“Like hell I will.”
He stands, matching my energy. “You’re pregnant. You’re a target. Every Savage Legion member in the state wants to get their hands on you. I’m not letting you walk out those gates so you can get snatched the second you’re unprotected.”
“I wouldn’t be unprotected. Send guards. Send a whole convoy. I don’t care.” My voice rises. “But I can’t stay locked in here anymore. I’m losing my mind.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“I’m being realistic. This war isn’t ending anytime soon. Marcus isn’t backing down. If anything, it’s getting worse.” Icross my arms. “So what’s the plan? Keep me locked up until the baby’s born? Until they’re five? Ten? When do I get my life back?”
“When I say it’s safe.”
“That’s not good enough.”
“It has to be.”
We stare at each other across the desk. His expression is set, determined. The same look he gets when he’s made a decision and nothing will change his mind.
But I’m not backing down either.
“There has to be a compromise,” I say. “Some way I can leave, even for a few hours. I could wear a disguise. Stay in the car. Only go to places you’ve cleared. Something.”
“No.”
“Ash—”
“No, Bonnie. I’m not risking you. I’m not risking our baby.” He softens slightly. “I know this is hard. I know you feel trapped. But it’s temporary.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. We’re going to end this. Soon. And then you can go wherever you want.”
“You can’t promise that.”
“I can and I do.”
I want to scream. Want to flip his desk and storm out and do something reckless just to prove I still have control over my own life.
But he’s right about one thing—I am pregnant. And as much as I hate it, that does change things.
“Please.” The word tastes bitter in my mouth. “I’m not asking for much. Just a few hours outside these walls. I’ll take any precautions you want. Follow any rules. I just—” My voice cracks. “I can’t breathe in here anymore.”
Ash’s expression shifts. The hard line of his jaw softens. His eyes search my face, and I see the moment he starts to cave.
“Maybe we could arrange something,” he says slowly. “Heavy guard. Daylight hours only. Somewhere close?—”
He stops. His gaze shifts to the window behind me.
The softness vanishes from his face, replaced by something cold and sharp.
“What?” I turn to follow his line of sight.
Through the window, I see Titan’s bike roaring through the front gate. But he’s not alone.
A man is chained to the back of his motorcycle, stumbling and falling as Titan drags him across the gravel parking lot. Blood covers the man’s face and shirt. His hands are bound behind his back. Titan doesn’t slow down, forcing the man to run or be dragged.
“Fuck.” Ash is already moving, heading for the door.
I follow.
