I shifted closer to Gavin as an older man, probably in his fifties, strolled toward us. He had white hair cut close to his head military style. His cheeks and jaw were covered in white whiskers and his dark green pants were wrinkled and muddy. The jacket he wore was not U.S. Army regulation but I think it would be safe to say that regulations had been thrown out the window the moment the EMP hit.
“Who are you?” he asked, stopping inches from Gavin. He sounded like he had smoked one too many Marlboros in his lifetime.
“Delaney. I live here,” Gavin answered, thrusting his chin toward the house.
The man’s eyes ran over Gavin then across to Cash. Finally, he looked at me. I wanted to be brave but when his black eyes peered down at me, I grew petrified. He had laugh lines around his eyes but his gaze held no humor. Only madness gazed back at me.
Instinctively I took a step back, knowing this guy was trouble. Gavin immediately stepped in front of me, blocking everyone’s view.
“Whatcha hiding from, girl?” the man asked with a smile that was meant to be genuine but was anything but friendly. He held out a hand for me, wiggling his fingers. “Come here.”
I shrank away from him, something I wasn’t proud of - but I had been through enough since the EMP. Plus, I had a baby to protect. I didn’t want this man touching me. Something about him felt…off.
“Come here, I won’t bite,” he said smiling, his hand waving me forward. His lips split apart, showing teeth that might have been white at one time.
I had two options; either cower behind Gavin and have this man yank me away or face him on my own accord. Either way, I knew this man would get his way. My gaze moved nervously to Ryder as I made my decision. He looked ready to rip every last man apart as he watched me step in front of the leader. His eyes burned cold, staying on me like no one else existed but the two of us.
The tension in the yard became as thick as the snow coming down. The wind picked up, blowing my hair in front of my face and obscuring my view. I brushed the strands away and glanced down, trying to control the fright that wouldn’t go away. My eyes landed on the leader’s black combat boots a few feet from me. They were covered in melted snow and mud. A tingle raced up my spine. These men were trouble, much more than a few punches and bloody noses. But I didn’t have much time to wonder what they wanted. The leader started barking orders, his voice full of authority.
“Take those horses to the barn and get them unsaddled!” he demanded, pointing to our horses.
Resting a hand on the gun riding low on his hip, the leader turned his attention to Gavin and Cash. “You men check them for weapons?” he barked out, indicating us.
“No, sir,” one of the men answered.
The leader sighed, his disappointment with his men apparent. “Paul, get over here and search them,” he said with irritation.
I watched as a soldier marched to Cash with a stiff-legged gait. He was short with dirty blonde hair and a body built like a wrestler. Mud and something that looked suspiciously like blood was smeared across his dark green jacket. The semi-automatic he held made me nervous. He seemed antsy, as if he was unsure of what he was doing. I just hoped his trigger finger wasn’t as shaky.
He started searching Cash, his movements brisk. Professional.
Like an obedient captive, Cash raised his arms above his head and let the man pat him down. The soldier searched Cash’s pockets, beneath his jacket, and patted him down to the top of his boots.
As he searched Cash I surveyed the area. The snow was now accumulating on the ground around our feet. Off in the distance, I could see nothing but the wind picking up snowflakes before setting them gently on the ground.
No longer could I feel my extremities. My toes were completely numb thanks to my soaking wet socks and thin tennis shoes. My fingers were cold and my face felt frozen, the muscles impossible to move. I knew I was far from hypothermia but that didn’t mean I wasn’t freezing cold.
I glanced over at the two unfamiliar trucks sitting a few yards away. They were older model vehicles, early 1970s if I had to guess.
The truck tires sat directly on the road that led from Janice and Roger’s home to Ryder’s. Weeds and grass had overtaken the tire tracks, hiding the well-worn path like it no longer existed but the men had found it. That meant they had already been to Janice and Roger’s home. There might still be soldiers there. I prayed that Roger was safe, unharmed by these men.
Frightened at the thought that Roger might be lying somewhere hurt, I glanced back at the soldiers, catching a few of them watching me. I turned my face away from them, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone.
