From The Ashes (Life After War) (51 page)

Adrian didn’t frown at the thought as he would have not that long ago. Kenn was making good progress with the whore-turned pharmacist, and because he’d publicly punished her, Tonya was now considered forgiven. The camp, in all its snobbery, had others to shun.

“
You’re losing hope.”

Adrian didn’t want to admit it, noting the smoky vehicles being checked to determine if they were still drivable. “I’ll survive. It’s these people I’m not sure about.”

Angela's alarm bells sounded, and she spun for the danger. Before she could find it, Adrian did.

“
Damn. She picked a bad time.”

Angela turned to see Jennifer approaching Kyle and began motioning. The camp's women had talked to Jenny last night. If she was ending things with the mobster, there was definitely trouble coming.

6

“
I need to talk to you, about our arrangement.”

Kyle tensed, sweeping to determine who was close enough to overhear.

Only Daryl, and the XO gave his team leader a look that said he was staying close in case this was the moment she asked him to back off.

Kyle was expecting that, too. He’d had a long night to get ready for this.

“
Kyle.”

“
Now?”

Jennifer was enjoying the wonderfully cool water. “Yes.”

Hating the way his toes were frozen even as he sweated, Kyle leaned against the front of Adrian’s semi. “Okay.”

Jennifer wasn’t sure how to start the conversation, but she was determined to get what she now needed from this, too. “I’d like to make an official deal.”

He’d been expecting much worse, and the relief had him forgetting to be careful in his wording. “What kind? My options are a bit limited at this point.”

“
Meaning the trade you made for me with the den mothers.”

Kyle flushed darkly, full of shame and need. “Yes.”

“
Would you have ever told me about it?”

“
Unlikely.”

She took that in, still considering and comparing, but in her heart, Jennifer knew what she wanted. “I’m not old enough for you.”

Kyle's face twisted into pain.

She sighed at his grimace. “Sometimes I wish I was. You deserve to be rewarded for what you’ve done for me, for what you do here.”

Before Kyle could protest, she held up a hand. “I know–you kill on command.”

Jennifer didn’t stop at his shame. “I also know how deeply you carry that, how evil you worry that you are.”

To hear it put so bluntly was hard for the proud man, and he forced himself to be brutally honest.

“
I killed my first man at fourteen. The ‘mark’ was my uncle who talked to the FBI. My father ordered it, but he wasn’t totally evil. He did teach me to be loyal and have honor.” Kyle omitted the talkative prostitute contract. He was obsessed, not insane. “I do have blood on my hands, Jenny, but little of it is innocent. Not that it matters to this new life. In fact, it made me perfect as Adrian’s assassin. I won’t change that–not sure I could anyway.”

“
But... where does a man like that fit into my world?”

“
Anywhere you want,”
Kyle answered as the dim moonlight glinted off of her freshly washed hair. The need to touch her was one he conquered.

“
I don’t want you to use a whore.”

Kyle reeled. “Excuse me?”

He stared at her beet red cheeks and those shiny curls, heart thumping. “Where did you hear that?”

“
Do you have one yet?”

Kyle was sure he shouldn’t lie. Her age meant nothing when it came to that. “Chosen, not used.”

Jennifer scowled at her relief, hand going to her hip. “If you want me, you won’t. Suck it up and wait!”

“
What are you saying?”

“
That I… I won’t share you! Not even now.”

The mobster’s cold, hard heart lurched. “Why do you care?”

“
It’s not because I owe you.”

Kyle realized that light being on so late last night in the common tent had meant a very lengthy conversation where she hadn’t let Peggy or Hilda’s words influence her in the least. “You
don’t
owe me.”

Jennifer shrugged. She had her own views about that, and she wasn’t ready to share them, any more than she was him. “Can you wait?”

Kyle’s expression lightened. “Yes.”

“
Are you sure? ‘Cause if I find out you went to someone, I’ll…”

Kyle raised a brow, letting his tone of control be heard. “You’ll what, Jennifer?”

She dropped her head. “I’ll be crushed. And I can’t ever forgive that.”

Kyle’s reaction was one he couldn’t have censored even if he’d wanted to. He leaned forward, reaching out to her. “Then I won’t.”

Jennifer slid carefully into his big arms, still surprised to feel safe in them instead of captive. “You promise, Kyle?”

He gave it to her, lost at the sound of his name on her lips. “My word as an Eagle, Jen. I’ll never touch another woman.”

Jennifer felt it then for the first time, the desire under the fear. It was strong enough to make her lips part in surprise. She wasn’t a stranger to sexual pleasure. Cesar had thought it the height of fun to bring her to the edge and make her beg for release, but she’d never thought she would
want
to be with a man that way.

Kyle heard her breathing grow rough, her body tensing against his, and had enough experience to know it wasn’t fear. He was getting through to her, showing her how beautiful a relationship could be when the man cared enough to make it that way.

He opened his mouth and let her into his mind. “I need you. In time, you'll feel the same.”

“
What if I don’t, Kyle? I don’t want you to be caring for me forever without getting something from it.”

Kyle almost groaned. She was so good, and he was so bad. “I’ll prove it to you, here and now. I
know
we’re a match.”

Jennifer sensed it would cross the line, but she was tired of playing by Safe Haven’s rules. If she were truly free, then free to have a relationship had to be a part of it, too. She liked Kyle, and clearly as more than a friend, or she wouldn’t care if he had a whore.

She wanted a chance at the future she saw in his eyes when he stared at her while she played with the puppy, while he helped her pick out baby clothes, or assembled furniture. His face was streaked in soot, adding to the menace of his profile. Except, she knew better now, didn’t she? Despite him being the big, strong man, she would have the lead in everything they did.

