Page 40 of Rush

“Be braver.”

When the boys were gone, the men all stared at their friend, who continued to eat his meal. Looking up, he shrugged his shoulders.

“What was I to do with all that money? My children and grandchildren don’t need it. It served a good purpose, feeding all those people today. I made a few phone calls of my own as well. You’re not the only ones with contacts, and Gwen helped me.

“Several manufacturers who suspected what those on the screen were doing lent me their ships to transport the people out of here and to safety until we can deal with Ari Grigoryan. When his men arrive at the plaza tomorrow to recruit more soldiers, they will be very disappointed in what they find.”

They all stared at Trak, shocked that he had gone to such extremes to get the families and children out of the city and out of the reach of Grigoryan. Not that he wouldn’t do whatever was needed, but he was a quiet, shy man who never put himself out in front. This was different.

“That’s pretty fucking cool, Dad,” smiled Joseph. He tilted his head at his son and nodded.

“No. That is who we are.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Walking back to their tiny apartment, the men were able to move a little easier as the streets began to clear. Rush was grateful for this alone time with his father.

“I’m glad I’ll be coming home soon, Dad. I’ve missed all of you.”

“Especially one,” smiled Noah.

“Yea, especially one. I shouldn’t have waited so long. I might have missed my chance with her, and that wouldn’t have been good for anyone. I should have been more assertive like you were with Mom.”

“I was not assertive. I was sure.”

“Dad, you were assertive. Uncle Blade said that you told her you loved her right away, and you were freaking her out that first night in the restaurant, staring at her the whole night.”

“I did, and I do not regret it. What I regret is ever leaving her alone in Louisiana. When I found out that she had left, believing that she was safe, I knew I had to find her. We were lucky that between Ace and Skull, they found that clunker of a car she owned.”

“Is that why you always made sure she had a new car?” laughed Rush.

“Yes. That, and you. You and your mother are the two most important things in my life, Rush. I was an only child, and I don’t think I appreciated how much that must have impacted my parents. Watching you grow into the fine man that you have become has been the highlight of my life. Loving your mother has been my greatest honor.”

“Who knew under all that Viking armor was a poet,” smirked Rush.

“I am many things,” laughed Noah, “but a poet is not one of them. You have done great work here, Rush. I often let my temper guide my thoughts, and it nearly ruined my life. When I went to the Steel Patriots, I thought they would turn me away. Force me to leave.”

“That was never gonna happen,” laughed Ghost behind them. “Sorry, couldn’t help but overhear the conversation. Nothing you did in your career was going to chase us away, Noah. You’re a fucking warrior all the way, and we admired the shit out of you for what you did.”

“The kids, right?” asked Rush.

“Yes, the children. Those beasts. Those animals brutalized those children. Babies barely starting their lives, Rush. I had no children at the time, but all I saw was red. In that moment, more than any other in my life, I felt like my Viking ancestors. I felt like a berserker. Someone who goes wild with anger and vengeance on his mind.”

“Are you finally gonna tell us how you killed all those men?” asked Tailor.

“He used his skill,” said Trak, standing amidst the circle of his friends. Noah looked down at the dark warrior. “You killed eleven with knives from a distance. That left seventy-three more. As you moved into the building and passed your knives, you removed them, throwing them at another man and then another, repeating as you went. Taking a machete, you hacked your way through the men in the darkness, cutting off limbs and heads. Even when you were done, you returned and made sure. All but one.”

There was an eerie silence among the group, all staring at Noah. He knew they didn’t judge him for what he did. Those men had raped, beaten, starved, and killed more than twenty children.

“How did you know that?” asked Noah. “I gave no account of how I did that.”

“I looked at the records and the photographs,” said Trak. “A man who is proficient with a knife recognizes another. Your skills would have made your and my ancestors proud. I would have done the same thing. I admire you, Noah. You were made to be one of us.”

“I’m proud of you, Dad,” said Rush. “I’d like to believe I would do the same thing. Thanks to you and Uncle Trak, I’m pretty damn good with a knife as well.”

“You’d do the same,” said Gabe. “We all would. Some of us are better with rifles or explosives, others are better with handguns and knives. It’s why we’re such a good team.”

“We’re a good team because we have the same mindset,” said Ghost.

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