Kendle moved reluctantly, praying she wasn’t making a mistake.

  The two big women climbed inside, eyeing the gear and the well-built man shaking on the floor.

  “Feverish, rapid pulse,” Marsha observed, kneeling down.

  Carol nodded, doing the same. “No puke or shit, though–not a virus.”

  She looked over to where Kendle was standing tensely in the narrow doorway. “How long you guys been here?”

  Kendle added. “A week or so.”

  “Land sickness?” Marsha asked.

  Carol shrugged. “Could be. He’s strong, still.”

  Marsha glanced at Kendle, able to see more of the bite marks as the sun rose. “He do that to you?”

  Kendle shook her head, trying not to shudder. “No.”

  “The person dead now?”

  Kendle grinned, answer enough.

  “We’ll give him a dose of antibiotics and give you the bottle. See that he takes three of the capsules every day and don’t hide any back for the next time. If he has an infection and you don’t give him all the meds, there won’t be a next time.

  Luke struggled beneath the rough hands, hearing voices, but unable to make out the words. He’d never gotten sick so fast. He opened his eyes to see Kendle leaning over him in concern.

  “Let the medicine work. You’ll feel better.”

  Luke didn’t argue. He was too tired from listening to that ticking clock in his head again.

  Kendle stayed by his side as the caravan set up a tight camp around the plane and began to settle down for a few hours of sleep. As soon as Luke could be moved, she would load him into the small jeep she’d bartered for their remaining fruit–the sight of which had sent the group of all women into fits of drooling and shouted bids. The currency of the world had changed.

  Chapter Five

  Fix the World

  1

  “What has he really been doing here, Angie? What’s the secret goal of Safe Haven?”

  Angela tilted the book toward Marc so that he could read the title on the first page.

  How to fix our world, one problem at a time.

  Marc opened his mouth to scoff–to make light of that impossible goal–and found only awe. Talk about high ambitions. He settled on the question that mattered most. “Can he?”

  Angela flipped the page, leaning closer so that they could both read.

  Step one: Write out a complete solution for all problems that cause murder.

  Two: Explore every possible outcome and account for them.

  Three: Go over each of these steps again.

  Four: Record the chosen results.

  Five: Put number four in the proper order according to consequence ripples.

  Six: Consider all worst-case scenarios.

  Seven: Repeat steps 1-7 until you’re 95% sure. Fate will cover the rest.

  There was a lot more listed under that one, but Marc wasn’t ready to even skim it. He leaned on the mattress instead, stretching out. He had no doubt about what was in the stack of notebooks now. Adrian had repeated steps 1-7 until he came up with a plan. And then he’d begun to follow it, line by line.

  “Who the hell is he?”

  Angela sighed unhappily. “Mankind’s last hope.”

  Marc let his hand caress a curl. “I thought that was you.”

  Angela dimpled. “I’m an advisor. He’s the light.”

  Marc tossed out a wave of need. “You’re my light.”

  Angela’s smile took his breath and replaced it with hunger–the kind that had to be satisfied.

  Marc gently pulled her down onto the bed.

  2

  “Again today?”

  Charlie denied the request regretfully. “No. We’d get caught.”

  Tracy ignored the disappointment. “You let me know when and I’m there.”

  Charlie stared at her, young heart racing. “We could do something else together.”

  Tracy started to say no and found herself asking what he had in mind.

  “Puppy duty, tray delivery, and babysitting are all on my list,” he said carefully, watching her reaction.

  Tracy sighed. “More FND, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  Charlie didn’t add anything more. Tracy was smart enough to know what he was doing for her.

  “Something fun afterwards?”

  “What would you like to do with me?”

  Charlie’s happiness gave his words a deeper ring than what she was used to and Tracy froze as an unexpected chill of desire ran over her skin.

  Sure he hadn’t meant it that way, she searched for a proper answer. “Whatever we can do alone.”

  Now Charlie froze. The images hitting him were…indecent, and he struggled to keep her from knowing. “I’ll think of something.”

