Niko: Scifi Alien Invasion Romance (Hell Squad Book 9) (3 page)

“But,” Holmes continued, “their recovery aside, we still need to discuss a long-term plan to rid the Earth of the Gizzida.”

Kate leaned forward. “You really believe that’s an option? That we can fight them off? Isn’t that just going to put us all at more risk?”

The general clasped his hands at the small of his back, his face grim. “We have to find a way, Captain Scott. I do not believe the aliens have any intention of leaving any humans alive, or at least not changed into raptors in their genesis labs. They will not stop until they completely hunt us down.”

Niko’s gut hardened. He’d seen the images of the genesis labs and the results of the aliens’ cruel experimentation.

“We need to do it for our children,” Cruz said, from beside Marcus. He reached out and clasped Santha’s hand. The woman had a small, rounded belly, and Cruz placed his other hand protectively on top of it. “Do you want them to grow up trapped here forever? Stuck underground like rats in a maze? This isn’t living.”

Nyet
. No, it wasn’t. Niko had known this day would come.

“If we stop fighting—” this time it was Mackenna who spoke “—we go soft. We give up.”

Niko nodded. “I agree we need to formulate a long-term plan. In order to do that, two things are vitally important. First, we need to make better contact with the other human survivors hidden around the world. I know you’ve been in sporadic contact with some bases.”

Holmes nodded. “Before the aliens wised up and blocked our longer-range communications. Communication with the other human bases has been spotty at best.”

“We need to find a way around that,” Niko said. “The second thing, the most important thing, is that intel will be vital. We have to have a very clear picture of the alien numbers, what they are doing, and what they have planned. Your drone fleet will be vital to that plan. Your intelligence officers, as well.”

Santha moved, and another man joined her—her second-in-command, Devlin Gray. Together, the two of them ran the intel team. From what Niko had heard, both of them were very good at sneaking into alien territory, gathering information, and coming back without being discovered.

“My team has been working on a comprehensive intelligence plan,” Santha said. “As you might have guessed, Dev has been taking over more of the day-to-day operations.” She waved a rueful hand at her belly.

Devlin Gray nodded at his boss. “We won’t sugarcoat this. We still have large gaps in our intelligence. Areas we can’t get into, or information that just doesn’t make sense to us yet. But we are working on it.”

The Englishman wore dark slacks, and a white, button-down shirt. There was an elegant grace to him that Niko, as an artist, could admire.

“We’re working now to map out all alien installations in the area,” Dev added. “And any key locations, as well as their numbers and tactics. Lia and her team are helping to plug a lot of gaps.”

Lia Murphy pushed her red hair back over her shoulder. “My team is doing what we can to help. As we train new pilots, we’re adding some extra drones. I’ve had some interest from some Enclave members who have flying experience. We’re testing our capabilities and taking the drones further afield, closer into the alien installations.”

“You can’t risk getting in too close,” a male voice said.

Niko turned his head and looked at the blond man. It took a second for his name to click. Finn Erickson, head Hawk pilot. The confident way the man leaned against the wall hinted at his ability to pilot the Hawk quadcopters in and out of the combat zones.

Lia straightened. “My pilots are very good at what they do, and they are getting better every day. We need to keep testing and pushing our capabilities…”

Finn pushed away from the wall. “Pilots? You know—”

Lia waved a dismissive hand, interrupting him. “I’ve heard it before.” Her tone was exasperated. “I know you believe pilots have to be strapped onto whatever they’re flying. My guys are better than that. They can fly something without being anywhere near it.”

Niko coughed to hide a smile. He got the feeling this was an old argument.

“The work you are all doing is top rate,” he said. “Mackenna has spent some time over the last two weeks, bringing me up to speed. Let’s keep gathering intelligence and we’ll soon work out a plan to strike the aliens right where it will hurt them.” He turned over his wrist and looked at his watch. “As you know, tonight we are holding a welcome dinner. The kitchen staff has been working on a grand feast in honor of the Blue Mountain survivors.”

Holmes nodded. “My people are excited. They haven’t had much chance to let loose and celebrate.”

