“Ryan!”
With fury burning, he stormed off down the tunnel. Mackenzie had to jog to keep up.
“Will you please listen to me?”
“No.”
In front of Simmo’s door he halted, turned to her, glared a warning and then promptly pounded on the obstacle in his way. It opened and Simmo’s face appeared.
“What is it?” As the last word left Simmo's mouth a fist landed in it.
“Now I feel better,” Ryan said, seeming satisfied.
“What the fuck are you doing, Taylor?” Simmo mumbled through bloodied lips.
“Don’t be mad at him,” she said. “I made him do it.”
“He left bruises, Mackenzie.”
“He had to … I made him do it.”
One eyebrow disappeared under the hair that skimmed his forehead. Of course he had to look sexy while she was mad at him.
“I find it very hard to believe you forced him to hold you so you could burn yourself. I’m sure he was easily persuaded.”
“I can’t refuse a pretty face,” Simmo said.
“Careful or I’ll punch you again.”
“You got a lucky one in. Won’t happen again.”
“If you two have finished flexing your muscles, then I’m going back to the sick bay.”
With a secret smile she wound her way back, knowing O’Bree was asleep and there was no urgency. She wanted Ryan to sweat a little before she forgave him for being a jerk.
She sensed him in the doorway again. Ignoring him, so he could brood, Mackenzie loaded a trolley with supplies. Her curiosity about his next move also kept her quiet, and a small private smile stayed with her as she worked.
“Why?”
Stifling a giggle, she peered over her shoulder to answer. “I had to prove to you somehow that I’m on your side.”
“And that’s the best you could come up with.”
In several swift strides, he crossed the room again and stood behind her while she continued to load gauze into drawers. His breath on her neck sent a shiver across her arm and her hand shook as she closed the drawer.
“You totally misunderstood why I did what I did. I know Cody.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
His hands grasped her shoulders and gently spun her around. With a tenderness that contradicted his gruff mood, he kissed her until she could no longer remember why she was resisting.
“So what time do you finish here?” his deep husky tone murmured to her. The tone that weakened her knees and sent her desire into fast forward.
“Georgie will be here in about twenty minutes.”
“Will you come back to my room, please?”
“Yes. Now do you need something for that hand?”
“I still haven’t forgiven you,” Ryan said to her as they lay entwined in bed later that evening.
“Forgiven me. What did I do?”
“This,” he said, running his finger over her bandaged wrist.
“It had to be done.”
“No, it didn’t. Are you still in pain? Maybe I can get you something for it when we scavenge tonight.”
“No, it’s okay. I wish you weren’t going. With the rally tomorrow it could be riskier than usual.”
“Don’t worry, we’re always careful.”
He wound his fingers through her silky hair hoping to help ease her concern. Now they’d made up and he believed in her, trusted her again, his feelings for her had become stronger than before, as if their bond was solidified somehow.
“Are we going to the rally tomorrow?”
“We? Simmo and I, with a small group, are going to listen to what they have to say.”
“I’m coming too. I could speak …”
“No.”
“I want to talk to Cody.”
“I don’t think he’ll be all that happy to see you.”
“You don’t know him like I do. He might have become the man he is after years of war, but I think my brother is still there somewhere.”
He shrugged. He had his doubts. Cody couldn’t just change, unless he underestimated their sibling bond. Maybe it was the angle to work at. Mackenzie believed she could convince him.
For the first time in a long time Ryan soared with hope. This beautiful woman lying next to him might be the key to the whole thing. She lifted her head from the crook of his shoulder to stare at him with stubborn conviction. This simply made him want to kiss her again.
“I’m going.”
With a sigh he nodded, and her expression softened. This time he did kiss her before she returned her head to rest on his shoulder.
“Not that I don’t think you make a great captain, but I wondered how you became the leader of this group instead of one of the older men.”
The memory flashed through his mind and he held onto it a moment before it faded. Resisting the urge to shudder, he contemplated. This was another story he wasn’t sure he wanted to tell her.
“Ryan?” Her pretty face lifted from his shoulder again to gaze at him with trust and compassion.
She wouldn’t judge him for the things he’d done. It didn’t mean he wanted her to know these things about him either.
“Mackenzie, I … it isn’t a nice story.”
Her response was to stare with wide, blinking, innocent eyes.
“Fine, I’ll tell you, but you can’t look at me while I do. I don’t want to see your reaction.”
Ryan almost laughed when she did as she was told by laying her head down. Now he had to tell her.
“I wasn’t the captain from the beginning. A man named Jim Anderson led us and pioneered the move to our underground compound. He was my dad’s best friend and one of the members of the original group protesting against government reform. For three years he worked with remaining members to train us and organise the structure we still use today. When we first moved underground the need for a hierarchy and order became important so we could all work together and keep the group safe and as one. After my initial training, Jim and the other elders appointed Simmo and me as lieutenants, along with two others.”
He paused and took a shaky breath as the images flooded his mind.
