by Angela White
“You think that’s what will happen?”
She shook her head at the worry in Adrian’s tone. “No. I think after this, you can relax, that whatever plans you’ve formed around me will be safe.”
Marc left the tent when she faded into the darkness, hurrying to catch up. He didn’t speak to Adrian and the leader knew another argument was coming.
Adrian motioned his own shadow after them, sure Marc would be too busy dealing and ducking blows to monitor her six, even though he was her guard right now. A woman like her deserved no less than a man’s full intensity.
8
Marc followed her at a distance, trying to get his emotions under control and he was surprised by who she approached.
“I may need you to help me cheat on the level test.”
Kenn snorted bitterly, not turning from the clipboard and inventory sheets she’d found him digging into. “Outta your fucking mind. Always knew you were.”
“It’s what Adrian wants.”
Kenn rolled his eyes. “Like I don’t know that! He made a big show of giving you the jacket, but real Eagles get theirs quietly. You’re a decoy or maybe bait.”
“So?”
“So why don’t you ask him? Or your lover boy over there, glaring from the corn? Either of them would do it.”
“Only you can give me this.”
There was a moment of thick silence as he studied her intently. “Why an Eagle, Angie?”
“Not for your place.”
“Then why?”
She didn’t answer, didn’t need to.
Kenn sighed. “I’m his second. I can’t help you betray him.”
“That’s only to the camp, if they found out. To the men, who know what Adrian wants, it’ll be viewed as support. FND.”
Kenn blinked. He hadn’t thought she could grasp the concept, let alone use it to her advantage like this.
“I can’t do it.”
“Because of Brady, you’ll let one of Adrian’s dreams die?”
Kenn hated it that her pull was so strong.
“This is part of what you signed up for as his right hand. You’ve always known that sharing power would come up, but I don’t want your place and neither does Marc or Neil. Give Adrian what he needs.”
Tonya’s voice flashed in his mind. “In time, she’ll be above even Adrian.”
If that was true, then the leader had it planned that way from very the beginning and it was much too late to change now.
Kenn’s shoulders slumped. “Cheat how?”
“Take a dive if it’s needed.”
Kenn gaped in disbelief. “You think I’m getting in the cage with you after everything that’s happened? You are nuts!”
Angela gestured toward the training tent. “They’ve promised me fair. There’s a chance I could draw your number from the hat.”
“I’ll refuse, even if he orders me, and so will everyone else. You’ll never get one of us to hit you.”
Drawing in a breath, she used her big gun, knowing it would succeed, but scared of the consequences. “Not even Zack?”
Kenn hesitated, thinking of his conversation where they’d joked about the trucker hitting her in front of Adrian. “Not unless I tell him to.”
Angela let him see her anger. If they all refused, she couldn’t pass. “I need you to set this up for me!”
Kenn didn’t want to answer. If he gave Zack the okay and he hurt her, all the problems with the Eagles would return. Not with Adrian, it was all his idea anyway, Kenn assumed. Angela could never have come up with this on her own. It was too good… And Zack breaking her nose would be almost as great as doing it himself. Tempting.
Impatient and scared, Angela’s sharp voice snapped at his ego again. “Are you loyal to him, Kenn? Because I have my doubts and Adrian probably does too.”
“You’ll have to challenge or I’ll have to tell him to volunteer when everyone else refuses,” Kenn ground out, hating her. “A challenge will succeed every time. It’s a serious insult not to accept it.”
Angela surprised him again, this time with gratitude. “Thank you.”
“For telling you the secret that will get these men to hit you? Crazy ass broad!”
Kenn climbed into the supply truck as Angela strode to the parking area, hoping it would be mostly deserted for the ugly scene that was coming. She hadn’t told Marc she was taking the test and he was hot.
Wait until he hears your other news, the Witch warned.