“I think it’s important, both for your survivors, and for the Enclave members. We need to let everyone enjoy each other, and have a good time. It’s important we knock down the barriers and for them to become
our
people.”

Holmes nodded.

“I could eat,” a muscular, bearded man said from the other side of the room.

There were good-natured grumbles from the other squad members. “Hemi, you’re always thinking with your stomach,” Cruz called out.

“Or his dick,” someone else added.

Niko smiled. He’d heard some wild stories about the berserkers. He was pretty certain he’d get a firsthand view of it before too long. “We’ll see everyone up at the Garden for the dinner in a few hours.” As they filed out, Niko shifted his gaze. “Mackenna?”

She’d already turned to leave, and her spine stiffened. She turned, and even though her face was blank, she looked like he’d just condemned her to Death Row.

“I was hoping you had a few minutes to go over some things with me. In my office.” He waved to the adjoining door.

She shrugged a shoulder. “Fine.”

He really shouldn’t find that grouchy tone sexy, or her armor-covered body so appealing.

He followed her into his office.

***

Mac had never been one for stuffy, glossy offices, but she had to admit, she loved Niko’s.

It was off the Command Center, with a large wooden desk and a spiffy looking chair that could belong in a Hawk cockpit.

What she liked most was the large painting he’d hung behind his desk. It was a huge square canvas depicting a stormy day, with lightning cracking through the churning clouds. In the center was a dark-haired woman standing on the edge of a cliff, a yawning, black abyss below. She wore an elegant red dress, the wind whipping the skirt out behind her.

It was her face that was the best. You could feel the emotion pulsing off her—torment, agony, anguish.

Mac dropped into a guest chair and watched Niko stalk around his desk. Damn, the man could move. He swaggered. Not with cocky arrogance like Hemi, it was more the feel of a captain striding across the deck of his ship. No, not a captain—a pirate. That was better.

“I wanted to go over some of the squad training you laid out. I want to ensure you have the facilities you need, and also discuss having some of Kate…Captain Scott’s team try out for places on the squads. Some of them have extensive military experience.”

There was the slightest hint of a Russian accent in his voice. She could admit to herself that she liked it. “Your gym is better than what we had, so as long as we limit civilian access during squad training times, that will be fine. I can work up a roster with the other squad leaders. With respect to Captain Scott’s team…I think it’s best you discuss that with the general.”

Niko didn’t sit in his chair; instead, he moved closer, and perched on the edge of the desk. He was too close, and she could feel the heat of him. She could also smell paint. She’d always thought the scent of paint was unpleasant…but mixed with Niko’s scent it wasn’t.

She shifted in her chair.
Keep it together, Mac.

“I’d like to know what you think, Mackenna.”

“I’ve told you that everyone calls me Mac.” The way he drew out her name, like he was tasting every syllable, was disconcerting.

“I know.” He had a faint smile on his face. “I prefer Mackenna.”

She shifted again and stared over his shoulder. “You can’t break up any squads. They’ve been working together, fighting together, and trust each other. I’d test out the captain’s people and make a short list of those who can fill spots if…”

Niko drew a breath. “If a squad loses anyone.”

She nodded. No one liked to think about it, but it happened.

“I know a lot of them want the chance to fight,” he said. “They’ve done an excellent job on Enclave security, but many of them want to fight the raptors.”

She nodded again. “Is that it?”

He moved and his leg brushed against hers. She was still wearing her armor, so she couldn’t really feel the touch…but it still somehow burned through her.

“If this integration between our two groups is going to work, we all need to make an effort.”

She frowned. “Okay.”

“You aren’t trying very hard.”

She sat up straighter. “What do you mean?”

He shook his head, a faint smile appearing on his lips. “Mackenna, I’ve been trying to get to know you, to put you at ease, but you never let your guard down.”

She blinked. “Get to know me?”

He moved now, crouching in front of her. If she wasn’t trapped in a chair, she would have stepped backward.

“Yes. And I don’t mean like a friend. I mean like I want to know how your lips taste, and what sounds you’d make if I was touching you.”

Mac thought her heart might have stopped beating. “No.” A low whisper.

