Had he and his brother both reached a point where they’d felt trapped by the farm and wanted to get away?
That one wasn’t as easy to answer. Yes, Ren had left just after high school, deciding he’d preferred the excitement of joining the army than staying there any longer. The army had fast realized his ability to pick up new skills quickly, as well as his natural strength and intelligence. They’d fast-tracked him into special forces.
Ren had loved the army but had gotten out after six years when he was approached to start a special law enforcement task group that would be made up of the best agents and ex-soldiers the country had to offer. He’d birthed Omega Sector. And had been fighting bad guys ever since.
Like the bad guy sitting across from him now, with alabaster skin, her blue eyes drooping. She would’ve fooled him, he had to admit. If he hadn’t already known what she was capable of, he wouldn’t have believed it.
So yeah, he’d left the farm because it had made him feel trapped. Like nothing ever happened there. But he was beginning to realize how wrong that was. Maybe shootouts and arrests didn’t happen there, but life did.
Light did.
He’d been living in the darkness so long that light was starting to seem damn more appealing.
“You going to go to sleep there, Peaches?”
One eyebrow cocked. “Peaches?”
He shrugged. “Your skin. Just looks smooth, like peaches and cream. My mom used to make it for us.” Damn it, the truth. Again.
“Yeah, I’m a little tired. My name’s Natalie, by the way.”
He smiled. “I’m Warren Thompson, but generally go by Ren. Get some rest. I’ll make sure no one attacks you with a sandwich. We’ve got a long way to go.”
Plus, it would make it much easier for him to do what he was about to do if she was already out.
Her nod was full of trust, and just for a second guilt ate at Ren. It didn’t get any better when she tucked herself into a tighter ball on her seat a few minutes later, one small hand curled under her chin.
He forced the feelings away. He wasn’t dragging her into the darkness; she already lived there.
He just hoped he’d be able to find his way back to the light when this was all over. After what he had to do. Because the light had never seemed so far away.
Chapter Five
Natalie dreamed of sheep. All kinds. Baby lambs, adults heavy with wool and some that had just been shaved. She dreamed of sweaters and yarn and of a special sheep that had to be carried back to the safety of the farm.
She sat and watched as the man she’d listened to for hours, would’ve listened to for the rest of her life if she could’ve, ran around her with the sheep. Would ask her to count them, to make sure they didn’t get lost in the darkness.
It was a crazy dream, because she knew she was dreaming, knew this wasn’t real. She felt funny, like she was moving.
She was on a train, her tired brain remembered, but her eyes refused to open. But the movement felt different. Like she was being carried somewhere.
But she didn’t want to go anywhere else; she just wanted to stay here on the nice farm with the sheep.
“No, please,” she murmured.
“Shh,” someone said. “You’re just dreaming.”
That voice, that smoky, sexy voice again. She didn’t want it to stop. Ren’s voice.
“Sheep,” she said, hoping he’d understand. She wanted him to tell her more stories.
“Yes, the sheep. Stay with the sheep, Peaches.”
Peaches. That made her feel warm. So nice and warm. She just lay there and basked in it.
But soon the warm became hot. Too hot. What was happening? The sheep were nowhere around anymore. Just the heat. A fire. It was burning her.
Natalie forced her eyes open only to find she was surrounded by smoke. She coughed and sat up. Where was she? What was happening?
