Jason seemed to hear the thought, expression darkening. “Why do I care if you leave?”

  It was an answer I couldn’t provide, and I pulled us to our feet with hands that shook slightly. I had the same question.

  Unable to resist stealing one last moment with him, I leaned in and touched my mouth to his.

  Behind us, our escorts moved away from the entrance.

  Jason’s grip tightened, hard body leaning to meet mine… I drew back slowly, seeing desire and confusion.

  My pink tints fell to his lips, control and need raging. “May I?”

  His cheeks darkened, and he nodded shakily, breathing uneven. “Yes, please.”

  This time, I kissed him with my heart.

  Jason

  It was different.

  I felt it instantly, the magic flare of heat, but also the completeness. There would never be anyone like Angelica.

  She moved back, surprised in the dim light filtering through the rubble. She didn’t say anything, but I could feel her wanting to. What was she holding to herself? A plea for me to stay with her? I hoped not. I wouldn’t be able to resist it right now. She’d already gone through so much for me. I owed her.

  “Freedom?”

  I nodded slowly, ignoring the heart crying out for me to wait, to think about it a little more. “Yes, please.”

  Angelica winced at the words, but didn’t protest. Her touch was gentle as she guided me over the debris and out into the light.

  Angelica

  Sam’s face held sympathy that I tried to ignore as we emerged. He’d made his choice. Now, we would both live with it.

  Jason settled onto the Mopar in front of me without being told, remembering my words of letting him drive in, and I rode behind with a gun in each hand in case Rankin was set to try it again.

  Behind us, the crumbling brick remained, but its gritty shell was covered in blood and gore. Overhead, fat vultures circled restlessly, waiting for us to be gone. What nature gave in such generous amounts, she also took back ruthlessly. It was a lesson the old world had forgotten, but here in the Borderlands, it was the law.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Day 13

  Jason

  We were here.

  The sight of all those males had both of us instantly on edge. I understood Angelica’s reaction - the need in the air was thick, but my own harsh burn of jealousy was unexpected. It only grew when the males began to recognize her.

  “They’re here!”

  “Angelica’s here!”

  “Someone tell Candice!”

  Hard-bodied men wearing excited faces began to pour from the wide cave entrance. Clad in tightly-fitting brown and gray breeches, and long shirts, it was clear that the rebels were learning to hunt for their needs. The duds were too vivid to be anything other than freshly made, and my fingers on her waist tightened. They were independent. Uh-oh.

  Angelica stood up, exposing the rope between us, and I saw a striking man pale. He was walking out of the main cave door with an infamous female who gave me the clue to who he was. This woman looked too much like Angelica and Sam not to be related, which made the man Daniel.

  I’d heard the stories, but it was so much better in person. Daniel and Candice moved toward us with their heads up and their cloaks streaming out behind them in the gritty wind. Their hands were clasped, faces full of welcome, and I felt Angelica breathe a sigh of relief.

  She loves them, I thought. It was good to know that she could. I still wasn’t sure what terms she was on with her sister. For being so closely related, Sam and Angelica acted almost nothing alike.

  Blond, black, red, brown, platinum. There were now males of every shade moving toward us like sweets on a train car buffet. The heat of the Runners flared out around me like their cloaks had during the ride.

  “Sam…”

  We all turned to see the Runner on Sam’s left, Wendy, staring at the emerging males with eyes on the edge of crimson.

  “I’m off this one.”

  Sam agreed. “I’ll find you after.”

  Wendy grunted in return, but continued to stare at the rebels with savage need.

  “Are they… do you think we could…”

  “No!”

  Sam’s voice was harder than I’d heard from even Angelica and I shrank back at the sound of a Pruett’s command tone.

  “It’s okay, I mean, we’re on a run, I know, and we don’t do that... But, I could…”

  “I’ll kill you, Wendy. I won’t want to, but I will.”

  Sam’s warning was ignored.

