Born to Fight (Can't Resist You Book 1) Read online

  Hunter shook his head frantically, but Sawyer began pulling him away.

  “Hunter!” His mom. Sawyer stopped moving. “Don’t forget what we’ve taught you. Don’t ever stop fighting. Don’t ever lose sight.” Her voice cracked with tears. “I’m sorry we brought you into a world like this, Hunter. I’m sorry we didn’t give you a choice. Please forgive us.”

  I forgive you, mom.

  The guards laughed to each other.

  “If you’re out there, son,” his father raised his voice. “If you’re out there, then you listen to me. You take what I’ve taught you, you make a damn difference in this world, and you kill every single one of these fuckers.”

  The guard pulled out a gun, Michael’s gun, and pressed the barrel against his head.

  The sound of his mother crying tore Hunter to pieces. A tear escaped his eye as he tried to memorize her face, her hair, her voice. He tried to imprint everything that she was into him so that he could carry it with him forever.

  The guard turned the gun around, aiming it at her head.

  “I love you, Michael. God, I love you,” she cried.

  “You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever known,” his father quickly responded. “You are strong, and beautiful, and loving in every way. You are everything, baby, everything that matters to me in this world. You and Hunter are my whole life.”

  Her sobs came harder. “I always thought we’d have more time.”

  The knot in his gut overwhelmed Hunter as water began to pour from his eyes.

  “We do, baby. We have all the time in the world,” his father lied.

  “Will you f-find me up there? If there’s an up there, w-will you find me?”

  “I will always find you, Lace. Always. God himself could not keep you from me.” Hunter believed him.

  “I love y-” the fire of a gun echoed through the trees, and then only silence was left to fill the air.

  Hunter’s chest felt like it was caving in, and then he saw something he never thought he’d see. His father broke. Tears erupted from him, sobs and screams and curses as he reached for his wife and repeated over and over again, “I love you, baby. I love you, baby. I love you, baby.”

  The guards just stood there and watched, as if they enjoyed to see the great Michael Kane fall to pieces because of them.

  “The hell are you waiting for, you bastard? Shoot me!”

  “You want us to kill you?” the guard teased.

  “You killed me with the last shot you took,” he answered, brushing his fingers over her eyes and closing them for good. “Finish it.”

  Another shot echoed. Hunter’s world ended.

  ***

  When the hatch closed and Rain was left alone in the bunker, she found her legs struggled to hold her up, so she leaned against the wall behind her, sliding down it until she was on the floor. She pressed her fingers to her lips and a small laugh escaped her.

  She had lost her mind.

  What on Earth was she doing?

  Hunter seemed like a kind man, a good man, and sure, he was the sexiest damn thing that she’d ever seen, but so what? Rain didn’t do these things. She wouldn’t do these things.

  After everything that Rain had been through, she should have been smarter.

  And the woman Hunter was interested in? It wasn’t her. The second he found out who she really was, well…

  Rain swallowed.

  As much as she’d love to give into the feelings she was having, she couldn’t. She had to be stronger… for herself, and for him.

  Hunter deserved better, and the minute he realized that? Best case scenario, he’d break her heart. Worst case?

  She shivered.

  She wouldn’t be finding out. Rain would make sure of that.

  ***

  Fresh air was a gift. Hunter smiled as the cool rain fell over his bare skin, calming his soul and quieting his mind. While this rain cooled him down, he still felt the fire set ablaze by his Rain just moments ago.

  Before he could give their steamy kiss any more thought, he was pulled from his thoughts by rustling leaves.

  Hunter perched down to the ground and stilled, listening for the direction of the sound.

  The noises came again, a distinct rustling of leaves from the south. Hunter peered off in that direction, squinting his eyes to see what was approaching. All he saw were trees and shadows.

  Hunter was so focused on the noises downwind that he didn’t even hear the soft approach behind him, not until a hand fell on his shoulder.

  He leapt into action, grabbing the wrist and spinning to restrain whoever had snuck up on him.

