The Survivors: Book One

"I understand why you didn't tell me, but I wish you had. I'm thrilled. I never thought to have a child."

His words made her heart pound. Hadn't she longed to hear that so many times? Nevertheless, she ignored it as she pulled thick gloves on to muffle the bite in the air.

Moving quicker, she sent a clear warning, "He's mine. Parentage doesn't matter."

Brady didn't respond, though he wanted to. If she sensed the things floating through his mind, she would disappear. The idea hit him again and he felt himself grinning. He had a son! It was a reason to have hope, a goal, and his heart was suddenly lighter than it had been since the War. He would now serve a child…and maybe his mother.

"I ran into a friend of yours here. Had some burns."

Marc could feel her scowling at the words, aware of Dog watching with golden eyes.

"Warren. He's dead?"

Now, Marc was the one frowning. Something else she should have mentioned…though, she hadn't known he would go there. "Yes."

"I'm sorry. Killing wasn't what I wanted. I had hoped he was no longer a threat."

"It was his choice."

There was silence between them for a moment, broken by the drumming rain and the squeak of his wipers, but the connection, the bond between them, was strong. It allowed him to hear stray noises - a clink, a snap, a grunt of effort. She was breaking camp, didn't want him around yet.

"Where are you holed up at?"

He could feel her wondering how he knew she wasn't on the road, and though suspicion laced her answer, she didn't ask. That meant she didn't know how much he was picking up. Good. More time to recon, without being evaluated in return.

"I'm in a cornfield, off highway 3."

"You could probably stay there if you wanted, take a break for the holiday. It wouldn't take me long to catch up," he sent the option carefully this time, knowing instinctively not to mention Valentine's Day by name.

"No."

He was glad when she didn't sound mad, but he frowned at how set her tone was. "You okay?" he asked, still feeling that old need to protect her.

"I'm fine."

"Okay…can't wait to see you…."

The words were perfectly normal for the situation, but there was no mistaking his eagerness, and Marc felt another cold warning rush out to slap at him.