The Survivors

1

He’s here!

Footsteps crunched behind her. Angela’s hand dropped to her gun as her eyes found Marc in the moldy doorway of the barn.

Marc snapped his mouth shut on the warning that would have been too late, realizing he knew the man marching down the middle of the street, and not just from their time together in the Marines. The cold glower of ownership he threw at Marc said this was her man. The piper was here. It was time to pay.

Kenn stopped a few feet away, hoping Angela pulled the gun so he could kill them both and claim self-defense to Adrian.

“Kenny?” He looks different... Charlie!

Kenn knew the joy spreading across her face wasn’t for him. It faded fast.

“You’re alone.”

Kenn glared. “I’ve come to get you.”

“Little late for that now.” Angela pointed out, able to feel him trying to control himself. Would he end it all right here? Marc was telling her to duck when it started, that he would do the rest.

Angela didn’t retreat from Kenn’s thunderous visage, waiting for fate to determine who would live and who would die.

Kenn already hated this Angela. She didn’t blink, didn’t take her hand from the gun on her hip. “You don’t look happy to see me.”

“Of course, I am. I’m glad you survived.”

The breeze blew her hair around.

Kenn saw her wary glance as he stared at it. She wasn’t allowed to have her hair down in public. It was another transgression she would account for. “Show me.”

Angela stepped into his opening arms with a heavy heart. Can I endure a little (five years!) longer, so no one else will get hurt? Can I just give in?

Hand resting on his holster, Marc watched from the lonely doorway, unable to believe he hadn’t been able to use her clues and come up with loudmouth, obnoxious, snotty Lance Corporal Kenn Harrison.

Marc’s stomach was full of hot anger. He began mentally preparing for the battle of his life even while the pain of her being in someone else’s arms flooded his heart. Angie had her man back...and he wasn’t at all surprised. Had Kenn been spying?

Their moment in the bedroom, right after they’d woken, came to mind. Marc’s gut tightened. What all did Kenn see?

Them in bed together, the kiss… Too much. It implied a lot.

Their eyes locked over Angie’s tense shoulder.

Kenn sent a greeting. She’s mine. Go away or I’ll kill you!

Dog’s thick fur bristled.

Marc put a hand on the animal’s shoulder. “Me too, boy. Me too.”

Angela regretted the hug the second Kenny crushed her close. She tried to pull away when his mouth lowered to hers, but he tangled a hand in her thick curls and held her still as his tongue invaded, conquered, revolted.

Kenn ground his mouth against her as that distinctive, addictive scent of vanilla filled his nose. He wondered how much more Marc would allow before stepping in to get himself killed.

Ah!Not much at all. Kenn shifted them to be in the right position as he shoved his tongue deeper. Her tag-along was already moving from his place in the doorway.

Angela picked up the thought and understood Kenny was trying to provoke Marc. She slammed her boot against his ankle, leaning her weight into it as she elbowed his flat stomach.

Not expecting her to fight back, Kenn grunted, letting go.

Angela stayed between the two men.

“What was that for?!” Kenn closed the distance between them.

“You wouldn’t let go.” The witch said to provoke him so they could either kill him or be killed but be done. Angela couldn’t help but consider it.

Kenn leaned in, itching to break her crooked nose again. “I never will!” He scanned the Marine who had paused by her bumper, then the big black-and-gray dog bristling at his side. “You have one minute to tell me what you’re doing with him! Who is Marc to you?”

Angela tilted her head. “How do you know Marc?”

Kenn clenched his hand. “Answer me!”

Angela shoved him with both hands, moving him out of her personal space as she’d learned. “Stop yelling!”

Kenn gaped. What did she say?

Angela kept going while she had him off guard. “We can have a normal conversation, or we can spill blood right now. It’s your funeral!” It was dangerous to push, but the old Angela, the one who’d battled him early in their relationship, was guiding her through this minefield.

Kenn’s eyes flicked to Marc, then Dog.

Angela let herself breathe. Getting Kenny to think before he acted was key to surviving the encounter.

Kenn hated it that he might be outnumbered by the tense Marine edging closer, the bristling animal that appeared to be a wolf…but also by Angela herself, who had obviously done a lot of reverting during her trip. “Fine. We’ll talk.”

“We’ll start the entire conversation over.” Angela gave him a cool smile as the sun came through the clouds of grit. “Hello, Kenn. Good to see you. How have you been?”

Kenn recognized her tactics. He should. He’d used them daily on her. “Never better. Enjoy your trip?”

