Chapter 12 - The Firefight|
The air inside the processing facility instantly filled with the acrid smoke of gunpowder and pulverized concrete.
Bullets struck the steel ore crusher protecting Selena, ringing out like chaotic, deadly church bells. Damon didn't flinch. He leaned out from cover, firing short, controlled bursts through the doorway, dropping a cartel gunman who tried to make a run for the heavy wooden frame.
“Ghost, they’re trying to flank left!” one of the operators shouted over the radio.
“Suppressing fire!” Ghost barked back.
The shadow team laid down a punishing wall of lead, forcing the remaining Sinaloa gunmen to remain pinned behind their armored trucks. But they were heavily armed, and they were desperate.
A loud thump echoed from outside, followed by a hissing sound.
“Incoming RPG!” Ghost roared.
“Down!” Damon yelled, throwing himself entirely over Selena, shielding her body with his heavy Kevlar vest.
The rocket propelled grenade struck the upper corrugated iron wall of the facility. The explosion was deafening. A shockwave rippled through the building, showering them in burning debris, jagged metal, and blinding white dust.
Ears ringing, Damon coughed, shaking the debris off his back. He looked down. Selena was clutching her ears, terrified, but unharmed.
“You okay?” Damon yelled over the ringing in his ears.
She nodded frantically, tears streaming through the dust coating her face.
Damon rolled off her, bringing his rifle back up. The explosion had blown a massive hole in the wall, exposing the interior to the blinding desert sun. Through the dust, Damon saw three cartel gunmen making a desperate push through the gap.
Damon fired, dropping the lead man. The shadow team engaged the other two, neutralizing them in seconds.
“Boss, they’re breaking!” Ghost yelled over the comms. “The remaining three are trying to get back in the truck!”
“Don't let them leave,” Damon ordered coldly. “They know who we are. Nobody reports back to Sinaloa.”
Ghost and two operators pushed out of the facility, advancing aggressively on the fleeing truck. A concentrated volley of fire blew out the truck’s tires and shattered the engine block. The vehicle ground to a halt.
A brief, violent exchange of gunfire followed. Then, silence.
“All targets neutralized,” Ghost’s voice crackled calmly in Damon’s ear. “Perimeter is secure.”
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Damon lowered his rifle, letting out a long, heavy breath. He turned back to Selena, offering her his hand.
“Come on,” he said softly. “Let’s go see Ruby.”
