Free From The Ashes (After The Burn Series) by Shyla Colt Page A

it’d be fighting.
    “Honey you know what I’m going to do.” An evil sneer twisted his Cupid ’s bow lips into something evil. “But I’ll be kinder than most, and keep you for myself instead of sharing you around. Pussy is power, and yours is untapped.”
    She balled her fists. “I have rights, and I’m an asset. Not like the others.”
    He laughed. “Won’t matter, Now put your clothes on. Don’t want to get jumped for my new pieces of ass before I can take it out for a spin. We’re going to see the Harts.”
    Her panic spiked. Cole and Cain ran the tiny town with an iron fist. After they accepted her into their fold, and placed her in charge of overseeing water purification, she did everything possible to gain their trust, and stay well under their radar. The chiseled faced, hard bodied brothers were straight shooters. They didn’t stand for deceit, cheating, or withholding. Ex bar owners with numerous run-ins with the law, the two possessed a dangerous edge that made her tread lightly. Her knees wobbled, and she leaned against the sink to stay upright. The cool porcelain grounded her. Brought her back to reality.
    “I’d leave you to change, but I know how wily you are, and let’s face it. I’m enjoying the view. It’s been a long time since I saw a woman as good looking as you. No bruises, dead eyes, or sloppiness.” He licked his lips. “We’re going to have fun. I never had a chocolate cupcake before. Do you have a creamy center?” His boots thudded against the faded white tiles as he stalked over and paused a few inches away.
    “You look so soft.” He trailed a finger down her face, and she jerked turning her face from his caress.
    “Don’t touch me.” She barred her teeth.
    “Time to get acclimated to it, sweetheart.” He moved his hand to grip her breast, and she smacked it away.
    “Nothing’s been decided, and I swear to you. If you try to claim me, it’ll be the last thing you do.”   I didn’t fight tooth and nail all this time to end up some sex toy to this sadistic fuck.
    “It’s the new world order. Your opinions don’t matter for shit, sweetheart.”
    “I live by my own set of rules.” She balled her hands into fists, drawing strength from her anger.
    “Maybe when you were thought to be a man.”
    “Always.” She narrowed her eyes.
    “We’ll see.”
    She huffed, and pulled on her clothing, head held high. After starring death in the face, she’d be damned if she fell to pieces over this spineless piece of maggot shit.
     
    ***
     
    Footsteps paused outside the office door. Cole looked up at his brother, Cain and frowned. People knew not to bother them when they had the door closed, unless it was a real emergency. Inventory had become a monster in its own right. Without groceries stores and malls, shopping was a hell of a lot different. More hunting, gathering, and hand-making items, so they tried to keep on top of it
    “What now?” Cole pushed the ledger aside and scowled. Cain shrugged his massive shoulders and shook his head. Nothing shocked them anymore. The shit they’d lived through came straight out of a horror movie : bodies being burned in the streets in mass graves like they’d gone back to the dark ages, looting, riots, and savagery.
    A heavy handed knock sounded . Cain pushed his chair to the edge of the desk, turning sideways to face the door, with his back to the wall. Cole pulled his 45. out of the drawer, cocked it and aimed. One could never be too careful.
    “Come in, ” Cole said.
    The door opened , and Cole frowned. Micah stood with his hand wrapped tight around Devon’s arm. The aggression didn’t sit well. He liked the wiry guy. Devon kept to himself, did the work expected, and more if need be. More importantly, he and Cain actually trusted him, a rarity for him and his brother.
    “What the hell’s going on, Micah?”
    Micah shoved Devon onto the ground. “Devon’s got something to tell you.”
    Cole glanced at Cain. His