Ghost’s pulse is weak beneath my fingertips when I hear the bike.
I’m on my feet before I even register what I’m hearing. My hands are still covered in Ghost’s blood. I’ve been holding pressure on his wound for what feels like hours. Keeping him awake. Keeping him talking even when all he wanted to do was close his eyes.
But that engine—I know that engine.
Ash.
I run to the window. See his bike pulling up to the safe house, kicking up dust.
Relief hits me so hard my knees nearly buckle.
He’s here. Finally.
Ash is off his bike and through the door in seconds. His eyes find mine first, then drop to Ghost on the couch. “How is he?” he asks, already moving toward us.
“The bleeding slowed down, but he’s lost so much blood. He keeps drifting in and out.” My voice shakes.
Ash kneels beside the couch. Checks Ghost’s pulse. Looks at the wound I’ve been holding together with blood-soaked towels.
“You did good, Bonnie.” He looks up at me. “You kept him alive.”
“Is it over?” I ask. “The attack?”
“It’s over. We held the compound. Minimal casualties.” He stands. “And Jackal’s back.”
My heart stutters. “What?”
“Your brother showed up right after the attack with fifteen men from his chapter. Perfect timing.” Ash touches my face. “He’s at the compound. Waiting to see you.”
Jackal. My brother is home.
I want to cry, but I can’t. Too exhausted. Too wrung out.
“We need to move Ghost,” Ash says. “Get him back to the compound where we can treat him properly. Can you help me get him to the truck?”
“Yeah.”
Ghost’s eyes flutter open when we start moving him. He groans but doesn’t fight us. Just lets us half carry, half drag him to his truck.
We load him into the back seat, and I climb in with him, keeping his head elevated, keeping pressure on the wound.
Ash loads his bike into the truck bed. Then he’s in the driver’s seat and we’re moving. Away from the safe house. Back toward home.
Ghost drifts in and out during the drive. Sometimes he opens his eyes and looks at me. Sometimes he mutters something I can’t understand. Mostly, he just breathes. Shallow and ragged.
“Stay awake,” I tell him for the hundredth time. “We’re almost there.”
He doesn’t respond.
The compound appears in the distance. Even from here, I can see the damage. Smoke rising from burned buildings. The destroyed gate. Brothers moving around like ants rebuilding.
We pull through what’s left of the entrance. Brothers immediately surround the truck.
“Ghost is hurt!” Ash shouts. “Someone get Jamie! Now!”
Jamie appears within seconds. She takes one look at Ghost and starts barking orders.
They get him out of the truck. Carry him into the clubhouse. Jamie follows, already examining the wound.