“He’s clear,” Paul said, turning away from Cash after finding no weapons on him.
Gavin was next. Paul seemed more wary with Gavin than he had with Cash. I couldn’t blame him. Gavin was tall, all lean muscles. He had no expression on his face, just an indifference that I had seen so many times on Ryder’s own face. But Ryder was more unpredictable, more deadlier than Gavin ever thought of being. They were both fierce fighters but I knew which one would fight for my life. For me.
The one staring at me from across the yard.
I met Ryder’s eyes, willing them to turn soft as they glared at me. They never did. Instead, his stare cut right through me, leaving a path of destruction in their wake as he glowered at the soldier standing guard behind me.
Paul ran his hands over Gavin’s chest, checking for any bulges beneath his jacket that would indicate a hidden gun. Finding nothing, he patted down Gavin’s waist next. Coming up empty, his dirty hands ran over Gavin’s hips then down his legs.
I saw the twinkle in Gavin’s eyes as Paul started patting back up his legs. Oh, no! When one of the Delaney brothers got that look in their eyes, people better run for the hills and take cover.
“A little to your left and you’ll find what you’re looking for, pussy boy,” Gavin said with a smart-ass smile.
What was he doing, trying to get himself killed?
Paul’s face turned a beet red, filling with rage as he scowled at Gavin. But behind his anger was embarrassment. Being trash-talked in front of his fellow solders was a worse blow than if Gavin had taken him by surprise and gotten a punch in.
“Shut up,” Paul spluttered, trying to hide his embarrassment. With a hard shove, he pushed Gavin back a step but Gavin caught himself easily, keeping the grin on his face. That grin alone will get him killed, I thought. What the hell is he doing?
With redness on his cheeks and embarrassment burning in his eyes, Paul ignored Gavin and turned to me. His eyes darted up and down my body with a mixture of appreciation and vengefulness. Grinning like he was about to enjoy a tasty meal, he sauntered toward me. I tried to hide my fear behind a blank expression as my heart rate tripled.
He continued to look up and down my body as he circled me. His jacket sleeve brushed against my body every few steps, probably on purpose. I took a step away from him but he just ambled closer, leaving me feeling slimy and icky. Despite wearing a coat and layers of clothes, I still felt exposed as he assessed me.
“Now I get to search her,” he said, the corner of his thin lips lifting in a smile.
Knowing compliance was my only option, I copied Cash and Gavin, lifting my arms above my head so Paul could search me. But when his hands touched my shoulders, I jumped with fear. Gavin shifted to his other foot, turning his body toward me as if he might charge the man patting me down.
The soldier standing behind Gavin raised his gun, aiming it at Gavin’s back. Slowly, Gavin raised his arms over his head, his gaze never leaving me. I saw the message behind his stare. Stay calm and do what they say.
I nodded my head just a tiny bit, enough to let him know I understood.
“She doesn’t have any weapons,” Gavin announced, glancing at the leader.
“I’ll make sure of that,” Paul retorted from behind me. His hands ran down my arms, patting me through the thick material of my jacket. Trying to block out the feeling
of a stranger’s hands on me, my gaze went to Ryder, seeking the one person that always gave me a sense of safety.
But his eyes weren’t on me; they were on Paul’s hands touching me. From the expression on his face, I knew that any minute now Ryder might tear across the yard and be on Paul in seconds. Blood would spill and heads would roll if he got loose.
I closed my eyes and tried to block out the terror, but it only increased when Paul’s hands moved to my waist. My pregnancy was hidden beneath my jacket but with one touch, the soldiers would know. When he stroked the front of my stomach, right over where the baby rested, all the blood left my face.
“Don’t touch her!” Ryder roared.
I opened my eyes, frightened when I heard the rage in his voice.
Ryder took a few steps toward me, fury on his face and deadly coldness in his eyes. Two soldiers grabbed his arms, keeping him immobile. He struggled against them but they held him tight, refusing to let him move an inch.
“Hey, this one’s pregnant,” Paul said, ignoring Ryder. His hand stayed on my stomach, his arms wrapped around my middle from behind.