Kenn felt his rage go up another notch when she nodded, glancing back at her escort.

“Some of it, yes.”

“Hope it was worth it.” Kenn’s expression promised payment.

“It was.” Angela continued to defy the rules even though his beefy hands were clenching into fists again. “Where’s my boy?”

Kenn said nothing, waiting, wanting to hear her beg.

“I don’t need you to find him! How do you think I got here?”

Kenn was too pissed to be worried, though he understood he might be in danger. She did more than revert. She’s using the power. She unlocked it!

He’d always known she could. The old, thwarted bitterness settled back into his stomach. Is there a way I can get control of her power now? His mind flashed a picture of her son. Yes. “You do need me to get near him. He’s with my men. They won’t want to kill you, but they will.”

“Be careful, Grunt.”

Her tone was deadly. Kenn growled at her.

She didn’t back down.

He hated the new knowledge of life and death he read in her eyes. She thought she could kill him. How much practice did she get? What did she do, survive, to get here?

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Angela kept defying his rules.

Kenn stared at her, shocked that she would get into his thoughts so openly, so arrogantly. Didn’t she remember what he’d threatened to do if she used it on him?

“Everything has changed, Kenn. You broke our deal when you abandoned me for that group of strangers you’ve been lying to!”

On the edge of control at her veiled threat to reveal his secrets, Kenn was surprised to discover her disobedience was attractive. He hadn’t thought her hold on him was that strong anymore. “You have five years left! You belong to me!”

Angela forced the truth out “Not anymore. I want out.”

“No.”

“You don’t own me!”

“Yes, I do.” Kenn switched to the topic eating at him. “How long have you two been sleeping together?”

Angela tensed. Here we go. “We aren’t.”

“Lyin’ bitch!”

“You go to hell!”

Kenn’s hand moved.

Angela felt herself being brushed aside.

Marc slid between them. “It’s been a while, Harrison.”

Kenn also stood his ground. “Not long enough, Brady.”

Marc didn’t respond to the accusation.

Kenn waited for one of them to get nervous and babble; they remained silent. “You’re…traveling together?”

Marc took the lead, big shoulders prepared to take what came. “We were both coming this way. I couldn’t let her go it alone. She was hard to convince, though.” Marc lied easily. This was indeed a thin line and he wasn’t the only one walking it. She hadn’t been exaggerating even a little. Kenn was deadly with the M16 he had slung over his shoulder.

Kenn’s sneer spread. “Well, thanks, buddy, but I’ve got it from here. You can hit the redline.”

Marc’s responding grin widened into sharp white teeth. “Welcome, pal, but a funny thing happened on the way here. I discovered I want to be with…people. I might stick close for a while.” Marc took a step forward to bring them within inches of each other. “Real close.”

Angela knew blood was about to spill. She stayed out of it. She wasn’t as eager as Marc, but if it had to happen, the best time was now, while Kenn was alone.

Kenn’s hairy knuckles inched toward the 9mm on his hip. “She has a man, you fucking Jody!”

Marc snorted. “If you want to call yourself that.”

“What the hell does that mean?!”

Marc bumped Kenn’s chest without hesitation. “It means she’s not your punching bag anymore! You want to hit someone, you hit me!”

Kenn took the suggestion. The hit rocked Marc’s head backward. “Like that?” Kenn followed the upper cut with a powerful roundhouse.

Marc ducked the blow and landed a nasty knuckle to Kenn’s temple that made the Marine stagger. “Yeah! More!”

Kenn rushed him, slamming into his gut.

Marc drove his elbow into Kenn’s shoulder.

Kenn jerked, grunting as he was rocked off balance. They hit the dirt together in a hard thud, swinging, wrestling, trying to get the advantage.

Angela waved at Dog to stay back as Marc shoved Kenn off and then rolled onto his feet.

Kenn rushed.

Marc ducked again, foot flashing out at the last minute to trip him.

The blow glanced off Marc’s wounded arm. He kicked Kenn in the ribs as he went down, wound stinging from the ripped stitches.

Kenn was on his feet in a blur, hand flying to his hip.

Both of Marc’s guns were out before the furious Marine could pull his own.

“Do it!” Marc’s finger tightened, longing to squeeze. “Make it count. I will.”

Kenn thought about it. He was fast, better than anyone in Adrian’s employ, but Marc had always beaten him before the war. Always. Kenn’s hand moved away from the holster he’d already gotten open.

“Wise choice.” Marc felt blood seeping through the dusty white gauze on his arm.

