EMP Lodge Series (Book 3): Dark Defiance

by Grace Hamilton

  His gruff voice and cold demeanor alarmed Megan. She wondered if he was really on board with the attack or if something else was bothering him.

  Jack left the room, Megan waited for Wyatt to say something. He didn't.

  “Wyatt?”

  He looked at her.

  “What's wrong?”

  “We are headed into war, Megan. I would feel better if you stayed here. I don't think I can focus on the fighting if I have to worry about you. You don't seem to really get how serious this is. This isn't a play war or something we can just walk away from if it doesn't go our way.”

  She didn't get mad. Yes, she was a little offended to hear him imply she wasn't taking it seriously, but she had come to know him well enough. This was his way. He hated her being in danger and that fear usually came out as anger. She got it.

  “I will take it very seriously and I am ready to take these men down. You don't have to worry about me. I will have your back and I know you will have mine.”

  He hugged her tight.

  “Don't you dare get yourself killed out there. I don't think I could handle it.”

  “Same goes for you. We go in. We kick some butt, gather supplies and get on with our lives. Those guys will be nothing more than a bad memory.”

  “Let's go hash this out. Everyone is pretty freaked out. I think a lot of them thought this would all just go away. There are a few very unhappy campers out there,” he said. The dread in his voice was easy to hear.

  The next several hours were filled with lots of raised voices, a few tears and a lot of emotions as they all worked out the details of the raid.

  It wasn't going to be easy and they all knew the chance of failure was pretty high.

  “We don't know how many people they have,” Garrett pointed out. “We could take 10 guys and end up facing 50.”

  Megan rolled her eyes. The guy still hadn't accepted the fact she would be there.

  “There could be 10, there could be 50. We have the element of surprise on our side,” Wyatt explained.

  “The dynamite isn't such a bad thing either,” Albert pointed out.

  “What about the guns?” Tara asked. “You haven't had time to get all of the guns fixed. We won't be fully armed back here.”

  Willow spoke up, “I think a few guns left here will be plenty. The chances of us actually winning in a firefight is slim. We would have to run. I don't want to waste time shooting at people when we could be getting the kids to safety.”

  Jack agreed with his wife.

  “She's right. If we aren't successful, your main goal is to get to that cabin. Everyone has a pack ready to go. If you hear shooting, take your packs and get the hell out of here. No heroics.”

  Rosie was in the kitchen, preparing small lunches for the group traveling. She needed to do her part and she told them food was important. They had to have the energy to walk there, fight and get home.

  She was using a large majority of their remaining food stores, but told them not worry, when they got back, they would replenish the food pantry.

  Megan appreciated her optimism. She hoped it would all work out as planned.

  After the long planning session, everyone was exhausted.

  They were leaving before dawn. The mood in the house was somber. All of them wondering if this would be their last night here. Would they every all be together again?

  Megan held Wyatt tight.

  “We have to win tomorrow.”

  “I don't know if there is any winning involved, but I am going to do everything in my power to ensure McDaniels dies and we all live.”

  Megan closed her eyes and tried to envision coming home after a successful raid. The vision just wouldn't come to her. There was a sense of foreboding she couldn't shake. She silently prayed it was just her nerves and not some intuitive sixth sense.

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  The tension was palpable as the group prepared to head out. Megan was fighting back the nerves. Her stomach was in turmoil. Rosie had gotten up early and prepared a small breakfast for the group headed out.

  Megan couldn't eat a bite.

  They had tried to keep quiet to avoid waking up the rest of the house, but everyone was now standing in the dining area, watching as Wyatt checked everyone's packs.

  Jack, Chase, Evan and Jackson had divided the dynamite between them.

  Willow watched with tears in her eyes. Jack smiled in an attempt to reassure her, but she just cried harder.

  Megan hugged Caitlin, praying it wouldn't be the last. She wanted to remember every little detail about her baby. This would be what carried her through what was sure to be an extremely difficult few days.

  “You take care of her,” she told Albert, squeezing him tight.

  “You know I will. You just get your butt back here.”

  The kids knew what was happening, but Megan hoped they didn't truly understand just how serious it was. She didn't want them living in fear.

  Rosie, Willow and Albert would each have a gun. The rest were to be used by the group heading to the McDaniels camp.

  “Everyone ready?” Wyatt asked.

  “Got the radio?” Albert inquired.

  Wyatt would be carrying the portable HAM, just in case he needed to radio back to the lodge. If Albert had to move the remaining members to the cabin, he would let Wyatt know.

  Megan headed out the door. She turned back to take one last look at Caitlin who was standing next to Rosie. Her little girl smiled and waved. Megan waved back and followed the rest of the group out the door.

  Here goes nothing, she thought to herself.

  The group made good time. Not stopping to eat. No one wanted to waste even a minute. As they got closer to where they suspected the camp to be, everyone went on high alert.

  “Anything?” Evan whispered to the group as a whole.

  “Nothing. Stay on your toes. We need to spread out. If they have someone watching, we are an easy target,” Chase said.

  They fanned out, with Wyatt, Jack and Megan sticking together.

