"Last night. After he passed out drunk. I took what I could carry and ran. Been hiding all day, trying to figure out how to get out of town."
"But the buses aren't running," Rage says.
I nod. "I was desperate. That's how I ended up in the park."
"Running might not be so easy now," Tank says. "If they're staging for an attack, they'll have all exit points watched."
Fuck. I'm trapped. Not just in Blackwater Falls, but in this increasingly dangerous situation. My breath comes faster, my newly-wrapped ribs protesting the strain.
"Hey," Rage says, stepping closer. "We're not hanging you out to dry. This information helps us, which means helping you is in our interest."
"Really?" I look to the VP, knowing his word likely carries more weight.
He considers for a moment, then nods. "We'll take this to King. Until then, you stay here, out of sight."
Relief floods through me, quickly followed by a new worry. "What if Tommy comes looking for me here? What if he already knows where I am?"
"No one gets into this compound without us knowing," Rage assures me. "You're safer here than anywhere else in town."
"We're doubling security tonight," Tank adds, already pulling out his phone. "Beast and Shadow are already on perimeter, I'll add Steel and Torch to the rotation."
"I'll stay too," Rage says. "Extra eyes can't hurt."
Tank gives him a measured look. "Your call. But your kid—"
"Mrs. Winters will keep him safe."
Tank nods and steps out into the hallway, phone to his ear. I hear him speaking in low, urgent tones, though I can't make out the words.
Rage turns his attention back to me. "You should ice those ribs now. Twenty minutes on, like Tank said."
I take the wrapped ice pack he offers, pressing it gently against my side. The cold seeps through the bandages, numbing the persistent ache.
"Thank you," I say quietly. "For not throwing me out when you learned about Tommy."
Rage shrugs. "Information's valuable. And despite what you might think about MCs, we don't leave women to get beaten to death by their boyfriends."
"Even Eagles' women?"
"You're not an Eagles' woman anymore," he says firmly. "You made that choice when you ran."
His words sink in, carrying a weight I hadn't expected. I'm not Tommy's anymore. Not the Eagles' property. For the first time in a year, I've made a choice for myself—a dangerous, desperate choice, but mine nonetheless.
Tank returns, his expression grim. "Security's doubled. I've called King. He's coming in at first light."
Rage nods. "I'll take first watch outside her door."
"I've got Beast on that," Tank replies. "Need you mobile, checking perimeters."
Rage looks like he wants to argue but nods instead. "Copy that."
Tank turns to me. "Get some rest. King will want to talk to you, and he'll probably have more questions than we did."
"Is he... will he be angry? About me being here?"
A hint of something like amusement crosses Tank's stoic features. "King doesn't get angry. He gets focused. And right now, his focus is keeping his club and his town safe. You've just given us intel that helps with that, so he'll hear you out."
It's not exactly reassuring, but it's better than nothing.
