Edge of Valor: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller(69)

She wrapped her tiny fingers around one thumb, then the other, and looked up at him with wide bright eyes. Her face alight, her whole being radiated joy.

His heart clenched and expanded all in one breath.

If she was safe to grow up, then he’d done his job. If he saved her and her mother. No matter what happened to him. That would be enough.

Charlotte yawned and snuggled against his chest. Her halo of silky dark hair tickled his neck. He leaned back, his spine twinging, but he ignored it as he patted her diapered bottom.

Within a minute, she was asleep.

Hannah padded down the hallway. “They’re both asleep.”

“They’ll probably sleep for twelve hours. Especially Quinn. Don’t let her wake up early for our training session. It can wait. She needs her rest.”

Hannah settled beside him on the couch. Her hair was tugged back in a messy ponytail. Dark circles ringed her eyes, her skin pale.

She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

“I keep thinking about Molly,” she said, and her face crumpled. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”

With Charlotte sleeping against his chest, he drew Hannah to him with his free arm. She sank into his embrace as if she’d always belonged there.

She looked up at him, a wave of grief contorting her features. Tears sparked in her eyes. “After everything, to lose Molly, too. I already miss her so much.”

He felt gut-punched. Like another hole had opened inside him, a wound that would never fully heal. Molly was an incredible fount of knowledge, but more importantly, she’d been a dear friend. He’d come to care deeply for her.

Such a snarky, independent, intelligent woman. The prickly heart of Fall Creek. “It doesn’t feel right without her here.”

“Everything feels…lessened, somehow.”

“I wish I could go back and change things. I could have stopped it, saved them—”

“It’s not your fault. It’s the General who did this,” she said fiercely. “He’s the one who needs to pay.”

Emotion thickened his throat. “I know.”

Hannah was quiet for a minute. The fire popped and sparked. “She died saving Quinn, saving that little boy.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less of her,” Liam said gruffly.

“We need to honor her. We have to have a funeral…something.”

“We will, but it’s not safe now.”

“I know. It’s just…hard,” she said. “Poor Quinn. I love that girl like my own heart. I want to hold her and never let go. She has no one left.”

“Yes, she does. She has you. She has us.”

Hannah nodded. “She does.”

“We’ll take care of her.”

“We will.” Hannah wiped away her tears, as if steeling herself for what came next, and took several steadying breaths. “And we’ll start by keeping the General from hurting anyone else. Any updates?”

“Our forward observers report zero movement. The General has his men buttoned up inside that hotel.”

“What will he do next?”

“That was a soft attack to open us up for a ground assault or air raid. He should have sent in ground troops while we were shell-shocked from the rockets. But he didn’t.”

“Why?”

Liam hated admitting his uncertainty. It felt like weakness. “I don’t know.”

“Because of Charlotte?”

He shook his head, weary and frustrated, plagued with doubt and foreboding. “Could be. He’s waiting for something. Or toying with us. Or both. I don’t like it.”

“What about Hamilton? Could he help?”

“The radios are broken. It’s dangerous to travel anywhere outside the perimeter. And he only has thirty men. Besides, he’s under strict orders not to get involved in local disputes.”

“You don’t think he’d bend those orders for us?”

“He’s a good man, but he’s a rule follower. The military demands unconditional obedience to the chain of command for a reason.”

Hannah chewed on her lower lip. “It seems worth it to try.”

“Maybe,” Liam allowed. “We can send a scout tomorrow.”

His back spasmed. He winced, careful not to move so he wouldn’t awaken Charlotte.

Hannah noticed. She pulled away and sat up. “Your back.”

“I’m fine.”

“I can tell it’s hurting you.”

He shot her a disgruntled look, but it was true. There was no use attempting to hide it. She always noticed.

“You need a massage.”

“I’m fine,” he tried again, but it was useless.

When Hannah made up her mind, there was no changing it. Truth was, he wanted her hands kneading the pain from his aching muscles. Her warmth, her closeness, her touch. He wanted her in his arms again.

“I’ll be right back.” She rose and picked up Charlotte, crooning into her seashell-shaped ear so she didn’t awaken, and carried her into the bedroom.

Ghost lifted his head and tracked her every move with his eyes, his tail thumping.

Liam rechecked the house. Ghost leapt to his feet and followed him. Liam patted his head.

All windows and doors were secured and locked. He peered through the kitchen window. Streams of water streaked the glass like tears, distorting his reflected features.