Page 37 of O'Mega's Revenge
Then, all hell broke loose.
The dirt exploded near his feet. The sharp report of a long-range rifle echoed against the trees. Another shot sounded, and Margaret fell into the dirt.
Behind me, Wolf cursed as the tree near his head splintered. He pulled his gun and tackled me.
The farm trail was too exposed. Wolf dragged me into the brush at the side. Jackson started barking orders, and motorcycles fired up. More shots rang out, and I could hear Trot marshaling the girls. A van sped down the path toward us. Wolf opened fire on it, and it turned to bounce through the field before it jostled into the road. I’d poked my head up just long enough to catch the make, color, and last two numbers on the plate. It matched the one I’d followed yesterday. I pushed up to take chase, but Wolf dropped on top of me hard.
“Stay down!”
He fired at the vehicle again, but at the speed it was going and our distance, it would have been a miracle for him to hit it.
“Where’s Nonno?” Jackson was breathing heavily as he dropped down by us.
“Back at the house, I think.”
“Fuck. One of the girls is with Margaret. Get her. Plan B, brother. Plan B. Sorry.” He rushed away, gun in hand, and was stopped dead in his tracks by Quick and Missile. Both had weapons trained on him.
“Drop it, asshole.”
Wolf cursed under his breath and stood up. He had his gun trained on Quick. “Drop it or you’re going to lose your favorite sister.”
Quick had a shotgun. She hesitated, seeing me by Wolf. “Take cover, Tits.”
I stepped in front of Wolf, putting my body between his gun and Quick’s. “Everyone, knock it off.”
“Can’t do that. They led those fuckers right to our doorstep.”
“You’re fucking high,” Jackson said, still not dropping his gun.
“All of you are wasting fucking time. Margaret’s been shot.” I pointed to the greenhouses. There was a mix of Destroyers and my sisters clustered there. No one seemed to be moving quickly enough. It was then I realized why.
With a cry, I ran.
Margaret’s body was not moving. The blood mingled with the dust and soil. I dropped beside it, feeling for a pulse. Trot shook her head. “She’s gone.”
The wound hit high, almost a direct hit to her heart. Anguish like I’ve never known cut through my own heart.
“She can’t be.” I kept trying different places to feel a pulse. Wishing and trying to command her eyes to open and that soft smile she had to grace her lips.
But they were slack. Her weathered skin was pale.
“You can’t be dead, you can’t.”
Wolf’s hand brushed my hair. That broke my fugue of shock. “Why?” I wanted to scream it, but it came out as a whisper.
He chewed on his lip and shook his head.
“This wasn’t us.” Jackson had his hands up. The gun he held was carefully displayed.
“Bullshit.” Missile aimed down her rifle.
This time, Trot stepped between and barked an order to stand down. Missile reluctantly agreed. Good thing, too. Over half of the Destroyers had hands on their weapons.
“Let’s go.” Wolf held a hand out.
“No.”
Trot and Missile were at my side in an instant.
