by Angela White
“What about you?” Jeremy accused. “I didn’t hear you telling her no.”
Neil had to grin. “I’m not stupid. I had the same thought, I just didn’t wish for it.”
“Liar,” Sam let it fly gently. “You were hoping I would pick you, instead of only securing a place with me.”
Neil had the grace to flush.
Samantha gave them both the lay of things. “I wanted this to happen. Now, you’ll both be equal and I’ll be happy with our family. I…I love you guys. Please don’t rip us apart.”
Neil caved first. Besides his obsession with her, he’d longed for a child of his own before the war and hadn’t thought it would ever happen now. “Whatever you need, Sammi.”
She looked to Jeremy and the Eagle surrendered. “Sure, Sam.”
She heard his thought and let him know it wasn’t true. “I don’t feel sorry for you, didn’t do this out of pity.” She ran a loving hand over his cheek. “I need you.”
Jeremy tried to allow himself to believe it. He took her into his arms and rested his head on hers. “I don’t know why, but I’m here as long as you feel that way.”
Sam reached out and Neil’s hand was there. “We’re going to be together for a very long time,” she vowed, pulling Neil closer.
When Neil’s hand went around her waist to rest on her stomach, Jeremy slid his own hand over to make room.
Samantha showered both men in her love. This was what she’d needed before the war, what would have been so wrong. Thank you.
It was my honor.
Sam gasped, making both men recoil in concern. It was the first time she’d heard that voice inside and it was a moment she wouldn’t forget.
“Are you all right?”
Samantha gave a slightly embarrassed smile. “I’m hungry.”
Both males chuckled and led her toward the crowded mess.
6
Marc spent his first hour back in camp on rounds. Everyone was eager to bring him up to speed, but he also knew they wanted to be close to him. Some of them were friends he’d missed. Some were camp members who were hoping for details on someone who hadn’t returned, and even more wanted battle details. However, the bulk of them simply felt his new openness, his light, and couldn’t stay away.
It’s like I’m Adrian, Marc thought, sending that man an ugly glower as he walked by.
“Go to hell!” Adrian swore, not stopping.
Marc smirked violently. “Just got back. Reserved you a slot.”
Adrian stifled the amusement and the rage in favor of truth. “Then you know it isn’t over.”
Marc did and didn’t toss another barb. The battles that were coming were going to make this long fight feel like a rehearsal. Jax had called again to tell them the planes were still coming, dropping troops, and leaving. Marc assumed the base would hold another full battalion when it was all said and done. He also thought they would keep the base as a command center. There were enough undamaged bunks and buildings on the property to house most of the troops, but command would want them to toughen up anyway before the final battles. They’d be given standard equipment and told to rough it until they got the base in working order. Once that happened, the plans to conquer Safe Haven would restart.
“Welcome back!”
Marc turned to find himself caught up in a massive bear hug.
Doug shook him happily. “Hiya!”
Marc chortled as Doug set him down. “Same to you. How are you, man?”
Doug’s quick flinch said more than Marc needed.
“Good, really. What about you?”
Marc understood that Doug didn’t want Angela to know, but those days were over.
“If you don’t tell her, I will.”
Doug’s happy face twisted into fear and guilt as Marc placed a hand on his wrist. “We all have things that hold us back. She won’t take your place over it.”
Doug had to be satisfied with that. As he left, he had to admit that not having a choice certainly made it easier.
Doug detoured to the mess, where Peggy was helping Li Sing serve the mothers-to-be. She had to know first. After that, he’d go visit the doctor and get the confirmation he’d been dreading.
Marc approved the choice and kept quiet as Kevin came to him. Their radioman/personal assistant was in total confusion and Marc let him gather himself, figuring out what he needed the most.
“Does she love me?”
“Of course,” Marc replied confidently.
“But…”
Marc gestured toward the lone female doing cooldown laps on the gate course. “She’s scared you don’t want her now. Do you?”
“I don’t know about caring for another man’s child,” Kevin protested.
“Especially while he’s around,” Marc guessed.
Kevin’s face turned cold. “I’m not convinced it isn’t Matt’s.”
“Why does it matter?”
“Respect,” Kevin swore under his breath.
Marc understood that, but he couldn’t ease Kevin’s fears without him missing the lesson he had to learn here.
“What if you had adopted? His words of your condition weren’t a lie, right?”
Kevin was stung again by the pain of it. “No. I can’t have children because of the war.”
“What if you adopted?”
“Not the same.”
“It could be,” Marc pointed out. “You determine those lines, Eagle. If you want a family, you now have one. There are men here who would kill for that.”
“But not his!” Kevin argued in frustration. “He was a traitor and the other one will be here watching everything we do! How can I be a father like that?”
Marc had a moment where he began to understand what his new role in camp would be, and embraced it fully. “With love. The baby isn’t to blame. No one is for this one, except maybe fate. Neither of them expected it. He was as surprised as you when she joined the others.”
Kevin couldn’t argue that. Adrian’s voice had been as if he’d taken a blow.
“Does he want it…her?”
Marc nearly growled. “No!”
Kevin understood. “He’s got his sights on only one woman now and he’ll give up anything to get her.”