  Hunter was shocked as he saw Rain’s small, fragile figure and eyes wide with terror.

  “I-I was j-just going to apologize,” she started. “I d-didn’t mean to-”

  Hunter pulled her into his chest, burying his face in her hair. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to scare you, I didn’t realize it was you because-”

  The footsteps. He heard them again. Louder, bolder, closer.

  Hunter knelt down again, pulling Rain with him. He maneuvered their bodies so that she was behind him. She started to speak, but he cut her off.

  “People are approaching. Stay behind me.”

  He heard the hitch in Rain’s breath as she nestled in closer behind him. Even now, in the cool rain and with danger so close, Hunter still felt his body react at Rain’s warm touch against his bare skin.

  “Are you sure?” she whispered. He could hear the panic in her voice.

  “Yes.” He was. Hunter had decades of training, and he was absolutely positive that the noise he heard was coming from a human.

  “Shouldn’t we hide in the bunker?”

  He sighed. “There are plenty of monsters in this world that would love to put us in a cage, baby. Let’s not do it for them.”

  Rain pressed against his back, and he felt her cheek against his shoulder blade. She trembled, and her fear only fueled his rage. He’d kill a thousand UNR henchmen before he let one of them touch Rain.

  He caught a movement from the corner of his eye, and quickly adjusted so that he was facing the target head on, hiding Rain behind him. He reached an arm back around and it landed on her thigh. He gave it a squeeze and went to pull away, but she grabbed his hand and held on tight.

  He wasn’t going to pull it away from her.

  “Hunter!” He heard his name being yelled from the trees. “Hunter!” It came again.

  He shifted. “I know that voice,” he muttered, half to Rain and half to himself.

  “Hunter!” It came again, but louder. And he was certain.

  Hunter shot up and took several steps forward. He could feel his heart picking up speed in his chest. He heard Rain moving behind him, but he didn’t bother turn around.

  He knew she was safe.

  They were both safe.

  “Sawyer?!” he bellowed out.

  Dead silence, and then the heavy sound of footsteps coming their way.

  ***

  The tender meat melted in her mouth as Rain bit into her third piece. The thin boy looked so misplaced among the large men of the group, but damn, that kid could cook a piece of meat. Paul was his name. Or, at least, Rain thought that’s what she’d heard.

  The men must have been as hungry as she was, because everyone sat around each other in silence, devouring the meat and soaking up the warmth of the fire. The sun was setting, slowing disappearing behind the trees and mountains of their wilderness. Soon, it would be the moon’s turn to guard the sky.

  Rain had felt nothing but terror when the men hustled out from the woods, but when Hunter embraced the largest one, the leader, Sawyer, her heart settled a tiny bit in her chest. Barely.

  Hunter told her they were friends. All of them. Well, first he’d tried to rip Paul’s head off, but then he said they were all friends. That Sawyer was one of his brothers.

  Rain was having trouble believing him. It was weird enough to see one man wandering through
the woods with rock hard muscles and skills no person should have in these times, but to see four? Nu-uh. Something else was going on here.

  Hunter’s leg brushed against her and sent a chill up her spine. He looked over her, swallowing his food before asking ‘are you cold?’ in that rumbling voice of his. She shivered again, but, like the first time, it wasn’t because of the cold.

  “I’m okay,” she responded.

  Hunter was still shirtless, his muscle-wrapped body pushing Rain’s mind back to that steamy kiss they had shared back in the bunker… right before her world came tumbling down.

  With his friends here for him, Hunter would surely be leaving.

  Which was good. Rain didn’t need company, anyway. She’d been alone for two years, and she did just fine on her own. She would happily return to isolation.

  She was lying to herself.

  While she felt wildly uncomfortable around all of these people, and her head was on high alert and ready to run at any given moment, part of her felt good being connected to others again. And when she was with Hunter, she couldn’t help but feel like she belonged, something she hadn’t felt for a moment in her life leading up to him.

