Eli seems skeptical but returns to playing with Anna, who appears completely untroubled by the "thunder."
The first gunshots make us all flinch, a rapid staccato of automatic weapons fire, followed by the deeper boom of shotguns. The battle has begun in earnest.
"Mommy?" Anna calls, her small voice trembling. "Is that thunder too?"
"Yes, sweetheart," Amelia replies, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "Big storm tonight. But we're safe in here."
I admire her composure, her ability to maintain a calm facade for her daughter while men fight and possibly die just outside our sanctuary.
The gunfire intensifies, shouts and the occasional crash of something heavy falling or breaking. Through it all, Luna remains at the monitors, relaying information to King through the intercom.
"They've reached the main hall. Tank and Shadow engaging. Torch and Steel holding the west corridor."
"Where's Rage?" I ask before I can stop myself.
Luna glances at me. "North quadrant with Beast. They're holding well."
Relief floods through me, immediately followed by shame. Men are fighting for their lives out there. All of them someone's son, brother, friend. Why should Rage's safety matter more to me than the others?
But it does. Somehow, in the span of twenty-four hours, this man with his fierce protectiveness and unexpected gentleness has become important to me. The thought of him being hurt, or worse, twists something deep in my chest.
"I should be out there," Jenny mutters, resuming her pacing. "I know how to shoot now."
"Beast would lose focus if you were in danger," Luna reminds her gently. "You're helping by being here, keeping the children safe."
Jenny nods reluctantly, accepting the logic even as frustration radiates from her tense shoulders.
On the monitors, I catch glimpses of the battle—muzzle flashes in darkened corridors, men in leather cuts taking cover behind overturned furniture, shadows moving tactically through the building. It's impossible to tell who's winning, who's falling.
"There!" I gasp suddenly, pointing at one of the screens. "That's Tommy!"
Luna's attention snaps to the monitor I'm indicating. A tall figure moves confidently through what looks like a storage area, two Eagles flanking him. Even in the grainy security footage, I'd recognize that swagger anywhere.
"North storage," Luna says into the intercom. "Three Eagles, one matches Claire's description of Tommy Reeves."
"Copy that," comes King's terse reply. "Rage, Beast, intercept and neutralize."
My heart leaps into my throat. Rage is going after Tommy. Or Tommy is about to encounter Rage. Either way, a confrontation is imminent between the man who abused me and the man who rescued me.
"He's dangerous," I say, my voice sounding thin and panicky to my own ears. "Tommy. He's... he enjoys hurting people."
"So does Rage, when it's necessary," Luna says quietly. "And Beast is with him. Tommy won't stand a chance."
Another explosion rocks the building, this one close enough that dust sifts down from the ceiling. The lights flicker again, longer this time, before stabilizing.
"What was that?" Jenny demands, her face pale.
Luna checks the monitors. "They've breached the garage. Using explosives to force entry."
"The kids," Amelia says, gathering Anna into her arms. Eli looks frightened now, the game forgotten as he moves closer to Amelia's protective embrace.
"It's okay, buddy," Luna says, crossing to kneel beside him. "Your dad and the others are taking care of everything. This room is the safest place in the whole building."
Eli nods solemnly, but his small hand clutches Anna's tightly. "Dad said he'd come get me when it's over."
"And he will," Luna assures him. "Rage always keeps his promises, doesn't he?"
"Always," Eli agrees, his confidence in his father absolute.
