"Extraction plan if we're compromised?" Shadow asks quietly from his corner.
It's a necessary question, if a grim one. We need to know how to get the women out if the Eagles breach our defenses.
"Underground tunnel from the safe room leads to the storage building on the east side," King replies. "From there, escape vehicle in place with go-bags. Route already programmed in the GPS, destination only Luna knows." He looks around the room. "That's absolute last resort. If it comes to that, Luna's in charge. Her orders override all others."
We nod, accepting this command structure. In a worst-case scenario, Luna would be responsible for getting Jenny, Amelia, and Claire to safety, while we cover their retreat. It's unlikely to come to that, but we plan for every contingency.
"One last thing," King says, his voice dropping slightly. "If any of you get a clean shot at Vulture, take it. No hesitation, no mercy. This ends tonight, one way or another."
The order is unnecessary. We all understand what's at stake, but King says it anyway, making his expectations crystal clear. The Eagles' threat ends tonight. Permanently.
"Dismissed," King says. "Final positions by 5:45. Radio silence except for emergency communications."
We filter out of the office, each moving to our assigned preparations. I catch Tank's arm before he gets too far.
"Claire's intel checked out completely," I say quietly. "She earned our protection."
"No one's saying otherwise."
"Just making it clear. Whatever happens tonight, we get her somewhere safe afterward. New ID, new town, fresh start."
"Already in the works," Tank assures me. "King authorized it this morning. Shadow's making the arrangements with our contact."
Relief flows through me. "Good. She deserves a chance."
Tank's expression shifts, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're getting attached."
It's not a question, and there's no point denying it. "Maybe. What about it?"
"Nothing. Just an observation." He pauses. "Just remember she's leaving after this. That's the safest option for her."
"I know that," I say, perhaps too defensively.
Tank nods, unconvinced but unwilling to push further. "Check your weapons, then get some rest while you can. You look like shit."
"Thanks, brother," I reply dryly.
As Tank walks away, I stand in the hallway, momentarily uncertain of my next move. I should be checking my gear, reviewing positions, preparing myself mentally for what's coming. Instead, I find myself thinking about Claire's dream of a second-hand clothing store, about the way her eyes lit up when she talked about it.
I shake my head, forcing the thought away. Tank is right. I'm getting attached to a woman I barely know, a woman who will be gone from my life as soon as this situation is resolved.It's dangerous and stupid, especially with everything at stake tonight.
Still, as I head toward the armory to check my weapons, I can't shake the feeling that something important has changed in the past twenty-four hours. Something that started the moment I saw Claire in that park, refusing to surrender despite her fear.
Whatever it is, I'll have to deal with it after we survive tonight. And we will survive. All of us. I've got a son who needs his father, brothers who need their enforcer, and now, a battered woman who needs the fresh start I've promised her.
Too much to lose. Too much to fight for.
I check my watch: 3:17 PM. Just over two hours until we move the women to the safe room. Just over three until sunset, when the Eagles will make their move.
Time to focus.
Time to become what the club needs me to be.
Chapter 7 - Claire
The safe room is larger than I expected.
More like a small apartment than the closet-sized space I'd imagined. There's a small kitchenette with bottled water and non-perishable food, a bathroom, several cots along one wall, and a bank of monitors showing security camera feeds from around the clubhouse.