  “It’s okay. I’ll just… I can…”

  The snap came fast.

  Wendy lunged from the bike like a wild animal and sprinted toward the nearest blond male as the Change ripped through her big body. Hair shot out in thick waves, claws thrusting through the nails, and her head tilted back to scream as she flew toward the fleeing men.

  Bang!

  Bang!

  Angelica lowered her arm as the body slumped to the sandy ground. I felt her reholster, heard Sam doing the same next to us.

  “Judge it now. Fair or not?”

  “Fair.”

  “Fair.”

  Each of them agreed, but Sam grunted as the vote came back around. “Not fair. I didn’t want to kill her.”

  Rosa pushed her goggles up over a tight ponytail of shining red hair. “Overruled by a majority vote.”

  I stared at them in small glances, still cowering against Angelica. I could hear Candice and Daniel talking, getting the males to come back out of hiding, but it was the comfort of my owner’s heartbeat that kept me from shaking.

  Angelica slowly turned, hand gently making me look at her. She didn’t speak, but I felt better as she stared at me, calmer. I was with a Pruett. I was protected, and she reminded me of that silently.

  Around us, a small group of the Runners went to collect Wendy’s body.

  Ahead of the storm now, the winds were pushing, dust waves coming closer, and the sky was black in the direction we’d come from. The wind blew cloaks back, letting me see guns and knives, and even a few electronic clubs on the tensely watching males. It was encouraging.

  “Did he fall, too?”

  Angelica snorted at her cousin’s joking question as Candice and Daniel reached us. “I didn’t give him the chance.”

  I saw Daniel flush and understood why I was bound. Angelica turned back toward me.

  “Good luck, Jason.”

  That tone! My heart thumped as she drew her knife, but not in fear. I knew what was coming and I opened my mouth…

  Angelica cut the rope between us before I could say anything, and I felt it deep down, what she was thinking. She’d just let go of me, in her heart as well as by the rope.

  She stared at me, face unreadable, and I gave her an uneasy smile of gratitude, pushing away the sense of loss. I hadn’t wanted to be paraded among these free males while tied to an owner.

  Angelica turned away and I stumbled after her as quickly as I could through the cramps and aches of riding the bike for so long.

  The rebel males were all waiting respectfully behind Candice and Daniel now, talking quietly, but they were taking in every detail of not only Angelica and me, but also our escorts. They stared at the big Runners with worried expressions that Candice ignored, making them adapt. I assumed she’d told them we were coming, but these males clearly hadn’t been prepared for it.

  For some reason, I thought the Runners and the rebels had already known each other and my stomach tightened. We were taking wild Changelings inside a cave to be closed-up with dozens of rebel males. I hoped Wendy’s snap was the only one.

  The hero of the bachelor cells gave me a casual nod that I returned with recognition and relief. Deep down, I’d thought Rankin would reclaim me before I could get here.

  Daniel was shorter than the stories made him out to be, but that pretty skin and golden hair made him seem so bright that I had to turn my attention to his owner.

  Candice Pruett was one of the many I could end up with if Angelica didn’t keep her promise and free me. Candice was nearly the mirror image of my Angel, even down to the thick, muscular, tattooed body, and I observed their reunion in surprise.

  “Welcome back.”

  “We’ve missed you.”

  Angelica’s happiness flew over me in thick waves, and I hated it even as I thought I could become addicted. I wanted the chance to make her feel that way, too, and it frightening. I was about to be free. I needed to let go of my dependency on her, if that’s what it was - I wasn’t sure.

  Angelica surprised most of those watching, me included, by stepping sideways to deliver a gentle kiss to Daniel’s cheek.

  It caused him to turn a shade of red that had his owner turning toward him. It was easy to see that Candice and Daniel were close. He clearly didn’t want freedom, though I supposed he had a great deal of that right now, considering the loving smile he was receiving.

  That could be me.

  I pushed away the thought. I didn’t want to be owned.