  Rain wiped her hands on her jeans and cleared her throat. Suddenly, the men’s eyes were all on her.

  “Where are you all from?”

  Sawyer smiled as he dropped his hands to his knees. “What’s your name again, darling?” he drawled out.

  Sawyer was handsome. Tall, built, strong. But he didn’t compare to Hunter. Nobody compared to Hunter.

  At Sawyer’s reply, Hunter shifted next to her, moving closer so that their legs were no longer brushing against each other, but pressing against each other. His arm laced around her back.

  “Her name is Rain,” Hunter answered for her.

  She cleared her throat again. “So where is it you all are from?” she asked again.

  Sawyer squinted at Hunter, a wicked smirk painting itself across his face. Rain turned to Hunter to read his expression and caught a glimpse of anger that quickly melted into Hunter’s usual stern look. What’s going on here? Rain bookmarked the thought.

  “Hunter hasn’t told you?” Sawyer asked her. Still not answering my damn question…

  Hunter opened his mouth to respond, but Rain cut him off. “Hunter isn’t big into the whole sharing thing, so I thought you could tell me. Unless you’d like to just sit there and continue dodging my questions.”

  Sawyer broke into laughter. “Wow!” he started. “Ain’t this one a firecracker?” He slapped his hand against the shoulder of the blonde man seated next to him. “Okay, I understand why Hunter fell for you.”

  Fell for-?

  “We’re part of the Resistance,” the smaller boy interjected. Paul.

  Silence.

  Everyone’s eyes were suddenly on Paul, and the men looked furious.

  Rain’s heart leapt into her throat. She wrung her hands together and stared down at the ground, her skin suddenly tightening as she once again yearned for her solitude. They know where you are, she thought to herself. Even if they leave, you’ll never be safe again. Not here, at least.

  Hunter’s hand touched the small of her back, and Rain’s eyes snapped up to his.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

  Rain had so many questions. So many things she wanted to ask.

  “The Resistance is real?” was the first thing that popped out of her mouth.

  The men laughed. “Yeah, baby, we’re real.”

  Her head was spinning.

  She’d heard stories of the Resistance as a child, rumors that spread through the streets like wildfire. But she and all the other children were told that they were just that- rumors, stories, fables that children told to pass the time.

  Rain hadn’t imagined that they were true. She had hoped, but…

  She opened her mouth to ask another question, but felt a sudden pinch in her neck. She yelped.

  “Rain? What was that?”

  “I think- I think a bug stung me,” she muttered. The pinch was turning into a sting, a burning hot sting that was spreading outwards from her neck.

  She reached up to touch the spot, but her arm suddenly felt too heavy. She struggled to lift it, but it disobeyed her, slowly dipping down and falling onto her leg.

  “Rain? Rain, what’s wrong?”

  Hunter seemed so worried. His hands were on her face, but she didn’t feel the burning hot excitement she normally felt when Hunter touched her. Actually, she didn’t feel anything at all.

  A cool numbness spread throughout her as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

  She saw the men moving quickly, scattering as Paul put out the fire. Hunter’s hands remained on her, but she didn’t feel them. His face was so close to hers. Would he kiss her again?

  She loved kissing him. But she was so tired…

  “S-sorry, Hunter,” she murmured as her eyes fell shut.

  She could hear him shouting her name, but it was just an echo in the distance. Darkness enveloped her.

  Chapter Six

  “YOU KNOW, I NEVER wanted a daughter.”

  “Phillip!” scolded her mother.

  Rain simply lifted her spoon to her lips and sipped on the bland broth. Was it chicken? Vegetable? It might as well have been lukewarm water.

  “What? A son would’ve carried on my name. Would’ve been able to help me out with work. What does this one do, eh?” He motioned towards her, his eyes never touching her face. “I’ll be lucky if I can find someone to buy her off of me, take her off of my hands.”