“I’ll kill you for this.” Kenn tried to think through the rage, but it was hard.

Marc nodded. “Then let’s end it now.”

Kenn had no doubt Marc would pull the trigger.

“Someone’s coming!” Angela’s odd voice got their attention.

Both men responded to the tremor of fear.

“Good or bad?” Marc lowered his guns, but he didn’t holster.

She looked at them with hazy eyes that made Kenn’s heart slide into his gut. Adrian won’t miss that.

“Both?”

Marc glared at Kenn with the hatred of a lifelong enemy. “This isn’t over.”

“You can bet on that!” Kenn spit blood at Marc’s boots.

Marc slid his guns into the holsters. “Where?”

Angela pointed west, watching Kenn even though Marc had turned his back with no obvious worry. Kenny lost. That made him more lethal than if he’d won.

The faint echo of hoofbeats came to them.

Dog growled low in his throat.

Marc gestured for Kenn to protect her, then did the same himself, putting her between them.

Angela was shocked when Kenn obeyed. She made the connection an instant later. That’s how he knows Marc! They served together. ...did Marc know all along?

No, she realized. He couldn’t have kept that from her. He was too open to be holding such a huge secret. “There.”

A muddy black horse thundered around the corner as she spoke, carrying a thin male with a black bandana covering most of his face. Behind him, a blonde woman in a long trench coat waved frantically. Dust flew from the animal’s hooves.

“How did they know we were here?”

Kenn smoothed his short dark spikes. “They found you the same way I did.” He threw a cold sneer at Marc, then one to the growling animal that had returned to its master’s side. “They passed over that ridge and saw two muddy Blazers in the middle of the street!”

Before Marc could respond, the foaming black horse was upon them, barely stopping before the woman leapt off. She staggered toward them, sharp lines of her skeleton poking through sagging skin. She collapsed against Angela, pulling them both to the dusty ground. “People! Oh, God, people!”

The man also dismounted, lowering the bandana from his scruffy face, but he stayed by the exhausted horse. He studied Marc and Kenn with shifty green eyes.

They both noticed he paid no attention to the raving woman now trying to get a rush of words out through her tears.

“Slavers! Escaped. Have to get further…gun? Have a gun?”

The woman cried gut-wrenching sobs as Angela helped her take off the stinking trench coat so she could check her out.

“Escaped from who?” Kenn marched toward the man.

Rick cringed. “Big group of Mexicans! We got away while they were drinking.”

“Where?”

“On 25, near Cheyenne.” Rick wondered who this hard, beaten man was. The outline of a dog tag under a blood-splattered shirt caught Rick’s attention. His lips tightened. The enemy.

“How many?” Kenn swept his dirty jeans, cruddy fingernails, greasy brown hair. Adrian won’t like this guy.

“Sixty or seventy, maybe.” Rick was glad Samantha hadn’t seen all of Cesar’s camp. He had three times that number.

“Armed?”

“Isn’t everyone now?” Rick gave a pointed stare as he thrust restless hands deep into jean pockets to keep his nervousness from showing.

“How long were you with them?”

“A long time. They took me back in Trinidad.”

Kenn scowled, frustrated. He hadn’t gotten rid of Marc fast enough. The couple would have to be taken to Adrian. They had information about the slavers. That meant no time to ditch Marc or hole up with Angela for a few days. Damn it! “Who are you?”

“I’m Rick. She’s Samantha.”

“Load up.” Kenn joined Angela before the man could respond, one resentful eye swelling.

Dog gave a menacing growl.

Kenn hesitated, then snarled his own warning.

Both Marc and Angela were surprised when Dog retreated a single pace. Even the wolf knew Kenn was a violent, trained killer.

Kenn glared at Angela. “How is she?”

Except for the infected burn on her hip, most of the woman’s injuries appeared to be minor. Her mental state might be a different story. Angela assembled a quick list. “Dehydrated, malnourished, shock–”

“Can she travel?”

Marc wanted to protest the interruption, but he stayed quiet. Angela wanted to try again to handle it peacefully now that they had witnesses.

Kenn pointed. “Get her in your Blazer. We can make it to camp by dawn.”

“Camp?” Angela gestured sharply. “As in Safe Haven, the place you had yet to mention?”

Kenn didn’t deny the accusation, but he worried over how much she already knew. Would any of his bluffs succeed?

In the tension, the now sedated blonde saw Rick’s brief smirk of success at the name of the camp.

Kenn and Marc moved the muttering woman to the passenger seat of Angela’s Blazer.