  “Any word on our parents?”

  “They made contact with the lepers, then headed southwest from there. Sam’s got my report and the gear.”

  Candice smirked and I wondered if Angelica meant the cameras she’d hidden in her pouches and pockets when we left the complex.

  “We did run into a slight… delay.”

  Behind us, Sam laughed. “They weren’t even a bump in the road. I told you my Runners were more than a match for The Ring. We don’t like survivors, either.”

  Candice grinned again, wider, and I was glad I knew the story. Most of the bachelors in New Network City did. We were very adept at prying information from our renters. Our attackers had been the Network-controlled females who’d brought Daniel to Rankin, where he had been hurt. Candice had wanted The Ring dead for a long time, and I sensed it soothed her to know it was the Pruetts who’d seen to it.

  “This is Jason.”

  I straightened my shoulders as all their heads turned to appraise Angelica’s prize.

  It was an ugly feeling and I reacted more sharply than I’d intended.

  “Where’s the hell is Baker?”

  Angelica

  The rudeness had me staring in surprise, along with everyone else. I could feel the rebel males expecting a reaction, a punishment, and I delivered one that hurt us both.

  “Jason wants to live as one of you. He is now free to do so.”

  I ignored them all, moving toward the entrance to leave him standing there to handle the mutters and surprised stares alone. He was officially free and I was alone again. I moved inside to surround myself with a different type of pain so that I could keep breathing.

  The cave entrance was two doors wide and led into an enormous open area with multiple tunnels leading from it. I was drawn to the sight of personal touches and comfort items, like a wooden rack for coats and a stack of books in a far corner. Interesting.

  From the main entrance room, there was a perfect view of a dining area filled with stone seats and long, rocky tables that had once been road dividers of some sort. More males filled these seats, bare dirt under their moccasin-clad feet.

  As I walked through the tunnels that were set up much like Stone Mountain, I almost expected to hear a drill. “That’s the sound of a rookie getting inked.”

  What had Baker meant by rookie? I hadn’t thought to ask then, but now, I needed any distraction I could find. I’d assumed rookie meant a rebel male who had just joined them, but I was noticing that only a few of the males here had one of the detailed tattoos. As I thought back to those I’d met and seen at Stone Mountain, I realized that was true of there as well. Did Baker have some sort of secret group inside his rebels doing special work? I found the thought exciting and stored it as yet another thing to figure out later.

  As I neared the next tunnel, I saw the males weren’t flinching back from me the way they had at Stone Mountain. Their expressions were hot, intent as they tried to figure out why I hadn’t kept Jason for my own… if that slot was now open. Was it?

  I stopped to take a deep scent of them, but my head automatically turned, going to Jason.

  He was still staring at my retreat, full of his own battles, and I let out a miserable breath as I spun back around. Surely one of these, or the hundreds at the Safe Zone, would draw the same attraction. If not…

  “Welcome back.”

  Baker moved toward me from the largest tunnel, and I read it all in his grateful expression. He was lonely and full of rage, too. Apparently being around Candice and Daniel as they bonded hadn’t been fun too fun. It was easy to embrace him like family. In my heart, Baker already was.

  He returned my short hug with a surprised chuckle, and I felt a bit of my loneliness ease. At least here I had someone who understood.

  Baker sported the same clothes as the rebels, the furs and hand-cleaned leather, but it was clear by the sturdy construction that he’d been making his way alone a lot longer than they had. Over his long shirt and pants, he wore a long black and gray cloak with the hood pushed back to reveal a bald head that bulged with sexy muscles. It was easy to see why Candice had been attracted to him, but I didn’t experience any of the heat that I had during our Stone Mountain time. Now, Jason was all I could see…feel.

  Baker’s shined eyes flashed. “Let’s get you and your new mate…”

  My wince stopped his words, and his gaze went to the group now coming inside. He picked Jason out, voice disapproving.

