Page 66 of Born Savage

“Divide and conquer,” she answered, keeping her sole attention on the screen.

I moved beside her, lowering my voice. “They have you surrounded, Star. They’ve done this before, moving from place to place. There will be no survivors. If I am correct and you are their target, no one will be left alive. If you open the hatch and allow your soldiers to handle the situation, they will die. So will everyone you consider your found family. Your men and certainly none of your women can handle them.”

“You underestimate them.”

“Do I? Thomas was injured, presumably in the war but I will bet prior. In the years since, he’s barely able to function with that arm, the neuropathy in his fingers making him incapable of feeling pressure of a trigger. Jack’s tentative actions mean he will hold back, hoping someone else will take the shot. And poor Mark is so incensed by taking commands from a woman that he won’t have your back. How am I doing so far, princess?”

She sucked in her breath, leaving the pause longer than necessary. For all her attempts at highlighting her bravado, which I found exciting, it was her short stretches of vulnerability that attracted me the most.

Not because I considered her weak, which wasn’t true. But because her attention to detail, her ability to listen even when she wanted to shut down an irritation meant she was a great leader. At least when not trying with her full scope of detachment to prove herself as such.

“What do you suggest?”

“A shutdown. If we have heat-detecting sensors, you should assume they do as well. Lights off, time passes. They will believe they arrived without being seen.”

“How do they know for certain we’ll open the hatch?”

I shifted so she was forced to see my face. “Your attempts at hiding your outdoor activities and the path used to head into the city are admirable, but there was likely enough twilight to gather interest. Then they easily ascertained your group doesn’t remain locked inside.”

“Alright. Then what?”

“Then my men handle exiting the hatch under the cloak of darkness, attacking while they are asleep. That way if anything goes wrong, you will be protected.”

“You mean caged lions.”

Her words almost caused a reaction, a desire to touch her face, but I refrained at the last second. “They’ll grow bored and you and your village will be safe.”

Every muscle remained tense, the air in the room growing stagnant. “Why would you help us? Why do you give a damn?” Another challenge and one with a sharp glare.

“Whether you choose to believe it or not, because that’s what I, along with the men accompanying me, were programmed to do. And make no mistake, Star, we are very good at what we do, enough that I can offer we’ve yet to lose a man in our efforts. While it’s apparent you still consider us monsters, creations of the vile people who put us in this position, I assure you I know otherwise. In truth, at this point you should as well. I’m simply a man following orders.”

She acted as if she wasn’t going to take my advice, especially when pressured by Thomas.

“Commander, the people are getting restless.”

“In a minute, Thomas.” Her growing frustration was bringing out her greatest fears, putting them on display for all to see. It was apparent by the flash in his eyes he wasn’t used to her uncontrolled reaction.

“Yes, sir.” He stormed back to his former position.

His clear act of disrespect was grating on my nerves.

Her fingers were wrapped around the edge of the table.

“And you know what, Rage? I’m no longer that little girl who needed big strong arms around her. When I was little, I cried, begging the kind people looking after me to let me see you. One day, I even tried to search for you, almost getting myself killed in the process. That’s when Peter told me you’d moved on. That you didn’t want me. After that, I learned not to trust almost anyone, but that doesn’t mean I won’t fight to protect these people. I’ll do anything it takes to make that happen. Including killing the man who saved my life if necessary. I just want that very clear to you.”

Every snap of her head that forced me to catch her expression caused another layer to be peeled away. Every challenge was an admittance.

I threw up my hands. “Did you ever stop to think he was doing so to protect you? You weren’t ready for your destiny.” My words were laced with acid, the woman ridiculously hardheaded. “Suit yourself, princess, and we’ll do what we can to provide protection. I can’t make any promises.”

“Damn you, Rage. Damn you to hell. Fine. We’ll do it your way.” She had a dramatic way of keeping her distance while fighting her emotions. Her actions were admirable, especially given the circumstances. But her recklessness and refusal to allow anyone to help her would get her killed. How long had she been fighting to keep them together? Her found family, which was the only thing she’d truly wanted.

I watched as she gave limited commands to Thomas and the others, moving with taut precision while doing everything to disguise her fear. A crowd had gathered in the hallway, every face filled with uncertainty.

“The Savages are in charge of the operation. We will hold our position and lights out. You will follow Rage’s orders.” She moved away before anyone could ask questions.

They bombarded her with them anyway.

“What do you mean we’re following their orders?”