Ghostwalker 09 - Ruthless Game

agreed to do anything for Rose, once he’d learned of her plight. He’d never let a brute like Carlson force her to have sex with him. He’d been duped as wel . If anyone thought Whitney wasn’t a true master of human study, Kane was going to testify to the truth of it al . Whitney had amazing, if not psychic, insight into the nature of people.
    Kane. Now Rose’s voice trembled. I’m coming out.
    Stay put, honey. He should have known better than to take so long. Rose would back him up no matter the danger. Just watching them for reactions.
    Strange, neither seems to feel the pressure building around them.
    It was difficult to describe the exact feeling when other GhostWalkers were close or using telepathy. The pressure on their minds built rapidly, pressing into them to varying degrees, depending on the sensitivity level, sometimes as strong as a vise. It was odd to him that these men didn’t feel his presence.
    Each night he’d moved a little closer, and stil they didn’t appear to know he was there. Several times he used his abilities to move air and that should have changed pressure in their minds, and yet neither noticed.
    Rose was nothing if not quick. She realized the implications immediately. He felt the impact of the blow as comprehension dawned. She seemed stunned, so shocked for a brief moment her mind was blank, and then guilt washed over her because they were sharing the same conclusion about Whitney.
    I’m sorry, Kane. I played right into his hands, didn’t I? I brought you into this, and if I hadn’t fallen into his trap, you would never . . .
    Stop it! Just stop, Rose. I walked into this with my eyes open. I don’t have regrets other than that our first time together had to be a nightmare for you.
    Leave it alone.
    He wished he was back inside to hold her. Rose had no preparation for a life outside of the military, yet she had succeeded in hiding herself and staying one step ahead of Whitney during her pregnancy. She had had no one al that time on the run to wrap their arms around her and comfort her, and he had wanted to be with her. He pushed a caress into his voice, the only thing he had to give her, separated as they were by the distance. I wouldn’t trade what we have for anything else. I don’t lie, Rose. If you don’t know anything else about me, know that.
    Thank you.
    She was weeping. Damn Whitney and his pitiful games. Rose deserved to be loved, and if she had nothing else in her life, if he could only provide that and little else, he vowed to himself that her world would be fil ed with love.
    I’ll be there in a few minutes, sweetheart. Not that he was al that much comfort to her—yet.
    He had grown up on the streets, but he’d had Mack and Jaimie and the others as a family. They’d banded together, and Mack’s mother watched over them al as best she could. He’d learned trust and loyalty growing up that way. Who had taught those things to Rose? Her childhood had been one of discipline and duty. She’d learned to endure, but she was determined to give their baby something she’d never had—a loving parent. He was just as determined that he would be right beside her.
    Fargo picked up the empty bottle and stared at it morosely. “Swear to me that if I go into town after our little senorita and some supplies, you won’t go near the woman.”
    Carlson glared at him. “She’s my woman, not just any woman. But no, I’m not about to screw up. Just bring us someone who can take a lot of heat. I like it rough.”
    “It’s not like we’re giving her back,” Fargo said. “She’l take it any way we want to give it to her.”
    Carlson glanced at his watch. “Rose wil be sitting outside in another twenty minutes, and after that we’l report to Whitney. You can go when he shuts down for the night. You’l have plenty of time to get what we want and be back here before anyone is the wiser.”
    Fargo stood up, stretching. He tucked his knife into his belt and kicked at the empty bottle. “A woman sure beats chasing those coyotes with homemade arrows.”
    Carlson smirked. “True, if she fights some. Coyotes sure do scream if you hit them in the right place. And they can take a long time to die.”
    “You’re such a sick bastard, Carlson. That’s what I like about you.” Fargo stumbled away from the camp.
    The smile faded from Carlson’s face, and he looked again toward the hidden house in the desert—and Rose. Kane didn’t like the look on his face, a dark