“Yes.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I’m a soldier, you’re a…leader.” She waved at the fancy office.

He arched a brow. “I’m a man. You’re a woman. And an intriguing, smart, and sexy one.”

“No.”

He tilted his head. “I never pegged you for a snob.”

She shot to her feet. “I’m not a snob.”

She suddenly realized she was standing, and he was crouched in front of her. It shouldn’t have been sexy, it shouldn’t have been anything, but him before her, his face level with her thighs and him looking up with that glint in his eyes, it made the blood in her veins run hot.

“Prove it,” he said in a silky tone, his accent a little deeper.

She pulled in a breath. “Niko, I have to go out there and fight every day. I have to keep myself, my squad mates, and the people here alive. I can’t afford any distractions. I don’t want any distractions.”

He stood now and towered over her. She stared at his chest and the way his black T-shirt clung to his lean muscles. The heat that radiated off him was unreal, and he smelled like the appealing combination of paint and some type of citrus cologne.

“You need things to remind you of why you fight.” He lifted a hand and Mac forced herself to stay in place. He tucked an escaped strand of hair off her face.

“You don’t even know me.”

He smiled. “I’ve been watching you for two weeks. Talking to you whenever I can. Counting down the minutes to every one of these meetings we’ve had. I want to know more.”

His words made a panicky fear run through her. It wasn’t that she was afraid of him. She was afraid of what he could make her feel.

Mac was afraid that letting this thing between them free would make it run wild and hot…and she’d happily drown in it to the exclusion of everything else.

She stepped backward. “I have to go.”

He held her gaze a little longer. “Very well, retreat if you need to.”

She clenched her teeth. “This is not retreating. This is me declining to engage in a fruitless encounter.”

Niko’s hand shot out and gripped her arm. “Fruitless?” His tone was low and ruthless. “I’m going to prove you wrong, Mackenna. You can fortify those defenses of yours, but be warned, I’m very good at sneaking in behind enemy lines.” He let her go, and now his voice morphed into a normal, friendly tone. “I’ll see you at the dinner.”

Mac turned, her heart beating rapidly as she left. Why did she feel like she’d just awakened a sleeping dragon? And she was the hungry beast’s target.

Chapter Three

After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Niko made his way up to the Garden. As he entered the large area, he smiled at the people already gathered. A few called out hellos and waved. There was a mix of Enclave members and Blue Mountain Base survivors.

Lights were strung up in the trees, and overhead, the stars twinkled in the night sky. An illusion system made the Garden appear as just another patch of trees from above. He saw kids running across the lush grass and playing on the treehouse and slide. While the Enclave kids laughed out loud, a few of the Blue Mountain Base kids were still hesitant, with haunted looks etched on their faces.

It would fade. Niko curled his hand into a fist. He’d make sure of it.

Near the fenced-off vegetable-garden beds, he saw long tables loaded with food, and on one, a giant cake with multiple tiers. His people in the kitchens were doing their best to welcome their new members, and he was grateful for it. Music was piped in through hidden speakers, and he suspected once the party got moving—and the beer and wine were flowing—there’d be dancing.

He wanted to dance with Mackenna, her small, toned body pressed against his. He let out a breath. But he may have misstepped there. By firing a shot across her bow, he’d given her a warning, and he was certain she’d pull out all the stops to ward him off.

Well, for the moment, he planned to break down a few other barriers. He approached the kids.

“Niko!”

A few Enclave children crowded around him. He saw some Blue Mountain Base kids hanging back. He pulled something out of his pockets.

“I’ve got new trading cards for you.” He handed the closest kids a card each, all of them cheering and jostling.

“Cool!” A boy spun and held his card up. “I got Marcus Steele.”

“Well, I got Roth Masters,” a girl announced proudly.

The kids showed off the small cards Niko had sketched. He’d first started the trading cards after they’d moved to the Enclave, using sporting teams that no longer existed and sporting heroes who were now long dead. A way to remember and honor the past.

This time, he’d done a card for each soldier in the squads. The images were sketched in simple black and white, the soldiers’ names and squads scrawled at the bottom.