I felt sick. I wanted this man’s hands off of me but I was afraid to move. Afraid I would lose what was left in my stomach all over the ground at the leader’s feet.
The leader smiled and glanced over his shoulder at Ryder, watching as he struggled against the men. Fighting to get to me.
“Guess we got another American baby on the way,” the leader said, laughing. “God bless the U.S. of A.”
I’m going to be sick. His voice crawled over me like a dirty disease, filling me with disgust.
“Continue patting her down. I don’t trust women,” the leader said, his earlier humor gone.
Paul’s hands left my stomach and went to my hips, his touch more of a caress now than a pat.
“You’re one dead motherfucker!” Ryder bellowed, struggling against the hands that held him. “I’m gonna rip you to shreds!”
Paul’s head snapped up, his eyes rounded with surprise as he looked at Ryder. But apparently, he wasn’t scared enough because his hands stayed on me, lingering too long.
“Hey!” Gavin shouted, grabbing his attention.
I watched as Gavin reached down into his boot, his gaze staying on Paul. A second later, a long and deadly knife appeared in his hand. He flipped it open, sunlight reflecting off of the shiny blade.
That’s when chaos broke out.
Chapter Twenty–Four
Gavin shouted, gaining every soldier’s attention. He slashed the knife through the air, barely missing a man’s stomach. When another soldier came at him, he ducked, flipping the knife in his hand to stab at his attacker. He missed seconds before three men rushed him, tackling him to the ground. Paul shoved me out the way, charging over to help the men pry the knife out of Gavin’s hands.
At the same time, Brody raced across the yard. One man tried to step in his path but Brody let loose with his fist, landing a solid punch to the man’s nose. Blood sprayed as the man’s head whipped back. Another soldier met Brody, his fist snapping out to bury in Brody’s ribcage. Brody stumbled and doubled over. Eva let out a scream along with Janice as more men rushed Brody, taking him down while he was weakened.
As the men flung Brody to the ground, Cash saw his opening. The man next to him got an elbow to the side of his jaw, followed by an uppercut to his head. Wobbling on his feet, the man’s eyes rolled back into his head. Cash faced the next man barreling toward him. This one was bigger, wider, and had about a hundred pounds on Cash. But it didn’t stop Cash from doing some damage. With one punch the man was flat on the ground, out cold. Game over.
I watched everything in a fog. Our worst fear had come true. For months we had been left untouched, unscathed by the madness. Not anymore. Now the war was on our soil.
As Cash raised his arm and let another fist fly, I saw my opening. No one is watching. It’s the perfect moment.
I took off running. Skirting around the leader, I ran across the clearing. I heard the man yell but couldn’t decipher his words. The wind was too strong and the blood pounded too loudly in my ears to hear him.
Amid the sounds of struggling and shouting, I ran, slipping but not slowing down. Not until I got where I wanted to be.
I watched with fear as Ryder elbowed the man beside him in the stomach. The guy doubled over, clutching his belly in pain. Before another soldier could stop him, Ryder took him out, nailing him in the nose with his knuckles. When he was free, Ryder started running straight for me.
“Maddie! Run!” he yelled, his bound hands pointing off into the distance.
I headed the direction he indicated, not wanting to leave him behind but knowing I had to protect our unborn baby.
Ryder ran behind me, taking out a man that was close on my heels. I glanced over my shoulder, watching as his knee landed in the guy’s crotch. He yanked another man off his feet, stopping him from sprinting after me.
I was so busy watching Ryder fight off the men that I never saw the soldier. Out of nowhere he appeared, grabbing my upper arm and wrenching me around. I yelped as his fingers bit through my jacket.
“NOOO!” Ryder bellowed, watching as Paul yanked me away. That one moment of distraction cost him.
Feeling hysterical, I watched as a soldier tackled Ryder, sliding both of them across the snow-covered ground.
As I watched Ryder struggle to escape, Paul picked me up off my feet like I was a sack of potatoes. I started fighting like a crazy woman until he dropped me to my feet but he kept a firm hold on my arm.
