TITAN
Miller’s voice grates on my last nerve.
“South side got hit again last night. Rooney’s garage. They broke his arm in three places, trashed the whole shop.”
I stare at the photos he slides across the table. Broken glass, overturned equipment, blood on the concrete. Savage Legion’s calling card.
“How much damage?” I ask.
“A couple thousand, at least. Rooney says he can’t afford repairs and the protection fee.”
“Tell him we’ll cover repairs. Protection fee gets deferred until he’s back on his feet.” I look around at the other enforcers gathered in Ash’s office. “Anyone else get hit?”
Barnes speaks up. “Three more businesses on the east side. Nothing major, just intimidation tactics. Broken windows, spray paint, the usual bullshit.”
I rub my temples. This war is bleeding us dry, one shop at a time. Savage Legion knows they can’t take us head-on, so they’re chipping away at our income instead.
“Double patrols on the south and east routes,” I say. “I want brothers visible, making it clear we’re still protecting our territory.”
“That spreads us thin,” Miller points out.
“I know. Do it anyway.”
The meeting continues for another twenty minutes. Damage reports, resource allocation, and strategy discussions all boil down to the same conclusion—we need to end this war before it bankrupts us.
By the time everyone files out, my head pounds and my patience is shot.
I check my phone. Almost three PM. When’s the last time I saw Bonnie?
Can’t remember seeing her at breakfast. Didn’t spot her in the common room at lunch. Haven’t heard her voice echoing through the halls like it usually does when she’s arguing with someone.
That’s not right.
Since we started this arrangement, I’ve gotten used to her presence. The sound of her moving through the clubhouse, the sight of her curled up reading in the common room, the way she lights up when one of us walks in.
Going a whole day without seeing her feels wrong.
I head out to find her.
The clubhouse is busy with afternoon activity. Brothers working on bikes in the garage, playing pool in the rec room, drinking beer and bullshitting like always. I check the common room first. Not there.
Kitchen. Empty.
Ash’s office. He’s alone, buried in paperwork.
“Seen Bonnie?” I ask.
He glances up. “Not since this morning. Why?”
“Just wondering where she is.”
“Try her old room. She’s been spending time there lately.”
I nod and keep moving. Down the hallway toward the residential wing, past closed doors and brothers’ rooms, until I reach the section where Bonnie’s old bedroom sits.
Ghost emerges from his room, pulling a clean shirt over his head.
“Hey,” I call out. “Have you seen Bonnie?”
