The Price We Pay (Life After War Book 7)

by Angela White

  “This isn’t about me,” he refuted.

  “Yes, it is. You can stop them from lynching someone on their way to stand trial.”

  “And when we vote to hang him?” Marc asked. “What then?”

  Kendle’s anger faded. “Then it’s what he deserves. It just has to be a fair trial. If it isn’t, everything you’re building here will collapse. You know that.”

  “You’re only doing this for personal gains,” Marc pointed out, once again trapped.

  “Yes, but does that change the truth?”

  “No.” He let out an ugly sound and hit the button on his radio. “I want all Level Six Eagles at the front door. Now.”

  Marc strode that way, hating it that he had to keep playing this awful role. He longed for Adrian’s blood and here he was, forced to save the piece of trash yet again. The camp would think any form of punishment was okay if he allowed a lynching. It would undermine all the effort they’d made to be civilized. Angela had known exactly what to use.

  Angela shut her lids. You can come in now.

  Have you looked?

  There’s only darkness.

  You don’t have to do this. Let me die.

  Not even if I have to destroy all we’ve built here. Your life belongs to me.

  4

  Jennifer had to stop at the bathroom campers before she could go to her daughter and she hurried, not sure where Kyle had gone. He’d been by her side until she reached the restroom.

  Jennifer rushed through the lantern-lit halls, waving and calling greetings that were returned. She entered the area where the younger children were sequestered, and stopped in surprise at the site of Kyle already holding Autumn.

  The pair weren’t facing the door and Jenny stayed still, observing. She usually left them alone when Kyle spent time with the baby, trying not to push him into being closer with Autumn than he was ready for. Even at her age, she knew kids were a rough adjustment.

  Jennifer pushed in gently and was shocked by the levels of communication.

  She’s okay?

  Yes, darlin’. She had to pee.

  She should get a diaper.

  Kyle chuckled. I’ll tell her that.

  Kyle leaned down and kissed Autumn’s soft cheek, nuzzling her like he wanted to do with her mother. Were you okay while we were gone this time?

  Yes. They stayed closer. It was fun.

  Kyle marveled at the fast adjustment that kids could make to danger. Are you hungry or wet or anything?

  No. They’re afraid of mommy. They keep changing me when I don’t need it.

  Kyle laughed again, feeling the Safe Haven comfort settle onto his shoulders. It was good to be home.

  Autumn’s hand was busy exploring Kyle’s hair and face as she did with everyone who held her, and the mobster kept still, so that she could get her fill of it. Autumn gifts still required physical contact to be effective.

  “That won’t last long,” Jennifer said from the doorway. “We’ll have to teach her to control herself when she gets upset.”

  Kyle smiled at the infant. “We will. Together.”

  Jennifer had slipped from their minds when she revealed her presence, but she stepped closer as the baby let out a giggle of delight. “What did I miss?”

  Kyle was grinning from ear to ear. “She’s happy we’re staying.”

  “So am I,” Jennifer lied. She’d much rather be alone in the lodge with her baby and Kyle.

  Kyle turned to look at her. “So would I.”

  Jennifer’s eyes narrowed. “Autumn, what did I tell you about that?”

  Kyle shielded the baby, snickering. “Here in a few days, why don’t we go spend a week at the lodge? You, me and little cute cheeks here?”

  “Really?”

  “Sure. If things go the way Angela planned, we’ll be headed for our settlement next. They can start putting up boards and bags without us for the first week, can’t they?”

  Jennifer nodded right away. “That sounds wonderful.”

  Kyle listened to the drowsy baby in his arms, and his happiness faded. “She said there’s trouble coming.”

  “Adrian,” Jennifer guessed.

  “Yeah, he’s here.”

  An instant later, his radio lit up.

  “I want all Level Six Eagles at the front door. Now.”

  Kyle answered the call with a short click and kept ahold of the baby as he and Jennifer went to the door. He’d missed her.

  It didn’t escape Jennifer’s attention, but it actually drew a gawkers among the camp members and the Eagles. Seeing a dangerous man like Kyle cradling a baby and cooing to her wasn’t expected. It showed a side to his obsession that few people had thought of. By claiming Jennifer, Kyle also got to be Autumn’s dad.

  Kyle met his team at the door and the men surprised everyone by doing the same thing he was.

  “How are you today, Autumn?” Daryl asked in a high pitch voice that drew grins.

  He nodded at her answer. “Same here, sweetie.”

  Autumn’s face glowed as the group of men responded to her and turned into babbling fools competing for the best impression. Even Shawn had a moment where he was unable to resist holding his arms out for a quick hug. In just months, Autumn had worked her way into the hearts of all her protectors.

  Her life mate will probably come from that group, Jennifer sent to Kyle. Encourage it. They already love her.

  That stunned Kyle, but before he could respond, the hall went cold and quiet.

  Marc was here.

  Kyle took the baby and handed her to Jennifer, then assumed his place behind Brady as they headed for the door. He didn’t want to do this. None of his team did, but if Angela had thought this far ahead, then surely they still needed Adrian for something.

