Hard Charger Read online

  Well, that was accurate—but not all of it. Lia bit her lip and said nothing. She didn’t know what to say exactly.

  “Come on, you gotta give me something. I’m right, aren’t I?”

  Lia knew if she didn’t tell Erica something, she’d never let go of it.

  “Well … yeah.”

  Erica’s assessing gaze pierced her. “But that’s not all.”

  “Oh my God, what are you? Some kind of psychic?”

  “No. I’m just perceptive. But … I’m not entirely sure what the rest of your problem is here. With a few well-placed hints, Cam would for sure make a move. That guy is probably jacking off constantly thinking about you. He’s all protective, and it’s adorable. He wants you, there’s no doubt about that. He’s just worried that you’re—”

  Erica’s words cut off abruptly, and Lia knew why.

  “He’s worried I’m too messed up to handle it.”

  For the first time since she’d entered the cabin, Erica looked uncomfortable. “Well … you did go through some messed up shit, baby girl. Any guy who’s not a complete dick is going to tread lightly around that.”

  “It’s been months. I’m not—”

  “Still jumping at shadows or the other guys? I hate to break it to you, but you are.”

  Lia glared at her. “Has anyone ever told you that you don’t have to say everything that comes into your head?”

  Erica shrugged. “I consider my lack of filter a gift. But seriously, if you want Cam, you’ve got to show him you’re ready for more.”

  Lia knew she was right. She needed to just come out and show him unequivocally that she could handle it. But … it was the second piece of the equation, or really the third, that she didn’t know how to address.

  Erica picked at her nails, and Lia dredged up the courage to ask for advice.

  “What if I wanted Cam … and someone else?”

  Erica’s eyebrows hit her hairline. “Whoa … didn’t see that coming.” She pressed her palms together and tapped them against her lips. “Are you saying you can’t choose … or are you talking about what my big sis has going on? Two hulking beasts of men devoted to seeing to her every comfort and orgasm? Because I’m seriously hoping it’s the second…”

  Lia swallowed down the urge to claw back the words. In for a penny… “I want what Ro has,” she blurted. “I … how can I not want that? They’d both die to protect her, and I’ve never seen three people so happy.”

  “Or bicker so much and make up so loudly,” Erica added. “But I know what you mean. It’s tempting as hell.” Erica dropped her eyes and picked at the quilt below her. “You’re not the only one with some serious envy over that situation.”

  This time it was Lia who was shocked. “You’re … that’s what you want too?”

  Erica shrugged and looked up. “We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about how to get you back on the horse, so to speak. So, here’s what you’re going to do…”

  Cam crossed the compound and headed for the command post. The last thing he wanted to do tonight was sit in his cabin and stew on things he couldn’t change.

  Zach was seated at the desk, checking in on the hour with the guys on watch. In the months since the world had gone to shit, they hadn’t decreased their vigilance one bit. As remote as they were, and away from any major cities, they’d been virtually isolated from the chaos in the outside world, but that wasn’t to say they hadn’t had to fight to defend their territory. They had, and they would do it again and again. It gutted him to think of the people they hadn’t been able to help, but that was the first rule of OpSec—keep your mouth shut about what kind of supplies you had, or you’d have nothing left. Curiosity seekers were swiftly encouraged to move along or eat a bullet. It was harsh, but it was necessary. They had women and a child on the ranch to protect¸ and trying to help the world would mean that none of them would survive. Brutal reality.

  When spring had rolled around, they’d heard rumors that the country’s population had been decimated. Starvation, disease, lack of medical care. Those who had survived were the strongest and most resilient. On recon missions, he’d been surprised and downright fucking pleased to see that several of the farms and towns in the vicinity had found ways to survive and even thrive. Crops were already springing up—and not just theirs. It was a whole new world out there, and it would take amazing determination and flexibility to keep it going. The other rumors were more troubling. The government was finally getting its shit together and trying to figure out how to rebuild society. That society sounded a fuck of a lot like a fiefdom of old. They’d heard stories of people being rounded up and taken to work camps and centralized farms—against their will—but on the pretense of being saved. Fucking ironic how the government hadn’t stepped in until after the population had already been culled of the sick and the weak. It certainly hadn’t been an accident.

