Page 90 of Born Savage

“He’s always nuts. He’s full of rage. No pun intended.”

“Wow. I didn’t know you learned all the old euphonisms of language.” He inched slightly in front of me, leading the way. I resisted looking behind me, furious with myself as much as with Rage’s reaction.

“We had some characters who lived in the community. They were quite brash, but I learned a lot from them.”

He chuckled. “Well, it’s good to have an education no matter the source. Just know that Rage has reasons to be as angry as he is. Everyone he cared about was taken from him.”

“Isn’t that the case for everyone?”

He peered at me with hooded eyes. “He hasn’t told you very much about himself. Has he?”

“I didn’t ask.”

“Maybe you should.”

“Let me guess. You know why this crazy mission is happening too. I’m the only one in the dark.”

“Hardly. I’m just the soldier. What I do know is that he will lay down his life for you if necessary. However, I don’t think that’s what is supposed to happen. Maybe something for you to keep in mind. Maybe you two should actually talk and not just fuck.”

I stopped short, shocked that he’d be so bold. Not that I was a prude, but hearing our passion put that way was reprehensible.

“Don’t act so surprised. Everyone knows you two can’t keep your hands off each other. If I didn’t mind getting my dick cut off, I’d be jealous. He’s one possessive motherfucker.”

We were already at the vehicles and I stared at him, unable to find any words that would fit.

In the two days of preparations, all I’d been able to think about was the great effort my family had gone to for protection and planning. I’d been a little girl uncertain of anything, certainly lacking knowledge of the reasons behind the war. It had been years before I’d heard the stories and been given a basic timeline of events.

You bet I’d sparred with Rage about almost everything. What we were taking. Where we were going. You name it. However, we’d managed some sense of control. My gosh. How ridiculous to think about how much I continued to desire the infuriating man after we’d just been attacked by beasts.

“You don’t have the right to judge,” I said in retort.

“Who said I’m judging?” Vicious grinned. “Like I said. Maybe I’m jealous.”

The gas tanks had been modified to accept the more efficient substance replacing gas, which allowed for more miles per gallon and less destruction on the vehicle’s components. I found it interesting to ride in one. I’d read about the different ways people got around, but the love of cars and trucks had followed humans even when global warming had become toxic to several areas of the country.

As soon as I opened the door, Wren’s little face peered at me with relief, her lower lip trembling. “I told you I’d be right back.” The pup crawled to her without hesitation, thankfully none the worse for the wear. Before I climbed in, I noticed Rage standing off to the side, glaring at me with all the hatred from day one.

Well, let him be that way. I just didn’t care.

This time, I kept the sword by my feet as I climbed in, refusing to pay any attention to Rage when he finally joined us. His entire body was electrified from fury. Well, so was mine.

The others climbed in and soon, we were on our way once again. Vicious returned to the seat behind, Wrath driving, and Rage in the passenger seat. They appeared completely comfortable while both Wren and I couldn’t seem to stop shaking for the next hour of the trip.

The second Humvee was behind carrying Rock, Blade, Ghost, and the others, more cramped than in our vehicle. But they didn’t seem to mind. We had plans on stopping the first night. In taking the back roads, additional time had been allotted. Plus, we had no desire to travel at night and with the days getting shorter, our travel time was limited.

I’d seen several places during my life, cities in complete disaster and small villages that almost had the appearance that nothing had occurred. Yet they’d been abandoned, anything of use stripped from every crevice and corner.

Then there were other towns where marauders lived, the places more like fortresses, walls created for protection from whatever materials could be found. I’d even seen a prison that had gone mostly unscathed, razor wire rusted but still covering tops of fences.

Now, as we drove, the back roads little more than rubble and stone, I gathered even more of a sense of the devastation. And I was even more despondent.

At least with the heat seekers, we could identify potential pockets of people and avoid them at all costs. We certainly didn’t need a mob coming after us. While the men took turns driving, I thought about everything I’d learned over the years.

Not enough, yet so much that I couldn’t think clearly. Yet I knew what we were doing was right. That’s because I trusted what my mother and father had told me once again before we’d left.

This was my destiny. Whatever that meant. Requiring these soldiers by my side had been by design.

Another hour passed, no one daring to say anything. At least Wren had calmed down, even slumbering given the quiet rumble of the engine.