Page 17 of Three Beasts

Chapter 13

Wade

I've called a meeting at my compound.

It's time to strategize about what our next moves will be considering The Iron Legion is making their presence more known and not in a good way. I know the other guys are itching to protect their families as well. After all, that's what this is about ... family, and territory.

A rough gang has entered our home and we have to see them out, dead or alive. I will not stop until every one of them is dead or scared off for all of time. That's my job as leader of the crew and I'll protect everyone.

These guys think they can just ride into town and do whatever the fuck they please? Yeah, they’re in for a rude awakening. They’ve been fucking with The Order for too long now, and it’s time they pay the price for that.

Standing here in front of this band of roughnecks and people who have seen the hard side of life reminds me of my dad. He ran a crew as well, and even though every one of these guys look like hard ass criminals, they all have heart and loyalty. Ultimately these are the people who would give you the shirt off their backs if it came to that.

Money is nothing and family is everything here.

They are unlike The Iron Legion who are out to kill and that's it. To me, that is not integrity or anything worth looking up to. Everyone can pull a trigger. Only a few can do it and retain honor.

"We have to formulate a plan to grind these assholes into dust,” I start, slowly looking around the room. “I have some idea of what will happen but I welcome your thoughts," I say this to the sea of faces looking at me.

I'm proud to be part of this clan of generations. The Order has been around for years. And that will not end under my watch.

I'm standing on the stairs so that I can speak to everyone. The VIPS and I have already met and agreed that the other guys should be in on this. Some of them are young, some of them are foolish, but all of them are loyal. Besides, the newest members often have the best ideas.

"We could just bomb them all," one guy speaks up.

"Or attack them in the night."

"I say we scout every last one of them out and burn them with gasoline."

Man, these guys have some gnarly ideas. I look up at Zeva who's sitting on the balcony, her legs hanging off. She looks perfect in her little jean skirt and boots. I look at her and then back to the many faces staring up at me. Any one of these guys could die at any time and each of them knows it…and yet they are here. They are all willing to fight and to put their lives on the line to protect the others. To protect me.

It's this attitude that’s our bond.

I'm grateful for every member and, though I’d like to avoid war, it has come to this. Zeva is staring down at the crowd and I think about how I could lose her too. And that makes this war insufferable.

No, we can't have war, we need to plan an ambush and stop it before it starts. The idea of losing Zeva and having ongoing fighting is just too much to bear, and so I don't even let my mind go there.

"I think you might be right,” I start, and the whole room quiets down to hear my words. “We should have our scouts find their location and then we'll take them by surprise. We need to make sure we get rid of their lookouts first, then we move fast and put a bullet in their skulls."

Stone says, "Everyone make sure you have your weapon of choice and any backups you need. We'll visit the artillery room next."

At that, all the guys cheer and they follow Stone out of the room. They head straight to the locked cavernous basement, where everything from hand grenades to shotguns and rifles are stored.

I sit down at the kitchen island with Alex and Jason, and we make a map of the areas where we think The Iron Legion is camped. There's plenty of coverage for our men to hide and I don't think we'll have a problem surprising them.

"We'll only have once chance at this, so we can't screw it up."

"We won't," Jason says.

"Alright, well, you have to make sure the captains keep their crew in line. This is fucking serious. As a matter of fact, I'd like to send the new guys in last. They need to see how it's done. Even one noise will screw our plan.” I run my tongue between my lips, imagining the warpath I’m putting everyone on, and I feel myself hesitate. “The news guys aren’t that experienced. Maybe we should station them in town?" I don’t want the blood of young kids on my hands. These guys are loyal, and they’d die for me – I’d just rather avoid that. I have enough blood on my hands as it is.

"Not a bad idea. I'll tell the captains. The new guys will be disappointed, though.”

“Well, fuck ‘em,” Alex chimes in. “This isn’t paintball. They have to earn their rank. And we’re looking out for ‘em."

"Yeah," I agree. "Plus, I don't want to have their amateur blood on my hands."

"Okay," they agree, and I look at the map down on the counter. If the Legion has camped out where I think, we have the attack all staged out.

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