Page 25 of Falcon

Calamity always acted as coordinator. His leg would hold up, but we wouldn’t risk him. And tonight I had to sit out as well because of my shoulder, which pissed me the hell off. Now I understood how Calamity felt.

We headed into town and came upon a terrifying sight. At the end of Mill Street, a restaurant burned out of control. It had spread to the two shops adjoining it, and as I watched, it leapt to another. Damn, we could lose the entire row at this rate.

We pulled up and spotted the two fire engines the town owned already present. Fire Chief Ray Banks was on the scene, shouting orders.

“Where do you want us?” Calamity asked as I checked everyone’s equipment again.

“Didn’t think you’d come,” Banks replied.

“This town’s still home, even with the judgemental cunts living here,” Calamity responded.

“Take the Bath and Body Shop. The roof’s on fire, but we might save the building,” Banks ordered.

Texas grabbed two hoses from the engine and headed over to a hydrant. Deftly, he unravelled them, and moments later we had them on the go.

“Karma’s a bitch,” I murmured to Calamity as we stayed back. It bit, and I wanted to join my brothers, but knew I’d be in their way. Fuck my life.

The blaze roared uncontrollably as we tried to tame it. We managed to get the fire at the Bath and Body Shop under control, but I winced as I considered the fire damage. Jess had got her just deserts for being a cunt. Meanwhile, I watched the air, kept refreshments circulating and worked with those on scene to keep onlookers back.

“That’s my shop!” a woman screamed, and I spotted Jess trying to shove her way past a police officer.

“Jess, stay back, it ain’t safe,” warned a deputy.

“Stop them! They’re ruining my stock!” Jess shrieked. “This is payback for kicking their whores out!”

My head snapped towards Jess so fast that I almost got dizzy.

“Do you own the building?” I demanded.

Jess stared hatefully. “Why do you want to know?” she yelled, like a crazy woman. “I bet you set fire to it!”

“Answer me, you fuckin’ cunt! You own the building?”

“Yes!” Jess shrieked. “Arrest them! They’re arsonists!”

“Pull back from the Bath and Body Shop,” I ordered the club. They sent grim looks over their shoulders.

“If we do, the heat’s gonna dry out the water, and the fire will jump. The shop will go up like kindling,” Ghost replied.

“The owner doesn’t want us touching her property. It’s down to her if it burns. Move over to that one and save that,” I ordered.

Jess gaped. “What did you say?”

“Fuck you, bitch,” I snarled and moved away.

“Did you hear him threaten to burn my building?” Jess yelled and looked around at the onlookers.

“Chief Banks, please put a team on the Bath and Body Shop. Jess is being unreasonable, but we can’t let the fire jump. If it does, it could spread to the next one. Deputy Myers, remove Jess. If she creates a disturbance, arrest her,” Cates said from behind us. “Jess, these men are here to help, not hinder, and you’re being obstructive.”

“Guess you want a thanks,” I replied, turning to her.

Cates shook her head. “Ain’t your enemy, Falcon.”

“No, but you’re not a friend either, Cates.”

“That’s your choice. I did what was required to clear Rage, whether you like it or not. Anyway, I’m needed on crowd control.” Cates walked away, and I blew my cheeks out. She’d damaged the trust between us, but somehow, I believed what she was saying. The problem was she’d not communicated it to Calamity at the time.

“Sheriff,” I called.