Adrian's Eagles: Book Four (Life After War) (47 page)

“You need to stay away from Rick… and stop following me.”

Becky froze, heart thumping. He was doing it now.

“Did you hear…”

“I heard you! Anything else? Like October isn’t happening because you’ve found something better?”

Neil winced. “It’s not like that. I… I need some time.”

Becky’s face grew red. “To pick.”

 
He gave a short sigh, realizing she deserved to know the truth, too. “Yes.”

“Well then I don’t see a problem with my spending time with Rick while you spend time with Samantha. Maybe someone as a comparison would be a good thing.”

Becky turned away, tearing up and Neil was ashamed at his first thought. He had a basis for comparison and wasn’t sure how he now fared against Jeremy in Sam’s cornflower blue eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

“Slam you!” floated through the stillness and Neil shook his head. That had gone well.

He looked in the direction Jeremy and Samantha had gone, and headed for the showers instead. What he wouldn’t give to hear that conversation.

“Try not to let it keep eating at you. He’ll come around.”

Samantha shook her head angrily. “I’m not a second prize, Jeremy. It’s already too late for that.”

Ignoring how his own heart responded, the Eagle frowned. “Neil’s wired differently than most of the people here, Sam. It’s a cop-thing.”

The Storm Tracker became cold. “I’m not interested.”

That was supposed to be the end of it. Jeremy heard the tone, but the need to make his team leader and this soft, furious woman happy was stronger than her desire to be left alone.

“Give him a little time, baby, like he asked for.”

Samantha’s weathered face held no trace of the tears that had brought them to this secluded part of the camp. Showing misery was a luxury she refused to indulge in. There was just too much of it. “And in the meantime?”

Jeremy let a brief glimpse of his feelings show, unable to deny her the comfort she wanted and the hope his heart needed. “In the meantime, we’ll get to know each other. If he waits too long, it’s his loss.”

Sam sighed restlessly, thinking again that this man would never hurt her, wasn’t dangerous to a woman, and that was why it wouldn’t work. She needed that edge of unknown. Still, at least she wouldn’t be walking through her days completely alone and she gave the Eagle a short nod. “Okay, for now. How long I’ll last in this play, I don’t know.”

Jeremy’s tone was full of understanding, “Same here, baby. Same here.”

Still running through the dark trees in a wild rage, Becky hit a hard body and came to a jarring stop. They fell in a tangle of limbs and the crying girl’s sobbing increased. “Slam this place!”

“I don’t think so much of it either.”

Rick’s voice was amused, and Becky didn’t move off of his chest. The tears were still coming and she shuddered when he slid an arm around her.

“
Sshhhh
…”

Rick comforted her easily and enjoyed the feel of her young body against his. If not for the guards… He pushed himself up, gently hauling her along and though he left his arm around her, he put clear space between them. Too bad he wasn’t on his own time right now, but the sneaking around had to be done carefully.

“It’ll be okay. You’ll think of something.”

Becky sniffled against his hot arm. “And you’ll help me with it.”

Glad her voice had been barely audible, Rick smiled soothingly. “Yes. In a little while, they’ll all be too busy to think about her.”

The shadows watched tensely, hoping for Rick to cross any line, but the suspected traitor only offered a little more comfort and then gently pushed the teenager back toward camp. It would be reported, but without an actual crime, Rick was safe.

Chapter Fourteen

1

April 24th, 2013

Fate isn’t something you can plan for. Sometimes, all you can do is hold on and steer toward the shallows.

I was expecting all men. My council will be only half that. I’m struggling to be careful with them and the camp. Samantha needs time to adjust before I can pull her in openly. Angie has to be trained, taught. The workload has increased, but so have the benefits. Not one Seer, but three!

Fate blessed me and cursed me by sending me so much power it can’t be used freely. Somewhere, laughter is spilling on my account, I’m sure. I now have what I need, but where to begin! What to push the hardest?

We’re spending the next two days on the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge and I hope to get further in my plans with them. These women need to be accepted and I have total faith that fate will provide the right places, at the right times.

And if one of them fails, these sheep won’t give a second chance.

Adrian wasn’t entirely sure on that. It would depend on how bad the flinch was and what it cost…

“Got a minute?”

Adrian steadied himself against the vivid feel of Angela suddenly being in his head. “Sure. What’s up?”

“I need a schedule switch.”

Instantly alert, he closed the newest journal that now held a single entry. He had already filled five others since the War of 2012.

