"Indeed," King says with grim satisfaction. "Steel, get with Shadow, confirm if Kemp has returned there. Tank, organize two strike teams. We move tonight."
"What about the women and children?" Torch asks. "We can't leave them unprotected here."
"I'll stay," I volunteer immediately, thinking of Jenny upstairs. "Set up a defense perimeter, keep them safe."
King considers this, then nods. "Good. Beast stays to secure the clubhouse. Torch, you're with Tank's team. I'll lead the second team once Shadow confirms the location."
"And if we find Kemp and his shooters?" Steel asks.
King's eyes turn to ice. "We remind them why they should fear the Savage Riders. No mercy for those who threaten our home."
The meeting continues with tactical details, assignments of weapons and vehicles, but my mind keeps drifting to Jenny. Is she upstairs comforting Amelia and Anna? Is she scared? Regretting her decision to help Amelia come to Blackwater Falls?
More importantly, what will happen when this is all over and Tank demands to know why I was out with his sister? We can try to maintain the fake relationship lie, but Tank knows me too well. He'll see through it eventually.
And then there's my mother, expecting us both for dinner on Sunday, already half in love with the idea of Jenny as a daughter-in-law.
I've faced down gangbangers, military enemies, and rival MCs without flinching. I've broken bones, spilled blood, and walked away without a shred of regret.
But the thought of untangling the web of lies I've spun around Jenny, and the unwelcome realization that I wish those lies were truth, that terrifies me more than any Iron Eagle with an AR-15.
My cock might be confused about what it wants from Jenny Bradley, but my heart is becoming dangerously clear.
Chapter 6 - Jenny
I find Amelia and Anna in the safe room at the back of the clubhouse, a space I'd heard about but never seen until now. Tank had mentioned they built it after the Iron Eagles attacked King and Luna at Emma's house last week, but I hadn't expected something so comprehensive.
Reinforced walls, security monitors, supplies to last weeks, the Savage Riders don't mess around when it comes to protection.
"Jenny!" Amelia looks up from where she's sitting on a small cot, Anna curled against her side. Relief washes over her face. "Thank God. Are you okay? Tank said the Eagles attacked while you were out with Beast."
"I'm fine," I assure her, closing the heavy door behind me. "We came straight back when Tank called. How's Anna doing?"
The little girl lifts her head at the sound of her name, her eyes red-rimmed from crying but dry now. She clutches her stuffed rabbit Hoppy to her chest, fingers nervously stroking its worn ears.
"Miss Jenny," she says in a small voice. "The bad men came with loud noises."
My heart clenches at her words. Anna's been through so much already. Her father's abuse, fleeing her home, adjusting to a new town, and now this. I crouch down to her level, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"I know, sweetie. But your uncles won't let the bad men hurt you. That's why you're in this special room."
"Like a fort?" she asks, a glimmer of interest replacing some of the fear in her eyes.
"Exactly like a fort," I agree. "The strongest fort ever. And I bet Beast is outside right now making sure everything's extra safe."
At the mention of Beast, a curious expression crosses Anna's face. "He's really big. Like a bear."
I can't help but smile. "He is like a bear, isn't he? Big and strong and scary to bad people, but not to us."
Anna nods solemnly, as if this makes perfect sense to her five-year-old mind. "Uncle Tank says we're safe with the Savage Riders."
"Your Uncle Tank is right," I say, standing and turning to Amelia. "How are you holding up?"
Amelia shrugs, exhaustion evident in the slump of her shoulders. "Better than I thought I would. Tank had us in here before I could even process what was happening. His military training kicks in fast."
The fondness in her voice when she mentions my brother is unmistakable. Their relationship developed almost immediately after arriving in Blackwater Falls. Two wounded souls finding healing in each other. I'm happy for them both, especially after everything Amelia endured with her abusive ex-husband.
"Did anyone get hurt?" Amelia asks quietly, glancing at Anna to make sure she's distracted with Hoppy.
