Page 71 of The Ghost of Rage's War

Hawthorne’s PI.

Hawthorne’s Investigators = Dylan Hawthorne, Davies, Max, Niko, London, Booth, Jase, Arturo, Nick, Casey, Kele, Makia, Chappie, Vinnie Jessie, Colm, Nyx, Indigo Enzo, Beckett, Wilder and Wolfe.

Dylan Hawthorne

Dylan’s ass was moving before he was even aware of it. The moment the siren had sounded, he grabbed his two radios and headed for the weapon lock-up.

His entire team was here, all twenty-one of them plus himself, which made twenty-two. They had been given a small zone to hold. They were holding theOld Folsom Road, which linked with state highways forty-four and seventy-nine. Howser didn’t think they’d see much action there, but he still wanted the area covering.

He glanced up as, ahead of him, Davies opened the door to the weapon room. Already waiting was Chappie, Makia, and his older twin, Kele and Jase. As soon as the alert had gone out days ago from an unexpected source, Dylan had recalled all his team.

Boots stomped, and Nyx appeared, ready in combats with a murderous look in her eye.

“They’re seriously fuckin’ here?” she demanded.

Colm glanced across at her and winced.

“Yeah, Nyx,” Dylan replied.

“Let’s fuck some people up, boss,” Nyx stated. She turned and high-fived Indigo, who grinned.

“I agree.” Indigo smiled.

Dylan shook his head. Whereas Nyx dressed like a merc, black tee, combats, and boots, Indigo was the opposite, wearing dress pants, a soft silk blouse, and she looked like a housewife. A stunningly beautiful housewife, which made her perfect for honey traps and to catch cheating spouses. Both women had been out on long-term jobs, but they’d brought them to an end two weeks ago.

Dylan glanced up as brothers Wilder and Wolfe entered, with London and Booth on their heels.

“Get your weapons and hit the vehicles. Everyone remember the plan? Good, roll out,” Dylan said.

They’d all packed their own weapons bag, and their SUVs and cars also held bags full of weapons.Howser hadn’t expected them to face high resistance, but Dylan did. Because Old Folsom Rd was not a main route in, it would be natural to think it wouldn’t be protected. That would be Fury’s mistake.

Every route, minor or major, had a team on it.

As Dylan slung his bag in the boot and swung up next to Davies, the sirens continued to scream. People ran as they passed them, heading home or towards shelter. Shops were locking down, and Dylan shook his head. He radioed in and spoke to their liaison, and confirmed they were on route. Leila and Dana had been moved to the refuge hotel alongside his team’s families.

Cars were starting to block the road, and Davies had to force his way through several jams, holding them up. The public announcement was ordering people to keep the roads clear to the emergency responders could reach their zones.

Dylan looked at the panic on the streets and shook his head. While the majority headed home, there were always some determined to be assholes.

Dylan couldn’t worry about them as they reached their holding point. There weren’t many buildings, but cover had been provided. Busses, dumpsters, and container boxes had been placed here several days ago. All that was required was to move the buses across the road to block it.

Davies, Max, Niko, and Nick all drove the four buses into position and Hawthorne’s took their places. Each of them was heavily armed. They also each held a carrier bag full of weapons.

Gunshots erupted in the distance, and Dylan tensed. The gunshots doubled and were followed by explosions. He’d no idea what was happening but trusted his allies.

“Got bike pipes in zone four,” he called in.

“Received, Dylan,” Congressman Andrew Wainwright replied.

Dylan snorted. There was a fucking congressman on his radio doing his part for his state. Dylan blew his cheeks out as he noticed a party of bikes riding towards them. He cricked his neck and counted down with his fingers. Dylan wasn’t even going to give them a warning. There were too fuckin’ many of them.

His fist closed, and his people opened fire. The Venomous Fangs in front took bullets and skidded and hit the road as those behind slowed or took evasive action.

Dylan let his team fire for a few more minutes before holding his hand up.

They stopped, and Dylan grabbed a megaphone.

“We will defend our city. Turn around and leave. Otherwise, prepare to die,” Dylan called out.

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