Kenn picked out details that enraged him, like the edge of a lacy white bra under a purple gift bag, and a pair of green boxers showing from the corner of a black duffle bag. He saw the vehicle for what it was–living quarters. They were playing house!

When the two men moved back to let Angela through, their eyes locked.

“You’ve disgraced the Corps. Once we get to camp, I’ll do my best to have you banished for it!” Kenn stormed away before his rage could take control again.

Angela handed Marc the hat she’d retrieved from the middle of the street. “You all right?”

His bruised face was troubled. “Yeah. You?”

“Better now. It’s good you were able to back him down. Thank you.”

Marc fingered his swollen jaw. “It isn’t over, honey. This was the beginning.”

Kenn pulled up to them a minute later in an ugly green Bronco. He got out, waving at Rick. Marc, he ignored. “You drive your woman. Leave the horse.” Kenn looked at Angela. “You ride with me.”

Marc would have protested, but Angela waved it off. “I’ll be fine, just keep up. He’s hell behind the wheel.”

Angela let Kenn push her into his truck. As he got into the driver’s seat, she turned to him, determined to throw him off balance from the start. “What were you doing out here, away from camp?”

She didn’t wince as he slammed the door, though he’d expected her to. She was no longer scared of him just because he was a man. She was afraid of the dangerous person she knew lurked inside, though she thought she had done a good job so far of pretending that she wasn’t.

Kenn stared at her for a long moment, saying nothing. When she didn’t speak either, just waited for an answer, he shifted into drive and hit the gas.

He didn’t make sure the others were ready, but Angela knew Marc was on their bumper. “Well?”

Kenn lit a smoke. “We got a call from the woman. Adrian sent me to get her and some medicine we need.”

His voice was laced with pride. Angela frowned. “Who is Adrian, and who are you to him that you’re trusted with something like that?”

Kenn was surprised again. The Angela he knew wouldn’t have realized the mission was important. “I’m whatever he needs.”

Kenn didn’t want to tell her how high in the chain of command he was, or how permanent a place he’d carved out in Safe Haven.

“Well, what does he usually need you to be?”

Her sarcasm shocked him. Marc had done all this in a few weeks? It had taken him years to train her. I should have used the knife. With a K-Bar, he and Marc were equals. “I drive, I make out schedules. I teach, I count, I defend, I lead. Wherever we’re short someone, I do it.”

“How long have you been with them, Kenn? Long enough to build a new life?”

“That’s above your pay grade! How long have you been having an affair? Before the war?”

“It’s not like that. We’re–”

“Friends?” He swerved around a wreck. “You’ve been screwing him all along!”

Angela sucked in a calming breath, heart racing, “You would think of me that way, but it didn’t have to be. I was prepared to love you, to be your mate.”

“I wanted your obedience. The rest of it is shit!”

“That’s what I mean. I had hoped the war might allow you to–”

“To what? Be okay with you bringing your lover along? Wake up! We have a deal!”

“It’s an unfair agreement! You lied, manipulated, hurt me.”

Kenn didn’t deny her accusations. “A deal is a deal.”

“Why, Kenn? You didn’t come back for me; you don’t want me here. Why keep me? I’ll take Charlie and go. You can tell people whatever you want.”

“You have five years left.” He slapped the wheel. “You’re going to pay for every rule you’ve broken!”

Angela stiffened. “There won’t be any more punishments. Those days are over.”

Kenn couldn’t help but hear the danger. It didn’t matter. “You have to be sleeping with him to talk to me like that. Wait until I get you alone!”

“We are not! He’s a good friend who helped me.”

“Yeah, helped himself to what’s mine! Unfaithful bitch! It started before the war, didn’t it? Answer me!”

“No! We’re just friends!”

“You’re not allowed to have friends! You belong to me!”

“Never! I’ve always been Marc’s!”

Kenn’s hand flew out. Slap! He swerved as he leaned over to hit her again.

Angela took the hit as she pulled her gun. She shoved it against his neck, finger tightening on the trigger. “Do it again! Please.”

Things had just changed between them forever.

Kenn eased off the gas and took a fast glance at her. Lip bleeding, her face was perfectly calm otherwise. Death glinted back at him from her eyes.

He brought the Bronco to a gentle stop.

The two Blazers pulled alongside. Only Marc understood what was happening; he didn’t interfere, hoping Angela would solve the problem on her own.

A drop of blood dripped from Angela’s lip. Her knuckles were white from her grip on the gun as she struggled not to pull the trigger. I hate him so much! “Next time, keep going until I’m dead, or you will be.”