Marc gave a curt glare. “He already has been. You have nothing to worry about.” Marc put a hand on Kevin’s wrist and sent a blast of light into his soul. “She wants this. Deep down, so have you. Don’t let the circumstances ruin your future.”
Kevin didn’t follow when Marc moved away and the crowd slowly left him alone as they trailed their Ghost.
Was that all true? If Adrian wasn’t planning on interfering at all, it could work.
Cynthia gawked at him as she went around the nearest part of the gate and Kevin reluctantly took in her worry and her glow of happiness. She was having Adrian’s child. Could he handle that?
Cynthia flinched at the mental question and turned away. She wasn’t sure she could handle it yet, but her choice had been made when she’d begun to change. The pregnancy was only the next part of it all. She was one of them now and this would cement it. If Kevin couldn’t get on board, others here really would look at it as an honor.
Cynthia began to jog again. When a small group of single Eagles joined her, she allowed them to stay close and talk. She didn’t want any of them. She didn’t even want Adrian and that was a shock. She wanted Kevin, but if she couldn’t have him, one of these men would do. They were all good for the job of father.
Kevin watched the males gravitate toward Cynthia. She was one of only two pregnant females without a mate and Kevin scowled as some of the younger men even began surrounding Candy. Adrian hadn’t been far off. It had been half an hour, not two minutes, but the men were already understanding Kevin was about to pass on that duty. None of them would care that it was Adrian’s child. In fact, that was a bonus. Caring for the boss’s baby would be considered an honor to many people here, male and female.
“What am I doing?” Kevin g
roaned.
“Picking the choice that’s best for you,” Charlie stated, coming to his side. Tracy was still arm-in-arm with him.
Kevin studied the young couple openly. She’d been a whore and Angela’s son thought she was worthy. Would he still have felt that way if Tracy had come up pregnant by one of her... friends?
Charlie’s eyes blazed crimson for an instant before he pulled it in. “It would be hard,” the teenager admitted. “But it would have been before me, so how could I blame her?”
Kevin got the point again, but it didn’t change anything. He wasn’t sure he could do this. He left them standing there, going to the QZ. Maybe it was time to split.
7
“I’m sorry I hadn’t already told you.”
Jeff glanced up from the kit he was working on. “How long?”
Crista flushed.
“About a week. I haven’t…wasn’t…”
Jeff understood she hadn’t known how he would react and wasn’t angry about that. “When?”
Her voice came easier. “Around May. I haven’t seen the doctor yet.”
“He’ll be busy today. I’ll set you up an appointment over the next week or so.”
Crista wasn’t sure what that meant. “Thank you.”
Jeff heard her confusion, but his own was louder. He chose to be honest. “I’m not sure how I feel yet. I’m not pissed or anything, but I need to work it out in my mind.”
“Don’t you think we should work it out together?” Crista asked sharply.
“No. You’ve had a week to run it through. I need to do the same.”
A tear slipped down her cheek and she turned away without saying anything else. It wasn’t the reaction that she’d hoped for. Marc had ruined it.
Jeff watched her vanish under the canopy of the mess and sighed. He didn’t want her to be upset, but she had to know this was a shock.
Why? You didn’t pull out.
Jeff forgot to breathe. Where had that come from?
Laughter rolled through his mind, the kind that said life was beautiful and he was crazy to deny it.
Jeff’s revelation came at the same time as Seth’s.
8
Seth was enjoying the sight of Becky smiling and eating with the other women, her quick looks at his face the only sign she was worried. Was it for herself? Seth didn’t think so. She was worried that he was angry, but how could he be? This child was his and they both wanted it…didn’t they?
Seth left the mess.
“You need to talk to him,” Jennifer stated, observing Seth going to Marc.
“He needs time to be sure he wants this. I won’t push him,” Becky told her.
Jennifer snorted out amusement. “Really? Cause he’s thinking the same thing about you.”
Instead of going to him like Jennifer expected, Becky leaned closer. “How much does it hurt?”
Jennifer denied the delay. “Go talk to him, will ya? We’ve got plenty of time to scare everyone.”
Becky went to her mate.
Jennifer felt Kyle staring at her and understood her time for picking and easing fears had also come.
She went to the tent area and began speaking with the guard on duty. When she left, Kyle gradually made his way over.
Zack didn’t make Kyle suffer. “Congratulations. She asked for a couple’s tent.”
Kyle’s stunned happiness sent calming blue through the shield and he immediately went to get one and erect it. His world had healed itself and the emotions were infectious as he crossed camp. He clapped shoulders and tossed jokes, his happiness spreading through the people.
It wasn’t hard to guess what had caused it when they saw Jennifer’s matching glow. Another of Safe Haven’s problems was over with. It was a good day for the camp. Marc’s return had given them new life, in more ways than just the obvious.
9
Angela observed the peace and contentment flowing over her camp in gratitude. It had been a hard first battle, but they’d survived it, and now, were stronger. Marc’s powers had grown into the equal of Adrian’s and he would continue to evolve, as would she.
Her hand slid down to caress the small bump she imagined was there. “Momma loves you,” she cooed, unable to help herself. This was all she’d longed for and more.
