Page 48 of After the Burn

Sounded like something she’d heard countless times and had convinced herself it was for the greater good.

It wasn’t my fight, nevertheless. As soon as I got Taryn, we were out of here.

I suppose it was wise that we didn’t arrive together as a group. Neither Ethan nor Lane were enhanced. They wouldn’t have been let through the gates.

Beck snorted softly. “I could have beaten the fuck out of most of these men before I became stronger.”

“And that’s why you terrify half the town,” Harper replied.

“Only half?” he raised an eyebrow.

Harper laughed even as Finley and I exchanged a look of disgust.

Psychopath.

A siren suddenly echoed from near the southern fence line.

All of us ran out to the balcony to see what was going on.

“I hope it’s not a herd,” Harper whispered, the terror obvious in her voice.

Beck and I exchanged a glance, both aware that a sufficiently large herd of infected could destroy the entire town.

Every patrol nearby shifted immediately.

One of Gideon’s guards sprinted down the street toward medical, while another headed toward the gate.

Finley straightened beside me. “Someone wants entrance.”

I distinctly heard the man’s voice, just as I was confident Beck did. Neither of us realized Finley was enhanced.

I didn’t like surprises.

“Are you expecting anyone else?” Harper looked at Beck and me, questioning.

“We weren’t expecting the girls, so who the hell knows?” Beck shrugged.

Both he and I knew it was Lucas, and I was thankful that he chose to keep that knowledge to himself.

Beck was smarter than he looked. Just another reason I had hope my idea would work.

Another guard ran by and stopped upon seeing Finley and Harper. “South Gate picked up a male survivor claiming prior fever exposure.”

I knew Lucas would never stay behind once he learned Taryn had left. Even though he wouldn’t admit how he felt about her, I had always known. The adage about the thin line between love and hate was true. I just hoped he didn’t bring Ethan, Lane, and the girls.

“Gideon wants medical verification before admittance.” The guard continued.

Harper sighed and turned to Finley. “Looks like we’re needed.”

“Yep.” He turned to me. “I’ll find you later. Plans need to be made if you want to claim the girls.”

“Why are you helping us?” I liked them both, but I didn’t trust easily.

Especially when it came to Taryn’s safety.

“Because of the look in both of your eyes when I mentioned her, and because that girl is going to need both of you to protect her from the other men here.” Harper pulled Rory to her feet. “We can’t always help everyone, but there’s something about y’all that I like.”

“What she said.” Finley smiled and put his arm around both females.