Marc was on her heels now, not as her shadow, but as a verbal combatant that she was quickly tiring of sparring against. Why couldn’t he understand and accept her choices? She faced him stiffly. This would be the last time she tried to get him to come around. It was tiresome and hurtful. She dropped the next hard truth without mercy.
“If I pass the cage match, I can go on the mission.”
“No!”
“You don’t get to tell me that.”
His face twisted at the reminder. “Fine. Do what you want. You will anyway.”
“Marc.”
He stopped his departure, but didn’t turn around and she begged, “Please.”
Marc couldn’t resist and found her only a step away, without a shadow that he could pick out in the darkness. “What?”
“I need to do this.”
Her almost desperate tone snagged his attention and he studied her this time, seeing the truth. She was tired. And afraid.
“We’re about to go to war. I’ll be on the front lines. This is something I need to do now, so I’ll know how then.”
The depth of her fear had Marc reaching for her before he thought about it.
Aware of their audience even if he wasn’t, Angela flinched.
Marc froze, wounded.
They stared at each other, feeling old frustrations, and underneath, loneliness. It was crushing, heartbreaking, and so strong she wasn’t sure she could resist if he moved even an inch.
Marc sensed her weak state and retreated. “I need to know where we stand, Angie. Soon.”
She agreed stiffly. “I’ll let you know as soon as the mission is over.”
“I’m coming along.”
“Good. It’ll be like old times.”
There was a flash of joy in his countenance and then anger again. “What the hell is wrong with him? With you? It’s toward the slavers!”
Angela pushed her resentment away. “I hope to get Max and Lenore to come with us. If I’m there, she might.”
“Your life for theirs, is a bad trade.”
“Who says I’m not coming back?” she asked coldly.
“You shouldn’t even take that risk. He shouldn’t take it.”
“I want to go. I also want to be an Eagle.”
“I’ve got that, loud and clear.”
“Then what’s the problem? Was everything on the trip here an act? Tell her what she wants to hear.” Angela’s voice became an eerie imitation of his. “You would have made a good Marine. Just smoke, right?”
Marc was getting angrier at having his words used against him. “I meant it, but you’re reckless. Look at the way you’ve handed yourself over to Adrian after only a few weeks.”
“He’s worthy of it,” she stated defiantly.
Marc’s control broke.
“You hope! You don’t even know him yet. You’re drunk on the power he’s offering!”
Angela gasped in pain. “You think that?”
Marc was indifferent. “Does it matter? You’ve made your choice and you don’t give a damn about anyone else, not really.”
That blow hurt more than the first and Angela struck out, sure of his weak spot. “That sounds familiar. I wonder if it’s your own guilt finally speaking up. Must suck to be so in love with someone that you couldn’t give a shit if they’re happy or not.”
She leaned in. “Who are you and what have you done with My Brady? ‘Cause he would never treat me this way.”
Before Marc could think up a response, she spun from him and
entered the rear of the garden area. Hurting, he trailed her. Was she right? Did he care if she was happy? A month ago, he would have said that was all that mattered to him, but–
“Whhoooooo…!”
The howl was nearby and they both stopped, sweeping the distance. Now a common noise in the night, Marc agreed that eliminating the nest was a good idea, he just didn’t want her anywhere near the battle.
“Ask yourself why, Marc. And try honesty this time,” she instructed, clearly agitated.
Admiration was forced out of him. No, he hadn’t been blowing smoke. She was one of the strongest females he’d ever known and any branch of the service would have been proud to have her.
It’s… I’ll die without her. I can’t let her be hurt again.
9
“Whhhhooooooooo….”
Wwhhhooo!”
The second chilling howl was answered almost right away and Samantha froze in panicked fear. The wolves!
Pain flared in her scarred leg and she automatically clutched at the empty ghost before remembering where she was.
The garden truck was deserted except for her. A handful of guards outside were the only people still on this side of camp and fear overwhelmed Samantha. Not again.
She shoved herself up from the dirt with a gasp. The trailer door was open!