Kenn recognized the tone and knew he was as close to death here as he ever had been on the battlefield, but he couldn’t back down. “They used to stone whores!”

Angela drew in a shallow breath. “I’ve been loyal to you, even when I didn’t want to be. You can’t say the same. I want my freedom. I’ll do whatever it takes to get it. Whatever you make me do.” She lowered the gun to her lap.

Kenn noticed she didn’t take her finger off the trigger. How much did Marc teach her? Kenn slowly took his smokes from his pocket and lit one.

When he offered it to her, Angela didn’t hesitate to take it, sensing it was his peace offering.

After a moment, Kenn eased on the gas, thinking about what she’d said. He believed they weren’t sleeping together. She was too pissed to lie, but something was going on. The kiss proved that, even if he forgot about all the other signs, the sparks he’d witnessed, her words: “I’ve always been Marc’s!” What did that say?

Kenn glanced over to find her staring in her mirror at the Blazer rolling behind and a little to the right–the bodyguard’s place. Are they talking?

The rage flared back to life. Kenn hit the gas, swerving so they couldn’t make eye contact. “You better remember who I am. He’s tough, and while he’s definitely unexpected, he’s not invincible. Neither are you! I’m important to these people. Maybe he’ll have an accident.”

Angela’s anger was replaced by a flood of sadness. “Just let me go, Kenny. You don’t love me. You don’t even like me. It will cause all of us pain, including you.”

Kenn refused to do the right thing. “You owe me six more years. If I catch you with him or anyone else, I’ll take Charlie out on a supply run and we won’t come back. Ever!”

2

Obsessed, malevolent eyes watched the small convoy drive off with Rick. The twins were a mere mile away. They were glad the traitor had been taken in, but the strength of the men he’d joined was a worry. The second Marine was as much a problem as the first. Clearly, both males wanted the woman, which would make it harder for Dillan’s plan to work.

“They’ll fight to keep her.” Dean counted ammo as they trudged back to their hidden jeep.

“Yeah.” Dillan took his place behind the wheel. He picked up the mike. “Package has made contact. Tracking. Report later.”

The twin hung it up, not really caring if Cesar got their messages. They had a good plan. Fear was a powerful weapon, but the way the men were so willing to fight for the witch made the eldest twin nervous. Maybe we should have a backup plan in case she gets lucky again.

3

Kenn drove hard and fast, fuming. By dusk, he was taking big risks as he released his frustration on his Bronco. When his luck ran out, Angela wasn’t surprised that he blew a tire.

The truck swerved; Kenn handled it expertly. “Damn.”

He didn’t sound mad, despite the curse. He wanted a delay. Angela began monitoring his thoughts.

Kenn brought them to a rough stop in the middle of the empty, two-lane road that was surrounded by dying fields of wheat. “Ten-minute break. Stay close.”

Angela waited for Marc to circle the vehicles and give her a motion before getting out.

Kenn felt an iron hand tighten in his gut. That’s how it really is. She switched owners during my absence.

Kenn worked on the tire, expecting them to be together the whole time, but after the bathroom break that they all needed, Angela took her doctor’s bag and went to check on the sedated woman.

Marc circled their stopped convoy, Dog at his side.

Kenn glanced up at Marc as he walked by, but the man’s gaze was on the dark South Dakota borderlands they’d crossed into.

Kenn’s anger grew. That level of automatic responsibility was exactly what Adrian was always hoping for in new arrivals. Despite his bluffs, Kenn already knew Adrian would want them to stay and help build the dream. It was an ugly thought for Kenn, envisioning a life in Safe Haven where Angela and Marc were not only a legal couple, but also in the chain of command. The only thing worse would be if Adrian gave Marc his job.

“Will he really want us?”

Kenn swung around in surprise.

Angela stared. “You’ve told some big lies and you don’t want them to find out what kind of person you are. Does that sound like the truth or have you forgotten what that is?” She studied his red face and sullen eyes. “Wanna make a new deal?”

“No!” Kenn scratched the idea off his list of things to try. He stood up and kicked the hubcap back on. “Get in, we’re leaving.” He hated this new Angela. Where is the timid mouse I curled into the corner with my fist, and what will it take to get her back?

“You can’t. Ever. I’ll die first.” She slid a hand to her gun as she stepped around him.

