Phantom's eyes flash. "That wasn't a request. That was an order."
"I don't take orders from you anymore." I keep my voice level. "I love her. I'm not giving her up. Not for you. Not for the club. Not for anyone."
"Then you're choosing her over your brothers."
"If I have to."
The silence is deafening.
Finally, Phantom speaks, his voice like gravel. "Get out. Before I have you thrown out."
I head for the door, but his voice stops me.
"She deserves better than you."
I turn back, meet his eyes one last time. "Maybe. But she chose me anyway."
I walk out of the office, out of the clubhouse, and I know I just lost everything.
My position. My club. My brothers. The family I've had for years.
But I meant what I said, I’m not giving up Grace.
Outside, the night air is cold on my skin. I pull out my phone with shaking hands and call her.
She answers on the first ring. "Shadow? Are you okay? Banshee said?—"
"I'm fine." My voice is rougher than I intended. "But we have a problem."
"Flint called me. He knows about us."
"Yeah. He told everyone. Including your father, and I told them I married you."
Her sharp intake of breath cuts through the line. "Wait. What? Oh my fucking God."
"I'm coming to get you. We need to talk."
"Yeah, I’d say."
"I'll explain when I get there. Just... pack a bag. Essentials only for you and Charlie. We might need to leave for a while."
"Leave? Shadow, what?—"
"Just trust me."
"I do." Her voice is quiet. Certain. "I trust you."
Those words hit me harder than Phantom's fury, harder than losing my patch, harder than anything.
"I love you, Grace. Everything's going to be okay."
Silence on the line. Then, softly: "I love you too."
I close my eyes. "Say it again."
"I love you, Shadow."
Finally. After everything, she said it back.
