After drying off, I wrap my ribs again with the fresh bandages Luna provided, then slip out of the bathroom to examine the clothes on the bed. There's a small pile. Two pairs of jeans, several t-shirts, a hoodie, a set of pajamas, even underwear and bras with tags still attached. More than I expected, certainly more than I deserve.
I pull on a pair of jeans. Slightly loose but better than my dirty ones, and a soft gray t-shirt. There's even a hairbrush and elastic bands, which I use to pull my damp hair into a simple ponytail.
Another knock at the door. "Claire? It's Luna again. May I come in?"
"Yes," I call, quickly gathering my dirty clothes into a pile.
Luna enters carrying a tray with a sandwich, apple, and glass of iced tea. Her blue eyes take in my appearance with approval.
"Better?" she asks.
"Much," I admit. "Thank you for all of this. The shower, the clothes..."
She waves away my thanks, setting the tray on the small desk. "Jenny was happy to help. And you needed clean clothes."
I eye the food hungrily but hesitate to dive in. "Has King... has he decided what to do about me? About what I told you?"
Luna sits on the edge of the bed, gesturing for me to take the chair. "King believes your information is valuable. We're already verifying what we can." She pauses, studying me. "He's agreed to help you get somewhere safe once this situation is resolved."
Relief washes over me. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me," Luna says. "I'm not the one who makes those decisions. But I will say I believe you made the right choice trusting us."
I take a seat and pick up half of the sandwich. "I wasn't sure," I admit. "Everything Tommy told me about the Savage Riders—" I stop myself, realizing too late this might offend her.
Luna smiles faintly. "I can imagine what the Eagles say about us. I had my own misconceptions when I first encountered the club."
I take a bite of the sandwich—turkey and cheese with fresh tomato and lettuce—and nearly groan at how good it tastes. I hadn't realized how hungry I was.
"How did you end up here?" I ask between bites. "If you don't mind me asking. You don't seem like..."
"Like an outlaw biker's old lady?" Luna finishes, her smile widening slightly. "It's a long story, but the short version is I inherited my grandmother's house in town. King helped protect me from some trouble, and things... evolved from there."
"Trouble like mine?"
Luna's expression sobers. "Different, but no less dangerous. King and the club kept me safe." She pauses. "That's what they do for people under their protection."
The unspoken message is clear: if I've been honest with them, they'll honor their commitment to help me.
"I've told you everything I know," I say quietly. "I swear it."
Luna nods, seemingly satisfied. "I believe you." She stands. "Finish your food. Rest if you can. There's a church meeting at noon. Club business only, but someone will check on you after."
"What happens tonight?" I ask, unable to keep the anxiety from my voice. "If the Eagles really attack?"
"We'll be ready," Luna says simply. "You'll stay in the safe room with me and Jenny. Amelia too, if she comes with Tank."
"Amelia?"
"Tank's girlfriend. She has a daughter, Anna. They'll probably leave her with a sitter for the night."
I nod, remembering Rage mentioning that he's made similar arrangements for his son. The thought of his son being safely away from the potential violence brings me a measure of relief.
"The safe room is secure," Luna continues. "Reinforced walls, steel door, its own ventilation and communication system."
After she leaves, I finish the sandwich and apple, then sip the iced tea slowly, savoring the sweet tanginess. My body is clean, my stomach is full, and I'm wearing fresh clothes. Such simple comforts, yet they feel profound after the past few days.
I should rest while I can, but my mind is too active, cycling through scenarios and possibilities. What if the Eagles don't attack tonight? What if they do, but they overwhelm the Savage Riders? What if Tommy somehow finds out I'm here?