“Wwhhoooo…”
The call had an almost human cadence and Sam ran for the door, panicked. She lunged at the handle and jerked it down just as a dark shadow came through the last of the space.
The door hit the shadow and Samantha kicked instinctively, foot connecting with something warm and hard. Discerning movement, she pulled her gun.
“Do not fire that weapon!”
Sam flinched at the shout, fingers tightening.
Wait. It talked. Not an animal.
She eased off the trigger and retreated as she examined the scene in horror.
Adrian was on the dirty semi floor, hands up in defense, and two people were peering in shock from the bottom of the door. Sam let go of the gun. She’d almost shot Adrian!
She collapsed, not crying, but sucking in a huge lungful of air.
Adrian waved the two Eagles in as he left. “Take care of her.”
Jeremy climbed into the truck with Neil behind him.
Sam cringed. “I didn’t mean to hurt him!”
The Eagles exchanged uneasy glances.
“You didn’t,” Jeremy stated, comforting while Neil observed. “You did surprise him, though, something none of us have been able to do.”
Distracted from her fear, Samantha’s tone was a bit snotty. “Why do you try? Aren’t you guys his loyal minions?”
Kneeling next to her, Jeremy regarded Neil, and got a curt gesture in response.
“Because we don’t follow blindly. Some do, but not his main support. He has us, but only if he remains worthy.”
Sensing a moment for real questions, Samantha let hers out carefully. “But the secrets he keeps! How can a…liar be trustworthy?”
Jeremy hid a frown and it was Neil’s calm voice that gave Samantha another piece to Adrian’s puzzle.
“Because he would do anything for these people. He’s already killed for them, for their safety. What’s a lie compared to a life?”
Neil slowly picked up the gun by her foot and held it out. “He takes shattered people like you, Samantha, and puts them back together, heals them. He can give you what you’ve lost.”
Samantha holstered, wanting desperately to believe she had found true safety. “And the evil he lets walk free here?”
“Should he kill without proof? If he did that, this haven would rip itself apart,” Neil explained.
“But we know–”
“You think you know, and some of us agree, but neither of those is proof.”
“I hate this waiting!” she blurted out angrily.
“So do we. It’s something the Eagles struggle with, but it’s for the dream,” Jeremy stated.
“Adrian’s dream…”
“Yes,” Neil responded carefully. “He would give us the world that should have existed, if he can get enough help from people like you.”
Her slacks had been replaced by jeans over boots, but the sweater remained, giving her an appearance of office casual that fit well with her promptness and attention to detail. Now keeping her hair in a ponytail while she labored, Neil thought she looked exactly like the mate of an Eagle should. From her slender, labor-roughened hands, to the sensuous curve of her lips, Samantha was full-grown woman.
Samantha’s response held hope and fear in equal amounts. “I don’t want to have to leave. I like it here.”
“He won’t let that happen,” Neil soothed and both men knew they’d be there to help Adrian with it.
“You’re one of us, and I mean more than a member.” Jeremy glanced at Neil and saw that his team leader was unsure. “For personal reasons?”
Neil stared at him reluctantly. “Probably.” The thought of her at their side for missions had just terrified him.
“Then you’re unfit to make the call. Should I wait for one of the others?”
“What are you guys talking about?”
“He wants to recommend you to Adrian for the Eagles.”
They discovered Angela in the open space, stained with the nerves and curtness all the lower level Eagles displayed right before the tests.
“And I agree. No woman should be oppressed because of a man’s fears or jealousy.”
She disappeared, but before the trio could say anything, Marc’s face popped into the empty space wearing a rueful expression.
“That was aimed at me. As you were.”
He ducked out and they heard his mutter clearly.
“Damn. Now where the hell did she go?”
Sam and the two Eagles exchanged surprised glances and then burst out laughing, sending the last of her panicked fear out into the stalk-filled darkness.
10
“You’re upset.”
Angela smothered the shout that wanted to fly out of her mouth, but her gun was drawn and pointed at him before she could stop it.
