Bait
By Courtney Farrell
Blurb-
A crew of orphans is all that stands between Jackie and life as a prisoner in some squalid basement harem. When pox killed their parents, she took the boys in. Taught them to scavenge. Taught them to kill. But she's not much older than they are, and the boys are growing up fast. Her authority is eroding. The guys begin to compete, and the winner will lead the crew, alongside her. Infighting threatens to tear the crew apart. When rival gangs discover that their little band has one of the last surviving girls, Jackie must make a decision. Will she give herself up to save her crew, or take off alone through the streets?
Rape gangs might be the least of her worries. Pox is spreading among animals, who gain an eerie intelligence before they sicken and die. One-legged Joe thinks she's nuts, but Jackie is convinced. The pox is sentient, and it's after her.
Excerpt-
He pressed his body hard against mine, and I forgot my worries over Flint, or the pox, or anything. I tipped my head back, lips parted, my hands wrapped around the outsides of his thighs. Dakota's fingers traced the low-cut neckline of my dress. He kissed the soft hollow between my neck and shoulder. "I love you, Jackie."
A thrill went through me. "I guess I accidentally told you, the night we thought the pox got me, but . . ." I couldn't say it. Even though it was true. I couldn't tell him I loved him. I didn't know why. Maybe it was all tangled up in my mind with begging him to shoot me.
If I succumbed, and gave him my heart, would I become a girlie-girl, giggling and flipping my hair? I doubted it. I'd rather be a mythical outlaw, going into combat by my lover's side. Sadly, I suspected that my future would be a lot less epic, and a lot more about diapers and dirty dishes. Was I ready for that? Was he?
Dakota gently turned me to face him. I couldn't even speak. He was everything I ever wanted. My doubts faded. I stood on tiptoe and kissed him, his dark, wavy hair soft between my fingers.
"That night, when you stole the Jeep, and I thought you'd been infected," Dakota whispered. "That's when I knew I loved you. That could have been the worst day of my life, but it turned out all right."
He reached out and opened our ragged curtains a little. Only a few scattered lights dotted the dark city. On the other side of the diner, Keenan rolled over in his booth. I hoped he was asleep. It wouldn't be past him to come out and make trouble, especially if he saw me and Dakota kissing.
"So, I've been thinking about you and me, pretty much nonstop." Dakota laughed softly. "And I had this idea. Can I show you?"
I smiled. "Sure."
Dakota took me over to the bar. "See how there's already kind of an enclosed space here? With a little work, we could build ourselves a room. I know it smells like stale beer in there now, but…"
"I don't mind, as long as you're in there with me," I whispered.
We moved behind the bar and kissed until I thought we'd both lose control. Dakota slid his hands under my dress and touched me in places no boy ever had. His whole body felt tight with pent-up tension. "Oh, Jackie, I want you so bad," he whispered.
I twined my arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and touched his ear lightly with the tip of my tongue, enjoying the shiver it sent through him. I whispered one word. "Yes."
Dakota took a quick breath. He pulled back a little to look at me. "Are you sure?"
"Completely." I looked down in case he saw the truth in my eyes. I did want Dakota, more than anything, and I couldn't wait. Not just because I loved him. Not just because he drove me out of my mind with desire. I couldn't afford to wait. Flint's Army was right outside, and I wanted my first time to be with Dakota. That gift was for him. Not for Flint, or one of Rico's men.
After a while, I sat on the bar, legs dangling. Dakota stood in front of me, and I cradled his ribs between my thighs. His head rested on my chest. Joy radiated off him. So much love filled me that I thought it could fly out and heal the whole world. Then Flint's drums pounded from outside. Our sentries howled their defiance.
"Build this room soon, Dakota," I whispered, stroking his dark hair. "Really soon."
About the Author-
Courtney Farrell is a biologist who turned her love of books into a career as an author. She has published fourteen nonfiction books and three exciting novels for young people. Courtney lives with her husband and sons on a Colorado ranch where they enjoy a menagerie of horses, dogs, cats, and chickens.
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