"Sorry to wake you," he says. "But we need to talk."
My stomach drops. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Church just ended. We've confirmed movement at the Cherry Street property. Steel spotted multiple Eagles arriving with weapons."
I take an involuntary step back. "So, they're really going through with it. The attack."
Rage nods grimly. "Looks that way. King wants all women in the safe room before sunset. I came to explain how everything will work."
"Luna mentioned it," I say, trying to keep the anxiety from my voice. "She said it's secure."
"It is. Reinforced walls, independent power, communications, the works." He steps into the room, closing the door partially behind him. "We'll move you there around 5:30. Luna and Jenny will be there too. Possibly Amelia, too."
"With her daughter?"
He nods. "Anna's staying with a friend tonight. Same as my son." He hesitates. "I want you to know that we've taken your information seriously. We're prepared for whatever the Eagles throw at us."
His reassurance means more than I expected. "I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me."
Rage's expression softens slightly. "This isn't because of you, Claire. The Eagles have been planning this since Vincent died. You just gave us a fighting chance to be ready."
"Will you..." I stop, unsure how to phrase my concern without sounding too personal. "Will you be in danger?"
"We all will," he says honestly. "But we've been in tight spots before. And we have the advantage of surprise."
I nod, appreciating his straightforwardness. "Is there anything I should do? To prepare, I mean."
"Just be ready to move to the safe room when it's time. Bring anything you might need for the night." He hesitates. "It could be a long one."
The gravity of what's coming settles over me like a weight. People might die tonight. Tommy, Eagles, Savage Riders. And I'm caught in the middle of it, a catalyst for violence I never wanted.
"I wish I'd never met him," I whisper, the words escaping before I can stop them. "Tommy. The Eagles. All of it."
"We don't get to choose who hurts us," he replies. "But we do get to choose who helps us heal afterward."
Chapter 6 - Rage
"We don't get to choose who hurts us," I say. "But we do get to choose who helps us heal afterward."
Claire's blue eyes search mine, as if trying to determine if I'm speaking from experience. I am.
I settle into the chair near the desk, suddenly aware of how tired I am. I've been running on adrenaline and coffee since finding Claire in the park, and the weight of what's coming tonight presses down on me.
"Mind if I sit for a minute?" I ask, though I'm already seated. "Been on my feet since church ended."
She nods, perching on the edge of the bed. "Of course."
The clubhouse is unusually quiet as everyone prepares for tonight. It's the calm before the storm, a brief respite before chaos descends.
"You have a son," Claire says, breaking the silence. It's not a question. I've mentioned Eli several times already.
"Yeah. Eli. He's seven." I can't help the way my voice softens when I talk about him. "Smart kid. Too smart sometimes. Asks questions I don't always know how to answer."
"Like what?"
I consider the question. "Like why some dads live with their kids and some don't. Why his mom never visits. Why I have to carry a gun." I run a hand over my short hair. "The big stuff."
Claire's expression is thoughtful, without the judgment I've come to expect from outsiders when they learn about my lifestyle. "What do you tell him?"