  Megan's mouth was dry and the butterflies in her stomach worsened. She was doing everything she could not to vomit.

  Jack had been trying to keep her calm, but now that they were close, he was focused on his own nerves.

  She had grown more worried about him the further they went. He was walking with a pronounced limp and had lost almost all color in his face.

  Wyatt stopped when they reached a dirt road.

  “I know this area.”

  “Really?” Megan asked, looking around. There weren't any road signs or other obvious markers.

  He nodded, “Yes, there is a big stone house up the road. Actually, it's just a small driveway off this road.”

  Jack looked around, “Yeah, didn't an old couple live up here? They were real secluded. I remember the house. Dad was in awe of it.”

  “What about the house?” Megan asked.

  “It resembles a castle. A fancy castle, I guess you could say. It's huge. Way bigger than just two people needed, but the dude was mega-rich.”

  Wyatt snapped his fingers, “He was some dot.com guy. They moved up here from California. He sold his company for millions. He was always talking about a major financial collapse driving the country into ruin. If I remember right, he had a huge basement filled with food and water.”

  Jack nodded excitedly, “Yep. That is what really spurred dad into stockpiling. Our stores are nothing compared to what that guy had. He went all out.”

  Megan got excited.

  “Maybe there is still a lot left? Once we kick these guys to the curb, we could gather the remaining supplies.”

  Wyatt agreed, but wasn't hopeful.

  “If we use dynamite, the supplies are going to be lost,” Jack reminded her.

  “We need to meet up with the others. I'm almost positive that is where they are. The house is about a half mile off this road. I say we scope things out and attack at dawn,” Wyatt said giving the signal to the others.
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br />   They had worked out different bird calls as a way to communicate. They knew they would have to divide and conquer, but still needed to be able to talk with one another.

  When everyone regrouped, Wyatt gave them the rundown. They decided to head back down the road to make camp. They didn't want anyone from the other group stumbling upon them if they went out for a raid.

  They skipped building a fire. It was cold, but they didn't want to risk the smoke drawing attention. They built two shelters from green tarps.

  “Let me get some pine needles down,” Megan said when Jack made a move to crawl into a shelter.

  She quickly gathered a pile of needles and leaves and spread them on the ground in each shelter. She unfolded one of the Mylar blankets and placed it over the needles. The blankets would tear, but it was better than sleeping directly on the needles. The blanket would also help provide more warmth once everyone got inside.

  Everyone crowded in to the two shelters. The body heat would have to be enough to keep them warm through the night.

  “Did you hear that?” Megan asked in the darkness.

  “Yes,” Wyatt replied. “It was just one. Who knows, it could have been McDaniels shooting another one of his men.”

  That didn't exactly make her feel better, but she accepted the explanation. One less man they had to kill.

  Several times throughout the night, they heard gunshots. Megan knew they couldn't be hunting. Either the men were shooting each other or just shooting for fun. Neither option was very comforting.

  She laid awake most of the night. When she heard the birds start singing, she knew it was time to go.

  “Wyatt,” she whispered, trying not to wake everyone in the shelter.

  “I'm awake,” he said.

  “It's dawn.”

  He yawned, “I know.”

  He didn't move. Megan began to wonder if he had changed his mind.

  She was about to say something when he squeezed her hand, “I need you to know I love you. If things go bad and I tell you to run, you better do it. Do not try to save me or anyone else. You get out of there as fast as you can.”

  Her breath hitched in her throat at the thought of him dying.

  “I will,” she said even though she knew she wouldn't. She would not leave him to die. Never.

  “Megan,” he growled.

  He didn't buy it.

  “I will do what I can to save myself,” she said again, still refusing to say the word promise.

  “You know she won't, Wyatt. Don't waste your breath,” Jack said.

  Megan was instantly on alert. He sounded weak, as if speaking required too much energy.

  She found her flashlight and shone it on Jack.

  She gasped.

  “Jack!”

  “I'm fine. I just need a minute.”

  “Take your pants off. Let me see your leg,” she demanded.

  He guffawed, “Wyatt, do you hear your woman demanding I take off my pants?”

  Wyatt didn't laugh, “Do what she says. I want to see as well.”

  Jack grimaced.

  “I'll be okay. It's just a little infected.”

  “Do it, Jack,” Wyatt growled.

  Jack shimmied under the blanket for a few minutes. Megan could see the pain on his face every time he moved.

  “There.”

  Megan shone the light on his thigh. The sight of the injury made her nauseous. A bright red area all the way around the cut was definitely a bad sign. It was swollen. A nasty ooze was leaking from the area Rosie had left open.

  “Jack,” she breathed. “Why didn't you say something. This isn't good.”

  Wyatt stared at the leg without saying a word.

  “I need some fresh air,” Jack said suddenly. He flipped the blanket back over and quickly pulled up his pants.

  He didn't take the time to button them before he stumbled out of the shelter. Megan knew the situation was dire when she heard him vomiting.

  She thought back to last night and throughout the day. Jack hadn't ate a thing.

  “It's bad isn't it?” she looked at Wyatt.

  His jaw was set and his mouth was set in a grim line.