  Tracy took in the red cheeks and stiff stance with understanding. He had remarkable control over his new hormones.

  “Okay… You sure your mom isn’t going to flip out? She has a mean swing.”

  “Over me, it would be the gun,” Charlie joked.

  “All the more reason for us to be alone,” Tracy retorted. And then flushed. “Leave it alone, I mean. We should give this up.”

  “No.”

  Charlie’s firm tone wasn’t one she had the heart to argue with yet. Tracy still hesitated, though. Right now, it was innocent–he was helping her build. When he’d offered, she hadn’t hesitated.

  “Because you like being with me, how I make you feel,” Charlie blurted. “I don’t expect anything from you.”

  Tracy didn’t mind the mental invasion, but refused to allow the lie. “Don’t you, kid?”

  Charlie didn’t lower his glowing orbs. “I only expect things from myself. It’s easier that way. Especially since I know what I’ll be capable of.”

  Tracy’s voice softened. “But you hope for things.”

  “Doesn’t everyone?” he hedged uncomfortably.

  “Yes,” Tracy conceded. “I suppose we all do that.” She let him lock their gazes. “And you’re prepared to be disappointed?”

  The teenager grinned. “I’ve already gotten what I hoped for.”

  Tracy gazed back steadily, mostly ignoring his weak pull. “Time with me?”

  Charlie pushed out that magnetic flame and sent it rushing over her body like he’d observed Adrian do. “It means more to me. You mean more.”

  Tracy suddenly couldn’t breathe. “How do you figure?”

  “Because I’ll still want you after.”

  “Don’t do that!” Tracy snapped sharply, body lighting up as if she were with Adrian.

  Charlie took a step closer. “Everything will be better with me.”

  Tracy felt a light brush along her lips, a mental caress, and shuddered in need. “Please don’t.”

  Charlie pulled the heat in, proud of himself. He’d practiced it on several camp women before attempting this moment. He waited for her to get control of herself, aware that he might have gone too far.

  “How do you do that?”

  Charlie kept his tone light. “It’s a long story, complicated.”

  Tracy snickered at the defensively eager answer. “Better to show, right?”

  Charlie flushed, but didn’t deny it.

  Tracy giggled. “I think we’ll save that for later–much later.”

  Charlie stiffened at the words and sent out another blast of heat as he asked, “Will there be a later, Tracy?”

  Electric sparked and Charlie came closer as she thought about her answer. He put a hand on the stall door, leaning in. “Please?”

  Charlie pushed out the magic and Tracy sighed in defeat. Charlie begging–she held no defense against that.

  “Yes, if you still want me when it’s legal.”

  “To hell with legal,” he muttered, bringing them within a foot of each other. “I’ll be at your flap the day I make a team.”

  Tracy struggled to fight the attraction, to form words. “I won’t… I can’t… Stop that!”

  Charlie lifted his hand, wanting to feel her skin.

  “Excuse me.”

  They both spun from the powerful moment to find the new boy–Conner–leaning against the door.

  “You done? I gotta piss.”

  Flushing scarlet, Tracy hurriedly ducked under Charlie’s arm and fled the camper, forgetting her cleaning supplies.

  Conner limped toward the stall and Charlie went to help the wounded teenager, trying not to be angry about the interruption.

  At least he had finally let Tracy know where he was going with things. And she hadn’t exactly said no. He’d had to let her in a little to reach her. Sometimes that was hard to do here. So many of the refugees had ugly, greedy minds that hurt him. It was a relief to discover that Tracy wasn’t corrupt. Her concern was for hurting the dream

  Or you, his demon offered. She doesn’t want you risking your neck for her.

  “Too late for that,” Charlie murmured, waiting for Conner to finish.

  “She’s hot. Yours?”

  Conner’s question was blunt, curious, and friendly. Charlie didn’t pick up any disapproval. It made him careless.

  “Before the year is out, she will be.”

  Conner took in the determined fire and recognized the common soul. Charlie was like him…was Adrian his father?

