Contents
Title Page
Dedication
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
THANK YOU
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
LIBERTY’S HOPE
Perseverance Book #2
By
Amanda Washington
Copyright © 2014 by Amanda Washington
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States
This one’s for the Liberty and Connor fans
who wouldn’t let me give up.
Thank you for keeping the dream alive.
CHAPTER ONE
Liberty
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.
THE INTENSE JULY sun beat down on my head as I sat in the middle of Highway 530, contemplating the stretch of road before me. It wound and curved, clinging to the side of the Skagit River, with only a narrow line of trees separating it from the water. A thriving forest grew on the opposite side of the road, with evergreen trees so lush and thick I could barely see past the first row. Green foliage blanketed the forest floor, concealing all sorts of ankle-twisting and bruise-producing hazards. I knew those hazards firsthand, and had the beaten and battered body to prove it.
The majority of my wounds came from a psychotic man with a god complex, though.
I leaned forward, wincing from the pain of my still healing ribs, and slid a map of Washington state out of my back pocket. Unfolding the map, I traced a line, starting at Mount Baker National Forest and going west to my approximate location. Highway 20 was maybe five miles to the north of where I sat. If I followed that road to the east, then Highway 9 North would almost take me all the way to Canada. My map showed me just a smidgeon of southwestern Canada, so I’d have to filch a Canadian map once I hit the border. From there I’d travel to Kamloops, the last known location of my best friend, Michelle.
I had believed life would be different in Canada. I’d clung to unfounded hope that the roads wouldn’t be deserted and the kids wouldn’t be trying to kill me. I could stay with Michelle’s family while I searched for a job. Then I’d find a cute little apartment, rescue another dog from the pound, and rebuild my life. Easy peasy.
It had seemed like such a simple plan. Assuming, of course, Canada’s economy hadn’t fallen along with the United States’. But even if Canada managed to escape the collapse without turning into an anarchic war zone, there were now complications with the plan. One such complication appeared while I traced Highway 9 with my fingertip. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him slink from the forest and move toward me. His movements were fluid and soundless, betraying his Special Forces training. I only saw him because he wanted me to. Everything was a training exercise these days.
When his boots reached the road I slid my Smith and Wesson Sigma free from its holster and aimed it above his head.
“Good,” Connor Dunstan said with an infuriatingly handsome lopsided grin. His perfect jaw was two days past a five o’clock shadow, which only managed to intensify the mystery in his dark eyes. His solid athletic build—accustomed to running long distances and breaking down doors to save the day—was hidden under fatigues. I didn’t need to see his six-pack or bulging biceps to know they were there, though. My fingers would never forget the feel of him. “But I could have shot you from the trees.”
I shrugged, knowing no amount of caution could prevent the inevitable bullet with my name on it once it came for me. “Death, I can handle.” I holstered my gun, and then smiled at him.
His grin turned to a grimace as he eased closer. In the month that we had known each other, we’d been hunted, captured, and tortured, barely escaping with our lives. We both knew there were fates much worse than death, and since he wore ‘overprotective alpha-male’ like a badge of honor, he quickly changed the subject.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
I didn’t think he could see the map from his angle, so I folded it and slid it under my leg. “Just thinking.”
“I see.” Connor sounded apprehensive. He marched over and offered me his hand, as if to heft me to my feet.
I didn’t want him to know I’d been studying the map, so I shook my head. “I’m good. Just want to sit a bit. Legs are tired. Where’s Ashley?” I asked, in my own pathetic attempt at a subject change.
Ashley filled the role of the other complication keeping me from my Canadian destination. Connor’s beautiful daughter shared his dark, fathomless eyes and his brunette hair, and I loved her like she was my own. I couldn’t leave the girl any more than I could leave her overbearing, tenacious father. Feeling his eyes boring into my skull, I tugged on one of my shoestrings, and then retied it.
“She’s with Jeff,” he finally replied. “She found out that he’s some sort of karate expert and pestered him until he agreed to show her some beginner moves.”
“You’re okay with that?”
“Not really.” Connor shrugged. “But I trust the camp security to keep her safe.”
“Connor, I know Jeff’s made mistakes, but he’s not the bad guy you keep making him out to be. Yeah, he’s got some baggage, but he’s trying to cut free of it.”
“Libby, his dad and sister both want you dead.”
“But Jeff’s not like them. Once you get to know him, he’s pretty sweet and adorable.”
Connor cocked his head to the side, and a vein started throbbing in his forehead. “Must you refer to him as adorable?”
“Aww, you’re jealous?”
He stared at me, neither confirming nor denying the accusation.
“I’m twenty-eight, Connor. Adorable isn’t exactly a quality I’m looking for in a man.”
Connor sat on the road in front of me, mirroring my crossed leg position. Our knees touched and he leaned his upper body toward mine.
“So, tell me, what qualities are you looking for in a man?”