  He nodded his head.

  Chase sat up. He had been on the other side of Jack.

  “He knew this trip would be tough, but he is too stubborn. Your mom tried to tell him he needed to rest and let his body heal, but he wouldn't listen.”

  “Why didn't she tell me?” Wyatt half-yelled.

  “Jack made her promise not to. They didn't want to worry you.”

  “You knew?” he looked at Chase with anger and hurt.

  “I found out yesterday. They made me promise as well. Willow doesn't know how bad it is,” Chase explained. “Jack really wanted to be a part of this. He said he couldn't sit back while his family was at risk.”

  Wyatt shook his head, “That is about the dumbest thing I have ever heard. What an idiot.”

  Evan popped his head in, “We're ready when you are.”

  Megan's stomach dropped and heat flooded her body as she realized it was time to head into war.

  “You good?” Evan asked.

  She nodded, “Yep, ready to get this over with and get back home to my baby.”

  They decided to leave the shelters. The extra weight of the tarps would just be a hindrance.

  Jack was leaning against a tree.

  Everyone headed towards the road that would lead to their victory or their doom.

  Jackson had decided to take on the role of the cheerleader.

  “We can do this guys. Tonight, we will be back at the lodge. We will be safe.”

  No one bothered to respond. Each of them was focused on the task at hand.

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  They spread out in a semi-circle around the massive stone house. With a fine rain falling, it created an eerie mist around the home. Megan took a moment to take it all in. It was a gorgeous home. A curving staircase with high stone walls led to an upstairs deck. Massive wood doors gave the home the look of a real medieval fortress. It was spectacular.

  It was probably fairly impenetrable as well. Wyatt had said he remembered the supplies were on the bottom floor. Maybe they could set the dynamite on one end and preserve the food that was hopefully still tucked away.

  The upstairs deck was one of the many vantage points. Off to the left, there was another smaller deck that would allow a person to see three sides. A similar deck on the opposite side would provide the same vantage point.

  “What do you think?” Megan whispered to Wyatt.

  “We need to get a little closer to see if anyone is up and about.”

  He put his hand up in the air and pointed towards the house.

  The group slowly advanced, making sure to move slow and to keep to the trees as much as possible.

  As they got closer, Megan nearly laughed at what she saw.

  Now she knew what the gunshots had been. The men had clearly had a wild night.

  “Beer cans?” Evan said in disbelief. “Who has beer? I want a beer.”

  Megan rolled her eyes. Of course that is what he chose to focus on.

  She blinked a few times. She had thought a shirt was hanging through the rails of the top deck. It was a shirt all right, but the shirt had an arm in it. The arm was attached to a large man passed out on the deck.

  “Seriously?” she said under her breath.

  “This could be very good for us. I don't see any movement. They are hopefully all still drunk or in too bad of shape to fight back.”

  “Look,” Megan said pointing to several rifles propped up in the corner of the deck.

  Chase pulled out a pair of small binoculars to get a better look.

  “It's those damn ARs,” he said. “They must have an arsenal in there.”

  Wyatt stood, put his hand in the air again and motioned for everyone to move back.

  They retreated back into the forest.

  “We need a plan,” Wyatt started. “That place
is very easy to defend. I'm guessing there are men ready to take their places at each corner of the house. We know they are armed with automatic weapons. We are only going to have one shot at this.”

  There were several ideas tossed around. Ultimately, it was decided to use the dynamite to blow up the arches in the front of the house. The arches would bring down the top deck and possibly cause more damage to the structural integrity of the house.

  “I'll stay on the front side,” Jack said.

  “If anyone comes out the front, I will take them out.”

  Chase, Evan and Garret volunteered to cover the back of the house.

  Wyatt and Megan would be on the right with Greg and Brenda on the left.

  “Jackson, you set the dynamite and then join Greg,” Wyatt instructed.

  He looked at Megan, “You sure you are okay with putting the dynamite out?”

  She nodded. How hard could it be. She felt better about lighting a stick of dynamite with Wyatt covering her than the other way around.

  Everyone voiced their agreement with the plan.

  “The fog,” Megan gestured around them. “How are we going to see?”

  The fog continued to grow and thicken, which could work in their favor, but could also make shooting the right people a little tricky.

  “Everyone knows their positions. Shoot anyone that comes out of that house. Our main goal is Connor McDaniels. We don't retreat or call it quits until he is killed,” Chase reiterated.

  Brenda was all business, checking her weapon, tucking in her shirt and tightening the laces on her boots. Megan watched her and realized she should probably do the same. The woman was a trained soldier. If she was double checking her laces, Megan was going to as well.

  “Guys, if things look bad, like we don't have a chance of succeeding, get out. Go the cabin—not the lodge. Albert radioed earlier, he is taking the kids to the cabin today, just to be on the safe side,” Wyatt said.

  “Did something happen?” Megan asked, instantly worried about Caitlin.

  “No, he just thinks it would be wise, just in case some of these guys break away and make a run for the lodge. It's a smart move. They'll be safer there.”

  Everyone agreed.

  “Let's move,” Wyatt ordered.