  He shook his head and angrily ripped off a bite of bread with his teeth. He chewed, eyeing the bowl of broth sitting beside his plate. Then he slammed his fists into the table and stood, shaking the foundations and spilling droplets of broth onto Rain’s lap.

  She watched as he stalked away, her mother joining her in silence as they waited, waited, waited… and bam, the door slam. They were alone.

  Mary reached her hand across the table and took Rain’s hand in hers. “He doesn’t mean it,” she whispered. “He’s just stressed. You know that he loves you.”

  Rain’s skin crawled.

  If what Phillip felt for her was love, then she never wanted to be loved again.

  ***

  Rain’s lashes fluttered. She expected light to flow in and blind her, but the only light she saw was that of the stars, tiny balls of light sprinkled throughout the black blanket of night. Trees were blocking her view, but then they weren’t. And then they came again. Rain was… moving.

  Her eyes began falling shut again. She could feel herself moving, could feel strong arms around her. Was she being carried?

  “Rain? Honey, can you hear me?”

  She knew that voice. Hunter.

  “Where… going?” She could barely breathe out the words.

  “I’m taking you back to HQ, baby.”

  HQ? “Re-Resis-Resis-” Dammit! Rain couldn’t get the word out. She could feel her consciousness fading fast.

  “Resistance?” Hunter asked. Yes! Rain shouted internally. She tried to nod, but she wasn’t sure if any movement occured. “Yeah, baby, we’re going to the home of the Resistance.”

  She tried to shake her head. No! she shouted. Only silence filled the air.

  “N-no,” she mustered up all of her strength, every little bit that she had in her. “N-no r-resist.” She couldn’t get it out.

  She couldn’t get it out, but Hunter would know. Hunter would understand. Hunter would take her home.

  Her eyes again fell shut without her permission.

  ***

  “Father didn’t choose it. I know that,” Rain shrugged.

  Her mother smiled. It didn’t reach her eyes. Her smiles never did. “Why do you say that, honey?”

  “He mocks me endlessly,” she rolled her eyes. “Which you know,” she quickly added.

  Mother just kept on sewing.

  “Why did you name me Rain?” she asked again. Firmer.
Stronger. She wanted an answer.

  Mother sighed. “I don’t want you thinking badly of me, Rain, but I never wanted a child. I never expected a child.” She paused, as if expecting an answer, another question, something.

  Rain’s lips thinned and she said nothing. She’d always known she was unwanted.

  Mother continued. “When I brought you into the world, I thought about a story I’d once read in an outlawed book. It told of endless water, rain, flooding, and it wiped the Earth clean so that everyone could start again, could do better.”

  She sighed and stared off at some invisible image in the distance. “I named you Rain because I hoped the world would cleanse itself again. At the least, I hoped the world would cleanse you of all this. Your father… your father can be so rough and I- I just wanted you to have a better life than I had. I wanted a fresh start for you. I wanted something better for you.”

  Rain stared at her, but said nothing.

  “You’re only fourteen, you don’t understand. You will, though. One day, you won’t hate me when I tell you I never wanted to bring you into this world. You’ll understand.”

  Rain’s eyes fell to the floor, her stomach flipping as she bit down on her lip. Hard.

  “I’m sorry, Mother,” she finally said. “I shouldn’t have asked.”

  Mother put a hand on her shoulder, squeezed, and then went back to work. Rain joined her as they sewed in silence.

  ***

  She could feel droplets of water hitting her face. First, her cheek. Then, her lower lip. Finally, her eyelid.

  She forced open her eyes to see a pool of pinks and purples, oranges and blues, an array of colors as the sun and the moon kissed each other goodbye and allowed the next in line to take over.

  But which was the next in line? Was it dawn, or dusk?

  She was still in Hunter’s arms, she could feel it. She tried to move, but her energy escaped her. Rain’s face fell into the crook of Hunter’s neck and his arms tightened around her.

  “We’re almost there, Rain. Stay with me, now, okay? Stay with me, Rain.”

  Where could she go?