Cover Fire (Valiant Knox)

by Anastasi, Jess

  “Maybe I was, but that was before. For the past few weeks, ever since Lawler, it’s like I’ve been playing a part. Like the real Seb checked out when Lawler was exposed, and ever since, there’s been a shadow left in place, going through the motions, putting up the usual front. But that’s all it is. A front. And anytime now, everyone is going to see through it. Or I’ll get someone killed, and that’ll be on me, too.” He sucked in a breath, like the air was suddenly too thick to breathe. “I can’t do it anymore. I can’t keep marching on. That’s why I need to see whether or not the bastard is dead. Because if I don’t, every time we get attacked, every time we go into battle, every time someone dies, that’s going to be on me as well, because he knows everything about us, and I let him walk away. I have to make this right. Not anyone else.”

  She cupped his face, no judgment or pity in her gaze—he couldn’t have taken it if she’d looked at him like that. There was simply easy acceptance and understanding.

  “Whatever you need, Seb, whatever you want to do, I’m here.”

  He let out a long breath, some of the tension he’d been carrying around in the past weeks draining from his body. “If I wanted to disappear, get away from this war, from whoever wants me dead, and all the complications of today’s little defiance, you could make it happen?”

  She nodded, shifting to sit right next to him, her shoulder against his. “If that’s what you really want when this is all over, then yes, I can make that happen. It’s probably what I should do myself before CI works out I’m still alive.”

  “I always liked horses. Never actually saw a real one, mind you, being a city boy and all. But maybe we could buy a ranch and have little baby horses. Be all quaint and boring for the rest of our lives.”

  “They’re called foals.” There was a definite note of humor in her response.

  “Huh?” He tilted his head to look down at her.

  “The baby horses? They’re called foals.”

  He dropped an arm over her shoulder and pulled her closer. “See? I’m learning new stuff already. I’ll be awesome at ranching, or whatever you call it.”

  “I think the horses might share a different opinion.”

  He grinned at her taunt, but neither of them said anything else. Seb closed his eyes, resting his cheek against the top of Jenna’s head, for a moment pretending that life was simple, that he and Jenna could just walk away for a less complicated existence and never look back.

  But despite what he’d said, despite the fantasy tempting a small part of his battered, war-wearied soul, he’d never be able to do it. He owed too much to his squad and himself to just check out. No. If he was serious about leaving, he should do it the right way—resign his commission and wrap up his extensive tour. But the notion of requesting the files and forms to fill out made his stomach feel like it were full of rocks and his heart skip a beat. The sensation said he wouldn’t be doing that anytime soon, no matter what happened after today.

  “The transport is going to slow down in a minute. There’s a checkpoint ahead, but we need to get off before we get too close.” Jenna shifted over to the tarp and took a quick look out.

  “Ready?” She glanced back at him, and he confirmed with a nod. After waiting a beat, she slipped the tarp open and jumped out. He caught sight of her rolling once, then landing in a crouch and disappearing into a nearby stand of trees. No matter how many times he got a glimpse of her skills, they still surprised the heck out of him. The woman was one serious operator.

  With a half breath in, and knowing he wouldn’t be anywhere near as nimble, Seb jumped out, trying to mimic her roll and not take the impact too hard in his knees and ankles. But it wasn’t as easy as she made it look. He couldn’t stop his momentum, and rolled several times, ending up in a heap on his back as the transport disappeared around a slight bend in the road.

  With a few muttered curses—particularly at his aching hip and recently injured shoulder—he pushed himself up and tried not to limp over to where Jenna had disappeared. When he rounded the shrubs, he found her grinning at him.

  “Don’t say a word,” he warned her, noticing now that his elbow was also smarting like maybe he’d grazed it.

  “I wasn’t going to say anything, only that your technique was rather interesting.”

  He sent her a frown, which only made her grin widen. “Some of us have been trained to use parachutes when we eject from a moving object.”