  “You gonna just stand there and stare at the wall or did you come to talk about something?” Zach asked.

  Cam jerked his gaze to Zach. “Just thinking about shit.”

  Zach leaned back in his chair. “You and me both. Now that the weather is getting nice, we’re getting more curious people checking out the fence line. As much as I want to help, there’s no fucking way I’m putting Ro at risk by bringing some jackass inside the walls.”

  Cam nodded in response. It was a dilemma they all struggled with. It had been beaten into them in the Corps that you never left a man behind, and it was their job to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. Like they had with Lia. But trying to protect them all would mean protection for none.

  Lia. Fuck. What was he going to do about her? He wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold back. He’d never wanted a woman more, but he’d also never been so fucking scared that he’d scar her for life if he told her what he wanted from her. Because he wanted everything. Mind, body, and soul.

  She had no clue that he already considered her his. He’d made it fucking clear to every man within these walls that she was off limits. And only his best friend seemed to miss the memo.

  There was no better person to ask for advice than the man sitting in front of him.

  “Before you and Graham worked out shit with Ro, were you ever jealous of him being with her? Worried that he would take her from you, and you’d lose your shot?”

  Zach laced his fingers behind his head and leaned back in his chair so it balanced on two legs.

  Of course, Zach being Zach, he didn’t just answer the question, he cut to the heart of the matter. “You worried someone is going to snake Lia from you before you man up and make your move? Which, by the way, has taken way too fucking long in my opinion.”

  Dropping into the chair situated at the radio counter, Cam rubbed a hand over his face and into his hair. It was getting shaggy again, and it needed a cut. But the torture of sitting through Lia washing it—massaging his head and neck in a way that made it impossible for his dick not to get hard—and then having her fuss over him with shears and clippers was more than he could handle right now. He was barely hanging on to his sanity where that woman was concerned. To have her so close and still not be able to touch her, to take her, was going to wreck him.

  “What the fuck am I supposed to do? You didn’t see her that night—chained to a wall like a dog. They fucking broke her, man. How could she ever trust another guy to touch her?”

  “I don’t think you’re giving her enough credit. She’s come a hell of a long way since then.”

  “She still jumps every time one of you comes near her.” All but one, he added to himself. And that fact burned.

  “But she doesn’t flinch when you touch her. I agree that it’s a situation you gotta handle as carefully as a live IED, but man, I think you’re fucking up by not going for it.”

  The door swung open, and exactly the person Cam didn’t want to see stepped inside.

  Fuck. The man was as close as a brother. He shouldn’t feel that way.

 
; “What’s happening? Any excitement tonight?”

  “Not a fucking thing,” Zach replied. “Unless you count Cam having his panties in a bunch over—”

  Cam’s death stare shut Zach up mid-sentence.

  Travis’s gaze swung to Cam, the challenge and interest easy to read. His attention slid back to Zach. “Cam’s got his panties in a bunch a whole hell of a lot lately.”

  “Don’t fucking talk about me like I’m not here.”

  “Then stop being a bitch where Lia’s concerned. You haven’t made a move. Staked your claim and did nothing to follow through. You either want her or you don’t, and I’m sick of fucking waiting for you to make up your mind.”

  “So you’ve decided to poach? That’s a real standup move of you, man.”

  “It’s not poaching if you’re never gonna make a move.”

  Anger burned hot and fast through Cam.

  “She’s not the kind of woman you can just make a move on. And if you weren’t so fucking self-absorbed, you’d see that.”

  Travis lifted his chin. “You got anything else you want to say to me? Because I’ve had about enough of your shit.” His fists flexed, and his stance turned defensive. “In fact, I think it’s about time we settled this once and for all. We take this shit outside, and the last man standing gets to make his move.”

