Page 144 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

Cassidy detoured and went to them. “What’s going on?”

God didn’t glance up. “Just got an email from our captain.”

Day rubbed a hand over his jaw. “It’s an official notice.”

Green’s stare stayed on God. “They shut us down?”

Tech read from his tablet. “Administrative dissolution of the specialized task force, effective immediately. Personnel to be reassigned pending budget review.”

Cassidy stared at God. His face appeared carved from stone, stoic. But Cassidy knew the sight of a gutted man.

“We all knew this was the likely outcome,” Day said.

Ruxs scowled. “Reassigned to what? Traffic? Patrol unit?”

“I’ll retire first,” Green scoffed.

“Now isn’t the time to discuss logistics,” Day said.

God pocketed his phone. “Agreed. We have a job to do right now. Stay focused.”

Cassidy had only been around them for a few weeks, but he knew God and his team were a family forged in brotherhood and survival.

Free’s voice came through their comms pieces. “We can challenge it.”

God shook his head. “No. If they want us gone…then we’re gone.”

Ruxs dragged both hands over his head. “What about Syn?”

Cassidy hadn’t heard that name before, but he knew there were a few members of God’s team who’d stayed in Atlanta.

God glanced at Tech. “Still nothing?”

Tech looked grim. “He’s not answering any calls. His Hart Locator is offline. And last I’ve heard from Ro, he left his place and went to Fox and Bull’s ranch. That was this morning.”

Day let out a slow breath. “Maybe that’s not the worst thing.”

“That’s not what we do,” God said. “None of us can just go off the grid. No matter what’s going on.”

“We know where he is. Fox’ll take care of him,” Day said. “Come on guys, we still got one of our own that needs us here.”

Steele glanced toward the monitor showing Xander on set.

Cassidy’s earpiece crackled.

“Kellan to Morrison. Scene wraps in five. Starlight moving exterior for trailer return.”

Cassidy straightened. “Copy. On my way.”

Cassidy felt for God and his team. His life at home was being dismantled and he couldn’t do shit about it because he was two thousand miles away.

The sun had set hours ago, and the cast and crew had thinned to a few stragglers. Xander stood outside near the trailers with Wyatt Stanis and two new actresses appearing in the sequel. He was laughing at something one of the women said, sunglasses pushed into his hair, the late light catching the pale gold in his waves. He seemed even younger for a second, and so carefree. Cassidy stood a few feet away, while Ruxs worked the forward angle and Green monitored the route to the Hummer.

Free came over the comms, “South service has a driver refusing to turn around. Driving a white maintenance truck with no studio decal.”

“Which gate?” Tech answered.

“South service, gate four.”