Marc placed warm hands on her shoulders and Angela leaned against his heat, lids closing. “Nice, Brady.”
Marc sent the energy into her in a thick stream, heart settling into a rhythm of need and respect. “I love you.”
Angela turned in his embrace and made him demonstrate how much.
Across the camp, Adrian slid to his knees at the pain of their love on display. Some of it was in his heart, but most of it was in his arm and chest, and he took shallow breaths as it increased.
Unable to feel his need, Angela led Marc to their tent.
Adrian slumped to the ground.
Angie!
Silence.
The pain tightened around his heart and Adrian drifted into the darkness alone.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Close
1
Kenn ducked into the medical tent and went to Adrian’s side. “You awake, Boss?”
Adrian didn’t open his eyes. What was the point?
Adrian heard other, lighter steps, but didn’t feel like meeting any of their new arrivals.
“Marc has soldiers out there,” Kenn stated. “He’s getting ready to bring them in.”
Adrian didn’t care. It wasn’t a great idea, but he was sure Marc knew what he was doing.
Kenn tried again. “The Indians want to come in, too, since he’s here. They’ve grown attached.”
Adrian felt his heart tightening and looked around.
Kendle stared at Adrian in surprise. She was in the chair by his bed. She hadn’t cared about him at all until his eyes had met hers and the ground rattled. What was up with that?
“This is Kendle. Marc wants you to see to her, blend her in and…”
“No.” Adrian turned his head, understanding now what awful plan Marc had created.
“He said do it or get out.”
Adrian opened his mouth to say he’d leave, and Kendle shifted in embarrassment. It sent her smell over the cot.
Adrian froze in pain. “Even the scent, huh? Bastard.”
Kendle flushed. Marc had told her everything this morning, including his plan to give her to Adrian, but she hadn’t had the strength to fight. She was so lost, so confused!
Adrian read it all and it was impossible not to feel her pain. Here was another warrior who would dream of Marc at night.
“It’s what Kevin will think, too,” Kenn stated, reading it on Adrian’s face. “Not true in either case, though.”
Kenn stood up, giving Kendle a polite nod. “I’ll come for you in a bit. Don’t let him go to sleep yet. Doctor’s orders.”
“Okay,” Kendle agreed reluctantly. She didn’t want this. Being handed around to men who didn’t need her was humiliating. She gave Adrian a sharp glare. “He’s gone. Tell me what the hell I’m supposed to do here!”
Adrian blinked at the rage in her tone, picking up the need and the fear. “What are you?”
Kendle’s sigh sank into Adrian’s heart against his will.
“A danger to the herd. I’m a Rage Walker.”
Adrian saw how that could be true, but it wasn’t until she let her crimson show that he fully understood how devious Marc was.
“You’re a descendant.”
“So are you,” Kendle sneered defensively.
Adrian was startled into awareness of her fire. She had heat pouring off her in waves.
“I haven’t…killed in a while,” she explained, hearing his thoughts much clearer than she ever had Marc’s. “It strains my control.”
Adrian carefully pushed himself up, but stayed quiet as he read her thoughts.
She didn’t try to keep him out, but Adrian didn’t go into her crypt. That was too personal for a first meeting.<
br />
“Why?” Kendle sneered hatefully. “You might as well have it all!”
She shoved the images at him, not afraid of his displeasure.
Adrian felt something shift inside. She did need to be cared for and he needed a reason to stay. Was this enough?
Kendle shrugged hatefully. “I don’t think so. You’re not him.”
“And you’re not her!” Adrian fired back, stung.
They stared for another minute in defiance of the plans made for them, but it was an act and they both knew it. The comfort they had to have to survive was here and able, if not entirely willing.
“We could help each other,” Adrian suggested finally.
Kendle crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe.”
Adrian liked her stubbornness. “You’ll let Kenn know?”
Kendle stood up. “If I choose to be your toy, I’ll tell you first.”
The bitterness in those words made Adrian grab her wrist. He started to say he would be as good to her as he could and was silenced by the power of the connection.
Kendle contemplated his hand, unable to fight the light in his touch. It reminded her so strongly of Luke that tears welled.
She jerked her arm away. “Never without permission!”
Adrian’s heart squeezed inside his chest again. “Not at all, if you’d rather. I can help without it going that far. I’ve done it for most of the women here and only a few of them have shared my bed.”
That wasn’t what she’d expected and Kendle lingered, not sure what to say.
Adrian carefully took her hand again. He didn’t speak with his mouth, but shot with his mind.
Kendle flinched at the power held in tight control.
Friends to start.
Kendle was so lonely that she couldn’t fight the inviting tone. She gave a quick nod and left the tent.
Adrian lay down, plans in a spin. Marc had given him a substitute. Will I take it?
That answer was already written in the stars, he suspected. Even now, the scent of vanilla that Kendle had left was easing his pain. Angela hadn’t come to see him, only to check with the doctor on his condition. She hadn’t even glanced at him, like he didn’t exist for her now.
You don’t, his demon stated. But this one needs you.” Adrian knew that to be true, but the choice to take Kendle in Angela’s place was one that he couldn’t make.