They loaded up in the Beast and called in to headquarters.

Gaige answered. "Morning team are you ready for today?"

After they'd all answered he continued on. "I spoke to my contact at the State Department. The feds have Mags. They found her leaving town and guess where she was headed? Right here to Lynyrd Station. So, we're going out this morning, the four of us, to break into Mangus' hideout. Report in when you get back. And, Georgia is still in Stangleville jail. She’s bitching that you all lied to her and she wants to go home. I have a feeler out to the local Koevoet in her hometown in South Africa. I'm checking to see if she's a criminal there or if there are any outstanding warrants for her. I'll let you know when I hear something. Out."

The screen went black. Dodge and Jax climbed out of the Beast to return the rental. She jumped into the driver's seat before he got to the car. He stopped and looked at her through the window but all she did was smile back at him and point to the passenger side.

Damned woman. But she did make things interesting.

Climbing into the passenger side, he struggled getting the seat belt pulled around his arm. She snorted, then took control. "Let me help you, Tarzan."

Liking her assistance he held still as she buckled his seat belt, then cupped her cheek with his right hand. "I love that you want to help me."

Her eyes. Her gorgeous, brown, sparkly eyes looked deeply into his. Her soft lips curved into a serene smile. Bending forward he touched his lips to hers and his heartbeat sped up when she moved her lips with his. Her tongue slipped between his lips and slid along his tongue in the most sensual way. She pulled back slightly, nipped at his bottom lip, and he heard her inhale deeply.

The Beast's horn blew and quick as a rabbit she flipped them off while starting the rental. He laughed out loud and she followed suit. Ducking his head he looked up at Ford, who sat in the passenger seat and his grin said it all.

After returning the rental, they climbed in the backseat of the Beast and started for home. He hadn't taken any pain pills today and his head felt clear. He actually felt pretty good, except a dull throbbing where the incision was. And, maybe a little tugging where the bullet went in, but he was tough, he could handle it. But, they had a six-hour drive ahead of them, so he thought maybe he'd nap on the way.

***

He woke with his cheek pressed to the top of Jax's head. Her head lay on his right shoulder. It was cozy. Wyatt sat on the other side of Jax, snoring semi-quietly and the temperature in the truck was warm. Lifting his head, Josh glanced into the rearview and nodded to him. Ford looked back and smiled. "Have a nice nap?"

"I did. I guess I'm not one hundred percent yet."

"What’re their excuses?" Ford nodded to Jax and Wyatt.

He chuckled. "Good point."

The computer screen lit up and Ford pushed the button to answer the call from headquarters. Gaige's voice sounded over the computer, but no picture. "How far out are you? We're in trouble here."

Jax and Wyatt both sat up all of them staring at the computer as if the answers would appear. Josh responded, "We're ten miles out. Where are you and what's the problem?"

"Hawk's been shot, he's alive but down. Axel and Lincoln are holding their position at the entrance of Mangus’ hideout in the mountain. We intercepted him going out, engaged in fire and his men returned fire. They came out of nowhere, like ants leaving a burning hill. I don't want to let the son of a bitch back inside. Out."

"We'll be right there."

Josh stepped on the gas and Jax turned and began pulling weapons from the back of the Beast. They each had their assault rifles. Jax loaded Josh’s rifle and one for Dodge. The clicking and closing of weapons being loaded and checked was all that could be heard in the SUV. That and the tires chewing up the road. Tossing flak jackets up to the guys she said to Dodge, "I'll help you get this on so you don't get a matching hole in your body."

Slowly he began pulling his sling off his shoulder, the Velcro straps sounded loud in the SUV. Wyatt and Ford shrugged their jackets on and Jax did the same. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't a bit creeped out now. A little PTSD after just being shot yesterday was understandable, but he needed to shake that shit off. As if he could read thoughts, Ford looked back at him. "You okay?"

"Yeah."

Ford nodded. "For Adam."

"For Adam." He whispered back.

