Read Online From The Ashes (Life After War) by Angela White - Free Book Online Page A

watched them carefully help the kids down, talking to them in low, comforting tones as Mexican bodies lay strewn about the camp. Would these be better owners than the others the children had been forced to accept? Did it matter? They would still be slaves.
    Until my baby comes , Jennifer reminded herself. Then I'll take them away and we'll start our own world where men aren't allowed to be monsters.
    “ You'll need help with that,” the other voice inside spoke up eagerly. “Start with the leader of these killers and work your way up, like you did here.”
    “ What if these men are just as bad?”
    “ You have to keep those kids alive. Do what you can to that end.”
    “ But they'll want me.”
    “ Yes. How else will you pay for freedom?”
    Jennifer guided the final child toward the man waiting at the tailgate, hating the decisions she was forced to make. Lilly wasn't the only one who was tired of serving.
    With no other choice, Jennifer let herself reach out in more ways than just physically. “I'm the only one left.”
    Doing a quick visual check of the perimeter as the other semis were opened and emptied, Kyle extended a hand. “Good. Be careful, the step's...”
    Kyle's words trailed off as he looked up, attention instantly snared by the girl standing there. All he could see was her dirty face and a pair of the most amazing golden eyes. He couldn't judge her age by them, not without more light, but he was instantly curious.
    His hand slowly lowered. Who was she?
    Jennifer stared back in fascination, thinking he was pretty. She'd only seen Mexican males for so long that this one was beautiful to her, just for an instant, because he didn't look like one of them.
    “ I'm Kyle.” The mobster peered closer, eager for her to step into the light.
    “ Jennifer. Jenny, I guess, if you like that.”
    This time, the sound of her voice hit Kyle like bricks going into water–thick and hard. He stared stupidly. Did he know her?
    Jennifer was almost immune to that reaction–it was what she intended this time–but she wasn't prepared for the way her own heart picked up or how her skin felt grimier than usual. Who was he?
    Kyle was aware of Eagles and slaves watching them, but the strength radiating from those eyes was enough to hold him in place. She seemed so familiar!
    “ I need to talk to whoever is in charge,” Jennifer requested lowly. “I have a problem.”
    Kyle's chest automatically puffed out. “That would be me, right now. What's the trouble, Jen?”
    His tone vibrated through Jennifer's mind. He sounded so strong... and she needed that.
    The slave took a breath and stepped closer, letting him see her stomach and age. “I'm in danger and so is my baby. We need protection.”
    “ You can go anywhere you want, but we have doctors and we follow the old rules. No one in our camp will hurt you.” Neil's words floated over the huddling slaves.
    Jennifer slowly climbed down from the semi.
    Kyle would have helped her, but shock held him paralyzed. Not because of her youth or the pregnancy–he'd seen both during his time as an Eagle. It was the attraction smothering him in shards of need, making it hard to think, to breathe.
    He wanted her! Desperately.
    Kyle drew in air instead of reaching out.
    “ Will you help me?”
    Kyle's brain was riddled with fog and guilt, and he struggled to think around the confusion. “You'll be safe with us. We won't let anything happen to you.”
    “ In our camp, you’ll have the freedom that was stolen. We're Americans and so are you. We take care of our own.” Neil was aware of something happening with Kyle, but he was eager to be back in Safe Haven–to see Samantha. He had an awful feeling and no reason for it. She was well protected right now. Wasn't she?
    “ If you're heading out on your own, we'll give you what supplies we can spare. If you're coming with us, be in one of the black trucks parked behind those rocks.” Neil pointed the way. “We leave in ten