Beyond Ecstasy (Beyond #8) by Kit Rocha Read Free Book Online

thwarting his revenge. It had taken years for him to understand that the only reward he could have claimed for killing his own father would have been a lifetime of looking himself in the mirror, too aware of the blood on his hands.
    Shipp had understood. And he'd taken on that burden, just like he'd taken on the burden of protecting the bruised, terrified victims of Hawk's father's legacy. That first rally could have been a disaster waiting to happen—a crew of outlaw smugglers and a farm full of women and children still reeling from their unexpected freedom.
    Instead, they'd found common ground. Drinking, dancing, and driving. Laughter and food, and celebrating the heady feeling of being so far from Eden, you could almost forget they were there at all.
    Tonight, people seemed to want to forget. The cars were gathered in the field, headlights illuminating the darkness as engines purred and music blared. Jeni was down there in a cluster of Hawk's sisters, still nervous but smiling , and so gorgeous he wanted to sweep her up and lure her into the shadows.
    The couples sneaking away were headed to rendezvous plenty tame by O'Kane standards—but there was a charm to kissing in the darkness, frustration burning until the need for more was unbearable. Tension could be delicious when you knew it didn't have to last forever.
    But Eden was out there. And he had to talk business before indulging himself. “It's getting bad, Shipp.”
    “Yeah?” Shipp lit a cigarette, the lighter and the tip both flaring in the darkness. “You're going to have to be more specific.”
    “Everyone thought they'd have made a move by now.” Hawk shoved his hands deep into his jacket pockets and tried not to stare back toward the city. It shouldn't have been visible at all from the farm, but the new lights charging the walls created an ominous glow to the east. “Hunger's going to drive them out. And you know what that means.”
    “Course I do. I know how wars work, Hawk.” Shipp gazed out at the revelers in the clearing, cast in harsh relief by the headlights. “Food's always the thing. Either an army will need it, or they'll want to make damn sure their enemies can't use it.” He arched an eyebrow. “We should probably be glad your new boss hasn't burned us to the ground already, just in case.”
    No one in Sector Four had said it—at least where Hawk could hear—but he saw it in their eyes. He saw it in the way they refused to look at him every time Jyoti delivered an update on the state of the farms and communes—food the sectors had access to that stood beyond Eden's reach.
    Dallas didn't need Sector Six to win the war, and he couldn't afford to let Eden get their hands on it. “There's land on the edge of Four, Shipp. The girls are doing great with their farm. Round everyone up and get the hell out of here before anything happens.”
    Shipp snorted. “You know better. Your mama's not leaving this place while there are still two boards to rub together.”
    He knew. For twenty-five years, this place had been hell on earth for Alya—but for the last fifteen it had been hers , the land she'd reclaimed inch by inch, stone by stone. She and Shipp had built it into a secret haven for lost wanderers and runaway children.
    She wouldn't give it up any more than Dallas would abandon the Broken Circle. “She may not have a choice.”
    “If it comes to that, I'll pick her up and carry her myself,” Shipp agreed. “But it has to be down to that—no other choice. You understand.”
    “I understand.” He squeezed Shipp's shoulder. “Laurie and Tanya mentioned wanting to move over to Four. Dallas said I can put some of the new recruits to work building another couple barns and an addition on the house. Anyone else who wants to come, we'll have room. And you know I'll take care of them.”
    “Yeah, you will.” The corner of Shipp's mouth tilted up. “You're all-in on the O'Kane shit these days, you and Finn. Brotherhood, booze, and cute