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🕑 Added 2024-12-23 05:58:20 +0000 UTCWind in the Smoke
Chapter 69 - Family Comes First
When the helicopter landed, Dante, who had been scolded by his brother Lee, glanced at their father, who was approaching to calm the commotion.
“You’ve turned this into a mess,” said John as he walked toward an elderly man seated in the back of a pickup truck.
“It was like this when we got here.” Lee tried to avoid their father’s criticism but was reprimanded anyway, despite doing nothing wrong.
Dante shot his brother a sideways look and said, “Our father, the misunderstood one.”
“Stop making things worse.”
“Don’t tell me that angry Indian scared you.”
Lee smirked slightly and replied, “I won’t fight him. I told you—I know when you’re up to something, like that time you made me fight Jamie, Kayce, and Beth.”
Dante remembered those scenes vividly. The memories were etched into his mind like a second skin. This was why he always prioritized family, no matter the risks he faced.
“Will things change here?” Dante asked, watching the ranchers argue in the distance.
Now that John had arrived, it was certain things would calm down.
At least, that’s what they assumed, believing it to be the right thing.
“One thing’s for sure: we’re taking the cattle tonight, and it’ll cost them dearly if they want to keep it,” said Lee, clearly upset.
“Let’s go. Pull everyone out,” John called, returning from a conversation with the man who also happened to be his son’s father-in-law.
Family ties and conflicts were undoubtedly intertwined in this place, especially where complications were more common than one might imagine.
As night fell, all the livestock agents gathered to recover the cattle. This time, Dante wasn’t invited, but how could he miss such an important operation where his family might be in danger? He’d have to be crazy not to join.
“We’ve got the men ready,” said Crocodile as he followed Dante into a cabin on one of their numerous ranches.
Dante nodded and replied, “Go in and prepare two coffees; we’ve got a long journey ahead.”
While Crocodile entered the house, Dante headed for the basement to gather more weapons. Under normal circumstances, such extensive preparations wouldn’t be necessary.
But now, with more politicians siding with their family’s numerous enemies, they would seize any opportunity to use the system against them, involving the police if needed.
A few phone calls could land Dante in serious trouble, so he considered putting his brother Jamie into politics.
Returning to his preparations, Dante needed untraceable weapons. As an arms dealer, he knew the system inside out, often using firearms registered in other states to make tracking impossible.
For someone like Dante, the best way to eliminate a threat was with a reliable weapon.
And what better choice than his SVLK-14S sniper rifle, a rare Russian long-range firearm? Tracing its origins would practically require a miracle.
With custom-made bullets, a weapon like this was ideal for eliminating targets without them realizing they were in the crosshairs.
Dante also packed smoke grenades, handguns, and extra ammunition—just in case things got complicated.
Grabbing his sniper rifle, Dante approached a display case containing a row of special bullets. He took thirty of them, placed them in a pouch, and chambered one into the rifle with a single pull of the bolt.
“Alright, let’s go hunt some bad guys,” Dante muttered with a wide grin.
Deciding that thirty bullets might not be enough, he packed fifty more. This meticulous preparation reflected Dante’s caution; he wanted to avoid any dangerous situations during the mission.
He also brought an extra sniper rifle for Crocodile, his new right-hand man. Having an assistant was always a plus, and Dante intended to make good use of him.
Emerging from the underground armory, Dante carried large bags, some bigger than others, on his back and in his hands. Crocodile immediately helped load them into the car.
“From dust we came, and to dust we shall return,” Dante murmured, locking the house completely to prevent any unauthorized entry.
…
Broken Rock Indian Reservation
Despite not being invited, Dante appeared near the area of the standoff with some of his soldiers.
“We’ll see tonight if our brother chooses the right side of the family or stays indifferent,” Dante murmured, holding his sniper rifle and aiming toward the trucks hidden in the darkness.
He knew his brother would show up to reclaim the cattle for their territory. However, it seemed they weren’t the only ones with that idea, as the people of the reservation were waiting for them.
Kayce, who had been involved in controlling the stolen cattle, was expected to appear. If he didn’t, Dante would be deeply disappointed.
For Dante, nothing was more important than family, and this belief would remain until his dying breath.
“They’re coming,” said Crocodile, using binoculars to spot a convoy of trucks, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, and horseback riders approaching.
Since childhood, Dante had protected his siblings—even Beth, who once nearly lost the chance to have children again.
Tonight was no different; as before, he would protect his siblings.
The plan wasn’t to confront the Native Americans over the cattle. The mission was to reclaim it stealthily without their knowledge.
But the reservation residents were prepared, even ready to camp out if necessary to keep the cattle.
This gave Dante a clear idea of what would happen next. He prepared to support his family, even if it meant shooting at reservation police.
When the helicopter carrying his father arrived, Dante spotted a man on horseback returning the cattle while others scattered, fleeing from the strong wind stirred up by the chopper.
“That’s Kayce, boss.”
Dante shifted his scope toward the man on horseback—his brother—and smiled faintly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Suddenly, gunfire shattered the silence. The shots were aimed at the helicopter.
“I’ll handle that idiot personally,” Dante said, aiming at the figure he couldn’t clearly see in the darkness but knew posed a danger.
As the situation intensified, gunfire erupted in response to the attack on the helicopter.
Meanwhile, the sound of hidden police sirens filled the air.
“Zz… Abort.”
“Zz… Obey and abort the mission,” John’s voice came through the intercom.
Dante remained calm, observing the unfolding events, and ordered, “Don’t let the police advance. Repel their fire with tracer rounds.”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Dante’s men opened suppressive fire on the police pursuing the cowboys. Meanwhile, they slowly reclaimed the cattle with Kayce’s help.
Eventually, the cattle began moving back toward their controlled territory.
“Looks like it’s over.”
Dante, silent, smirked slightly and murmured, “For the family.”
Bang!
In that moment, as he pulled the trigger, a figure aiming at his brother Lee fell to the ground.
“Bring the vehicles. Let’s go now,” Dante said calmly, handing his sniper rifle to one of his men.
Comments
Nato J
Helps to have soldiers at your side, but Rainwater will just use the conflict for his own gain.