Marc came by on a round, holding out a pack of smokes. His nod of encouragement gave her a warm rush of confidence and a frenzy of longing. She was already wishing their time alone hadn’t been wasted. I denied Marc for nothing. Kenny hasn’t changed at all.

4

As dawn neared, Angela was awake and bitter. She couldn’t wait to hug her son; she was grateful she had made it so far, but she was scared again–the way she had spent so many years. It was depressing that the best she could hope for was Kenny letting his guard down long enough for her to grab her son and run. He thought he had her trapped, but this time she had Marc in her corner. Will it be enough?

Kenn scowled when she lit another cigarette without asking for permission, but he only lowered both front windows a bit to clear the smoke. He saw her attention go to her mirror again.

Kenn swerved the truck, throwing her a warning glare that had the old Angela bracing to fight again.

“We’ll be there in about an hour. We need to talk about what you’ll do and say.”

His hard tone and body language sent flashes of blind obedience through her mind. She immediately resisted. “No, Kenn, we don’t. You want to tell me the rules or the way things work? Fine, but save all that other shit. You don’t own me anymore. That life ended with the war I survived alone!”

Kenn was speechless.

Angela sighed. “I won’t embarrass you. I won’t run my mouth. In return, you remember I’m a person, not your property. You don’t own me. You never have.”

Kenn burned at her words, her tone, even hating her using the short version of his name. It made her sound less needy, less weak, and he knew who was responsible. “This is all his doing, isn’t it?”

Her response was quick. “Because of Marc, I’m here and alive, two things you didn’t want to happen!”

Kenn enjoyed her pain.

“Can’t you be even a little glad to see me?”

He sneered. “Woulda been easier if you hadn’t brought your lover along.”

“You left me there to die. I did what I had to, and I went through hell to get here.”

Kenn gave her a disbelieving once over. “You look fine.”

“I am…now.” Her taunt implied Marc was the reason for it.

Kenn let out a frustrated hiss. “Send him on his way!”

Angela shrugged indifferently, but her hand remained by her holster. “I don’t think I can. We’ve become close.”

Kenn stomped on the gas, throwing her back in the seat. “I’ll kill you both!”

Angela was overwhelmed with what had been caged before–anger. “I owe you a lot, Marine. If you miss, if you underestimate me, it’ll be your body they bury.”

Kenn barely controlled himself, almost sure she was trying to get hit this time so she could shoot him. While he was fast, Kenn wasn’t sure he could grab her arm in time if Marc had taught her to fire from that hip holster. The way she was keeping her fingers on the butt hinted the wife stealer had.

Damn it! I have to get her under control. Kenn foresaw embarrassing explanations, denials, and a trial he would lose. Assaulting a woman wouldn’t be overlooked.

“My…problems are not going to be made public.”

Kenn scowled, realizing she was trying to stay a step ahead by reading his thoughts. He would stop that later, when he had the concentration to bring up the old wall that had kept her in the dark when they first met. Right now, he had to find a way to save his place in Safe Haven. “The people here will make it their business to find out. Safe Haven has few secrets. Adrian arranged it that way to keep the bad people out.”

“One sure slipped through.”

Kenn flushed in shame instead of the angry denial she expected.

“A truce? A week or two and see how things go before you spread lies and make me do something ugly?”

“A truce? Hmm… Okay.” Angela understood she had just won the first of many rounds. “You have seven days to convince me I should forgive you or forget you. After that, I’m free to do what I want.”

His hand flinched toward her again.

Angela held herself still as he grabbed the mike off the dash holder instead.

“Don’t push me! I’ve done a lot of changing, but you owe me six more years. If I’m banished, I’ll sneak back in to slit your throat! You’re free when I say, not a second sooner!” Kenn keyed the mike. “This is Eagle Two, calling Safe Haven. You out there, Mitch?”

“You got me, Big Daddy.”

Kenn grimaced. “I’m half an hour out. Four new arrivals, two of each, adult. One needs medical care. Have the QZ set up and tell the boss he’ll want to talk to a couple of these people.”

“Roger, Eagle Two. Did you find anyone?”

Kenn grunted in bitterness. “Yeah, my wife.”

Kenn hung up the mike before she could protest the title, wondering if Angela knew from the call he was second in command. She isn’t that smart, is she? “These are my men, witch, and they’ll hate him because I do. I can make things ugly.”

Determination to make him understand his timid Angela was gone forever filled her mind in a roar that would eventually have to be heard. “A truce, Kenn. Seven days, then we’ll talk. I’ll walk the line until then, and so will Marc. If you lose it all, it’ll be your doing, not ours.”