  Charlie didn’t correct the thought, but he did bring up a thick wall. He now had secrets that he would defend, harshly if provoked.

  3

  Angela flushed as she came from the tent. “How long have you been waiting?”

  “Just got here.” Kyle chuckled at what was clearly a lie.

  “Uh-huh.”

  Kyle snickered. “Maybe I should be later tomorrow?”

  “By an hour!” Marc called from inside the tent.

  Angela and Kyle laughed as they began walking.

  Kyle handed her a paper. “Nearest spring and places for supply pick-ups along the way. The water from the hot spring is thermal. Do we still have to clean it even though it’s sterile?”

  “Yes. Some of that water is roughly 4,000 years old. We’re not taking any chances with it. Who knows what nature might have cooked up down there? Try to collect from areas that are covered with green boxes. They were used as protection from debris and other contaminants.” The page went into her pocket. “What else?”

  “Did a spot count. Our thief is back.”

  Angela’s mind went to Danny, who she’d helped to expose. “Another one?”

  “Yes. We caught Danny red-handed, but Adrian was sure there was a second thief,” Kyle said. “We didn’t catch anyone else.”

  Angela stored that. “I’ll handle it. Next?”

  “Seth’s on Point, as per Marc’s instructions, off at lunch.” He paused, flipping pages. “Radio’s been quiet, but there were campfires in the distance last night. Zack checked it out, says they’ll probably all come by today. More sheep, not shepherds, that he saw... We’re good here for a few more days, unless that creek goes up. It’s cleared and netted. No one has duty over it, but we’ll go by it on rounds.”

  “Any signs of life?”

  “No, but it was dark. Might have overlooked things like that.”

  Angela slowed, noting the long lines. “Got a little more room. Keep going.”

  Kyle referred to the next page. “Questions from Conner on what all he’s allowed to do and Jennifer wants to know when she gets to help.”

  Angela thought of what she’d seen. “Conner, I’ll handle myself. Tell Jennifer: when she’s not weeks away from getting by the danger date. Tell her we need those babies more than we need a hand.”

  Kyle had told her the same thing, but Jenny was worried about losing her place.

  “Who is Li’s assistant today?”

  Kyle moaned in mock annoyance. “I forgot to give him one, so he drafted his own. Tonya.”

  “That explains the lines.”

  “Yeah. We’re keeping an eye on her.”

  Angela was noticed by those around them. She plastered a welcoming expression on, scanning the herd. She found worry, restlessness, boredom and suspicion everywhere, but little anger or hostility as she got into line and was surrounded.

  “How’s Adrian?”

  “When’s he comin’?”

  “Why did he put you in charge?”

  Angela tried to keep her patience. “Hello. I’ve missed you, too. Yes, I’m fine and it’s nice to be back.”

  Her gentle reminder was ignored.

  “Come on!”

  “Quit stalling.”

  Angela scowled, piercing those closest with a cool glare. “Adrian’s fine–recovering. He and John will decide when he’s able to return, and that’s a question you’ll have to ask Adrian. Now can I eat here or should I go back to the QZ mess?”

  They returned to their seats, leery and confused. They wanted answers, but she could only deliver them when it was time, when instinct said to. Right now, it said to set requirements on the respect they showed her.

  Angela walked through the full mess to the center table…her heart clenched for an instant. The wooden table was covered in good wishes from the entire camp, even the benches.

  Angela was still reading them when Tracy sat down across from her.

  “It was Leslie’s idea,” Tracy stated, wanting credit to go where it was due.

  Angela traced the swirls and lines with an absent finger, deep in thought. Tracy’s next words snapped her into the present place and time.

  “Will you look…for me?”

  Angela, relying heavily on manipulations to keep control, understood the benefits from Tracy’s side, but she also saw them from her own.

  “Why don’t you ask Charlie?”

  Tracy didn’t look up from swirling her spoon through instant potatoes. “Because you can make him stay away from me, if you find bad things. I can’t do that.”

