Page 47 of Ruled By Their Desires

Moon saw Kate grit her teeth. She gave him what she knew to be a false happy grin, but Kate still put her feet on the floor. Grabbed her stick and rose from the chair shakily and stood. She looked to be in agony. Hawk kicked the chair right out from behind her and Kate staggered not expecting it. He caught her arm and steadied her. She watched as Kate flinched biting back a groan. A hint of concern crossed Hawks face before it was gone. “You won’t be using that with us.”

“Hawk?” Moon stepped out of Marcus’s arms. He was pushing. She didn’t like it.

He kept his eyes on Kate but answered her. “She doesn’t need coddling Moon. Did we coddle you? No and you were 12. Even at her best, the 12-year-old you, could wipe the floor with her ass. That’s gonna change. We have a few weeks before we go out on mission. She needs to be prepared for that.”

“It’s okay Moon. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to try this.” Kate told her and did seem to mean it. Hawk let go of her arm and steadied her on the shoulder.

“Good.” Hawk had that determined look she knew only too well. Whatever he had in mind was gonna hurt. “Then start walking. Your room is this way.” He dropped his hand.

Kate turned to her. “I’ll catch you later Moon. We’ll have dinner.” She gave her an encouraging nod and thumbs up and wondered if this was a good thing for her friend and hoped it was. She watched as she took one step at a time, leaning on the stick.

Moon knew her bad leg had been shattered into several pieces; it was amazing she hadn’t lost it. It was now pinned with rods and weak and you could see she’d lost muscle mass. It was hard viewing remembering her as she used to be but felt sure Hawk knew what he was doing.

The next nine weeks wore on all of them. Kate struggled and Hawk pushed her day by day and he made the rest of her quad do the same. Refusing to listen to her at all about taking it easier on Kate and she struggled with letting her friend endure more alone. Although she had the feeling Hawk wasn’t letting there be much alone time. It hadn’t passed her notice that Kate’s health was improving in leaps and bounds.

Hawk was up to something that was for sure. And Kate was soon joining them for meals, no stick or wheelchair in sight. Her workday impressive.

D day was on the horizon and it had been a torturous night of Marcus not letting her have a moments peace. She’d had to take exceptional steps and spent the night with her parents to avoid him. But there was no hiding from him now as they stood with her father waiting for the off. They were given their instructions again and given the nod. Turning they headed for the vehicles, avoiding an overdue conversation with Marcus she went to jog right passed him.

She should have known better.

That worked until he grabbed her around the waist in front of everyone and hauled her off to an alcove with a little privacy but not much. His face moved in slowly to take her lips. It was slow and sensual. Demanding and breathless. She panted in his arms as he took in all her features. It was like he was reminding himself of what she looked like and it registered what he was doing. Just like her uncles had at the silo. He feared it was the last time he’d see her. She knew his history.

“I’m coming back,” she whispered adamantly. He kissed her hungrily then before letting her lips go his fingers caressing her face.

“You cleaver little minx,” he whispered. She cocked an eye at him. “I’ve sat on Jackson ass, jealous as hell since he arrived, and you’ve not seen him once alone. He went to see Sarah training that first day he arrived, thinking he’d be seeing you. I was so pissed, I nearly ripped his arms out before he got there until I saw how happy Sarah was to see him,” he grinned. She shrugged. “And you’ve only met with him at meals with Sarah and others or in your father’s office with him. Now, they’re together. Working, fighting, fucking. Cleaver beautiful Moon.” She smiled at him and he nodded. “Okay then, enough hiding Moon. I’ve denied us both for long enough and so have you. I’m not losing you to anyone else, so you better be coming back, or I’ll rip this world apart to find you. You’re never leaving me Moon, I’d never survive it a second time. Tell me you understand that?” he whispered.

Had he just told her he loved her?

Her heart pounded. She nodded. She could feel his conflict, his concern and pain, but for all his want and fear, he wasn’t trying to stop her. Maybe she could work with that. She nodded. “I understand that,” she told him quietly.

He put her down with another gentle kiss. “Then go get um baby. I’m marrying your ass when you get back.”

“Thank god for that.” RW called out. Moon rolled her eyes, giving her Dad the finger jogging out to his laughter catching up with her team. Giving her uncles a nod as they all piled in the Humvee loaded and ready to go.

What could she say to that anyway?

She didn’t want to be with Jackson like she did with Marcus, not that she was admitting she was going down that road or any road with him. Yet. Besides, she felt sure Jackson was made for Sarah. She’d not missed her face when her father had offered him up. Sarah had been furious.

But right now, she needed to get this job done.

Her bow and bag in the back, both Humvees pulled out for the long drive to the intercept point with the decoy covering the KC’s and humans’ retreat.

Her uncles didn’t give her any shit about leaving and Marcus grabbing her. It was weird but it was almost like they’d all agreed not to talk about it. Taking their turns at the wheel, she slept in the back and kinda missed Marcus to sleep on. Admitting that, felt a little strange and they pushed on with short toilet breaks, cold rations and water.

It took over three weeks before they slowed and parked, hiding them in brush before moving slowly and quietly through the landscape to find their contact at the rendezvous point.

They settled in and waited. They’d been early but he was now late and that didn’t bode well. Her uncles kept roaming the area along with the several other Cyborgs in their double team.

Eventually Jonesy showed up moving low and deliberately coming out the trees. The way he was carrying himself, they knew he was injuried. “He’s hurt,” she whispered, nodding to several of her team.

“Back out and check the area again.” Hawk demanded almost silently. They slowly all moved away soundlessly and disappeared. It was a typical KC move. Hurt one and follow them. “He’s been made.”

She lifted her binoculars focusing in. Her uncles spread out from around her and moved away checking the immediate area. No one liked this and it was clear he was looking for them. Expecting them to be there. Focusing on his wound she saw it was a good hit and bleeding out. A precision move. Not one made by a human. If he’d been human, she’d no doubt he’d already be dead.

Jonesy kept moving in their direction, he was getting slower.

Aware he was being pursued?

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