Ghostwalker 04 - Conspiracy Game

scope, a small, humorless smile escaping. They had always talked to each other, years ago, as children, long before the death of their mother, using banter to get through the scary moments when their father was home and searching the house for them. Later, it was the same in the numerous foster homes, and then on the street. The habit never left them, the reassuring touch of mind to mind, to know the other still lived, still breathed, that no monster had managed to swallow him.
    You’re such a damned wimp, always wanting the easy way out. You can drag his ass off the roof. It’s a good workout for you. And quit messing around and get back here. I’m a little outnumbered.

    “Give me a gun, Ken,” Briony demanded as she raced toward him. “Jack didn’t make it into the tunnel.”
    “Relax, hon; he had no intention of coming into the tunnel. He’ll meet up with us near the mine. He’ll hold them off, give us a chance to get out just in case they decide to torch the house.”
    Briony skidded to a halt, sucking in her breath. “You planned this? Without saying anything to me? Why would you let him risk his life that way, Ken?”
    “Jack is Jack, Briony. There’s no arguing with him in certain situations, and this is one of them. If he had to, he’d knock you out and have me haul your ass to safety. That’s how serious he is when it comes to your life—and mine.”
    “They might kill him. If we help… ”
    “We’d distract him. He’s not going to let you near those men, so forget about trying to help him and get moving.”
    “Ken, I know you’re a marksman—so am I. I just can’t leave him to fight off however many enhanced soldiers Whitney sent.” She could barely breathe with the thought of Jack in danger. She began to edge away from Ken and back toward the ladder.
    “Get over here now, Briony.” His voice hardened unexpectedly, his easygoing façade fading away, to be replaced by the same commanding tone Jack used. “He entrusted me with your life and I take that seriously. You’re carrying his children. Get your ass over here and stop thinking with your heart.”
    “This isn’t right,” Briony protested, reluctantly making her way to his side. He looked capable of throwing her over his shoulder like the proverbial caveman. It occurred to her that Ken was every bit as dominant as his twin—he just hid it better.

    “Right or not, get moving.” His voice softened even as he gave her a little push. “Right now, everyone Jack comes into contact with is the enemy. He doesn’t have to worry about shooting either of us. He’ll take out as many as possible and disappear.”
    “They’re enhanced.”
    “So is he, and I’m betting he has far more combat experience than all of them combined.
    Keep moving straight ahead. Double-time it.”
    Briony pressed a hand over her lurching stomach. She’d come to Jack for protection, to protect her baby—babies—but she hadn’t counted on falling in love. She was torn between wanting to keep the unborn children safe and rushing back to help watch Jack’s back. “You should be with him, Ken. You’re always with him. You fight together.”
    “I’ll stash you in a safe place and then I’ll join him. But I have to know you’re going to stay put, Briony. No heroics.”
    “I’m not stupid, Ken. And I can take care of myself if I have to.”
    “Which is why you showed up with bruises and a cut down your arm. Some man does that to you now, and Jack will rip his heart out—or I will. No one touches you, Briony. You fight only as a last resort.”
    “I promise, Ken. I’m not looking to lose the babies, or get taken by these maniacs.”
    The tunnel began to curve upward, and Briony sprinted, wanting Ken to get back to Jack as soon as possible. “Give me a gun and several clips of ammo if you have it to spare,” she called over her shoulder. “I’m a good shot, Ken.”
    “We have a weapons stash in the mine, here in the tunnel, and out in the shop, as well as the house. If anything happens, get to a man named Logan Maxwell or Kadan Montague.
    You can trust either of them. Don’t go near your family; they’ll be watched.”
    She rounded a corner and skidded to a halt. There was a dead end. “How do we get out?”
    Ken indicated straight overhead. “Trapdoor. We open it up there. Anyone coming in and not knowing how to get out is trapped. They aren’t going to get us on our home turf, hon.”
    He handed her the rifle and leapt up to