“Then it takes months.”
Titan shoves his chair back and stands. “This is bullshit. You’re sending her away because you can’t handle the pressure of keeping her safe while running the club.”
My jaw clenches. “Watch it.”
“No. You watch it.” He points at me. “You’re the president. You’re supposed to make the hard calls. And the hard call here is keeping our family intact, not scattering us across the state.”
“Our family stays intact if Bonnie stays alive.”
“She stays alive if we’re with her!”
“You think I don’t know that?” I’m yelling now. Can’t help it. “You think I want to send her away? But I’m not risking her life because you’re too stubborn to see the reality of our situation!”
“The reality is you’re scared!” Titan yells back. “You’re scared of leading. Scared of failing. So you’re removing the one thing that makes you vulnerable!”
“I’m removing the one thing Marcus wants most!”
We’re both on our feet now, facing off across the desk. Ghost steps between us. “Both of you shut up,” he says quietly.
“Stay out of this,” Titan snaps.
“No.” Ghost looks at me. Then at Titan. “You’re both right and you’re both wrong.”
“Helpful,” I mutter.
“Ash is right that the compound is a target. Mona knows too much. We’re exposed here.” Ghost’s voice is calm, measured. Military training kicking in. “But Titan’s right that splitting up weakens us. Bonnie shouldn’t be alone.”
“She won’t be alone,” I say. “She’ll have guards. Protection.”
“Guards aren’t family.” Ghost pauses. “I’ll take her.”
I stare at him. “What?”
“I’ll take Bonnie to the safe house. Stay with her. Keep her protected.” He looks at both of us. “You two need to be here. Ash has to lead the club. Titan has to run security. I’m the only one who can leave without crippling our operations.”
“Ghost—” Titan starts.
“I’m the biological father.” Ghost’s voice is flat, emotionless. “It makes sense. I take her. I keep her safe. You two defend the compound and end this war.”
The logic is sound. Rational. Exactly what I would’ve suggested if I’d thought of it first.
But hearing Ghost volunteer—hearing him claim that right because he’s the biological father—sends a spike of jealousy through my chest.
“How soon can you leave?” I ask.
“Tonight. As soon as we can pack and leave.” Ghost looks at me. “Unless you have a better plan?”
I don’t. And we all know it.
“Fine,” I say. “You take her tonight.”
Titan’s hands curl into fists. “I don’t like this.”
“You don’t have to like it. You just have to accept it.” I pull out my phone. “I’ll text Bonnie.”
“She’s going to fight you on this,” Titan warns.
“I know.”