“We were scavenging the night he was killed. We took unnecessary risks for medical supplies and weapons. This was the first and last time we attempted to get the laser guns. We were ambushed and to this day we don’t know how they knew we were coming. Jim took a hit and was badly injured. I couldn’t, refused, to leave him dying on the street. I took over command and we were able to fight off the GAP and bring Jim back here but he was already gone. It wasn’t till we got back here that I realised I’d been hit too. The next day they took a vote and I was nominated to lead.”
“Oh, Ryan, how awful. I’m so sorry.”
With a gentle touch, she ran her finger along the small scar on his abdomen. His love for her in that moment almost overwhelmed him. He took a few more shaky breaths to gain his composure.
“You have to understand, I was filled with so much hate for them all and because of this I was able to make decisions that I probably would never have considered before. I was driven by revenge, but I somehow manifested it into clear rational thinking, and leadership. I still find the title strange. I understand the need for hierarchy and I’m glad we have the structure, but it’s still funny to hear. I think Simmo calls me captain just to annoy most of the time.”
He gave a short humourless laugh before clearing his throat and closing his eyes.
“They considered what I did to be brave, but afterwards I thought it was crazy. Without even thinking I took eight men down, the way I almost did with Cody. I’m not proud of it. I still don’t know how I did it without getting killed. Blind rage, I guess. I lost control and I didn’t like it.”
“It doesn’t change who you really are, Ryan. Circumstance and survival are the reason you’ve had to do these things. I know you, and you will be that man again, when this is all over.”
“I’m glad you’re so sure.”
“I am.” Her tone confirmed her steadfast belief in him. Her conviction.
His heart swelled and overflowed with her.
“This was why I was so angry about what happened with Cody. I wasn’t upset with you, but with myself for allowing my anger to control my actions.”
“I know you wouldn’t have done it.” He shrugged and she poked him in the ribs. “There has to be a way for this to end. Sinclair and his followers must be overthrown. It’s just a matter of how. This is why I want to talk to Cody.”
Bringing her face to his he kissed her, breathed in her scent, and felt the calm she brought wash over him.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“Me too.” She paused and ran her fingers over his torso, across his shoulder, and down his arm to clasp his hand. “Does this mean I’m going to the rally tomorrow?”
This time his laugh was full of amusement. “You don’t give up do you?”
“No. Never.”
22
The Rally
The crowd was much larger than they anticipated. Citizens had gathered in the thousands to hear what their revered leader had to say. The buzz of excitement sickened Mackenzie and she couldn’t understand why and how they continued to feel this way for Sinclair.
Hidden, as they were as well, in abandoned, broken down buildings, were the aboveground gangs, their faces full of hate and bloodlust. Mackenzie noted how there appeared to be no malice towards their small group and this was such a contrast to their normal conflict. Was it possible they could join forces with the rogue groups and form an alliance against the government?
“I’ve been thinking about what you said last night,” Ryan said quietly in her ear. She ignored the shiver of desire that his warm breath caused on her neck. “Maybe we can talk to Blade and the other gang leaders and form some sort of alliance. We should be working together against the government, not against each other.”
She giggled; it was as if he was reading her thoughts or perhaps their thoughts were simply in sync.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was just thinking the same thing,” she murmured.
His surprised look was followed by a grin.
“Do you see Cody?”
Ryan scanned the crowd towards the front where council members and high ranked GAP soldiers stood. Mackenzie followed his arm as he indicated where he was. Cody stood amongst a small group to the side a few rows in.
“I’m going to go and talk to him before the rally starts.”
Ryan spun her around and a frown indicated he still wasn’t happy with the idea.
“It will be okay.”
“Hmm.” He released her with a nod of his head. “I’ll be watching. If anything happens …”
“It’s okay.”
Before he could change his mind and try to stop her again, she crept out through the door, double checking that no one paid her any heed, before weaving her way towards Cody.
She stopped behind him and took a deep breath.
“Psst, Cody,” she whispered.
He peered over his shoulder and his face registered his surprise. “Mackenzie? What are you doing here? Are you okay?”
“Yes, listen, I need to talk to you.”
“Are they hurting you?” His frown deepened and for a moment the brother she once knew showed in every feature of his face.
“No, this is about ending all this.”
“Mackenzie …”
“Please …”
“No. We will not negotiate with them.”
“Cody, please, this is crazy. Don’t you want things the way they were before?”
A short balding man standing in front of Cody glanced back. “Is there a problem, General?”
“No, Councillor.”
The man flicked his gaze across Cody’s face, flashed them briefly at Mackenzie, before returning his attention to the stage.
“Get out of here, Mackenzie,” Cody said in a harsh whisper. “Please.”
“Okay, but this isn’t over.”
A frown was his answer.
With a brief goodbye smile she threaded her way back to their hiding place.