Adrian was pleased with her reaction. He’d confirmed his assumptions about distance with Dog and that had been enlightening. Then he'd snuck up on Angela again, on purpose. She was ready for more and now, so was he.
“Things are unfair sometimes.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No!”
Adrian felt her need, responded. Marc had let him know she’d ditched her shadow, but not why. It wasn’t a stretch to guess that he hadn’t liked discovering that she was going on the mission. “Want a lesson?”
“Yes, a real one!”
Adrian scanned her bright red scab, and then entered the training tent that they now had to themselves. “You can talk to me.”
When he removed his weapons, Angela did the same, certain there were guards on them. Marc might be out there somewhere, too, but right now, his profile wasn’t welcome.
“I know that.”
Adrian raised a brow expectantly.
“I'll handle it.” Angela entered the hayroom to be hit with a sudden sense of worry. Adrian had taken out Neil so easily.
“I won't hurt you.” She’d tensed a bit and he couldn’t stop himself from comforting her.
“I know that, too.”
“The hard way or the easy way?” Adrian asked. They’d been taking it slow, challenging small areas, but that was over now.
Angela paled, but didn't hesitate. “Hard. I want to be able to kick his ass anytime I feel like it.”
Adrian didn't doubt who she was talking about. All of this mess was Kenn’s fault. Steeling his heart, Adrian stepped forward. “I challenge you.”
Angela immediately swung a roundhouse, sure he wasn't ready for it, and Adrian staggered at the blow… Then returned the favor.
It was only a sting on her cheek, but shocked sounds echoed from the dim cracks around them. Adrian hit a woman!
Angela wasn't shocked; she knew what she'd asked for, and she leaned into her next swing, telling him she could take more.
Adrian let her hit land and then delivered another slap, this one a bit harder.
She swayed, caught her balance.
“Again.”
Angela's hits became steadily harder, and each slap Adrian delivered was received with a pinched face and a healing heart. Before the war, she would have been on the ground already, begging not to be hit again.
Slap!
Adrian's blow knocked her down and Angela felt her rage spring to life as she picked herself up, blood dripping from her lip. How many times had Kenny done that to her? A hundred? A thousand? And she'd had to sit still and take it.
Her facade was ice as she advanced. Not anymore. Now, she got to fight! Her hit was full of fury, solid and well delivered, and Adrian staggered again.
Blood dripped from his nose, but his thoughts were still calm, safe.
“Again, and mean it this time, bitch!” he snarled, making his voice sound almost identical to Kenn's and she did, using the new skills she'd learned from Neil. Blood sprayed at the hit.
Three of the stunned men gaping through the cracks in the bales weren’t sure who to protect as the tension grew thicker and the hits harder.
“Whore!”
The insult had Angela swinging again and Adrian grunting at the impact. Neil had done his job.
“Never get away! Mine!”
Angela's fury was firmly in control and even though Adrian was no longer hitting her, she couldn't stop, shiny tears of rage rolling down her red cheeks with every swing.
“Hate you! Fuck you! Pig!”
Adrian stayed as still as he could and felt bitterness grow heavy in his heart for the Marine. Such a piece of shit Kenn had been.
Angela stopped swinging, shoulder on fire. She rested her hands on her knees, getting her wind.
Adrian wiped his sleeve over his bloody nose, waiting, not sure if it had been enough.
“I'm not...either,” Angela panted.
He checked his wrist. “Another five?”
She moved toward him with fire burning in her depths.
Kyle had called Neil, Seth already there, and the three men now stood together. Patrolling the training area against witnesses, their unsure gazes occasionally slid to Marc, who had his stiff back to them, listening. What the hell was happening? Should they intervene? It looked like Adrian had provoked her with the challenge and was now letting her beat on him. If it had been a normal girl's slapping and pulling of hair, they wouldn’t have been so worried, but her hits were sturdier than they had expected, drawing blood…not to mention Adrian's return blows would be hard to explain.