Buried Flames (33 page)

“I’m still here.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“It means you can keep yelling all you want until you lose your voice, but I’m still here and I’m not walking away.” Brenna thought about leaving her confession as it stood, but she still needed him to recognize that she could be an asset. “And me being by your side and in your bed behind closed doors doesn’t exactly measure up to me being treated as your equal here on the ground we’ve both fought for. When this sanctuary needs support, I will not hide away in the bunker with the rest of the civilians. I’ll be out here with you, because this is where I belong. I’m a warrior too.”

Mason raised a hand to his mask as if he wanted to pull it off. His gloved hand was in a fist and he turned away with it, muttering words she couldn’t hear—either because of the cover or the fact that he just didn’t want her to. Brenna didn’t move from where she stood, somehow knowing deep inside of her that this moment was vital.

“Look at her,” Mason directed, his fury beginning to fade somewhat. It didn’t slip past Brenna that her initial anger had fueled his. She made a mental note of that, just as she had his other triggers. Tank had given her this crucial advice the other night and she was forever grateful. He’d dealt with his fair share of Marines returning from war and explained a little more what she could expect should she choose to be with him. Tank seemed to appreciate it when she said it wasn’t a choice—it was because she loved Mason with all of her heart. “That’s what I fear, little one. You’ve become…a part of me. You’ve ingrained yourself in my life and now I can’t picture a day ahead without you in it. You’ve changed everything when I didn’t want to open that door—damn it, Brenna, I love you. Can’t you see that? I
need
to know you’re safe or else I’ll lose my fucking mind.”

Brenna’s chest tightened and she was caught by surprise at the sob that rose within her. Mason stepped forward and rested the shield of his mask against hers, the glare of his dark eyes telling her he was fighting back tears of relief as well. They’d survived this attack, knowing there were more to come. They were standing tall…together as one. Life was lost today and yet their love had grown stronger.

“I love you too, Mason,” Brenna whispered, raising her gloved hands to hold onto his shoulders as tightly as she could. “And I won’t let you fall apart. I will make you stronger.”

“Where is he?” Dylan yelled desperately, breaking through the ash as well as the bubble Brenna and Mason had created. Reality crashed down around them, once again proving how fragile this new life was they had created. It was only then that Brenna realized Jason had never responded to her last radio transmission. “Where’s my brother? Jason’s not answering and he’s—”

A silhouette broke through the ash to the right of them about seventy-five feet away, hope surrounding all of them and bringing Dylan’s momentum forward to a standstill. A tidal wave of grief came over everyone as Truman’s form became clearer and that of Jason’s limp body slung over his shoulder. He slowly lowered Jason to the ground, whose mask was no longer in place. Dylan’s anguished cry could be heard throughout the valley.

“No,” Brenna whispered brokenly, her tears of joy turning to tears of sorrow. Mason wrapped his arm around her in comfort, but it wasn’t nearly enough. This young man, this unselfish youth who had protected his people, had been taken too soon. “God, no.”

Brenna brought her hand up to the filter of her mask, choking back the tears as she watched one brother mourn and knowing a father was somewhere inside being told his son had sacrificed his life. Would he be told it was for the greater good? Jason certainly believed in it, but would that be enough to comfort a grieving family?

Tank and Owen appeared at the same time the bunker door opened, revealing Rob Wicks standing in the opening. No one moved toward him, knowing there wasn’t anything to say or do to make this any easier for him. Mav had removed his jacket and was covering Paige’s body, concealing her to protect Truman from staring any longer at his dead wife…the ex part no longer mattered. Owen held out his hand for Prue. She went willingly into his arms, both of them looking on helplessly as the uncertainty of their existence weighed on all of them.

“Dad, do something,” Dylan choked out, looking up from his brother’s body. He was looking for his father to fix what couldn’t be repaired. Rob Wicks, the strong man who most likely had always been able to make things better for his sons during times of need, wasn’t able to bring Jason back to life. He was helpless and he dropped to his knees, wrapping his arms around Dylan and holding Jason’s hand for what would be the last time. “Please do something.”

This was now their reality. It wasn’t an easy thing to accept, but it wasn’t as if they had a choice. Mason rested a gloved hand on Brenna’s mask and turned her head toward the wide opening of the bunker as some of the residents had gathered to mourn with Rob and Dylan. This community was now more than acquaintances or friends. They were family.

“Do you see those two children?” Mason murmured, pointing toward Derek’s son and daughter, who were currently asleep on both their parents’ shoulders as they were protected from what was happening. “Those two children are why you took arms against the enemy. They are alive because of what we had to do and why Jason gave his life. It was his sacrifice for us, Brenna.”

Maybe Mason was right, but there wasn’t comfort in that either. This new existence was harsh and ugly. They would never again know the beauty this planet could provide. Those children would never know what it was like to grow up with sunshine and the freedom to revel in it. All they would know now was the violent need to survive and the battle to keep what they had.

Ann and a handful of others were the only ones missing, most likely staying up in the rough terrain to guard the natural springs and one of the many vital sources that were keeping these people alive. It was what she’d been taught to do. It was what the rest of them would learn. Death claimed the future for one of their family today, but life still went on for those left behind. The truth of the question remained…what would happen to the survivors’ humanity?

M
ason pulled Brenna’s
warm body closer to his in the darkness, needing the reassurance of her touch. Two days had passed since the attack. It felt like years for both of them. Sam didn’t seem to have any problem sleeping. His low snores were softly echoing throughout the room.