“You’re having trouble?”

“Not exactly. Kyle said you changed my shifts to mid-morning when I got hurt. Please, put them back?”

Adrian’s mind raced. Why would she want to be awake so early? Part of proving herself?

“Mostly to avoid… the morning sets.”

Adrian scowled furiously. Hiding from Kenn. No, he was out of camp with Zack and his team on a Slaver recon right now and usually had Point at that time. The lower levels trained on that shift. She was avoiding Brady.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Thanks.”

There was a pause as he felt her need for something else, but didn’t respond. If it was important, she would ask. Without being able to see those expressive eyes, he would only be guessing at her thoughts.

Grateful he wasn’t pushing, Angela let their connection open further, giving him what he wouldn’t ask for as she moved through tents; another view of his camp.

Safe Haven sprawled out over the muddy street and corn, refusing to bend to the will of the ominous sky overhead. People walked, talked and laughed with each other, and there wasn’t a single sign of the terror that had brought most of them together. Happiness flowed from those already awake, contentment and peace caused by the caring of one man’s determined dream. His camp glowed with life through her sight and it made Adrian’s heart fill with pride and satisfaction. These people were in good shape considering all that had happened, and obviously well cared for. Their leader was a good man.

“Thank you.”

“It’s my honor.”

Adrian was grateful for the peace that allowed for a rare extra few minutes to snooze and think. And what did his mind consider most important right at this very moment? The woman now on her way to give a final class to two levels of Eagles. This is how it had become. Even the threat of the Slavers came second most days. And the dreams!

Angela had been in the camp almost four weeks and each day came with a new awareness; her good attitude, her smile, her soft voice in his head. She was the light in his darkness, only instead of rebuilding, most of his nights now revealed ways to teach this special female everything he knew.

She was unlike any other here, but more than that, she was different than any woman he'd known… except for his mother. Their resemblance was probably part of his growing fascination with the quiet beauty. Both of them were strong, able to adapt, and they loved their sons. It was clear that Angela would do anything for her boy and Adrian was aware of how hurt she was that the teenager was still giving her, but not Marc, the cold treatment.

It was one of those things he planned to help her with, but all these changes happening in sight of the camp meant he had to go slow and he felt his guts twist in a painful spasm. So long!

Adrian sighed, pushing the awful image away. He’d seen endless months of waiting to have what he now wanted as much as any of the other males here. Did she even feel this pull? Not likely. All she could see was Brady, but
that
Marine wouldn’t be able to make her happy either.

2

“I have eighteen seats and only sixteen students. Who’s MIA?”

 
“That would be us.”

Neil and Marc moved inside together and Angela lifted her uninjured arm. “Two volunteers, come on up.”

She gestured at the bench of supplies, “You’ve taken the class. This is the level test. Remove one stitch from my shoulder.”

Face tight with disapproval, Marc stepped her way. “You’re the boss.”

He concentrated on the ugly wound waiting to be tended. “Timed?”

“You know it.”

Marc dropped his jacket and scrubbed, his movements quick, agitated.

“Ready.”

“Go.”

Hands steady, Marc opened the packages in the right order and carefully, but firmly pulled off the bandage. He couldn’t hide his wince at the ugliness of it against that satin skin.

Angela tilted her arm toward him with a low mutter, “It sliced the K in half. Did you notice?”

He hadn’t. There had been too much anger, but it was true, and for a moment it was like a sign that things would get better from this point. “No.”

Aware that the others would copy his movements, Marc tried to remember her lessons and forget some of the things he’d been taught before the War. Angie’s classes and basic aid training were worlds apart.

He did fine cleaning the ugly wound with the alcohol pads, pretending it was someone else’s tense shoulder. He chose the right tools to take out the stitch, but when he actually started to do it, he hesitated, unsure. What had he forgotten?

“One minute,” Doug called, overseeing from a back corner where he still towered over everyone else.

Marc got moving and as he snipped the stitch, it flashed in his mind. Glaring, he gently pulled the gooey black thread out of her shoulder.

“A minute forty, one mistake. Next.”

“Why did you let me keep going?” Marc interrupted, unable to wait. “Why did you do that?”

Angela’s response was cool. “This is a Level test, Brady.”

“And what if my mistake gets the wound infected?”

“Then I’ll treat it. I am a doctor. Next!”

