It's a good plan, one of the best I've ever seen. If we do it right, it's the Slavers who won't be coming back."
2
“Everyone here?”
They were all gathered in the Mess, sitting and standing around one picnic table in the middle as the rain fell softly. All of them were aware they were about to engage the enemy and the mood was somber. Some of the familiar faces under this canvas might not return.
"The Slavers are here. Mitch took a call.”
Neil pushed the button on the tape player and Angela paled at the evil coming out in waves from the speakers. It was the first time she’d heard them.
"You listen Señor, and maybe I won't kill all your Eagles. You will deliver food, water, and women two nights from now or we will come in and take them."
"And if we do this, do we have your word that you'll go away and leave us alone?"
Some of those listening frowned at Adrian's words, his willingness to deal, but most of them understood he was trying to avoid more bloodshed.
The Slaver's voice held no warmth, though he chuckled like he was amused.
"No, Señor. We will stay close to you and maybe settle with you when you reach the mountains. To seal the deal, you will send us the Witch with the supplies. You have had the advantage for a long time, but now she will See… for us!"
There was static and a lot of noise in the background. Bikes, gunshots, voices, dogs barking and the occasional female scream. It was menacing and those listening were proud of the steel in Adrian's answer.
"We will give you nothing, but coffins to bury your dead in!"
There was a pause and then the lightly accented voice came back. They could hear the wariness.
"It is the woman that makes you fight. She is very strong, but is one Witch worth all your lives? I know you will think on it and we will talk again. For now, no one leaves your camp, or we will kill them."
Neil turned it off and put it away as Angela’s worry came out.
"He has something planned for us."
"I think so, too. He says we have two days, but he won't stick to it.” Adrian looked around at them, at his army. “Some of this camp will panic. Things will be said and reacted to as each situation deserves and it will feel real because most of it will be. He'll be tempted to take the camp, but Kenn and Marc will have enough open force ready by the time we go that they'll come after what they'll see as better odds of success. We won't be helpless victims though, and there are more of us going than what anyone will see. We'll lure them away and eliminate them."
There were nods of agreement and no questions.
Zack lit a smoke, very glad to have been invited on the mission. He was busy trying to earn his place back, too. “So we'll ambush them and the threat will be gone. Sounds like a good plan to me."
Adrian grimaced a little at the flippant tone, but said nothing. They would understand how serious the killing was once it started. He waited as Neil unrolled a map.
Men's fingers held the ends and Adrian made sure nothing blocked the view of the camera hanging above them as he gave them the basics.
"We can do it anywhere trees line both sides of the road, but the farther from here the better. If things go wrong, Safe Haven will need those hours to run. If that happens, they'll head for Stone Mountain."
The men saw a lot of things marked on the map, like where the Slavers camp was, and all of them hated that it was so close. Less than five miles.
Adrian pointed to a spot on the detailed paper. “We'll set up fast here, here and here, and get out of sight. When they get to the middle, we open fire from here and here and pick them off."
He looked around. "I mean to kill every one of them or die trying. Stay here if you can't say the same."
Kenn took out his pen and notebook and turned to an empty page. In a couple of minutes, he had sketched an outline of not only where their campsite stood now, but some of the surrounding area as well. Everyone was impressed with how quick and yet detailed it was and as he slid the book to Marc, Kenn was aware of it.
Mind racing with the ideas he had been thinking on, Marc tuned everyone out and began drawing defenses. It took longer and it wasn't as neat as Kenn’s, but it was easy to see that he knew what he was doing as the picture changed. It was also obvious that the two Marines had worked together on this kind of thing before, Kenn's eraser moving parts of the camp to more secure areas, while Marc showed them what to do with the suddenly empty space.
Ten minutes later, the picture was completely different and Adrian was placing his final touch on the plans.
"It's great. Put some cover on the sharp shooters in those Semis, a gray tarp will work if they don't move too much, but put vests under it. If they take fire, they're out in the open. Bring the armored vehicles up to close the gap.” Adrian grinned. “Damn, that’s good. You guys could last for weeks right here if you had to."
"When do we leave?" Kyle asked in Adrian's ear piece.
"One hour. We'll meet at my semi. This is the important part gentlemen. Deflecting camp members out of the loading area is key. The Slavers are watching and we can't have them see even one small wave from a camp member to Kyle and his men,” Adrian warned.
“The element of surprise will give us the advantage and maybe decrease the number of men he follows us with. If he sees 40 men going, he might take his whole camp. If he sees 20 men, he'll take half his group and leave the rest to keep our people here. He'll know he can move faster and he'll pick out half his hard-asses, thinking that outnumbering us five to one will be enough. What he'll really be doing is handing us victory.”
Neil and Jeremy stepped from the tent together, not speaking. They headed for the camp, easily picking Sam from the crowd of scared people. She was the one watching for them with eyes only worried about their safety, not her own.
Adrian's Eagles: Book Four (Life After War) Page 57