Taken aback by his flirtatious tone, my mouth snapped shut. I wanted to fire back some sort of witty retort, but the musky scent of metal, earth, and man that made up Connor invaded my senses, making it impossible to think. He was all up in my personal space, and, although terrified of his proximity, I didn’t hate it. Refusing to lean back and show him how uncomfortable he’d made me, I squared my shoulders and raised an eyebrow at him, trying to look contemplative.
Connor grinned and asked, “Are you getting a sunburn or blushing? I can’t tell.”
I gripped the bottom hem of my jeans, in order to keep myself from hiding my face from his gaze, and shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s sunny, I’m a redhead… you’re smart. You’ll figure it out. Is there something I can help you with
?”
“Just surprised you’re out here sitting alone in the sun.” He seemed to consider me for a moment. Then he held out his closed fist in the space between us, opened it, and presented me with a beat-up, dirty copper coin. “A penny for your thoughts?”
I smiled in spite of myself and closed his fingers back around the coin, trying to ignore the way my heart sped up at the contact with his skin. It felt a lot like playing with fire: exciting and warm, but I knew it would burn me if I got too close.
“You might want to keep that,” I said. “Probably don’t want to know what I’m thinking about.”
“The funny thing is—,” he returned my smile, grabbed my hands, pulled me into him, and then reached under my leg and swiped my map, “I already know.”
“Hey!” I yelled, pushing myself back from his chest. “Give me that back!”
Holding the map out of my reach, he unfolded it and looked it over. “You’re still planning that trip to Canada, huh? You know Ash and I’d follow you, right?” Seemingly satisfied with himself, he refolded the map and offered it to me.
I grabbed for it, but he only tightened his grip. Annoyed, I glared up at him. His dark pupils were like tar pits, and I knew if I stared into them too long I’d be stuck for good. Like my own personal groupie, he promised to give up his life and follow me to Canada. My stomach flipped over the idea, terrifying and exciting me. Finally, he released the map, and I secured it back under my leg, like I could make believe he hadn’t called me out on it.
“That sounds pretty stalkerish,” I countered, hoping I sounded more put-off than I felt. “I heard you had finesse and skills with the ladies. Following me wherever I go? That’s kinda creeper territory, there. Whatever happened to the wine and dine approach?”
“Oh, my mistake. I didn’t peg you for one of those girls. Want to be wined and dined?” he asked. The smile that stretched across his lips looked so delicious it sent goose bumps up my spine. “I’m on it. In fact, that’s the very reason I came to find you.”
Oops.
“It is?” My voice cracked and I coughed to cover it up.
Connor’s smile widened. “Yep. Come now, the limo will be here momentarily.” He grabbed my hand and stood, pulling me up with him.
I barely had time to grab the map off the road before being hefted to my feet. I stuffed it back into my pocket and eyed him suspiciously. “A limo, huh? And exactly where will it be taking us?”
“Seattle. Close your eyes and visualize it with me.”
I hesitated and his fingertips landed on my eyelids, gently lowering until they closed.
“Better. Now imagine the Space Needle. The limo will pull up to the curb and the driver will open your door. You’ll be wearing something stunning, yet classy. Maybe a dark green dress to bring out your eyes. Thin straps, fitted waist, long layered skirt. Something from Valentino or Dolce and Gabbana.”
“I had no idea you were so into fashion.”
“What can I say? I’m a man of many talents.” He tugged at the pony tail holder securing my braid and gently ran his fingers through my hair, separating it. It fell in waves down my back. “You’ll wear your hair down, leaving it curly. I’ll meet you on the curb in front of the Space Needle and take your hand in the crook of my elbow. We’ll make our way to the restaurant, where we’ll be seated immediately and our server will pop the cork on a hearty red wine… something from the chef’s private cellar. Then they’ll bring us baby spinach and raspberry salads, followed by crab cakes. For the main course, we’ll get lightly seared ahi tuna and tenderloin so tender it will fall apart the moment it touches our tongues.”
I tried to avoid getting swept away in Connor’s imagery, even reminding myself that Connor “playboy” Dunstan had once been labeled as ‘Washington’s Most Eligible Bachelor.’ Still, I couldn’t resist his charm. I wanted to go where he was taking me, to escape reality and dream about what our lives could be like if the world hadn’t changed. I clung to the fantasy until my mouth watered and my stomach rumbled. He put his hand on the small of my back and leaned closer to me, drawing me further in.
“We’ll hold hands and watch the lights of the city spin around us, enjoying the company as well as the view for hours. Next, we’ll exit the Space Needle and walk the few blocks over—”
“Walk?” I interrupted. “After that huge meal, you may have to roll me down the street.”
He ignored me and continued, “To this little Italian dive that serves the best gelato in the U.S.”
“Gelato?” I asked, opening my eyes. “Do you have any idea what I would do for gelato right now?”
Connor leaned closer and gave me a butterfly-inducing grin. “No. Do tell.”