  “You know not to leave them alone when they’re fresh out of the…”

  “He makes his own choices, like the rest of your males.”

  Baker’s head swung to mine and in that moment, all of my secrets were laid bare.

  “You’ve freed him.”

  “It’s what he wanted.”

  Baker’s voice was low. “And you?”

  I wanted to say I’d be fine, that I had a back-up plan, and was horrified to hear the truth fall out in a desperate groan.

  “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t give to have him… willing.”

  “Damn, little girl.” Baker tossed an arm around my slumped shoulders. “Let me see what I can do about that.”

  I hung my head. “I wish you wouldn’t.”

  Baker studied me, seeing more than I wanted him to, but he was like that. We’d had a very long conversation on the train, right before Candice agreed to help him prepare his rebels, and I trusted this hard, yet twitchy leader.

  “Does he know you care?”

  I quickly shook my head. “No, and I don’t want him to. Willing, Baker, not convinced or persuaded.”

  Baker grunted. “He’ll think it’s only for relief if you don’t tell him otherwise.”

  Silence…

  “You’re definitely a Pruett.”

  I snorted, moving over to allow the approaching group to join us. “And then some.”

  I waved a hand. “This is your newest member, Jason Parker.”

  Baker stepped forward to shake and Jason did the same, eyes widening at the sight of another hero. Baker was a legend to all of the bachelors in the complex.

  “I have to talk to you - alone.”

  Baker didn’t ask for permission as he directed my prize to a quiet corner, and my heart cried out as the final chain snapped. That was it. I had to let him go now.

  I turned toward the lined walls, searching the interested faces of the rebel males, hoping for any spark, but there was only dark pain.

  I met my cousin’s gaze without shame or censoring my private hell. I loved Sam, but Candy and I had grown up together. She seemed older, but stronger than the last time I’d seen her. Being here was good for my love-struck cousin. Daniel had been good for her. Why couldn’t I have picked someone like him?

  I moved for the entrance. I thought I had just enough time to make a place to guard from before the storm hit. If Rankin came in on its heels, we would know. And after this was done, maybe I’d go on alone for awhile - whatever it took to get Jason’s scent out of my thoughts, my dreams.

  Jason

  That intent stride to the door caught my immediate attention.

  Before I could call her name, Angelica glanced back. There was so much longing, so much pain in that expression, that I took a step toward her.

  Angelica stopped me with a single shake of her head, and I watched those emotions get hidden behind her wall. As a free man, I didn’t have the duty, the honor, of comforting her.

  She held my gaze for a moment longer, searching me… and then walked out.

  “She’s leaving!”

  Baker had been observing. “She’s kept her end of the deal. This is what you want, isn’t it?”

  I gave a quick nod, but inside… “Will she come back?”

  “Yes, but probably not until she can handle your freedom without interfering.”

  “But I don’t…” I snapped my mouth shut, very aware of how closely Baker was studying my reaction.

  “Don’t want to be away from her?”

  I flushed. “She’s different than other women.”

  “She’s a Pruett.”

  “And they’re for freedom.”

  “Yes. Even against their own needs. It’s a very rare family you’ve just turned down being a part of.”

  Baker saw my silent agreement, and pushed. “It’s not too late.”

  I thought about my dreams, and then Angelica’s hard rule concerning children. “Yes, it is. We don’t want the same things.”

  Baker grunted. “Ahh, the future. It’s never better for the rebels.”

  I remembered then, why all of this had come about in the first place, and I began spilling my secrets. As I talked, Candice and Daniel came close enough to listen.

  I tried to make sure I didn’t miss any details, but my ears were waiting for the sound of a bike to start up. How long would I go without seeing her? Would I be able to stand it without begging someone to take me to her? And what about Rankin?

  I confessed that nasty secret with a shamed voice. “Our tail is the new Head Defender.”

  All of them knew by the tone that there was more and I gave the information in a muttered rush. “She was very upset that Angelica picked me.”