Broken Truce (Broken City, #2)

Broken Truce (Chapter Four)

                                                                               Chapter Four

                                                                                   Deeta

Tom’s suggestion that we visit Kate had taken both me and Jan by surprise, but we could see the sense behind his suggestion. It was a calculated move to help secure peace when tempers were at their most taut, a reminder to all that we were friends, not enemies. I could also detect an underlying kindness to the action, a desire to help Robin out.

Tom liked Robin, he always had, but the day Robin had chosen to stand beside him and the Andak, despite all that had happened between their tribes, Tom had learnt to trust him. No one knew better than I how hard it was for Tom to trust, and I was only too well aware that he valued his friendship with Robin very high because of that.

The truck lurches over a particularly rough stretch of ground, interrupting my internal musings, and throwing me from my seat. Tom catches me and my landing is relatively soft. I see him grimace as, in his effort to catch me, his elbow cracks against the metal bodywork of the truck.

“You’re going to have to stop throwing yourself at me, Deeta; you’re making Colin blush.”

I look across to where a freckled faced boy of seventeen sits facing us, a grin plastered across his face. Tom helps me sit back down next to him and, tucking one arm around me, pulls me against his side. The action gives me more stability.

“I think Colin is well aware of the fact that you’re totally obsessed with me by now, Tom.”

Colin grins again and caresses the rifle in his hand unconsciously. Its Colin’s first day ‘out’ today, and excitement is practically pouring off him. He’s done a few re-con missions in Andak territory but this is his first time loose in the big City. His excitement is contagious and I feel an answering wave of happiness wash over me.

The truck lurches again, but this time the pressure of Tom’s arm keeps me seated, and as the motion of the truck presses me against him, he grins down at me.

“Well, I can think of worse ways to spend an afternoon.”

“So can I.” breaks in Colin shuddering, entirely missing the subtext to Tom’s words. “Commander Dagny was putting the cadets and privates through a fitness test this afternoon.”

“You’re so lucky, Colin.”

“Don’t I know it: Commander Dagny is nice enough most of the time, but once you put him in charge of a training exercise?” Colin shuddered again. “He turns into some sort of psychopath!”

The boy coloured suddenly, as if only just remembering that he was talking to Dagny’s half-brother, and his commanding officer.

“Don’t worry,” grinned Tom. “Dagny’s put me through my paces often enough to have me cursing him black and blue.”

Colin snickered nervously in relief and fell silent. The truck rolled again, sending one soldier headfirst into the space between the two benches. I hear Ryder swear irritably and thump the window that opens into the cab.

Looking up I see that Jan is sweating lightly, a greenish tinge colouring her face, and realise that morning sickness has struck again. The window opens and Ryder reaches through, cuffing the driver.

“You said you’d scouted route carefully and found a suitable path for us to follow.” Ryder’s voice drowns out the muffled expletive of pain from the unseen soldier.

“I did…”

The sound of another blow cuts the driver short.

“Have you forgotten why I told you it was necessary to have a gentle ride? Try to remember that you have my pregnant wife in the back of this truck!”