Chapter 25 Havoc
Havoc
We lock the place down before noon.
Not obvious.
Not loud.
But effective.
Ace installs cameras along the perimeter—tree line, barn, driveway, pasture gate.
Blaze rigs motion sensors near the back fence and the ridge.
Wolf sets up a comms hub in the living room.
Saint feeds everything into a live system.
The farmhouse goes from quiet country living…
To a fortress.
Aspen watches it all from the porch.
Arms folded.
Taking it in.
“You always work this fast?” she asks.
“Only when it matters,” I say.
Her eyes flick toward Dylan.
Buddy is chasing a ball across the yard.
“Then I guess it matters,” she says softly.
I follow her gaze.
Yeah.
It does.
Inside, Blaze walks through the kitchen with a coil of wire.
“We’re setting alarms on every door,” he says.
Aspen nods.
“Do whatever you need.”
No hesitation.
No fear.
Just trust.
That lands heavier than it should.
Dylan runs up to me.
“Are we under attack?” he asks, way too excited for the situation.
“No,” I say.
“Are we preparing for one?”
“…Maybe.”
His grin widens.
“Cool.”
Buddy barks like he agrees.
Aspen sighs.
“He’s been watching too many action movies.”
I glance down at the kid.
“Stick with the dog,” I tell him.
“That’s your job.”
Dylan straightens like I just gave him a promotion.
“Yes, sir.”
Buddy sits proudly beside him.
Best security team we’ve got.
By sunset…
The farm is no longer an easy target.
And anyone watching us?
They’ll know it.