Free Badlands by Seleste deLaney

forcefully into the wall. The blade strapped there sliced through the skin on her back and Ever bit her lip to stifle a yelp of pain. But it was what she needed. The fire on her skin pushed all thoughts of anything but the moment from her mind. The pain and the pleasure were all that remained.
    The next thing she knew, Zeke dropped her onto the bed, his hands fumbling with her pants. She brushed his fingers away and unfastened them herself, sliding them over her hips. As soon as they were off, Zeke was on top of her, his own pants around his ankles.
    Ever could barely breathe with his weight pressing on her, but she didn’t care about that or anything else. Her hands found his neck, pulling him close as her lips pressed against his, tongue delving into his mouth as he thrust into her. Unable to move much, she tilted her hips up to meet his. She wanted him deep inside her. Wanted it rough. Painful even. She wanted this to quiet her thoughts for hours.
    He thrust again. And again.
    Then stopped. He collapsed on top of her, panting as if he’d just run for miles.
    Ever blinked, waiting for him to move again. When he didn’t, she poked at his side. He rolled over and air rushed into her lungs. Just as everything she’d wanted to forget sped back to the front of her mind.
    His sour breath brushed against her skin as he whispered, “Thank you. That was amazing.”
    She turned from the odor, but she didn’t know what to say. All this time, she’d assumed if anyone could quiet her spirit, it was Zeke. But this…this was the best he could do? It wasn’t enough.
    Spencer’s visage filled her mind again, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

    “And we’re flying.” Spencer twisted in his seat, fighting the exhaustion that threatened to overtake him and trying to ignore the racket coming from Zeke’s room. He couldn’t imagine what the drunken fool was doing to himself this time.
    “Cap, you need some rest. You let me sleep all night. It’s your turn.” Mahala checked their speed and adjusted the wings slightly before locking them into place.
    “If you’re sure—”
    “I can handle the old bird.” Mahala eased into the pilot’s seat. “Though there was something I needed to mention.”
    “What’s that?”
    “You had me go into town this morning and send the senator a telegram, which I did, no problem.” Her eyes shifted to the side. In a lot of people, the move was a sign they were about to lie, but Spencer knew in Mahala it just meant nerves. “There was another charge on the account. From today. Unsigned.”
    His brows pulled together. “And the operator didn’t remember anyone?”
    “No. Said he just came on duty.”
    Spencer scrubbed his face with his hands, trying to figure out who might have done it and why they’d hide it. Ever? She was with him all day. “Okay, I’ll deal with it later.” He stepped toward the door, but his curiosity got the best of him. “They don’t keep copies of the outgoing messages, do they?”
    “No, but I can tell you one thing, it was expensive. Which means it weren’t no miss-you-home-soon. Whatever got sent was long.”
    That was all he needed, some unknown expense that cost more than anyone would own up to. He tamped down the irritation. “Thanks, Mahala. Wake me to relieve you.”
    The noise from Zeke’s room had quieted a bit, but Henri stormed down the corridor, face contorted with anger. “Would you tell that—that animal to keep it down?”
    “I’ll take care of it, Henri,” he said with an exhausted sigh.
    “You better. I’m tired of him—”
    “I said I’d take care of it.”
    She narrowed her big blue eyes and glared at him before turning on her heel and stomping back to her room.
    Henri was the last person Spencer wanted to deal with right now. Zeke was next on the list. He needed to straighten things out with Ever and then get to bed but, as captain, knocking on Zeke’s door was his job. When the only response was a muffled noise, he took it as