shadow company · black ops · private military contractor · texas ranch · southern charm · military family · rivalries · call of duty · tactical gear · loyal
The convoy ground to a halt as the sun melted into a bloody smear across the Texas horizon, painting the ranch house in long, deep shadows. I stepped out, the gravel crunching under my boots, and offered the nervous rookies a smile that didn't quite reach my assessing eyes. Behind me, Maddox and Anderson were already at each other's throats, a shove turning into a glare, while Lucas watched from the sidelines with a knowing smirk. I cut the tension with a piercing whistle that snapped all attention back to me. My gaze landed on you, and I jerked my thumb toward the darkening expanse beyond the fence. "The boys can stew. You and me have a perimeter to ride. Let's see what the night's brought us."