  “Why not?” Angela was already sure of the answer.

  Tracy’s cheeks flushed and her voice lowered to an embarrassed mutter. “He got in my head.”

  “And?” Angela prompted, tone cold. She’d known it was coming.

  “And he said he’ll come for me–openly–the day he makes a team.”

  Angela took that in, surprised. “Marc told him at least a year.”

  “I know, but in a year, if he keeps wearing me down…” Tracy sighed, miserably defensive. “I won’t be able to say no. If it’s not gonna work, you have to keep him out. I can’t do it now.”

  Angela leaned closer, voice growing pointed. “Do you honestly think it will take Charlie a full year to make a team?”

  Tracy paled as she understood. “Before he’s fifteen?”

  Angela wanted to comfort, but she wasn’t quite capable. She got as close to unbiased as she could.

  “I doubt the camp would kick up much fuss. Charlie appears to be able to do whatever he wants in this camp–like he’s Adrian’s…”

  Angela stopped herself from saying the rest.

  Tracy missed the pause in her sweep of the camp.

  When she lingered over Angela’s shoulder, there was no doubt it meant trouble.

  Ignoring the arriving people who called greetings or came toward her, Angela stood up, now fixed on the two men sitting alone with Jennifer. They had their backs to the center table, had missed the sudden silence that allowed everyone to hear their cruel words.

  “Should have thrown you in a creek.”

  “Just a problem we’ll have to get rid of later.”

  “We don’t want your kind here.”

  Angela’s pace quickened. If Kyle heard that…

  “Damn.”

  Angela heard Marc’s steps behind her. His mild curse made her brace for the noise that was coming. Kyle obviously had heard them.

  The mobster flew by them an instant later.

  Tucker and Anderson saw him coming–or maybe felt it. Both men hurried to defend themselves, but it was already too late. Kyle’s fists rained down like thick pistons, firing until blood began to drip.

  Those closest scattered, but it was contained to a rear corner. Kyle’s swift, vicious hits kept the men trapped.

  Marc waited for Angela to stop him…and waited.

  Daryl finally got Kyle’s attention. “Jennifer’s bleeding.”

  Kyle shoved Tucker’s half-conscious frame away, spitting at him, “You’re out of the Eagles! You show up for a meeting and I’ll put you down on the spot!”

  Marc was still waiting for Angela to stop this, to take charge…and finally realized that she wasn’t going to. It was a camp lesson. Her first.

  Kyle carefully picked Jennifer up and stepped lightly. His face, terrifying seconds before, was no concerned and loving. The instant flip was powerful. The camp never saw Kyle when he was at his most dangerous or his most vulnerable. This was a reminder that there was a reason he was their top Eagle.

  As he went by, Angela noticed Daryl giving Crone, a member of their team, a nasty glare and stored it. After handing out punishments to Seth and Kyle, Daryl and his team had become looked to by the camp as enforcers of a sort. Just like her predecessor had, Angela was encouraging it. She knew Daryl was currently spying on Crone, who he thought was spending too much time with one of the young girls from Cesar’s camp.

  Angela turned to the two bloody men who were slowly picking themselves up.

  “Go spend some time with Doug. He has chores.”

  Tucker and Anderson were in no shape to argue.

  As they limped off without even basic medical care, Angela hit her button. “Send a clean-up crew to the main mess. Code Two.”

  Code Two meant it had to be disinfected. Angela helped the Eagles carry the soiled tables and benches out of the mess. The clean-up crew would spread sawdust over the blood splatters and then work on the tables. Within a short time, the mess would be restored. They were getting good at cleaning up after themselves.

  Angela turned to Kyle and Jennifer, and caught the brief look that he exchanged with Tracy. In the quick glance, Angela read concern for Jennifer, but also a bond between him and Tracy that shouldn’t have been there. She wasn’t the only one who noticed.

  Wrapped over his arm, head on his big shoulder, Jennifer also saw the look and instantly added up the clues.