  Marc wasn’t so sure, but he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he didn’t bring Adrian in and then Safe Haven fell apart because of it. Society had to have rules and people had to stick to them, even when it went against everything they stood for.

  5

  Kendle came into the huge room that had been designated as the mess, and froze as the crowd rushed her.

  “It’s her!”

  “Kendle!

  “Ms. Roberts!”

  Quinn reached her first and Kendle was aware that his expression wasn’t that of an adoring fan. He was upset.

  Kendle tolerated the well-wishers as best she could, thinking she would need a lot of sessions with Adrian to get over this instant flinch from being touched. It was so bad that she didn’t think it could be fixed.

  Kendle was ushered to the buffet tables, where Li Sing had outdone himself to welcome Angela home. The pig looked like it had been roasted perfectly. Kendle wondered when there had been time for cooking, and then remembered that the main camp had been sequestered with nothing to do except wait and see if the enemy would be able to reach them.

  Kendle took the generous tray to the table in the corner, still surrounded by people who wanted to hear every detail of her life before the war. They knew she’d been fighting in this battle, but the old lure of wealth and power was what still held their interest.

  Kendle answered vaguely and downplayed her fame, sensing it might come back to haunt her later. People like the stars up close, but from a distance, jealousy caused a distorted view that sometimes ended in violence.

  Quinn dropped down across from her without a tray and Kendle glowered at him. “I didn’t even tell your boss bitch about me and Adrian, okay? Get off me.”

  That was enough for Quinn. He didn’t have time for someone who couldn’t even be polite.

  Kendle let him go. She’d chosen Adrian and it was easy to break these ties. Adrian was as close to Brady as it would get. He was the only one who might be able to help her achieve what she wanted.

  Kendle glanced around as the last of the fans faded with the sharp remark she’d made to Quinn. Her reputation for being unstable had also spread through the camp and that was good. It would save her some of the
drama when everyone found out whom she had chosen to partner with.

  Curious as to the mood of the large group here, Kendle dropped the barrier and allowed the chaos of dozens of thoughts flying around at the same time to enter her mind.

  It’s so great to be back indoors! And also creepy.

  When are we leaving? It feels wrong in here.

  We won! We can have peace now.

  We owe her everything.

  There shouldn’t be a trial. She saved us.

  Adrian should be hung. How could he betray us? We loved him.

  When is Angela taking over?

  I want Adrian back in charge.

  Kendle looked at the owner of that last thought, shutting out all but that single thread. Why would the vet want Adrian in charge again?

  Taking a chance, Kendle tapped lightly on his mental wall. How did it go?

  The vet, aware of Kendle the instant her glance turned his way, kept eating and pretending to listen to Ray and Dale gush over the meal and the work they’d been doing. He normally enjoyed their drama-free conversations, but today, it was causing him to consider spending some time in the livestock trucks.

  Kendle sighed. She hadn’t been trying to pry. She just needed the contact of her own kind.

  I’m not your kind, the vet whispered, already deep into her mind. I hate them both.

  You’re keeping secrets, Kendle responded dejectedly. That’s all I meant.

  The vet didn’t want this bond and he certainly didn’t want to feel the similarities between Kendle and Angela. It would be too easy to settle for second best.

  Kendle blanched, stomach twisting, and she shoved away from the table. She could be accepted now if she could finish conforming. It should have been easy since the right side of the line was with Marc and Angela. She wasn’t so far gone that she didn’t know the choice she was making was wrong. But she was too far gone to change it now and she left the mess, headed for the front door.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  1

  Marc didn’t hurry to the end of the camp-lined street, where he knew Adrian was waiting. There was still part of him hoping the crowd would become a mob and handle it before he got there.

  Adrian was sitting on the hood of a green truck, surrounded by a group of men and women who looked as hard as any of Safe Haven’s fighters. They wore long, thick coats made from animal hides and around their lean hips were pouches that bulged with rocks. The shapes were too distinctive to be anything else.

  Adrian stared at Marc with open hatred, letting his eyes glow openly. He’d always controlled his rage while in Safe Haven and it was a wonderful freedom to stop hiding. Kenn’s words had helped more than he knew. Adrian didn’t have as many powers as the other descendants here, but he’d had his longer than a lot of them and he’d studied their kind all his life. He knew how to use his gifts.

  “Guess it had to happen,” Marc commented, slowly removing his coat. He had no idea how to battle this way, but he had no doubts about winning. He was in the right. He was also younger, in better shape, and hadn’t just spent days being abused by Major Donner.

  That did take some of the fun out of it for Marc, but not enough for him to delay the inevitable. He hadn’t forgotten Angie’s warning of his death. He would take every advantage fate gave him.

  As the witnesses realized what was about to happen, word was sent back, but the crowd came closer. Some even began to place bets.

  “Rules?” Marc asked, dropping his jacket.

  Adrian tossed his butt into the blowing grit and stood up. “Honor.”

  “You don’t have that to bargain with!” Marc sneered and spat toward Adrian’s boots.

  “Your honor, grunt!” Adrian responded angrily. “No one expects me to have it. I gave up the luxury when I became their leader.”

  “Rules?” Marc insisted, unbuckling his gun belt. He’d already tried that method of punishment.

