Page 59 of Hell Breaks Loose

“As a matter of fact, I do…”

Two of my guards get back in the car after clearing a blockade of burned-out cars. Whoever set them is long gone.

The people they ambushed, on the other hand…

Even these hardened criminals look a little pale as we cruise on through the wreckage. With no apparent city services, things you take for granted like ambulances and body removal have fallen to the wayside.

My city is a wasteland.

But I’ve returned to do something about that.

“Sing.”

“Yes?”

Another oddity. He speaks!

“Assuming we can even use the mayor’s place as a base of operations, I’d like to get a line on who we still have in town. Redirect them to me with any and all reports.”

“Will do.”

“And have Werner take lead on guard posting. He’s been chomping at the bit to prove himself. He has the brain for it.”

“Agreed.”

“How are we doing on communication and power?”

“Advance crew’s on it.”

“Spectacular.”

The side of his mouth twitches in the faintest hint of a smile. I haven’t cracked the code yet, but I’m starting to figure him out.

At least I’m figuring out how to work with him.

Sing has been far more receptive since I started ordering him around. Not that I don’t still tease him relentlessly.

“Favorite food, go,” I announce suddenly.

“Mom’s goulash.” Mannie immediately jumps in. He would eat twenty-four, seven if he could.

“Pizza. Any kind. Any topping. ‘Cept olives.” Jay swerves as he says it, missing a fallen boulder. Guy’s a killer driver.

“Olives are the best part, you heathen,” I mumble, stifling a laugh.

They don’t, though. Every one of them chuckles.

It’s bizarre what treating your crew like humans will do to them in such a short time. Getting them out of Marco’s orbit helps. Not that any of these guys are upstanding citizens.

But they are all handpicked.

Sing and I spent a long time conferring on that before I approached Marco about leaving. He was especially impressed with my choices and my reasoning.

Albeit a bit more suspicious.

No doubt, he has at least one or two guys in the posse checking in with him.

That’s to be expected, though.

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