I shrieked, yanking my arm away from him. Instead of letting me go, he stared down at me with a frown. There was malice and hate in his crazed eyes, nothing else.
“Paul! Bring her to the house!” the leader demanded from the porch.
“Come on,” Paul’s gruff voice said, jerking me forward. His hand clasped my arm tighter, daring me to argue.
I looked to Ryder, needing reassurance that everything would be okay. I should have known all I would see in Ryder’s eyes were fierceness and murder. Two soldiers hauled him to his feet, one on either side of him. The muscles in his shoulders and arms were strained, waiting for the right opportunity to break free and injure a few more unlucky bastards.
As I was yanked toward the house, I looked around the yard with fright. What was going on? Why were these soldiers treating us like we were criminals?
I saw Cash being held at gunpoint with an AR-15. Gavin was on the ground, still struggling and kicking the men holding him down. I heard thuds and grunts as his fists landed on the men, knocking them off for a second before they pounced on him.
Brody was fighting to get to Eva as she was dragged toward the porch, screaming. With panic, I watched as she gave a swift kick to the man’s crotch. He let go of her to grab himself, howling with pain. She climbed to her feet and took off running. The leader yelled for someone to stop her but she kept going, her long legs racing toward the overgrown road and freedom.
“Eva!” I screamed when I saw two men take off after her, gaining quickly.
She turned just as they tackled her to the ground. The vision of her falling caused me to scream and Brody to roar with anger.
I started struggling, exploding when I saw the men handling Eva so brutally. She’s been through enough!
Paul tightened his grip on me, bruising my arm. Without thinking of the consequences, I lifted my foot to kick him. One swift kick to his shin and maybe he’ll turn me loose!
“Maddie! STOP!” Ryder shouted, realizing what I was about to do.
I glanced over at him as I struggled against Paul. I saw the warning on Ryder’s face. Don’t do it, Maddie, I could almost hear him say.
I lowered my foot and let Paul push me to the porch steps. Ryder fought the men holding him, a fierce look on his face as he watched me. Paul dragged me within inches of Ryder, almost like he was teasing me.
Ryder stopped struggling against his captors when I got close. His eyes left me
to move to Paul.
“Hurt her and I’ll be all over your ass,” he snarled. “You won’t even know what hit you but I sure as hell will.”
Paul’s face went white but he didn’t let go of my arm. His Adam’s apple moved up and down in his skinny throat but he finally got the words out.
“Shut the fuck up or I’ll be the one hitting and it ain’t going be you I’m aiming at,” he warned. Satisfied with his threat, he shoved me up the stairs.
Inside, Paul threw me toward the table. I caught myself, almost nailing my hip on the edge.
“Sit!” he barked, pointing at a chair next to Janice.
I fell into the chair. My knees were weak but my body ached to fight back. I glanced around the kitchen, looking for anything that could be used as a weapon. Knives. Forks. Cast Iron pans. Things that were out of my reach. Things I would have to fight to get to.
I let out a deep breath, the cold air visible as it left my lips. Despite being inside there was a chill in the air, almost like a manifestation of our dire circumstances. Whatever these men wanted, whatever they craved, we couldn’t afford to give it to them. We didn’t have that much to give.
I kept my eyes straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge the man standing guard over me or the other soldiers walking into the room. Be strong and don’t show fear. Let them know they can’t scare you, my inner voice lectured me, refusing to let me cower.
I didn’t move a muscle until Eva was pushed into a chair beside me, landing hard on her bottom. Tears ran down her face, leaving tracks on her red cheeks. One side of her face was scratched and her lower lip was cut, looking painful. Like me, she was terrified, her gaze racing around the room frantically.
Brody was pushed into the house, fighting the soldiers every step of the way. His jaw tightened when he saw Eva’s face and he muttered a few threats of murder under his breath.
The other soldiers pushed Gavin and Cash inside the kitchen, shoving them every few seconds just for fun.
The small kitchen was now packed with men but I only wanted to see one. The one that could make me scream with anger, yell with frustration, and moan with desire.