Rebel Heart

"Did you use the anti-bac?" he asked.

She gave him a blank look.

"Damn feds. I'll get it," Dan said, crossing to the kitchen, where one whole cabinet was filled with medical supplies.

Brady pulled a chair beside her. She was studying him again. He glanced up at her, caught by her direct gaze. They gazed at each other for a long moment, and he tried to figure out what was going through her thoughts.

"Incoming!" Dan called, tossing a small package.

Brady caught it and pulled out the medical supplies.

"Cleanser, anti-bac, quick wrap. Don't use the traditional bandage next time. The quick wrap is easier," he instructed, holding up each of the products as he spoke. He stripped the bandage and showed her the steps again. "Dan's going to move you somewhere safe today to one of our permanent sites. I'll rendezvous with you all late."

"You always have the good shit!" Dan exclaimed, pulling chocolate out of the cabinet.

"Drop it, Dan. I've killed men for less," he retorted.

Lana looked at him, frowning. Dan ignored his warning and snagged two pieces of the precious few he had remaining.

"It's supposed to alleviate bad moods," Dan said to Lana. "Doesn't work on him though."

"You, behave," he ordered the woman, rising. "You, too, Dan."

"I'll leave you some."

Brady shook his head, wanting nothing more than to return to the sparring ring. Instead, he hefted his pack and left for the awaiting helo.

Tim was already on the large screen when Brady entered the comms center several hours later. Brady peeled off the top of his suit, drenched in sweat and splattered with blood.

"Never seen you sweat, son," Tim said.

Brady grunted in response. The two-hour hike had turned into a six-hour battle when his men tripped over a scout in the lower valley. Brady was burning up, his blood thrumming. Tim, on the other hand, looked as if he'd gotten some sleep since their last talk. He wore a breezy, short-sleeved shirt. The commo room where he sat was large with marble walls and leather chairs, a sign of the upper class's decadence.

"It's a little rough back east," Brady said.

"I've been reading the reports from both sides." Tim frowned, disturbed.

Even without their shared history, there had always been something about Tim that Brady liked. He was ruthless, beyond loyal to the few he trusted, and quick to use his influence to get Brady access to any of the government's supplies, technology, intelligence, and anything else Brady requested it. And Tim never asked why.