  She took the datapad out again, made a quick check of the screen—to confirm their position he supposed—and then slipped the jacket off.

  “Come on, I have to make a detour.”

  Following her lead and taking off his jacket, he wadded it up and shoved it under his arm, though he was wearing an off-duty Knox uniform that would still be recognized by the CSS forces. Simple removal of the jacket wouldn’t be much of an improvement once they crossed enemy lines.

  He trailed Jenna as she tracked deeper into the sparse woods until they came to the charred remains of a cabin. The surrounding forest and ground were also burned as though some serious ammo had detonated here at some stage. Nature had started reclaiming the blackened, dead areas, putting his estimate of destruction at around two or three years ago.

  Jenna stopped at one of the two remaining cabin walls and shifted some debris, tugging out a large, wrapped package. A backpack.

  In a matter of seconds, she’d stuffed the jacket and datapad away and pulled out a shapeless gray coat and loose pants. Another garment followed, which she tossed at his chest. He caught it and shook it loose. This was a longer, wider coat, in a color that was somehow not brown, but also not gray. No, the unattractive shade landed somewhere right in the middle.

  By the time he’d finished giving it an unimpressed once-over, Jenna had pulled the pants and jacket over her shipwear.

  “Put that on. We need to blend in once we’ve crossed the lines.”

  He held it up to himself, the garment reaching just past his knees. “How come I get the dress?”

  She shrugged as she stood. “I didn’t expect to have to cater for a rather large man when I left this go bag here. Plus, I thought you might have the legs for it.”

  “Ha ha.” He handed off the base jacket, which she also stuffed into her pack, before shoving his arms into the coat.

  “Make sure you fasten it as well.”

  He frowned as he did up the clasps. Though it was like wearing a sack, he could see the appeal. If he could get his hands on any decent weapons, they’d be easy enough to conceal under the voluminous folds.

  Jenna secured the backpack low on her front. He was about to ask what she was doing, when she fastened the coat over and her intention became loud and clear.

  “Now, honey.” She finished with the clasps and then set one hand at her lower back, thrusting the bulk at her stomach forward. “We need to make it into the city for better medical care when the baby arrives.”

  He gave a short laugh and then caught her free hand, guiding her forward. “Well that’s certainly one way of disguising yourself. But won’t people be more likely to notice a pregnant woman waddling around?”

  She smacked him in the stomach. “I will not waddle. And they’ll notice the belly, yes, but likely not my face, and more importantly, not you. It’s a known fact that men become invisible when a woman is pregnant.”

  “Noted. Next time I’m in danger, I’ll hide behind the first pregnant woman I see.”

  She sent him an exasperated look. “You’re terrible. Come on, I want to get across the lines before it gets dark.”

  With a few nimble moves that a pregnant woman definitely wouldn’t have achieved, Jenna had extricated herself from the ruins of the cabin, glancing back at him with an expression that said are-you-coming-or-what, the gleam in her gaze hinting at the fun she expected to have with their latest cover story.

  The dappled light shining through the trees caught the gold highlights in her hair, and while the rough garments should have looked unflattering, he
r fake pregnant belly awkward, Seb was struck by exactly how beautiful she was. And it hit him like taking a blow right to the sternum, leaving him winded for a long second. The idea of her pregnant and happy with his child lodged into his mind, leaving him yearning for something he hadn’t even known he wanted.

  Hell, if they actually managed to get out of this mess alive and ended up going their separate ways, the woman was going to leave him ruined for anyone else.

  So maybe he needed to find a way to keep her.

  But first, he had enemy territory to cross and inner demons to slay. Only then, could he think about going forward.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  As always, the location Jenna used to cross back and forth over the lines was secluded and deserted. Considering the slight track worn into the ground, it was evident she wasn’t the only one who used the spot. But some surveillance had led her to believe it was only the locals going about their business and not wanting to be bothered by patrols of soldiers and checkpoints. That wasn’t to say the enemy hadn’t used it at some stage, but considering the length and terrain of the territory lines, there were dozens of similar places all up and down the border; it was impossible for the UEF forces to monitor them all.

