I woke before dawn.
My eyes felt heavy, swollen, like I hadn't slept at all. Maybe I hadn't. Every time I closed my eyes, my mind kept replaying the same thoughts. Don. The message. The meeting. The unknown possibilities waiting for me.
I sat up slowly and rubbed my face, trying to shake off the exhaustion. It didn't help much.
Today wasn't a day for comfort.
My hand instinctively moved toward the drawer beside my bed. I pulled it open and took out my pistol, checking it out of habit. Loaded. Ready. Reliable. Just the way I liked it.
Only after confirming that did I allow myself to stand.
I reached for a robe and wrapped it around myself before heading into the bathroom.
The warm water from the shower helped clear some of the tension in my body, but not my thoughts. Those remained sharp. Focused.
By the time I stepped out, I was no longer tired.