Josh looked at him in the rearview mirror. "Dodge, I'm not saying you can't do this, but let's be smart. I'll let everyone out of the Beast just before we get there, they can run in unseen. I'll turn the Beast around and back in, wedging Mangus in. You need to be in the back and when you have a good shot, you need to take it. You good with that?"

He swallowed some of his pride, no matter how you looked at it, but he'd do what was needed. And, hopefully, he'd finish Mangus off before he hurt anyone else. "Yeah. I'm good."

Josh tapped the computer. "We're coming in, three on foot and two in the Beast."

"Come up the drive and don't waste any time." Gaige yelled. Gunshots could be heard in the background and the dire situation became real.

Jax climbed back over the last seat and sat down, then helped him climb over without reinjuring his shoulder. The movement made him break out in a sweat, and he took in several deep breaths before scooting to the back window and pulling his gun up ready to shoot.

Jax called out to him, "Hey."

He turned to look at her. "For Adam." Her brows raised as she locked eyes with him.

His voice cracked when he replied. "For Adam."

Josh called out, comm on live. He stopped the vehicle and Ford, Wyatt and Jax climbed out and scrambled off into the trees and shrubbery surrounding Ryker Mountain. Once they were out of sight Josh looked back at him. "Showtime."

Nodding he turned to the back of the Beast, lifted his rifle and took a deep breath. Just as they turned a corner, Mangus’ red Buick came into view. The driver's door was open and it looked empty. Just before they reached the car, Mangus came running from a grouping of bushes and jumped into his car. Josh yelled, "Brace."

Dodge had just enough time to but both feet up on the hatch door to keep from flying through the window. The impact was enough to do damage to Mangus’ car so he couldn't drive it, but not enough to hurt him. Perhaps only dazed and confused. He looked through the window as Mangus looked up, shook his head, then pierced him with his evil eyes. The moment it dawned on Mangus that he'd seen Dodge before, his eyes got round and he raised his gun to shoot. Tapping the button to lower the back window with his foot, Dodge let out a hail of bullets, to rival a World War II movie. The holes left in Mangus' car were too many to count without marking them. But, mostly what he saw was the blood on the windshield from blowback, and Mangus’ head resting against the seat back, two red holes in his head. "Gotcha, motherfucker."

A few more gunshots rang out, Josh shot a couple rounds from the front of the Beast, then silence fell on the mountain.

He and Josh waited in the Beast until they saw Ford and Lincoln walking toward him. Lifting the hatch with the second button in the back, Dodge slowly scooted himself from the back of the vehicle, laying his rifle just inside in case he needed to use it again.

"It's all good, buddy.” Lincoln said. Then his friend embraced him. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Been a hell of a start but I've gotta say, I think I like this."

Both of his friends laughed. "Yeah, it's pretty fucking amazing." Ford responded.

Jax and Wyatt came out of the brush and walked toward him, vigilant in case a rouge gunman still remained. Her eyes locked with his then turned to Mangus. Walking to the driver's door, she looked inside and stood silent for a long moment. He quietly approached her and stood next to her, allowing her the time she needed. Turning to him she softly said, "Thank you."

He nodded and replied, "For Jake."

Tears sprang to her eyes and her lip trembled. His first reaction was 'fuck no' he hated when women cried. But, he held his right arm out for her to walk into his embrace and when she did, he just stood there and held her until she was ready to move.

Josh came over and looked into the car, patted his sister on the back then joined their teammates.

Allowing Jax the time she needed, he stood with her silently. She didn’t dwell on this for a long while, whatever she told herself in her thoughts, she quickly said it, straightened and sniffed. “Let’s get your sling back on Tarzan. Hate to have you hurt yourself again.”

Three hours later, they left the hospital after ensuring Hawk would be okay. He was shot in the left side, and luckily, no major organs were injured. He’d be spending the night for sure, maybe two. Lynyrd Station PD had released them all to go home, and they’d spend the remainder of the night investigating, writing up their reports, etc. It didn’t mean they wouldn’t be questioned again, but for the most part, it was clear what GHOST did and Lynyrd Station PD was happy as were the feds. Their contact at the State Department already had things rolling to make sure GHOST didn’t feel any heat on this one.