  After unceremoniously crossing the lines, they’d hiked for several hours, first through lightly treed woods and then into farmland. Seb had been quiet since they’d left the destroyed cabin, though she hadn’t exactly tried to make conversation herself, as she’d kept alert for CSS patrols.

  But she got the sense Seb’s lack of communication was due more to his mood turning darker the farther they got into enemy territory. Maybe it was because of the threat they faced—death or a fate worse at one of the CSS reeducation camps if captured.

  The camps were the stuff of nightmares. Torture and deprivation of the basics while the CSS attempted to brainwash people into agreeing with their beliefs. Most people captured were eventually released after lengthy negotiations, but when Commander Yang had been caught and held for over a year, leaving the people of the Knox to believe he was dead, they’d realized that the CSS weren’t always forthcoming about the identity of their prisoners.

  If she had to bet, however, Seb’s quiet act was probably more to do with the impending arrival at the crash site.

  Hopefully Seb could get the closure he needed. At least one of them needed to see something good come of this chaos.

  Now, it was getting toward sunset and they were coming to the outskirts of a small farming community.

  “We might have to slow the pace,” she said as a couple of buildings, off in the distance, came into view.

  “Why?” Seb glanced down at her, a hint of impatience in his gaze. “We’ve been making good time. Without a shuttle or ship, it’s going to take us days to get to the crash site, so no offense, but I’d rather keep going.”

  She laid a hand on his arm and tugged, forcing him to match her now-slower pace. “If you want our cover story to work, we’re going to have to ease it up a little. A pregnant woman can’t exactly run a marathon, and we’re more likely to be seen now.”

  His attention shifted down to her fake belly, some kind of expression crossing his face she couldn’t decipher, but it made her heart skip a beat all the same.

  “You’re right. Sorry. I should be taking better care of you and Bass Junior.”

  “Bass Junior?”

  He gave a confident nod. “We’re having a boy and naming him after me. But to save confusion, we’ll call him Bass for short instead of Seb.”

  “Lucky we’re not really having a baby together, because I would have a few choice words over that,” she muttered.

  “What’s wrong with naming my son after myself?” From the look he sent her, she could tell he wasn’t serious, simply trying to get a rise out of her.

  “For a start, I would prefer to have a girl. And second, I feel sorry enough that you got saddled with the name Sebastian. I’m not about to inflict it on a poor baby.”

  Both his eyebrows shot up. “Well, tell me how you really feel about my name.”

  She glanced away from him to resist giving into the urge to laugh. She didn’t really dislike his name, in fact, the opposite was true. It was more a fact of giving as good as he gave.

  He linked his arm into hers and pulled her closer. “You are a difficult woman, Mrs. Rayne.”

  At that, she nearly stumbled over an uneven bump in the road, her heart doing exactly the same thing in her chest. Only his grip kept her from going over, since the weight on her front was working against her. Geez, no wonder pregnant women had so much trouble. And she wasn’t even carrying half the weight of a real baby-belly.

  “Whoa.” Seb stopped and got a second hand on her, helping her get upright again. “That was very un-Jenna like.”

  “Sorry. I wasn’t watching my feet. Not that I can see them. How do pregnant women do anything?”

  He turned her to face him, golden rays of the late afternoon sun making his eyes look a rich chocolate color. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, noticing for the first time that in fact, she was uncomfortable, tired, and sore.

  “I’m fine.”

  He rolled his eyes. “That was so convincing. We haven’t stopped since we hit the ground. Maybe we should take a break.”

  “Weren’t you the one complaining a minute ago that we needed to keep up the pace?”

  He sent her a half grin. “I’m not the one carrying fake Bass Junior around. I’d offer to take my turn, but people might find a pregnant man a little strange. And considering the UEF-issued items in that pack, we obviously can’t risk a CSS patrol searching inside.”

