"Then we deal with it," I say flatly. "But right now, we have peace. Fragile, strange, baby-shaped peace. And I'm not throwing that away because you're scared of change."
"I'm not scared. I'm strategic. And strategically, a President can't be effective when he's got divided loyalties."
"I don't have divided loyalties." I keep my voice level, but there's steel underneath. "I have expanded responsibilities. I'm stillPresident. I still make decisions. I still protect this club. But now I also protect my family. That doesn't make me weaker—it makes me more dangerous."
"How?" Ghost challenges.
"Because I have more to lose. And men with something to lose fight harder, think smarter, protect more fiercely. Before Lena, I didn't care if I lived or died. I fought because that's what I did. Now? I fight because I have a son to come home to. A woman who needs me. A future to build. That makes me careful, not weak."
"Or it makes you distracted," Ghost shoots back. "Case in point: you're here defending your personal life instead of leading the club."
"I'm here because you forced this meeting while I was at the hospital with my newborn son. You timed this specifically to make me look bad. That's politics, not leadership."
"I timed this because the club needs clarity. Are you our President or are you Lena Cruz's old man? Because you can't be both effectively."
I lean forward, hands flat on the table. "Watch me."
The tension in the room could cut steel. Everyone's waiting to see who blinks first.
Blade breaks the silence. "I've got a question for Ghost."
"Yeah?"
"If you become President, what's your first move?"
Ghost doesn't hesitate. "Clean house. Get rid of the liabilities. Make it clear we're Iron Talons, not a daycare."
"By liabilities you mean Lena and the baby?" Blade asks carefully.
"I mean anyone who makes us look weak."
Colt leans back in his chair. "And the truce with Coyote Fangs?"
"Fuck the truce. We didn't build this club by making peace with enemies. We built it by being stronger, meaner, and more willing to fight. That's what made us powerful."
Tommy shakes his head. "That's also what got Jackson killed. And before him, three other Presidents. Violence for violence's sake is suicide."
"It's survival," Ghost insists.
"It's stupidity," I counter. "I've been President for five years. In that time, we've expanded territory, increased revenue, and lost fewer members to violence than any previous administration. You know why? Because I'm strategic. I pick battles that matter.I make alliances when it benefits us. I fight when there's no other option. That's real leadership—knowing when to fight and when to build."
"And I say we've gone soft," Ghost says, voice rising. "Iron Talons used to be feared. Now we're known as the club whose President knocked up the enemy's sister."
"We're known as the club smart enough to turn an enemy into family. That's not soft. That's evolution."
Joker bangs the gavel. "Vote time. All in favor of keeping Zane as President?"
This is it. The moment that determines everything.
Tommy's hand goes up immediately. "Aye."
Blade: "Aye."
Colt: "Aye."
Joker: "Aye."
Rope: "Aye."
