Free Forsaken By Shadow by Kait Nolan Page A

bitch!”
    As Gage went through the motions, he was vaguely aware of the Native American kid slipping out. Good. No need for him to get caught up in this shit. After a couple of minutes, he tired of the dance, of trying not to truly engage, and nailed the meathead with a left cross that knocked him on his ass, where he stayed. “Seriously, you really don’t want to do this, man. You’re outclassed as a fighter here.”
    One of the other soldiers stepped in. “And what exactly is the Ultimate Fighter doing in a shithole bar in Montana?”
    Gage flicked his gaze to the man who’d spoken. “Tryin’ to have dinner without having to intervene in somebody else’s stupid.”
    Meathead scrambled to his feet again, fists clenched.
    “ Stand down, Stegman. You’re done here.”
    “ Fuck that, Sarge. This asshole made a fool outta me.”
    The sergeant slapped a hand against Stegman’s chest. “Simmer down, Private. I think we can find a way to satisfy everybody here.” He turned his eyes to Gage and studied him with interest.
    “ And how’s that exactly?” asked Gage.
    “ An exhibition match. You against one of ours. May the best fighter win. You game?”
    An exhibition match? I could take these guys in my sleep.
    “ Where?”
    “ Fort Hurley. Our guys could use some entertainment.”
    A way in. Halle-fucking-luia.
    “ When?”
    “ Tomorrow. 19:00 hours. Be a good dinner break.”
    “ We’ll be there,” said Gage.
    “ We?” The sergeant’s gaze swung toward Embry, who had stood back from the fight wearing an expression that looked like amusement to anyone who didn’t know her.
    “ I’m his manager,” she said easily. “He doesn’t fight without me being present.”
    After a few humming beats, the sergeant nodded. “Fine. We’ll wait for you at the gate.”

Chapter 7

    “ T he sensible thing to do is use this opportunity as recon only.”
    Embry had to reach deep to keep a hold on her temper as she stalked past him into the ratty motel room. “Fuck sensible, Gage. We may never get another shot at this. We’ll be inside . The most logical thing to do is for me to slip away while you have them all occupied during the fight, release Dad, and get the hell out.”
    “ And how exactly do you think that’s gonna work?” he demanded, locking the door behind them. “You have no idea where he’s being held in that facility, no idea how big the place really is. If he couldn’t Walk out by now anyway, he’s not going to be able to do it once you release him from wherever they’re keeping him. And no way in hell are those soldiers going to just let the two of you out the front door. And that’s assuming he’s in any shape to be mobile. You don’t know what condition he’s in.”
    “ So I take out the power grid, create shadow, boom, we’re out. Unless he’s unconscious, he can do that.”
    “ Right. And you’re just going to happen to be able to figure out how to manage all that without getting caught by one of the hundreds of troops floating around in there. Because no way will all of them be at the fight.”
    “ Then I’ll wing it,” she gritted out.
    Gage shook his head. “This is why you would never have made a good Walker. You can’t separate your heart from your head, and it makes you reckless. And it’s why your father is in this mess to begin with—because he’s exactly the same way.”
    She whirled on him, flames of temper rippling down her arms. “You son of a bitch. Don’t you dare tell me about my father. You owe him everything. If he hadn’t had a heart, you’d have likely been beaten to death by your own father.”
    Gage nodded, eyes serious. “I know it. I’m where it started. I’m where he started to lose his edge. He took risks with me that no Walker should ever take because he loved me and that’s what ultimately led the other Shadow Walkers straight to me.”
    “ Don’t be stupid. He would never have endangered you that way. He was careful. Always.”
    “