Free What Remains_Reckoning by Kris Norris

the seat next to Gunner and falling into it. The frame creaked in seeming protest as Wolfe leaned the chair onto the back two legs as he stretched his feet out on the edge of the table, crossing them at the ankles.
    The man let the rifle slip off his shoulder, setting it beside his chair. “Perimeter’s secure—what I could see of it with the limited beam from the flashlight and the intermittent moonlight. Morgan was right. The fences seem to keep the infected out, though I only saw two this past hour. Maybe the elevation deters them. Hell if I know. It seems all the old theories are gone to shit now, with them running and climbing.”
    “Think they’ll get over the fence?”
    Wolfe shrugged. “Maybe. It’s decently high, with some prongs at the top to keep animals from achieving that very purpose. And the motherfuckers seem to have a harder time with the thinner wire. But we’ll have to take turns keeping watch just to be safe. I’m hoping Beau won’t risk a night trip to search for us if that’s his intent. Even with the moonlight it’s darker than ass up here. But the guy’s obviously crazy, so… I also rigged the gate so it’ll clatter a bunch of pots if anyone tries to open it. Give us a bit of a warning. Wasn’t really any way to lock it or wedge it shut. Seems forest rangers are pretty trusting folk. The barrier is really just designed to protect wildlife, not be a fortress.” He glanced at Hamilton, giving Gunner a raise of his brow. “How long has he been sitting there holding her?”
    “Half an hour.”
    “She still stuck in some kind of dream?”
    Gunner sighed. “Hard to tell. We can’t make out what she’s trying to say. Ham seems to have gotten her to calm down for now, though it’s anybody’s guess how long it’ll last.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “God, I hope that bastard Beau didn’t hurt her so bad she’ll never get free.”
    Wolfe lifted the corner of his mouth into a smile. “She seems pretty damn tough. I think she’ll be okay. Besides, everyone’s vulnerable in their sleep. I seem to recall taking a few months to make it through the night after our last tour in Afghanistan.”
    “You and me both, dude.” Gunner nodded at Ham. “Never seen Ham this taken with a girl. Not even before we started fighting dead people. Not quite sure what to make of it.”
    “We’ve been denying that part of ourselves for a long time. Can’t blame the man for wanting more than…” Wolfe waved his hand at the cabin. “This. Even soldiers get tired of the fighting, Gunner. It was only a matter of time before one of us saw the light.” Wolfe’s gaze darted back to the girl. “Besides, Morgan isn’t your typical lady.”
    Gunner groaned, allowing his head to tilt back. “Holy shit. You’re just as taken with her as Ham is, aren’t you?” He scoffed at the look Wolfe gave him. “Don’t even waste my time by denying it. It’s written all over your face. You’re attracted to her.”
    “What’s not to be attracted to? The woman is gorgeous, and she fights like a damn badger.” He cracked a smile. “Pretty damn intelligent and resourceful, too. She’d make one hell of a partner for us.”
    “Us?”
    It was Wolfe’s turn to groan. “Talk about lying your face off. You’re not as removed as you pretend to be, buddy . I’ve seen the way you look at her. The way she makes you want to pull your hair out at the same time you want to kiss her senseless. The girl gets under your skin before you even realize there was a way in.”
    “Fine. I find her…intriguing. That doesn’t mean I’m lining up to be one of those damn family units back at the base. And that’s assuming all three of us could turn off the alpha instincts long enough not to kill each other just to gain her affections.” He shook his head, allowing his focus to swing to the girl in question. “Nope. SEALs aren’t the sharing type, plain and simple.”
    Wolfe chuckled. “How long you been practicing