Page 47 of After the Burn

“Only with children. He’d rip the arm off anyone else.” Beck grabbed a shirt from his pack on the floor and pulled it over his head.

Finley was smiling as he pulled Harper in for a hug. She mumbled something to him, and the look on his face turned serious.

“What do you know?” Beck asked brusquely.

Harper took a deep breath, and I noticed she stayed tucked under his arm, as if she might need protection.

It troubled me that she believed she required protection for whatever she was about to say.

Finley looked between all of us quietly before lowering his voice. “You should know Gideon’s discussing the girls already.”

Beck’s expression flattened instantly. “With who?”

“Mace and Gage,” Harper said. "I’m stalling for the blood test results as long as I can, but I only have an hour or two left before he loses patience."

The coffee cup cracked slightly in Beck’s hand.

Harper sighed tiredly. “It was to be expected. I doubt it comes as a surprise to either of you that Taryn is enhanced.”

“I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your observations to yourself.” Turning around, I closed the balcony door.

“If I had plans to clue Gideon in, I wouldn’t be here now.” She put her hands on her hips. “Mace is a dick. I wouldn’t wish him on anyone.”

Finley rubbed the back of his neck wearily. “Enhanced women, healthy women, and smart women are all rare.” His eyes shifted toward the jail. “Taryn is all three.”

“You got all of that from the ten minutes you spent with her?” I asked curiously.

“Knowing the enhanced and healthy part is kind of my job.” Finley pulled Harper back into his arms. “Her intelligence became obvious when I saw how she handled the situation she was in.”

“And Lila?” Beck asked.

Harper shrugged. “Pretty girls attract attention too.”

No surprise there.

I hadn’t figured out how Lila would integrate into my plans yet. Since Taryn and Lila had developed a genuine friendship, I knew I needed a solution.

“As you know, they house unclaimed women at the small motel on the edge of Main Street. They plan to relocate the girls there later today. Finley finished his coffee and set the cup on the table.

We could see the building from here, so that was convenient.

Harper sighed. “The number of females is still low. I guess it’s lucky Gideon only accepts enhanced men now. Too many men were becoming a problem because of the low number of females.”

“Competition,” I guessed.

“Desperation,” Finley corrected. “Even now, with the number of unenhanced men already here, fights are breaking out, and I hear murmurs of rebellion.”

“I can understand that.” I nodded. “Several of those men had relationships with women here prior to the meteor shower.”

I witnessed it myself.

One couple had just gotten married before everything unfolded, and when the husband lost his shit, he vanished. When questioned, Gideon insisted that the man had decided to leave and follow his own path.

It didn’t require the same intelligence I had to see through that lie.

I’d seen the young bride on several occasions, out with the men who had claimed her. She always looked as if she were one step away from killing herself.

“Enhanced men strengthen patrols,” Harper said, kissing Finley’s shirt where it lay over his heart. “They survive better outside the walls. Fight better.” Her eyes shifted between Beck and me. “People tolerate more from useful men.”