“So we give him Bonnie instead?”
“We give him a reason to call off the war.” Iron stands, moves to the window. “The clubs merge, territories combine, everyone profits. It’s the only play left.”
I want to argue, but the words stick. Because he’s not wrong about our position; we have been losing for months.
“What does Jackal think about this?” I ask carefully.
Iron’s shoulders tense. He doesn’t turn around. “Jackal knows what needs to be done.”
“That’s not what I asked, Prez. Does he know about the marriage?”
“He knows enough.”
“Enough?” Something doesn’t sit right. “He’d never agree to this. He’d fight you on it.”
“Which is why he’s not here.” Iron turns to face me, and for the first time, I see the guilt in his eyes. “I sent him away because if he were here, he’d do something stupid that would get him killed. And I can’t lose both my kids.”
“Prez—”
“You think this is easy for me?” His voice cracks slightly. “Watching her face when I told her? Knowing what’s waiting for her? But I’m the president. My job is to keep this club alive, even when it destroys me.”
I don’t know what to say to that. Part of me understands the weight of leadership and making choices that tear you apart. But the other part sees Bonnie’s face, hears her voice from last night.
“There has to be another option,” I try again.
“There isn’t.” Iron’s voice goes flat. “And you need to accept that.”
“I can’t.”
“Then you’re dismissed.” He moves back to his desk. “Wedding’s in six days. Make your peace with it.”
“What if I?—”
A knock at the door cuts me off. We both turn as it opens.
Pedro sticks his head in. “Sorry to interrupt, Prez. Got Miller on the phone. Says it’s urgent.”
Iron nods. “I’ll take it.”
Pedro disappears.
Iron looks at me, expression closed off. “We’re done here. And, Ash?” He picks up his phone. “Stay away from my daughter. Last thing she needs is false hope.”
The dismissal is clear. I want to argue, want to flip his desk and make him see reason, but Pedro’s waiting in the hallway, and other brothers are probably within earshot. I’ve already tested the limits of what a VP can say to his president.
So I turn and walk out, jaw clenched so hard my teeth ache.
The hallway feels like it’s closing in. I head for the exit, needing air, needing space, needing anything other than the crushing realization that I might not be able to save Bonnie from her fate.
Outside, the sun’s fully up now, bright and warm and completely at odds with the cold fury burning in my chest.
I failed.
5
BONNIE
My head feels like someone’s taking a sledgehammer to it from the inside.
