Page 66 of The Commander

NOAH

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By the time we reach the end of the property, still in radio contact with Josh, we see a handful of black-garbed figures running across the lawn near where the reinforcement of the fence is still under construction.

“Jesus Christ,” Aidan curses, slamming on the brakes.

We leap off, pull out our weapons and crouch behind the vehicle.

“We’re taking fire,” Josh says over the two-way radio—aka walkie-talkie—that Aidan holds.

Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat.

The crack of gunfire and pings as it hits the Jeep break the silence.

“Motherfuckers,” I curse, wishing we had rifles.

“Got you covered,” Cole calls behind me, tapping my back.

I lean out, Glock pointed at the enemy and start firing.

Pop.

Pop.

Pop.

Two men go down.

“How many?” Aidan slams a fresh cartridge into his weapon, having emptied his chamber.

“I saw three more.”

He tosses me a refill, and I grab it out of the air.

“On it,” Cole says. “Watch my six, and I’ll let you win tomorrow at poker.”

I snort. “Or I can let you take one for the team.”

“Asshole.” He laughs.

Pop.

“Gotcha,” Cole says. “Over by you, Aidan.”

“I want this one alive.” The Marine takes off, and I curse, tailing him while Cole covers us.

As we get closer to the erected temporary buildings we plan to train at tomorrow, the gang members use them to hide behind, but the glass suddenly explodes. Nice one, Aidan.

I get my first look at the dead bodies as I run across the lawn. Barely goddamn twenty-three. The bosses have sent their soldiers, and even if they were alive, it’s unlikely they’d talk.

Waste of fucking young lives.

There’s a lot of yelling and shots fired. Aidan circles one of the pre-parked vehicles, then nods at me and the ground. I know immediately what he’s telling me.

I reach under the car and drag out the mobster. We both tackle the guy, who is stronger than he looks, and I kick his gun away.

Using the butt of his Glock, Aidan whacks the man on his head, and the guy crumples.