“Close your eyes,” Brenna murmured against his chest, wrapping an arm around his waist. It felt unusual to have her skin to skin when he’d become used to wearing clothing to sleep since they’d started this journey. He wasn’t sure she was even aware of it, but her touch on his damaged skin was quite healing…psychologically, that was. “Berke should be here soon and you’ll need to spend time with him. He might have some reservations when it comes to our introduction.”

Berke and Van
were
expected to arrive this morning, but their safety wasn’t guaranteed until they actually walked through the front checkpoint. Hell, it wasn’t a guarantee even then for anyone.

Both men were coming from different directions, but both had been forewarned against the gathering faction south of town and the enemy syndicate Paige had mentioned before she died. Berke had gone radio silent upon hearing what had taken place, regardless that Tank had stressed Taible would have discovered the bunker at some point in time due to following up Fairfax’s relationship to Truman and the rest of their team. Berke had told Paige all about his family…including Lost Summit, the lodge, and the bunker. Guilt didn’t always allow a person to see clearly though, and it was apparent Berke took the blame for Paige taking things as far as she had.

“How are Rob and Dylan holding up?” Mason asked, slowly running his fingers up and down Brenna’s arm in comfort. “I didn’t have a chance to stop into the lodge today. We were setting up more defensive improvements that Derek was able to put together to monitor the northern perimeter. We also were able to install a network of improvised Claymore mines we salvaged from Taible’s equipment.”

“Dylan’s angry.” Brenna shifted, tucking her leg over his with a sigh. “I can see it in his eyes. Rob is grieving like any parent would and I honestly don’t think he’ll ever get over losing his son. There’s nothing to do but give them space and time to grieve in their own way.”

“Tank doesn’t think it’s wise to put Dylan back in the security rotation, but I’m not so sure we should keep him from doing the one thing that will most likely give him some purpose.” Mason and the group had spoken at length regarding this very topic, but no decision had been made. “Hiking the perimeter is all Truman has been doing since the attack.”

“Fairfax went with him this morning. He’s feeling better.”

“Stay away from him.” Mason heard the harsh tone of his voice, but was unable to keep the words at bay. There still wasn’t something quite right with that entire unit and he didn’t want Brenna anywhere near Truman and his gang until they figured it out. “I mean it. They—”

Brenna curled her fingers around his semi-hard cock, instantly getting the reaction she knew she’d get. Mason flipped her onto her back and caught her lips with his, preventing both of them from saying something that would start another argument. They fought a lot over little things, but not in a hurtful manner. And the make-up sex? Damn, but Brenna knew exactly how to keep him on the edge of sanity.

“Hmmm,” Brenna hummed against his mouth, arching into him. Mason trailed light kisses down her neck until he was able to suck her nipple into his mouth. She arched into him, holding onto the back of his neck. “Yes, Mason. Just like that.”

Mason nibbled and suckled on her nipple until the small nub was hard and sensitive. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him up until he was kissing her again and his dick was nestled in between her folds. Damn, but she was wet and ready.

The condoms were on Mason’s side of the bed, so he rolled them over so she was on top and he could reach out for the opened box on the nightstand. Brenna ran her soft hands over his chest, but she’d taken ahold of his nipples and rolled them in between her fingers. He hissed in pleasure, especially when she rotated her hips and ground her mound over his shaft.

“Here,” Brenna said breathlessly, taking the condom he’d grabbed from the nightstand and snatching it out of his grasp.

“You know, I’m really not this easy.” Mason stroked the palms of his hands up her sides, running his thumbs across the peaks of her nipples. She fumbled with the packet and most likely was casting a glare his way. The darkness of the room prevented him from seeing, but the deprivation of light certainly enhanced their senses. He slowly grinned, loving her attempt at getting his mind off of the harsh decisions they would be made to face in the days ahead. “But any enjoyment we can obtain in spite of the bad that we’ve had, and will have to contend with is something we should grab with both hands.”

“Agreed.” Brenna finally removed the small latex disc out of the foiled wrapper and placed the cool rubber against the tip of his cock. Mason inhaled sharply, not caring where she’d thrown the packaging. The time passed agonizingly slow as she rolled the condom down the length of his shaft. “I absolutely one hundred percent agree with you.”

Mason had noticed Brenna had been trying to methodically organize everything she did into compartments, as well as go over everything twice to ensure she hadn’t missed anything. She’d been going out with him on supply runs, listening to everything he said, and learning by everything he did. There were going to be times both of them made mistakes, but he would be by her side if anything went sideways. Her need for some semblance of control was understandable and he allowed her to take from him what she needed…for now. He also liked to dominate and he wouldn’t have that taken away from him. They could both get what they wanted.

Brenna rose above him, placing his tip at her entrance before accepting him into her. It took every ounce of inner strength he had not to drive into her with a force that would give both of them what they wanted in an instant. Instead, he allowed her to take as much time as she needed.

“I love you,” Brenna whispered as her pussy warmly contracted around his cock. She rested her hands gently on his chest and started a rhythm that had her hips rotating in a small, tight circle. The slow cadence had him gritting his teeth at the overwhelming pleasure that was currently building up in his sac. Her words only fueled his fire. “I love you.”

Mason explored her upper body with his rough hands, hoping his skin wasn’t too abrasive. Brenna reached for his right wrist and dragged his arm lower, resting his fingers against her clit. Her swollen nub was warm and slick. He ran his thumb in circles over the sensitive flesh until she was calling out his name and lifting herself up and down at a faster pace.

“That’s right, little one,” Mason murmured, reaching up with his other hand and wrapping her braid around his palm. He used the leverage to pull her down on him, putting even more pressure on her clit now that his hand was trapped. He captured her lips as her thighs tightened against his, signifying she was about to fall off that precipice. “Come for me.”