Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four) by Kennedy Layne Read Free Book Online Page A

was no better than anyone else and she was naïve to believe otherwise just because of what her father had said.
    “Sheriff Ross did a stint with the Army,” Berke disclosed, although it wasn’t anything she wasn’t privy too. “Deputy Boyega served in the Navy. I can damn well guarantee they have similar stories they can tell you. I’m not going to stand here arguing with you over semantics, Maxie. Your best shot of you and your new son surviving this horrendous disaster is to reach one of those FEMA camps. You want someone with military experience? Go ask Ross, Boyega, or the other veterans in this town to accompany you. I have—”
    The clicking sound of handcuffs resonated through the humidity before the coolness of the metal hit his wrist. Berke stopped midsentence, a part of him admiring that Maxie had waited until he was occupied with his little speech to anticipate and react to what she’d been going to do. The other part of him was angry—actually, he was beyond livid and curled his other hand into a tight fist to prevent himself from reaching for her.
    “Maxie,” Berke gritted out between his clenched teeth, “what the hell do you think you’re doing?”
    “Martial law,” Maxie stated as if she hadn’t done something so irrational as to handcuff him to her. She held up her own arm, where the other cuff was currently attached to her wrist. “You see, I think you’re putting yourself in harm’s way by not following the directives of our government. Therefore, I’m making you my prisoner. I’m just doing my professional duty in seeing to your safety by putting you in protective custody. So you have two choices. You can either accompany me to the East Coast or you can take Jacob and me with you to Washington. Make up your mind. You’re burning daylight.”

Chapter Five

    M axie did her utmost best to conceal the adrenaline flowing through her veins. It wouldn’t do for Berke to know that should he really want to leave for Washington on his own…he really could without much further argument. He was so much bigger and considerably stronger physically than she was—so much that he could certainly take the small key from her in a blink of an eye, regardless that she’d hidden it against her breast inside of her bra. She never said she’d make it easy for him to take it without a fight though. She’d never hold him back from leaving if that was what he decided to do, but she would do her damnedest to be with him when he did.
    “I’m only going to tell you once to unlock these cuffs,” Berke warned, holding their connected wrists up as if he were holding out a rattlesnake ready to strike.
    Maxie stood her ground, even though she could hear Jacob call out to her from the van. He didn’t speak words yet, other than a few syllables that could mean just about anything. He did say mama, which broke Maxie’s heart. He kept asking for her and it was the one thing she couldn’t give him.
    “Jacob, it’s okay,” Maxie called out reassuringly, never taking her eyes off of Berke. She wanted to be prepared for any move he might make. “I’ll be right there.”
    Berke’s patience apparently ran a little thin, for he yanked her forward so quickly that she found the front of herself molded to his. He’d wrapped their cuffed hands around her back and made sure he had her attention. He certainly did. She could feel his heat.
    “Where is the key, Maxie?”
    “The only way you’re getting the key is to promise me that you’ll take us with you the whole way.”
    “You’re going east. I’m headed west,” Berke rasped in a low tone, taking her by surprise when he wrapped his fingers around the back of her neck and held her still. His lips were inches from hers and his eyes darkened even more, as if that were even possible. “This is not up for debate. Where is the damn key?”
    “Promise to take us with you and I’ll let you go,” Maxie whispered resolutely, refusing to back down and give in.