Atilla appeared through the doorway on cue.Denim hugged his legs.The black T-shirt stretched across his chest.MC colors adorned his back.His gaze swept the room and landed on the obvious tension.
“You giving my woman the stink eye?”he asked, voice deceptively calm.
“No, sir.I wanted to confirm the town run details.”
“Nobody should leave right now, but… Kids need clothes.People need food.We never cage survivors.”He sighed.“I could order a delivery, but then we run the risk of someone intercepting it and hiding something in the bags.I don’t really like either option.”
His gaze settled on Jade.“You don’t leave without escort.Period.But I’m not locking you in a room either.”
Fair.
“Falcon.Knuckles drives.You ride shotgun.Watch for tails.If anything feels off, you bring them home.No hero shit.”
“Yes, sir.”
His stare lingered.“I wouldn’t sign off if I didn’t trust you.”
That landed heavily.
Jade stood frozen at the threshold, eyes wide and body tense.
“All right,” I decided.“Field trip.”
The moms’ minivan waited outside -- nothing special or remarkable about the vehicle.Cartoon character stickers covered one window while crayon marks decorated another.My gaze caught on a fossilized juice straw stuck in a cup holder when I pulled open the door.
Knuckles leaned against the driver’s door, sunglasses on.“I heard you’re going with us.Ready?”
“Better than letting you pick outfits.”
He snorted.
Marci took shotgun.I tapped her on the shoulder and pointed to the back, then took the spot she’d vacated.Jade slid into the middle row with Marci.Casey and Solena claimed the back.The kids stayed behind with cartoons and cookies.
As we rolled out, Jade stiffened.Hands knotted in her lap.Eyes locked on the gate.
“You good?”I murmured.
“Feels strange,” she admitted.“Going out.”
“We turn around if you want.”
She shook her head.“I need to remember how to do this.”
“Pack rules,” I reminded her.“We stay together.You call it at any time.”
“Okay.”
The store loomed bright and loud.Knuckles parked center-lot.Good sight lines.
Inside, Jade hesitated at the doors.“Crowds,” she whispered.
“We leave if you want.”
Her jaw set.“If I hide now, I’ll never stop.”
She slid her hand into mine and pulled.
I stayed half a step ahead.Let my body block.Let the noise hit me instead of her.