  Zach grinned, and Cam wanted to punch the look off his face. “This may be a whole new barbaric fucking world, but we’re not at the point where you fight for a woman.”

  “Doesn’t mean she has to pick me,” Travis said. “Just means that you back off and let me take my shot.”

  “She won’t—”

  “I think you need to stop making judgments for Lia and let her make her own. She’s a grown woman, and she’s stronger than you think.”

  The words hit Cam in the chest, and the truth of them curled around him. Apparently it was time—time to nut up or shut up. But first he had to end this bullshit with Travis. They were brothers in arms, and the wedge that was being driven between them over Lia was poisoning that brotherhood.

  “Fine. But you gotta know there’s no way in fuck I’m giving her up.”

  Travis’s smile was wily and knowing. “Then you better be prepared for a hell of a fight. Because there’s no way I’m losing my chance with her.”

  “When?”

  “Now works for me.”

  “Whoa, boys. I think we need to take a step back and evaluate what the hell you’re talking about here,” Zack interrupted. “And we also need to make sure we maximize the entertainment value of what I’m sure is going to be a kick ass spectacle. So, let’s do it up tomorrow.” He nodded at Cam. “Give you a day to think about what you’ve got to lose.”

  Cam shoved out of the chair and headed for the door, stopping six inches in front of Travis. “Fine, but once this is done—however it ends—you and I are burying the hatchet and getting back to normal. I’m sick of this shit.”

  Travis nodded. “I’d expect nothing less. No sore losers.”

  Cam held his hand out, and Travis grasped his arm and thumped him on the back. “We’ll be good, brother. No matter what.”

  In the mess hall, Ro was glowing, and Lia once again inwardly sighed with envy. She’d always wanted her own kids, but it seemed like that was never going to happen.

  Ro started to stand, but Zach laid a hand on her shoulder and kept her in her seat. “I got your plate, babe. You stay. You want blueberry pie? Allison’s getting low on filling, so if you want it … now’s the time.”

  Her smile was brilliant. “Do you even need to ask?”

  Zach dropped a kiss on her lips and grabbed her plate. Then he turned to Lia. “You want some, too?”

  Lia fought the urge to drop her eyes from Zach’s. Today was a new day, and today she was reclaiming a piece of herself that she’d lost when she’d been dragged off to hell.

  Instead of giving him a jerky nod or shake of her head, she stared him straight in the eye. “I’d love a piece, thank you.”

  Zach’s eyebrows rose, and a smile curved his mouth. “You got it.”

  When he turned to head for the kitchen, Ro’s attention landed on Lia.

  “So … you know why there’s no one here for dinner, right?”

  Lia had noticed the mess hall was strangely empty. Only Allison and her daughter were there along with Zach and Ro. “Are the guys having a meeting or something?”

  Ro’s eyes lit with something that Lia couldn’t quite identify.

  “Not exactly…”

  A shiver of concern worked through Lia. “Then what?”

  “They’ve decided to go old school barbarian and settle a dispute with their fists.”

  “What?” Lia demanded. “Who? And what for?” None of that made any sense.

  “Cam and Travis. And you are the what for.”

  Zach came back carrying two plates with giant slices of blueberry pie.

  Lia completely forgot that she was supposed to be afraid of him. “What do you know about this? Where are they fighting? Why are they fighting?”

  Zach set the plates on the table. “You should probably just eat your pie, and pretend this little troublemaker didn’t say a damn word.” He looked hard at Ro. “You said you’d stay out of it, Ro. And just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean I won’t find a creative way to make you pay for not keeping your word.”

  “She deserves to know. This affects her more than anyone else.” Ro’s chin jutted playfully. “And maybe I want you to make me pay…”

  “Jesus, babe. You’re determined to get us to—” Zach cut off his words with a shake of his head. “I’ll deal with you later.” He looked to Lia. “You need to stay put. There’s nothing to be gained by seeing this.”

