I consider deflecting but decide on honesty. "She's special."
Rage's eyebrows shoot up. "Holy shit. You're actually serious about her."
"Yeah," I admit, the single word carrying more weight than a thousand others could.
A slow smile spreads across his face. "Well, I'll be damned. Never thought I'd see the day Beast got tamed." He claps me on the shoulder. "If you're happy, I'm happy for you, brother. Just be prepared for the shitstorm when Tank finds out."
"I can handle Tank," I say confidently, though in truth, I'm not looking forward to that confrontation, “Besides, he already knows we’re together. Does he expect us to be celibate?”
"Sure you can," Rage agrees, but there's a hint of doubt in his voice. He moves to check his own weapon, falling silent for a moment before speaking again. "Just be sure she's worth the trouble because he might be okay with you together, but knowing you’re fucking under his roof? That’s crazy."
"She is worth all the trouble," I say without hesitation, "Your time will come too, you know," I tell him after a pause. "Finding someone."
"Not interested. After Eli's mom walked out on us, the last thing I want is another woman in my life. Don't need anyone else disappointing my kid."
I nod, understanding his position. When Eli was just three, his mother decided club life wasn't for her and disappeared, leaving Rage to raise their son alone.
"Besides," Rage continues, glancing toward the kitchen where we can hear Jenny talking softly to Eli, "this life we lead? It's dangerous enough for us. Bringing women and children into it just puts targets on their backs too." His voice drops. "I already worry about Eli every day. Don't need anyone else to worry about."
His words hit home, reminding me of the risk I'm taking not just with my position in the club, but with Jenny's safety. The Iron Eagles wouldn't hesitate to use her against us if they discovered what she means to me and Tank.
"I get that," I acknowledge. "But now that I've found Jenny... I've got an extra reason to make it home alive. To protect what's mine."
Rage considers this, then nods slowly. "Fair enough. Just remember… When shit hits the fan, and it always does, she's going to be looking to you for protection. You ready for that responsibility?"
Before I can answer, my phone buzzes with an incoming message from King: *Eagles neutralized. All targets down. Heading back.*
"They got them," I tell Rage, relief washing through me. "All targets down."
"Good," Rage says grimly. "Hope they made those fuckers suffer."
I type a quick response, confirming our status at the clubhouse, then check the time. Nearly midnight.
"We should get everyone back to the safe room until they return," I suggest. "Just in case."
Rage nods in agreement, and we move toward the kitchen to collect Jenny and Eli. As we enter, I find them sitting at the table, Eli munching on cookies while Jenny tells him a story that has him giggling despite the circumstances.
Our eyes meet across the room, and the connection between us is almost tangible. In that moment, I know Rage is right.
I'm in deep shit with Tank, and the club, and possibly the Iron Eagles.
But looking at Jenny's smile, I can't bring myself to regret a single thing.
Four days later - Wednesday evening
"You're sure this is a good idea?" Jenny asks as we pull up to my mother's house. "Having dinner with your mom right now?"
I cut the engine on my Harley and help her dismount. After four days of relative quiet from the Iron Eagles, King finally authorized normal activities to resume, though with heightened security. The attack on the machine shop had been devastatingly effective. All seven Eagles present, including Vincent Kemp, were eliminated. We expected immediate retaliation, but so far, nothing.
That silence is more unsettling than gunfire would be. We've installed cameras at all major road entrances to town, giving us early warning if a convoy of bikers approaches, but the waiting has everyone on edge.
"Ma's been worried," I explain, taking Jenny's hand as we walk up the path to the front door. "Calling twice a day since the attack. Figured seeing us in person would ease her mind."
The truth is, I also want to come clean to my mother about how our relationship started. The lie has been eating at me, especially now that what Jenny and I have is real.
Since that night in her room, we've been fully open about our relationship at the clubhouse. The morning after the attack, Tank cornered me in the chapel while the others were cleaning up the damage. I expected a fight, but instead got a tense conversation where he made it clear he wasn't happy about us being together but would give it a shot for Jenny's sake. His parting words still echo in my head: "If you hurt her, Beast, we're going to have problems. And those problems will end with one of us in the ground."
It wasn't exactly a blessing, but it was better than the alternative.