Marc stormed from the tent and Angela explained her reasoning to the Eagles, hoping they could help him understand. “If he didn’t have feelings for the injured party, this wouldn’t be a problem, but it’s very likely you’ll be doing these things for a teammate. Better that you can handle it. Next.”

Neil stepped forward. “Ready.”

“Go.”

The Trooper repeated Marc’s steps, remembering to smear the antibiotic over the tips of the forceps and he gave her a sheepish smile as he tugged it out. “First one I ever did that wasn’t on me.”

Angela laughed as Doug called it

“One minute, 35 seconds. No mistakes. Next.”

Grinning, Neil washed up and then ducked out of the tent with a quick step. It was time for the self-defense lessons and he wanted to see if Samantha was there again. Since bloodying Doug’s nose, it was becoming her morning ritual. Her and
Jeremy
.

Sam was finishing up when he arrived and Neil noted the impressed grins of the teachers. Showing another flash of why Adrian had given him such a high place in the chain of command, Neil moved closer.

“Ever think about joining the Eagles? We’re looking for new rookies.”

Sam shook her head as she stepped out of the hay-ring. “Not me… I just want to be… able to defend myself.”

Neil watched her wipe the sweat from her face.

“Everything might… have been different.”

“It was bad for a lot of us then.”

 
“Might not have if women weren’t so weak, so ready to lean on the first set of nuts they saw.”

“That’s one of the reasons Adrian tells everyone to take this class.”

Samantha flashed a smile. “And we appreciate it being available, even when we’re sore all over.”

She walked away and Neil found himself following. “Are you okay?”

Sam nodded, voice tired. “Bad dreams.”

She stopped to retie her shoe and Neil found himself peering down the front of her sweater.
Blue lace bra. Hmm…

“John could give you something.”

“That’s okay. I need to learn to handle it.”

“Alone?”

She frowned up at him. “Yes.”

He shrugged. “Most of the people here had bad things happen to them, Sam. Why not talk to us?”

She hesitated and Neil waved at himself. “Adrian’s… all the way. If he trusts me, so can you.”

Samantha studied his earnest expression. “I don’t talk about it because I don’t think I’d be welcome if people knew.”

“I’m not everyone and I’m guessing Adrian already knows. You can trust me. I’d never judge you.”

Sam allowed herself to hope. “I worked for the government, before.”

Neil’s scowl spread across his face. “The government?”

“Yes.”

“Weather tracking?”

“Seattle EPA.”

His eyes widened in quick understanding. “You had a pass.”

Her haunted voice reminded him of Angela’s as she confirmed it. “The chopper crashed, got hit by an EMP, I think. It went down in Northern Wyoming. I was the only survivor.”

Neil’s mind raced. “You made it to the compound?”

Sam’s voice was haunted. “I didn’t get the chance for a while. I had to get away from two painters first. They found the crash site. No one else ever came.”

Neil forced himself to ask. “How long were you with them?”

“Two weeks.”

Her tense body language said that was the moment in time where she’d needed protection and Neil felt something inside shift. He would have fought for her life the same way he had his father’s.

“Then I went to NORAD.”

Neil mirrored her sadness for the once great American icon, but in those blue depths lurked a knowledge of life and death that told the Trooper she’d had problems there too.

“There was nothing left.”

“Same as the other places the Slavers have been through.”

“You’ve seen it?”

“We take pictures at most of the places we check.”

“Most?”

Distracted, Neil gave a full answer. “All. Adrian wants concrete proof there’s no safety to be found there.”

“Proof for later.”

Catching himself, Neil didn’t react, didn’t respond, but Sam knew. “I may not be on the team, but I’m checking in from time to time, seeing how it works. He’s very careful.”

“He’s right to be and so are you,” Neil confirmed. “Some people wouldn’t want you to stay.”

She motioned toward the hay-ring. “Thus my not joining. It draws too much attention.”

Neil didn’t pull any punches. “And since you don’t want to repeat your mistakes and join up with leadership, it’s a good excuse.”

Sam flushed. “Maybe.”

“Like Angie, you’re gifted and afraid of that power being used by the wrong people.”

Sam didn’t deny it. “I respect Adrian, like it here, but then I liked my old life just fine too. Who’s to say this isn’t a good beginning to another bad end?”

His voice was sympathetic. “There are no guarantees, Sam. You already know that
real
life is always about the risks vs. the rewards.”

Her tone was fierce in response. “I’m not afraid of that! I expect it to be hard, but until I’m a believer, I won’t even pretend. When that changes, you’ll know it.”