“I’m with Chad,” she answered, hoping there was a sliver of integrity among the men.

“Chad’s not the type to stay with Pete’s organization. He’s always cracking jokes and grinning like he’s your best friend, but he’s actually hiding that he’s uncomfortable. I can always tell who will stick it out, and he’s not one of them. You, on the other hand, have the spine and mettle to make it work.”

“If he leaves, I’ll leave.”

“I think you’ll change your mind.” His answer was confident. Too confident.

“Like hell I will.”

“We’ll see.”

Unintelligible whispers from the couple floated across the clearing. They straightened their clothes and stood, their heads close as they talked. After a moment they left together, headed toward the barracks. Mercy noted they didn’t try to hide.

Mercy no longer cared about the couple. She had other concerns. Like whether Sean would turn her in and when he expected repayment for his favor.

“You need to go back now,” he told her. “If I catch you wandering at night again, I’ll report you.”

“There’s another guard on patrol.”

“I’ll keep watch until you make it.”

She stared at him for a long moment through the dark.

He expected her to be grateful for his protection.

Instead she left without another word.

The man who was blackmailing her for a future favor didn’t deserve thanks.

SIXTEEN

Outside in the cold morning air, Mercy huddled next to Chad after last night’s unsuccessful trip to investigate the new building. The two of them stood in the center of the compound with the rest of the group, stamping their feet against the icy breeze. The exact same place Ed had been whipped yesterday. The memories nauseated her, and she couldn’t stop shivering.

“If someone is getting tortured again, I’ll vomit,” Mercy muttered, trying to ignore her empty stomach. It’d been growling since she woke. Thirty-six hours with no food was going to suck.

Everyone in the crowd continued to exchange glances, the same question on each worried face: Is this another punishment?

Bile rose in her throat as she wondered if Sean had reported her. Will I be on the receiving end of the whip today? Her vision started to narrow, and she couldn’t tell Chad what she’d done.

“I don’t think that’s what we’re here for. Look at them,” Chad whispered back, indicating Pete and his lieutenants as they warmed themselves around the common’s campfire. “They look pleased and excited—they’re smiling. Yesterday they were silent and intense.”

Mercy took a deep breath, studied the men before the group, and agreed with Chad’s assessment. Her vision cleared slightly, and she swallowed hard, attempting to force her stomach into submission.

Two hours of sleep were all she had achieved overnight, worrying about Sean’s threat. Thoughts of Truman had also kept her awake. She missed his physical presence in her bed and his calm, rational mind, which helped her think clearly when she was frustrated.

I’d kill to have him here right now.

Pete raised his hands to get everyone’s attention, and the low muttering of the crowd ceased. “This morning is a celebration.”

Pure relief swept through Mercy, causing her legs to wobble. Chad tightened his arm around her waist.

“We have another person joining our elevated rank.”

A ripple of applause and happy voices rose from the audience. Chad swore under his breath.

“What does that mean?” Mercy whispered.

“It’s a branding.”

Mercy echoed Chad’s curse, her gut churning again. Surely the branding would be easier to witness than the whipping. At least it was voluntary.

Or is it?

No one would dare turn it down if Pete offered the honor.

“He needs to send the children away.”

“I know,” Chad said. “It’s wrong to make them watch this, and I’ve asked him about it. He says it gives them something to aspire to.”

Are you fucking kidding me?

“Jason Trotter,” Pete announced in a respectful voice. “Get up here.” He gestured for the young father to join him.

Oh no.

Jason lifted his hand in acknowledgment, and the crowd parted to let him move forward. He tugged on Eden’s arm, but the teenager shook her head and pulled away. She shoved both hands in the pockets of her heavy coat and burrowed her chin down into the thick collar. Mercy was thankful Noah wasn’t present. Pete had agreed the boy could have regular doses of acetaminophen, and the child had definitely seemed improved when she’d checked on him last evening.

Eden stood alone, looking lost, her wide eyes locked on her father. Mercy tried to pull away from Chad to stand with the girl, but he wouldn’t release her. “Don’t,” he whispered. “Let someone else support her. Not you.”

“They’re ignoring her.”

“It’s not a big deal. The brand will be fast.”

Pete was giving a speech, something about Jason’s history and what he’d brought to the group, but Mercy tuned him out, her focus still on Eden.

“. . . reported Ed’s cell phone.”

Mercy’s entire body jerked as she looked at Pete. What?

More light applause and nods of approval. Pete shook Jason’s hand as he slapped him on the back. Both men wore big grins.

Jason had turned in Ed. And would now be rewarded.

Looking around, she spotted desire and admiration in the faces of the group. Every one of them wished they were standing next to Pete, waiting to be permanently scarred. Among the men up front, Sean caught her eye and winked. She responded with her bitchiest stare.

Pete pulled the branding iron out of the fire, its tip glowing. Jason stretched out his arm and grasped Sean’s hand in a handshake but didn’t release. They lifted and turned their clasped hands, Jason’s wrist exposed.

Pete maneuvered the iron within a few inches of Jason’s wrist and paused as he met the man’s gaze. “Thank you, Jason.” His words were simple and the tone heartfelt.

People wanted Pete’s attention and praise.

Mercy closed her eyes.

Skin hissed, Jason moaned, and as one the audience sucked in their breaths.

It was done.

Mercy opened her eyes. The growing odor of burning flesh and hair made her cover her mouth and nose. Several other observers did the same. Eden was still frozen in place, and Mercy wondered if she’d closed her eyes.

Men pushed forward to congratulate Jason. More back slapping and handshakes. The women stayed back, occasionally glancing at the men and shuffling their feet. Three of the women drew together in a small huddle, their heads together as they spoke, their breath rising in the cold air.

“That was sick,” Mercy stated softly.

“It’s a big honor.”

“Only inside this compound. Outside, the burn means nothing—no, it means you’re a militant radical.”

“Keep your voice down,” Chad whispered. “And try to look impressed instead of looking like you’re observing a fraternity rite.”

“Apt description.”

“Pete’s sending me to Portland this afternoon,” he said with a grimace. “Jason’s going with me, and we won’t be back until tomorrow. He has some orders that need to be picked up.”

“All the way to Portland? Do you know what you’ll be bringing back?”

Chad frowned. “He says it’s machinery. He wouldn’t go into more detail than that.”

“It could be anything. Is it normal to send you?”

“This is the first overnight. I’ve only done short trips during the day.”

Mercy studied his face. “You’re worried.”

“Feels a bit off. But everything has felt off for the past week. There’s a sense of urgency that’s permeating the compound, and I don’t know why it’s happening.” His brows came together as he held her gaze. “I won’t be able to show you where the phone is before I leave, and that bothers me.”

That makes two of us.

“Maybe you can convince Jason to ask Pete again for Noah to see a doctor. Perhaps his new status will help him get care for his son.”

“I doubt it. And I expect Jason will be more fervent in following Pete’s belief of no medications.”

Mercy knew he was right.

“I need to go congratulate Jason,” Chad whispered. “I’ll see you before we take off. I’ll try to make a sketch of where I buried the phone, but I don’t know if it will be detailed enough in case of an emergency.”

“We better hope there’s no emergency while you’re gone.” She glanced past him and saw Sean watching them closely.

“I don’t care for the way Sean looks at me,” she said softly, sharing a fraction of her concern about the lieutenant.

“Sean’s okay.” Chad absently patted her shoulder and strode to the group around Jason.

Sean watched Chad walk away and then moved his gaze back to Mercy. He smiled, all of his teeth showing.

Did he request Chad be sent out of town?

If Sean thought she was vulnerable without Chad around, he was in for a surprise.

Bring it on.