100-Days-in-Deadland(61)

Clutch jogged up to the window, stuck the barrel of his rifle through and started firing.

I sprinted toward Clutch, holding my rifle ready. He quit firing by the time I reached the truck. Everything had stilled, with only the sound of the truck’s engine going.

I reached for the door handle and looked up to Clutch. He took a step back, aimed, then nodded. I flung the door open and jumped back, pulling up my rifle. But the two men inside didn’t move. Blood had splattered the interior. The driver was slumped over the wheel, and the passenger was lying back, sprawled across the vinyl seat. Neither was Sean.

Clutch took a step closer and fired two shots, one into each man.

A couple months ago, I would’ve found that action heartless. Now, I would’ve done it myself if he hadn’t shot first. These Dogs had attacked my home and the only people left in the world that I cared about. There wasn’t much I wouldn’t do. The only thing that scared me was how quickly and easily I’d slid into a ruthless way of thinking.

Jase came tearing down the lane on his bike. He jumped off and jogged toward us, holding his rifle. “What the heck happened here?”

“We won this round,” I said since Clutch was busy examining the mangled gate.

The pouch attached to Jase’s belt wiggled and whimpered. I cocked my head. A furry head with big ears poked out and looked around before disappearing back inside the pouch.

“It’s okay, Mutt,” Jase said, patting the pouch. “Just taking care of bad guys.”

“The gate’s f*cked,” Clutch said, walking up to us. He sighed and then kicked the gravel. “Godammit. I’ve had enough of this shit.”

“Without their truck and two men down, it should take them some time to regroup,” I said.

“Doesn’t matter,” Clutch said. “The game’s changed. This is the second time I’ve killed Doyle’s men. He’ll up the ante next. I need to see what we’re up against.”

My brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” he turned to me, “that I need to see what kind of numbers and firepower Doyle’s got at his disposal.”

My jaw dropped. “Going to see Doyle is suicide.”

Of all the shitty timing, the Humvee pulled up outside the gate. When Tyler stepped out, I kept an eye on Clutch to make sure he wasn’t going to gun down the newcomers. He didn’t shoot. Instead, he stomped forward to meet Tyler at the gate. I followed, not trusting the situation.

“What happened here?” Tyler asked as we approached.

While I knew Clutch had been in the military, it surprised me when he saluted Tyler.

Tyler’s brows lifted, and he saluted back.

“Captain,” Clutch said. “You can’t control your own goddamn militia.”

“They attacked again?”

“Every f*cking day.” Clutch pointed at the truck. “Take a look. It’s pretty clear who the aggressor was here. We’re being forced to defend our home against the militia.”

Tyler walked alongside the truck, pausing at the open cab and again at the zeds, before returning to the gate by us. He leaned toward me. “Are you okay?”

I nodded. “No thanks to the Dogs.”

Tyler looked at Clutch. “You have my word. I’ll do my best so that this won’t happen again.”

“That’s what you said last time,” Clutch said. “No. I’ll make sure they won’t bother us again.”

Tyler ran a hand through his hair. “Those two minutemen lying dead in that truck were sworn in. Attacking the militia is the same as attacking Camp Fox. Even though this was a clear case of self-defense, I can’t let you go after Doyle on your own. We have to go through the proper channels.”

My hands flung to my hips. “So the Dogs have get-out-of-jail cards to kill, steal, and rape?”

“I’m not saying that,” Tyler replied quickly. “You have to understand. It’s a tricky situation.”

Clutch paced, stopped, and paced some more. “If you want to help, take us to Doyle.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Tyler cautioned.

Clutch spun on his heel and pointed at Tyler. “I’m going to see Doyle with or without your help, Captain. You can either take me to him or stay out of my way. Doesn’t matter.”

Tyler frowned and stared at the truck for several agonizing moments. Finally, he spoke. “I was going to see Doyle today, anyway. You can ride along.” He held up a finger. “But I have to take the lead. Doyle can be a bit…difficult.”