  Lia shoved her chair back from the table, ignoring the mouthwatering aroma of the pie. “I’m not letting this happen. No one is fighting over me.” A sick feeling settled in the pit of Lia’s stomach at the thought of Cam and Travis fighting … over her. Everything she wanted—the fantasy she’d constructed in her mind—crumbled to dust at the realization that they didn’t want it too. This is not how things are supposed to go.

  Ro reached out and snagged her hand and squeezed. “Don’t freak out yet. If this is what it takes to get Cam off his ass and make a move, then it’s a good thing.”

  Lia ignored her words. “Where are they?”

  Zach slid his hand over Ro’s mouth as she opened it. “You’ve meddled enough, babe. Leave it be.”

  “Fine. I’ll find them myself.” Lia spun and headed for the door. She made it two steps before she turned and grabbed the plate and took three huge bites of the pie. It was the last of Allison’s canned stash; it made no sense to let it go to waste.

  Once she was in the main area of the compound, she spotted Erica rushing toward the wall. She slowed to a halt at the sight of Lia.

  “You coming or what?”

  Lia didn’t need an explanation. “Oh, I’m freaking coming.”

  Travis circled the man he considered to be his closest friend. But the last several months had put a shit load of distance between them. Wanting the girl your best buddy had staked his claim on threw a wrench in the easy friendship they’d always had. He’d still take a bullet for Cam, but he wasn’t willing to let him keep sitting on the fence when it came to Lia. Travis had watched her slowly come out of her shell, and it had been so damn good to watch. Yeah, she still jumped around the other guys, but the way she was around him and Cam was completely different. Cam just needed a shove to get his head out of his ass. Regardless of the outcome of this fight, Travis wasn’t giving up his shot at Lia. No … he had a different plan in mind.

  As Graham laid out the rules of the match, Travis smiled. Graham and Zach had shown him that their crazy arrangement could work. And Cam was his best friend … so why the fuck not? He’d seen the way Lia looked at them both … and the way she’d looked with longing at Ro, Graham, and Zach. He was willing to bet it all she wouldn’t be the d
ifficult one to convince in this situation. No, that honor would undoubtedly go to Cam, the possessive motherfucker.

  They bumped knuckles, and Travis had to laugh at the fact that Jamie had had two pairs of MMA gloves in his sea bag. He also looked fucking jealous that he wasn’t standing in the middle of their makeshift ring out in the field beyond the walls but within their fence line. Apparently they needed to add fight night to the list of entertainment activities. The guys on watch were expecting radio updates, so Jamie took the roll of commentator.

  “You ready?” Graham looked from Travis to Cam.

  Travis nodded. “Fuck yeah, I’m ready.”

  “Ready to get your ass beat,” Cam growled.

  They bumped gloves and stepped back.

  Graham signaled for them to start and backed out of the ring.

  Travis bounced on his feet, and they began to circle each other. He didn’t waste any time charging Cam, right fist swinging out with a haymaker. Might as well set the pace early.

  Cam dodged and threw a low jab that caught Travis in the gut. But he barely felt it with his pumping adrenaline.

  “That all you got?” he taunted.

  “Fuck you, man.” Cam’s fist flashed, and Travis was still laughing when it landed on his jaw. His head snapped sideways, and he caught a glimpse of brown hair running toward them.

  “Fuck,” he grunted.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Stop!” Lia yelled.

  “Oh shit,” Cam said. He swung around and caught Lia in his arms as she stormed into the circle.

  Travis’s fists clenched in his gloves. He wanted to be the one to hold her. Fuck, he wanted them both to hold her.

  He moved in next to them and pushed the hair that had slipped from her ponytail behind her ear.

  Cam’s eyes shot to Travis’s, but instead of being pissed, he looked upset.

  “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’re stopping, don’t worry,” Cam said, trying to calm her.

  Lia shoved away from them both.

  “Don’t worry? Don’t freaking worry? Are you serious?” She slammed a hand on each of their chests and looked from Travis to Cam and back again. “I don’t know what you think you’re proving here, but consider it over.”