  “Exactly. And I’m fine, so we should use what daylight we’ve got left to find somewhere to settle for the night.”

  He frowned, a note of concern in his gaze as he reached up to tuck a strand of her hair back. “Why do I get the feeling you wouldn’t tell me, even if you weren’t okay?”

  “Whether or not I’m okay really should come second to staying alive while we’re behind enemy lines.”

  Seb huffed a sigh. “Here I am trying to have a moment, and you go all badass operator on me.”

  “Is that what was happening?” She grinned as his expression turned unimpressed. “Anyway, no moments now. We’re supposed to be on guard.”

  “And keeping with our cover story. I’m pretty sure a man needs to kiss his pregnant wife every now and then.” Despite knowing they shouldn’t, she let him lightly brush his lips over hers.

  “And I’m pretty sure this pregnant woman’s hormones and impending horror of birth haven’t left her feeling like kissing her husband anytime soon.” She stepped out of his embrace, crossing her arms.

  “You mean miracle of birth, right?”

  She shook her head. “No, I’m pretty sure horror is the right word. Think about it—the size of the baby’s head compared to the size of—”

  “Oh hell no!” Seb held up both hands to stop her, his expression no longer looking so jovial. “That is not something I want to contemplate. Possibly ever. So congratulations, your scare tactics worked.”

  She shook her head at his squeamishness and got back to walking at a sedate pace, Seb falling into step beside her. They hadn’t gone much farther when a CSS patrol of four appeared from beyond the scattered buildings of the small town, heading toward them.

  Jenna slowed her pace even more, Seb once again linking his arm through hers. Neither of them said anything as they continued walking, while the patrol closed in. If they veered off the road now, they’d be more likely to attract attention. Hopefully the patrol would continue on past them without a second look.

  However, as the group got closer, she could see the leader—a man in his mid-to-late forties—had his attention focused on them.

  “Whatever happens, don’t fight back,” she murmured to Seb before they got within earshot. “You’re a farmer, you don’t know the first thing about throwing a punch. Got it?”

  Seb cut her
a worried look, but nodded tightly.

  As they drew even, her breath caught, and she almost thought they were going to get by, when the leader stopped and half stepped into their path, forcing them to pause.

  “Good evening,” the leader greeted with a kind of polite half nod. “Are you in need of assistance?”

  Jenna lowered her head in deference, not making direct eye contact. “Thank you, sir, but no. It’s not my time yet, if that’s your worry. We’re simply traveling to better medical care for when it is.”

  “Letting your heavily pregnant wife walk the countryside this close to sundown with the border only a few miles west of here? Doesn’t seem like the thing to do,” the leader said, addressing Seb directly. “Of course, it’s probably to be expected from someone like you.”

  “Someone like me?” Seb repeated in a tight voice.

  The leader clasped his hands behind his back. “Yes, someone like you. An able-bodied young man who hasn’t chosen to join the CSS and fight for his people.”

  Seb stiffened, but she reached up to squeeze his hand tightly before he could say anything.

  “My husband had brothers who went off to war. They’re all dead now, and someone needed to take over the farm to feed the family.”

  The leader flicked a brief look at her, clearly unimpressed with her reasoning.

  “There’s a price for failing to join the fight. Have you paid it?”

  Seb let her go and half stepped in front of her, holding up both hands. “Look, we don’t want any trouble, and as you pointed out, it’s nearly dark. I’d just like to get my wife settled somewhere for the night.”

  The leader stepped in closer, clearly trying to intimidate Seb, who was half a head taller than him.

  “I asked you a question, boy. Since you failed to answer, the price just got higher.”

  The leader grabbed Seb’s shoulder and arm in a hold meant to hurt and disable him. An infuriated expression crossed Seb’s face, and she almost hyperventilated at the thought he was going to resist and get them both killed. But then he gave in, letting the leader steer him over to the three other men and shove him down on his knees in the middle of the road.