Page 67 of The Ghost of Rage's War

Carmelle

I beamed as I looked down at my ring. Axel had married us in a quick ceremony with Ghost promising a proper one when we got back. He’d already married Slate and Jaelynn, and we asked for just a quiet wedding because there wasn’t time to celebrate.

Axel hadn’t approved but had done it. Drake, Phoe, and my family watched, and Drake gave me away.

It was so different to my first wedding, which had been the full works. This one I wore jeans, and a tee too. In fact, we all did, including Ghost. We literally had two hours before we headed to the airport and flew to a hotel where all the families had been sent. But Ghost wanted me to have his name. And knowing the battle that was coming, I gave it to him.

We had an hour to celebrate before heading to the airport. Saying goodbye was hard. I could become a widow again, and I didn’t know how I’d cope if I lost Ghost on top of Beau. There were two choices. I could sit and worry about losing him and make myself sick and depressed. Or I could have faith thatafter losing Beau, God wouldn’t take another husband from me. He wasn’t that cruel, surely?

As we stood at the bottom of the steps, I held him tight. I wanted to remember his arms and how he smelt. Ghost tipped my chin up.

“You’ll never be alone, even if I fall, you’ve got a massive family now. They’ll always protect and come for you,” he promised.

“You can’t die. Because I can’t lose a second husband,” I whispered.

“Love you, babe,” Ghost replied. “Go.”

I heaved in a deep breath and exhaled heavily as Ghost walked away. No. I couldn’t do this.

“Ghost!” I screamed and began running.

He spun and caught me in his arms as I flung myself at him and kissed him deeply. Ghost held me as he broke the kiss off and tucked my head under his chin. We stayed like that for several minutes, and then I let him go.

I held my head high as I walked to the plane and boarded it. As we taxied down the runway, I saw my man stood there watching. He would survive; he had to. Because it was too cruel for me to lose another husband. He’d paid enough for fifteen years, thirteen of them estranged from his beloved club.

God wouldn’t take away what was left in front of him. He couldn’t. That would be the cruellest fate ever.

Part Three –

War

Chapter Sixteen –

RCPD.

Chief Andrew Howser, Antonio Ramirez, Eric Benjamin, Hernando Hawthorne, Bobby Lucas, Officer Dan Horton, Chris Whitman, Wayne Bullock.

Ramirez

His ass hit the car seat as Howser’s alert repeated over the radio.

Sirens were screaming across the city, and the public address system was in full use. Howser ordered all citizens to head for basements, lock their doors, and barricade themselves in. He was citing a home-grown terrorist attack.

Ramirez knew his target zone; he had the east side of the I-90, the main route into RC. They were congregating near the junction of the 1-90 and Elk Vale Road. He drove crazily towards Ben. He’d pick him up and then join the RCPD in their area. Every RCPD officer knew their destination and assigned location. The zone was going to be defended by all of the available working officers possible. Howser had guessed that Fury would heavily attack the I-90 exits of Rapid City.

Ramirez skidded to a stop, and Ben raced down the path of his house towards him. Ramirez jumped out and climbed into the passenger side. Ben carried two duffle bags, which he dumped in Ramirez’s trunk, which already held three bags.

“Let’s go,” Ben snapped, sliding into the driver’s seat. Ben hit the gas pedal and shot off. As Ben drove, Ramirez strapped a bullet-proof vest into place. Ben was wearing his. Ramirez picked up his radio and called in.

“Ramirez and Ben on route. ETA seven minutes. Will update with roll call in half an hour,” Ramirez said and released the button.

“Ten-four Ramirez,” Dan Horton responded. “Confirming I’m your liaison, take no orders from anyone other than me.”

“Ten-four Horton,” Ramirez replied. Ben skidded around the corner, and Ramirez shook his head as he saw some of the public racing down streets and cars fleeing. Nearly everybody was listening to the public address system. Shops were closing, and peopleheaded home.

“ETA, five minutes,” Ben said.

“Just get us there,” Ramirez demanded as multiple sirens came from all directions.

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