Little bells and whistles went off in my brain, screaming at me that he’d crept too close with eyes too hungry. I leaned back and looked around, saying, “Yeah, so where’s that limo? Shouldn’t it be here by now?”
Connor laughed.
In truth, no limo would be coming for us. There were no more fancy restaurants or little Italian dives. The last time Seattle graced my television screen, the city was on fire, its ashes packed with rioters. I didn’t even know if the Space Needle still stood. The country had changed in the blink of an eye, and we’d probably never get it back.
“Okay, you called my bluff.” Connor grabbed my hand and tugged me off the road. “But they are cooking up the last of the venison. We should probably get back there if we want any of it.”
“Mmm, venison,” I replied, letting him tow me toward the camp. It wasn’t exactly crab cakes and tenderloin, but to be honest, I wasn’t that picky.
We walked for a bit, and then Connor paused and squeezed my hand. He whistled our approach and another bird call answered. He gave me one of his arrogant half-smiles that made me want to punch and kiss him at the same time. “Admit it. I had you. If I could wine and dine you like that, you’d be putty in my hands. You almost kissed me back there.”
I rolled my eyes and tugged my hand away from him. Just like the date he’d just created, Connor’s affections for me drifted somewhere beyond reality. He swore he loved me, but I feared he only loved the chase. Like a dog after its tail, he’d have no idea what to do with me if he ever caught me.
“Connor, if I had a bottle of wine right now, I’d dump it on your head.” I turned and stomped off.
“What if I rubbed gelato on my lips?” he asked.
CHAPTER TWO
Connor
CONNOR LEANED AGAINST a tree and watched Liberty walk away. He’d grown accustomed to the sight, but this time was different. Rather than scowling and fuming, this time she tried to hide her smile as she left. He drew hope from that observation as he followed her past the barely-visible white rock that served as a range marker and into a dense patch of evergreens.
Movement called Connor’s attention to the northwest. The black barrel of a machine gun mounted on a bipod, pointed in Connor’s general direction, brought him back to reality. It had been years since he’d retired from the Army, but now, it needed him back. And, how could he say no? Not only was the country in trouble, but when he, Liberty, and Ashley had been trapped in the clutches of the Progression and facing death or worse, the Army rescued them. The captain of the Army platoon—Carlos Ortega, known by his friends as ‘Boom’—had served on Connor’s Operation Detachment Alpha team back when Connor was a Special Forces commander. Boom’s platoon consisted of mostly green soldiers, refugees of the war the Progression waged against the country. Connor was a welcome asset, so Boom asked him to act as his first sergeant until they reached Fort Lewis. Then, the leaders who were trying to bring order back to the chaos of the states would most likely force him back into a Special Forces Team Commander position. Connor didn’t want to be back in command, but he’d do it, if it meant keeping Liberty and Ashley tucked behind the security of the Army’s walls.
Corporal Patrick Shortridge stood in a chest-high hole in the ground, pulling security behind the southwest machine gun.
He gave Connor a quick nod before looking past him to watch the trees. Connor scanned the forest floor to the east until he saw another black barrel, behind which, Private Tyrone James kept watch.
The third and forth machine guns were positioned further to the north, but trees blocked Connor’s view of them. He stepped between Shortridge and James, avoiding the other partially-covered individual fighting positions, and walked toward the scattering of one- and two-man combat tents that housed eighteen soldiers in addition to him, Liberty, and Ashley. The three-foot-high tents were tucked behind trees and bushes, making them almost impossible to see until he was upon them. Northeast of the small camouflage domes, stood a hastily-constructed corral that caged the platoon’s eleven horses. To the west of the corral, the main tent stood nestled against the sheer side of a mountain. The mountain served as both a blessing and a curse, reducing the number of sides the platoon had to secure, and consequently limiting their avenues of escape. Though not the best campsite Connor had constructed, It would be good enough for the few days they occupied it. Then they'd resume their journey to Fort Lewis.
Connor heard a whistle and paused to see Private Anthony Stein step out from behind a tree, followed by Private Noah Warren. Warren split off and headed north as Stein made a beeline straight for Connor. Although Connor didn’t know much about Warren, he knew Stein had owned and operated a small taxidermy business in Snohomish before the economy collapsed.
When the riots began, Stein and his wife and kids retreated to their hunting cabin, where they managed to escape from the reality of the situation until about a month ago. Stein had come back from a hunting trip to find his house in flames. He busted through the door to find his wife with her neck snapped and their ten-year-old sons missing.
A proficient tracker, Stein hunted down the butchers who’d done the deed, but not before they killed his sons. When the platoon came across Stein, he was single-handedly mowing down a camp of rogue soldiers who called themselves the Progression. The Army jumped to his aid, supplying him with bullets and backup as he unleashed vengeance on murderers, and afterward, Stein enlisted.
Liberty's Hope (Perseverance Book 2) Page 1