Dark New World (Book 2): EMP Exodus by J.J. Holden, Henry Gene Foster Page A
Authors: J.J. Holden, Henry Gene Foster
Ads: Link
think about this—think about what you want, what you really want.”
Jed had regained control of himself, Ethan noted. Smug little bastard. Oh sure, he was all high and mighty about marriage vows when his wife only talked to another man, but trying to dip his wick in a woman almost half his age was fine? Total bullshit.
* * *
Peter watched the spy’s camp through his scope, which he’d unclicked from his rifle to make it easier. Here in these woods, he wouldn’t need the scope to shoot a bear, or whatever.
He chuckled when he saw the plump guy with some geek tee shirt almost come to blows with the wiry rough-neck who wore the straw cowboy hat. The soldier—or at least, he moved and acted like a soldier—broke it up before anyone got to swing a punch, but it was clear that whatever the argument was about had the spy’s group split down the middle. The cowboy, the soldier, and the older guy who Peter assumed was the group’s leader were on one side; the geek, the spy, the old lady, the three wives, and the hot young piece of ass were on the other. Peter’s money was on the three men if it came to a fight between them.
As he watched, the cluster of people broke apart, and they all seemed to just go about their business, but Peter noticed that the two “sides” from the argument were keeping mostly separate from each other. He was surprised to see the young woman, whom he had begun to think of as “Hotlips”—a name from an old TV show—was clearly on the geek’s side. Surprised, because from what Peter had seen she seemed to be always hovering around Cowboy. Of course, Cowboy’s wife had been doing the same thing with Geek. So, whatever was going on there, it had clearly blown up in all their faces.
Good. The rat bastards deserved it. If a man couldn’t trust his wife, a little kicking ass was only right. Cowboy’s wife shoulda kept her pants on, no matter what her man was doing with Hotlips. Dudes were just wired that way, he decided, and women needed to lighten up about it.
Peter grew bored watching them and sat down, leaning against a tree. He pulled out his pocket-sized journal, a brown leather-wrapped journal he’d picked up from some big-box chain book store. He hadn’t used it before the lights went out, but now he kept meticulous notes about everything he saw his prey and her group doing. He’d also taken to keeping a sketch map of his journey with detailed notes, as well, marking down every encounter, every danger, every possible place to resupply his own people when he led them to the Promised Land. If his folk ran low on supplies on the journey, a good leader would know where to raid for more. And he, Peter Ixin, was going to be a great leader.
Peter became drowsy as he thought about the perks he’d enjoy once he took over leadership of his people. Maybe he’d spare Hotlips when they killed the spy and her group because damn she had a nice ass and a great rack. Hell, the slut would probably love to be under the wing of Peter the Great… Bitches were all the same that way, as far as he was concerned. But if he spared her, she was sure as shit gonna earn his mercy.
Peter smiled at the thought and then drifted into sleep. His dreams that night were both naughty and nice.
- 13 -
0800 HOURS - ZERO DAY +8
CASSY FOUND IT easier to keep up with the group today than she had yesterday. Her shoulder just didn’t hurt like hell anymore, though she still couldn’t really use her right arm. Given that the clan seemed split down the middle about the issue with Amber and Ethan, Jed’s group might not have waited for Ethan’s group to keep up during the day’s travels, which would have been dangerous, but Mary was still limping from the snake bite. To Cassy’s relief, that meant the clan traveled more or less together. Safer that way, and more chances to heal the rift. At least, she hoped they could heal it.
Mandy hovered nearby as they traveled, always keeping an eye on her daughter.
Jed had regained control of himself, Ethan noted. Smug little bastard. Oh sure, he was all high and mighty about marriage vows when his wife only talked to another man, but trying to dip his wick in a woman almost half his age was fine? Total bullshit.
* * *
Peter watched the spy’s camp through his scope, which he’d unclicked from his rifle to make it easier. Here in these woods, he wouldn’t need the scope to shoot a bear, or whatever.
He chuckled when he saw the plump guy with some geek tee shirt almost come to blows with the wiry rough-neck who wore the straw cowboy hat. The soldier—or at least, he moved and acted like a soldier—broke it up before anyone got to swing a punch, but it was clear that whatever the argument was about had the spy’s group split down the middle. The cowboy, the soldier, and the older guy who Peter assumed was the group’s leader were on one side; the geek, the spy, the old lady, the three wives, and the hot young piece of ass were on the other. Peter’s money was on the three men if it came to a fight between them.
As he watched, the cluster of people broke apart, and they all seemed to just go about their business, but Peter noticed that the two “sides” from the argument were keeping mostly separate from each other. He was surprised to see the young woman, whom he had begun to think of as “Hotlips”—a name from an old TV show—was clearly on the geek’s side. Surprised, because from what Peter had seen she seemed to be always hovering around Cowboy. Of course, Cowboy’s wife had been doing the same thing with Geek. So, whatever was going on there, it had clearly blown up in all their faces.
Good. The rat bastards deserved it. If a man couldn’t trust his wife, a little kicking ass was only right. Cowboy’s wife shoulda kept her pants on, no matter what her man was doing with Hotlips. Dudes were just wired that way, he decided, and women needed to lighten up about it.
Peter grew bored watching them and sat down, leaning against a tree. He pulled out his pocket-sized journal, a brown leather-wrapped journal he’d picked up from some big-box chain book store. He hadn’t used it before the lights went out, but now he kept meticulous notes about everything he saw his prey and her group doing. He’d also taken to keeping a sketch map of his journey with detailed notes, as well, marking down every encounter, every danger, every possible place to resupply his own people when he led them to the Promised Land. If his folk ran low on supplies on the journey, a good leader would know where to raid for more. And he, Peter Ixin, was going to be a great leader.
Peter became drowsy as he thought about the perks he’d enjoy once he took over leadership of his people. Maybe he’d spare Hotlips when they killed the spy and her group because damn she had a nice ass and a great rack. Hell, the slut would probably love to be under the wing of Peter the Great… Bitches were all the same that way, as far as he was concerned. But if he spared her, she was sure as shit gonna earn his mercy.
Peter smiled at the thought and then drifted into sleep. His dreams that night were both naughty and nice.
- 13 -
0800 HOURS - ZERO DAY +8
CASSY FOUND IT easier to keep up with the group today than she had yesterday. Her shoulder just didn’t hurt like hell anymore, though she still couldn’t really use her right arm. Given that the clan seemed split down the middle about the issue with Amber and Ethan, Jed’s group might not have waited for Ethan’s group to keep up during the day’s travels, which would have been dangerous, but Mary was still limping from the snake bite. To Cassy’s relief, that meant the clan traveled more or less together. Safer that way, and more chances to heal the rift. At least, she hoped they could heal it.
Mandy hovered nearby as they traveled, always keeping an eye on her daughter.
Similar Books
