Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 79338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Church is quick business. Everyone there heard the phone call. Those who come in last get filled in immediately. Snark confirms from house security footage that Judge Kincaid is home. Eagle-eye delegates the Cleanup Crew and the Misfits to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't leave. They're out the door before he has time to draw breath for the next command.
A command that is simply, “Mount up. The Screaming Eagles ride.”
33
MILA
Another explosion goes off, and I scream again, hiding behind some desks that Mad Dog threw on their sides to act as shields for us. What looks like really expensive computer equipment crashes across the floor, but we've got bigger things to worry about. Why can’t we catch a single break?
Faith is next to me, with a hand on my head to force me down. “Don't expose yourself. That door isn't going to hold forever.”
“I know. Keeping low. Worry about yourself instead of babysitting me. If you get hurt because of me…”
“I'll be fine. I've lived with bikers almost my whole life.”
I nudge her side. “That doesn't make you bulletproof.”
“Eagles are on the way,” yells Bull when our ears stop ringing. Together with Scrapper and Mad Dog, he's stacking anything he can find in front of the door to barricade it. “We just gotta hold out until they're here.”
That doesn't help us right away, but knowing that Mack and Reaper are coming makes me feel better, if only just a little bit. I focus on breathing. I'm going to survive this. We all are.
“I hate that we're stuck in here,” I complain, hating the sound of my own voice as I do. “I'm sorry. This isn't the time to whine.”
Faith nods. “It's fine. I hate it too. But what I'm wondering is how they knew to find us here. Someone must've blabbed.”
I nod as I look around the room. There's a lot of crew. Ella's behind one of the other tables, huddled up with the guy who did my makeup. Some of the techs have barricaded themselves in the studio. There are ten-fifteen people in here. Was that a mistake? It's not that crazy to imagine that there are people in a news outlet that are in on this. I’m sure we’ve only scratched the surface. The question is, who was it? No one’s exactly walking around with ‘traitor’ written on their nametag.
“Maybe we can find out who it is? Somehow?”
“Does it matter anymore? We just have to keep our eyes open so no one surprises our guys. Or actually… maybe…” She pulls her phone out and brings up the FixerUppers account.
“Now?”
She smiles at me. “Oh, come on, Ms. Investigative Reporter. Have to get with the times. If you have a channel to reach out to lots of people, it's time to go live.” She taps on the camera icon. As if in response, something else blows up and the door barricade shakes. What the heck is happening out there?
Will help get here in time?
Faith waves at me. “Come here.”
I squeeze in next to her as she aims the selfie camera at us. The viewer count has already started. Bet they're real confused that we're not half-naked bikers doing physical work. They're about to get more than they bargained for.
“Hey, all you Screaming Eagles fans. I'm sorry that I can't show you the FixerUppers doing their thing right now, but something bigger is going on, and we're going live so it can't be ignored. Share this stream with everyone you can, because this is a big, fucking deal! You're about to see some wild shit.” She pans the phone a little, showing off the barricades and how we're hidden. “This isn't a drill, kids. This is what happens when the bikers clash with the finest corruption this stinking city's got to offer.” Another explosion sounds, emphasizing her words.
The numbers race upwards, faster and faster. Word must be spreading and even if they think it’s fake, everyone’s in for a good old fashioned dumpster fire.
“Come on, Mila, give us the lowdown. What's happening?” She angles the phone at me.
What? Me? I guess I'm made up for it. “Um… we're currently at the Channel 7 News Studios, the network that gives you the whole story, and nothing but the whole story.” I'm a little impressed that I remember their callsign. “We were working on an exposé that's going to blow up on the news, revealing serious corruption in our city hall and local government. Bribes, murder, attacks, broken justice, riots. We’ve got it all.” I grab the phone from Faith, so I can point the camera at the door. “And someone has decided they want to stop us. We've blocked the door, but they're doing their best to get through.” Something slams against the door, splintering the wood. “I don't even know if we can trust the police at this point. This is now, this is live, and this is dangerous.”