“Our brothers are wounded too.”
“Not as bad as theirs.” I stand and start pacing. Can’t sit still. Too much anger burning through me. “We gather everyone who can still fight. We hit their compound. We burn it to the ground just like they tried to do to us.”
Ash is quiet for a long moment. Then he says, “I can’t lead it.”
I stop pacing. “What?”
“I can’t lead the offensive.” He looks at me. “I have to go to Bonnie and Ghost.”
“Ash—”
“Ghost is dying, Titan. Bonnie is alone, trying to save him with no training and no help. I have to go.”
“The club needs you here, like you said.”
“I know.” His jaw tightens. “But they need me more.”
“What’s the plan?” I ask.
“You lead the offensive. Take whoever’s still standing. Hit the Savage Legion hard while I go to the safe house. Get Ghost and Bonnie. Bring them back here where we can protect them properly.”
It makes sense. Tactically, it’s sound. But it means splitting up. Dividing our leadership when we need to be unified.
Before I can say anything, someone starts screaming outside.
“He’s home! He’s home!”
Ash and I look at each other. Then we’re running toward the door.
We burst outside. Brothers are gathering near what’s left of the gate, all of them looking in the same direction.
Bikes. At least fifteen of them. Rolling through the destroyed entrance in formation.
My hand goes to my gun, but then I see the cuts.
Ruthless Devils. All of them.
The lead bike pulls to a stop in the center of the compound. The rider kills the engine. Reaches up and pulls off his helmet.
Everything slows down.
Jackal.
He’s older than I remember. Harder. His dark hair is longer, tied back at his neck. A full beard covers his jaw. Scars mark his knuckles. His Ruthless Devils cut is worn and faded, the president patch on the front still bright. He swings off his bike and stands there, surveying the compound with dark eyes that mirror Bonnie’s.
The fires. The bodies. The destruction.
Brothers gather around him, slapping his back, welcoming him home. But Jackal doesn’t take his eyes off the damage. He turns slowly, taking it all in. The burned garage. The collapsed fence. The bullet holes peppering every building.
Then he looks at me and Ash. “Looks like I missed the party.” His voice is deeper than I remember. Rough. “Where’s my sister?”
Ash steps forward. “Jackal?—”
“Where’s Bonnie?” Jackal’s eyes narrow. “And why does this place look like a fucking war zone?”
“We were attacked,” I say. “Savage Legion. Hit us this morning.”
“Casualties?”
