“We have to survive and repopulate.”
“Children?”
“That’s the plan.” He cupped her ass, already feeling his cock begin to swell. “I’ll tell you more when you’re ready.”
Right now, he needed to have her again.
Chapter Four
A week they’d been walking. A week of finding nothing.
The biggest surprise had come when Snots had decided to leave them. Clayton hadn’t said anything, but the guy had just left, no word, no nothing. She figured people didn’t care because it was one less mouth to feed.
They were all exhausted, but Maggie kept on going, even as her thighs screamed for rest. Their rations were at an all-time low. Each day, they all ate their portion that Clayton reserved for each person. She had to respect him as a leader. He made sure everyone had the same amount.
Wiping the sweat from her brow, she felt Clayton tense beside her. She always had to be by his side.
Over the past week, she’d helped people when they needed it, but always, Clayton grabbed her, keeping her at his side. She didn’t like the special treatment even though no one said anything.
Listening to the conversations at night, she learned that everyone had to earn the ink that was around their wrist. Pete was the only one allowed to touch her with Clayton close. At night, because they didn’t have private rooms, she slept in Clayton’s arms.
Each night she went to sleep feeling happier and content. She hadn’t felt this way since she was a kid and her parents were still alive, but this was different. Clayton was so much more.
Glancing past Clayton’s shoulder, she saw why he’d stopped.
They were on the edge of a town. There was no sign to give any indication of where they were and from the surrounding forests, she had a feeling it was like a ghost town.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Shh,” he said.
She glanced behind her to see Lee offering her a smile and moving close. “Towns like this tend to have people already protecting the zone. It’s too suspicious for it to be empty. There’s way too many hideouts.” Lee made sure to whisper.
“Right,” she said.
“Spread out. Stay on alert. Don’t be a hero,” Clayton said.
He grabbed her hand and she made her way forward. She noticed each member started to pull out a weapon. Some had guns, most knives, and other tools like a wooden bat with nails coming out like spikes.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
Clayton didn’t answer.
They moved further into the town until they came to a stop. They were all tense.
“Grab supplies. We’re not sticking around,” he said. “Get what you need.”
Everyone fanned out and she spotted the grocery store up ahead. She made to leave, but Clayton grabbed her hand. “You’re not going anywhere.”
“I’m doing what I need to do.” She tried to let him go, but again he held on firm, not letting her go. “Clayton, I know everyone has had to help and earn this.” She held up her hand with the ink claiming her as his. “I don’t want to get special treatment.”
“You’re not getting special treatment. You’re mine.”
“And let me prove to everyone that I’m part of this group. I can do this. I’ve been surviving now for over three years. My parents died not long after it started. Please. Trust me.”
He wanted to argue, but she moved toward him, cupping his face and kissing his lips.
“Please,” she said.
“Five minutes and then I’m coming to get you.”
She pulled out of his arms and rushed toward the grocery store. In her bag were supplies, but she grabbed one of the shopping carts and entered the store. Opening up her bag, she took out the gun, putting it into her jeans so she had it within easy reach.
Taking a deep breath, she made her way through the aisles. It was like this place got missed. Food was left. The freezers were off and the electric was off. The smell of rotten food was heavy in the air. Grabbing snack foods and canned goods, she rounded the corner when she heard shouting coming right outside.
Ducking down, she crawled close toward the noise and froze when she saw Lee was on the ground. Three men were near, with one on top of her. Lee’s nose was already bleeding.
Clayton was past the group, but with how close they were, they may kill Lee before he’d get to her. He wouldn’t risk allowing one of his people to be killed.
She heard them talking but nothing distinctive. Pulling out the gun from her jeans, she loaded it.
Clayton had wanted her to show him she could shoot. Well, now was the time, and she needed to act quickly.
Heart racing, she got as close as she could. Lee saw her and the woman started to freak out, but people were going to realize she wasn’t a woman to be messed with. Firing the gun at the man on top of Lee, she charged through the doors that had been smashed open and took the other guy down while firing her weapon. The man she’d taken grabbed her arms, shoving her back. She dropped the gun and hit her head on the ground. She didn’t allow herself to be stopped as he came toward her. She shoved her boot into his crotch and he went down, cupping himself.