“
Yes. Show me how you know I’ll want your touch.”

Kyle’s mind screamed, but his heart was in control. This was the moment it might all come down, but he would still have her.

“
Close your eyes, Jenny.”

She did, nervously, and he slid a slow hand behind her neck, sighing at the sensation of her skin against his.

Kyle leaned in, and her lids fluttered closed, pulse in her neck increasing as she realized what he meant to do. He moved slowly, giving her time to pull away, and was rewarded when she remained still.

Eagles and camp members were scowling at them, Adrian and Angela motioning men their way, but it was too late.

Kyle kissed her.

Jennifer was braced for it, determined not to get him in more trouble than he already would be, but the feel of his lips against hers had an unexpected effect. He didn’t move, or shove his tongue into her mouth–just kept them connected and let her have the sensations. His breath was warm against her cheek, smoky and ragged enough to blow her hair back in short bursts.

I cause him to feel that way.

The thought would have been terrifying with anyone else, but Jen knew he wouldn’t do more. With that in her mind, the teenager let herself have her first kiss, given in respectful desire.

Her chest hardened against his, and a shudder ran down Kyle’s length. He was almost at his limit already. No other female had ever hit him this way. He gently pushed his lips against hers, sending electricity through them both... and for one instant, she pushed back.

Kyle slowly let go, triumphant as her hand came up to touch her lips. For that one second, she’d
wanted
him.

Facing it was as hard as it had been to handle the fact that she had liked some of the things Cesar had done to her. Jennifer understood that Cesar had been taking advantage, but Kyle hadn’t, and he’d caused that reaction with only a bare brush of his lips. What would his hand do?

Kyle had been hoping for all of things he saw flashing across her young face, and he took another step away as Eagles flooded his peripheral vision. “They may keep us apart now, but I’ll wait until you’re ready, no matter how long it takes.”

“
And then?” she asked, a bit fearfully.

“
I’ll love you–as much as Brady does Angela. You and our family will be my life, even if I lose my place with the Eagles over it.”

A third step as his body prepared to shove through the guards to get to Adrian, if it came to that. “I’ll agree to anything you want or need from me.”

Jennifer’s heart took control, and she followed his retreat, waving back the glowering Eagles getting set to grab him. “Yes.”

Kyle forgot to breathe, and so did everyone else watching when she slid a gentle hand along his jaw.

Jennifer smiled, one of those amazing expressions of happiness that sent a ripple through the shield and drew more attention. “Yes, I’ll be yours.”

Kyle had enough time to press another soft kiss to her sweet lips, and then he was being dragged away. He didn’t resist.

Doug spun him toward the livestock trucks that were now being reloaded. “Get out of sight for a while, or they’ll find something the fire hasn’t burned to hang you with. Half the damn camp just saw that!”

Kyle didn’t care.
She said yes!
was the only thought he could form.

7

Evening fell thickly over the dazed camp as they waited. The fire danger was over, Adrian watching for the animals to leave the creek before he took his people away from it, too. That provided a lot of time to kill and right now, with nerves already on edge, the camp wanted someone punished.

“
Halt there!”

About to climb into his truck, Kyle stopped.

Daryl nodded to the teammates that had come at Angela's call. It was time to do what they'd planned and hope it would be enough.

Kyle held still as his team surrounded him, the camp watching from inside and around their vehicles.

Daryl took his place in front of Kyle. “You are guilty of a moral violation.”

Kyle knew what was coming–approved the choice even as he dreaded it. If the camp got to witness his punishment, they might not insist on a vote.

“
Your team has chosen to deliver a punishment. Would you rather stand trial?”

Kyle forced his mouth open. “I accept my team's fists with gratitude.”

Satisfied that the mobster understood this was being done with love, Daryl motioned to the others. “First wave.”

Daryl stepped back as the blows began, each team member around the circle taking their shot. The hits were ugly–straight, flat punches designed to drive in the point. Kyle didn't fight back. He just tried to remain standing.

Thud!

Whap!

Thud!

Daryl was the last to go and he stepped in front of his team leader with a clenched fist and a wounded heart. “If you cross the line again, you'll stand trial.”

Thud!

Daryl's blow took Kyle to his knees.

“
Do you under...”

“
What are you doing?!”

Jennifer shoved by Daryl to get to Kyle. “He didn't do anything wrong.”

Kyle tried to push her out of the way. “Move... I deserve this.”

Jennifer glared when Daryl moved forward. “Don't make me hurt you.”

Daryl hesitated, but the wolf didn't. Dog padded around the uneasy man to grab Jennifer's wrist. He carefully began dragging her away.

The Eagles expected a scene, but a moment of staring at the wolf had the girl reluctantly allowing herself to be removed as Kyle's protection.

Daryl motioned to the others. “Second wave.”

Kyle closed his eyes.
She said yes!

Thud!

Adrian didn't stop Daryl when Kyle sank to the ground, nor when he held up a hand for mercy. Kyle had known this would happen and crossed the line anyway. He wasn't above correction, and that meant none of the other Eagles were, either.

The camp didn't like it, but they also did. It was awful to watch their top Eagle be beaten until he was groaning and spitting blood. It was also justice and a severe warning to those here who had ideas of claiming an underage female. The whispers that had started after the camp meeting would vanish. The new line was fifteen. It would be stuck to.

Across the creek, shadows moved through the smoke that was still lingering–Seth and Becky were in the back of his truck while Kyle was being reprimanded by his team for much less.