A roar went up in the crowd as Head Councillor Sinclair took to the stage. Mackenzie had never seen him in person before. His announcements usually came in the form of addresses on TV and this was the first time he would be speaking before a live crowd.
She wondered, as she knew Ryan did too, why he decided to do things differently now. Perhaps there really was unrest within the citizens. Though the crowd was large today, it was not even half of the population of Artinean. Were the rest unhappy with conformity? Were the remainder comprised of gangs or people hiding from this same conformity?
This thought gave Mackenzie some hope. Maybe they could recruit, build up numbers and do something to stop Sinclair. She felt recharged and invigorated all of a sudden.
“Are you all right?” Ryan asked when she returned and took his hand. She nodded. “Here’s our tyrant now.”
Mackenzie studied Sinclair. Bile rose in her throat as she took in the handsome man’s appearance. Though his age was indeterminate, Mackenzie guessed him to be in his late forties, with dark salted hair and brown eyes that appeared warm, but were far from it. His good looks and fake charisma had fooled an entire city.
She remembered when he first went up for election as council leader and how she’d been fooled by him too, just like the others standing before him cheering and clapping, their faces filled with adoration. He stood on the podium waving his arms, a sickly, charming smile adorning his striking face. Her stomach churned and she shook her head.
Behind her she heard Ryan spit out his disgust on the rotted wooden floor.
“Citizens of Artinean, welcome. I stand before you today to congratulate each and every one of you for maintaining order and helping our city flourish. Our economy is better than it has ever been and our hopes for the future are high. Your conformity and continued efforts are what make this city what it is. We know there is a lot of work to do to rebuild our home, but we cannot do so until the streets are safe. We should not have to live in fear. We need to eradicate the rebels and make us one again. I call on you all today, to firstly say thank you to our citizens, and secondly, to encourage the rebels that torment our city to join us and conform. We guarantee you will not be punished for your rebellion if you step forward today and pledge your allegiance to Artinean and our council.”
“Yeah, right,” Ryan mumbled. “That’s why there are armoured GAP vehicles around the corner. They lay down their arms and they will be shoved into the back of those trucks and never be seen again.”
Mackenzie shuddered. The deceitful ways of Sinclair and his council continued. She remembered a time when she believed they would do as they promised. Now she could barely remember what it felt like to be a citizen, except of course, her lack of freedom. She shook her head at her own naivety. Once upon a time she thought ridding the streets of rogues would ensure life in Artinean would be tolerable. How wrong she had been.
“Please, everyone, put your hands together and encourage the lost souls of Artinean to join us.”
A roar spread over the crowd again as Sinclair waved and exited the stage. He was ushered into an awaiting limo and driven away. The crowd began a chant of ‘conformity’ as the GAP and council members turned to the crowd and waited.
In the buildings adjoining the one they stood watching from, several small gangs stepped out from the shadows towards the GAP. A few soldiers stepped in and moved them towards the rear of the stage and down a side street.
Mackenzie, Ryan and Simmo rushed to the rear of the building where the trucks were located and watched as they loaded cuffed men into the back. Well, shoved would be a more accurate description. There was no denying that these men were now prisoners and she dreaded what awaited them.
She counted nearly twenty men and a few women, and her stomach lurched again. The bile rose in her throat until she doubled over an
d vomited on the floor. A hand rubbed her back until she’d finished purging. She turned to Ryan as she swiped at her lips, the disgusting taste in her mouth matching her emotion.
“Are you okay?” Ryan asked.
She nodded. “Let’s go. I think we’ve seen enough.”
23
Future Plans
A sombre mood settled over their quarters that evening. They lay entwined in silence, Mackenzie lost in her thoughts. Ryan ran an idle finger along the bandage at her wrist and she knew he was deep in thought too.
“What’s on your mind?” she asked.
“What to do next.”
She waited.
“We can’t go on like this.”
“No, and we shouldn’t have to,” she agreed.
“It’s just a matter of time before they storm the compound again. I don’t know how much longer we can hold them off. You saw what happened at the rally. There are women and children here.”
“What can we do?”
“Lay down our arms, and negotiate peace.” Sarcasm dripped through every word.
“So they can do what they did to those poor volunteers today.”
“Exactly.” He lifted his hand from her wrist, to her hair, to caress it. “I’ve been thinking of another plan.”
“I’ve been thinking too.”
“You first.” His deep blue eyes stared lovingly into hers and she knew in a few short moments they would be unhappy.
“I’ll talk to Cody again.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Do you really think they will let you leave the GAP compound if you go there?”
“Cody will.” His only reply was a firm shake of his head, so she continued. “There is another idea.”
“Go on,” he said, his voice full of apprehension.
“You could talk to Blade and the other gangs and have them join forces with us, as we discussed.”
“It is worth a try.” He paused. “Or I could also go and talk to Cody.”
“What?”
“If I can negotiate something with him concerning you—”
With a sharp tone, she cut him off. “The only negotiation Cody will accept will be me going home. I don’t want to leave, Ryan.”
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