  “None. Prize?”

  Marc considered that one carefully, but only out of respect for the future. Angela insisted they still needed him. He knew her personal feelings had helped make the choice, but he had no reason to doubt that she was telling the truth. She’d seen something else coming for them that only Adrian could cover, but Marc figured if it were truly that awful, then fate itself would step in and save the traitor this time.

  “You’ll make it to your trial, and I’ll enforce the decision. Especially if they chose to end your life.”

  Adrian slowly removed his gun belts. “Agreed.”

  The men moved toward each other without further words, both drawing upon their demons to battle for them.

  Then darkness fell.

  One minute they were in late afternoon sunlight, set to kill each other or die trying, and then it was nighttime and they could barely view their opponent.

  Marc’s anger flipped into concern for the camp at the same time as Adrian’s, but neither man moved as the sounds of the panicking crowd faded into a rushing noise that some of them were still haunted by. It reminded them of the dam that had broken and nearly washed them away, but the source was much more familiar.

  Angela and her team of females were coming through the crowd, each of them inside protective bubbles that refused to admit the slugs the Mexicans started firing upon seeing her in the open.

  Angela motioned to Jennifer and Samantha. “Finish that.”

  The two females ran eagerly into the middle of the Mexican camp and began to lay waste with fire and wind.

  Across the street, Indian camps were fleeing Angela’s wrath, but she didn’t attack them. Her next target was ahead.

  Marc and Adrian stood in stunned silence as they watched Angela stride toward them with flaming eyes and fire twining around her body. She spotted the stone-throwers that Adrian had made deals with and Adrian was forced to watch as she killed them all. It was why he’d brought them here, but it wasn’t easy to view.

  Becky did most of it by forcing Everett to turn his new rifle on his own people. Tracy and Cynthia backed it up with fast blows of icy wind followed by beautiful shots to the head. It was terrifying.

  “They, uh... Well, they look pissed,” Marc stammered, suddenly without any rage at all.

  He’d thought he was powerful and he’d known Adrian was, but Angela was controlling all of this chaos! He watched her jerk a hand and two cars in her path were shoved up into the yards and over tents.

  When I give an order, you follow it! she thundered.

  It slammed into every mind in the area and brought a few of them to their knees when they tried to resist.

  He will stand trial!

  Marc and Adrian were both relieved when the females halted near the edge of the battlefield they’d chosen, aware of burning cars, screaming men, and screeching demons.

  “Any idea how to calm that down?” Adrian asked suddenly. He hadn’t known she’d become that strong either, but the government had. That’s why they’d sent Donner.

  “Yeah, but he knew it and planned to use it. Looks like we’re the only ones who were fooled,” Marc pointed out.

  “What else has she been hiding?”

  “Hard to say. Right now, we’d better think of something—quickly.”

  2

  Angela waited impatiently for them to work it out, forced to leave her self-imprisonment to supervise them. It was beyond annoying after all that she’d accomplished, to have to blow her cover for this. Now everyone knew how different she actually was. Even her team, with all their gifts, were no match for her now. Taking so many lives had given her uncountable powers, so many that she was still discovering them.

  “Is this a bad time?”

  Angela shook her head and the Sergeant slowly edged closer. He noticed none of her former guards rushed closer as they would have only days ago, and saw her wince. “You caught that?”

  “I catch all of it,” Angela intoned. “Why should I let you join my flock?”

  “Because we were forced and we withdrew, surrender
ed in some cases. We deserve a second chance.”

  “Safe Haven offers that,” Angela agreed, “But not freely. You’ll have to earn it. Until you do, I find you unworthy. Leave now or die.”

  “And the others too?” he tried to verify, heart falling as he watched her scan them with glowing eyes that allowed nothing to be hidden.

  “All may stay except the three thieves who killed the old woman for her supplies. They will be executed.”

  Gunshots rang out as Jennifer caught the images and location, and sent it to Tracy, who was closest to the soldiers.

  “There are others here who are not who they claim to be,” Angela stated, and she began showing their faces to her team of merciless killers.

  Those with something to hide took off running, and those without anything to fear did the same to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

  Angela didn’t control their panic. The Indians would now flee with tales of Safe Haven’s power. The few soldiers still alive would have their own stories of battles, and those who stayed and joined would have respect for her rules. As for the descendants, there were a lot of them here and Angela wanted to be clear that this was her ship. She would sink anyone who tried to run her aground.

  The only fear she had over the exposure, was from her own camp. She wouldn’t be voted out now, though she would resign if she felt they were keeping her because they feared her retribution. It only worked if they could still love her.

  Angela glowered harder at the two men lingering on the edge of their fight.

  Get him locked in one of my cells before I get upset.

  The command was obeyed, though both men dragged their feet. Adrian had planned to go down in a blaze of glory at Marc’s hand. Marc had been hoping for the same thing. Turning away from those identical goals was hard.

  The walk back to the warehouse was a learning experience. Marc and Adrian observed her team working to calm and clear the area without speaking a single word and other than Tracy, not even exchanging a glance. Angela had taught them to read each other’s minds during battle.