Chapter 32 Titan
TITAN
The compound looks like a war zone.
Because it is.
I walk through the aftermath, boots crunching on shell casings and broken glass. Bodies—all theirs—sprawl outside the fence. Our brothers are already dragging them into a pile. Someone will burn them later.
The garage is still smoldering. Black smoke drifts into the dawn sky. The front gate is completely destroyed, twisted metal and concrete rubble where it used to stand.
But we’re alive.
I count heads as I move through the compound.
Miller’s getting stitched up by one of the old ladies who knows basic field medicine.
Barnes has his arm in a makeshift sling, but he’s on his feet, helping clean up.
Rodriguez limps, but he’s moving, directing prospects to start boarding up broken windows.
We lost three brothers. Three good men who won’t see tomorrow.
But it could’ve been worse. It should’ve been worse with the way they hit us. Mona gave them everything, and we still held.
That counts for something.
Ash stands near what’s left of the gate, phone pressed to his ear. His face is stone. Cold. He’s talking to someone. I head toward him, but stop when I see his expression.
He’s talking to Bonnie.
I can tell by the way his jaw clenches. The way his free hand curls into a fist.
He hangs up and stares at the phone for a long moment.
“How is he?” I ask.
Ash doesn’t look at me. “Still alive. Barely.”
“Bonnie holding up?”
“She’s trying.” His voice is flat. Dead. “She got the bleeding to slow down, but he’s lost a lot of blood. Keeps drifting in and out of consciousness.”
“We really do need to go get them.”
“I know.”
But neither of us moves.
“Come on,” Ash says finally. “We need to assess the damage. Figure out our next move.”
We head to his office. The building took some hits, but it’s still standing. Inside, the meeting room is a mess—broken windows, bullet holes in the walls, furniture overturned. We right the table and chairs. Sit down like we’re about to have a normal church meeting.
Except nothing about this is normal.
“They came at us with everything,” I say. “Twenty, maybe twenty-five riders.”
“She told them exactly where to hit us.” Ash leans back in his chair. The adrenaline is starting to wear off, leaving exhaustion in its place. “We can’t let this stand.”
“No. We can’t. I want to wipe them off the fucking map.” My hands curl into fists on the table. “Marcus sent them here to kill us. To burn down our home. We don’t respond to that with defense. We respond with annihilation.”
“Agreed. But we need to be smart about it.”
“Smart means striking while they’re weak. They just lost twenty men. They’re scattered. Wounded. This is our chance.”
“Our brothers are wounded too.”
“Not as bad as theirs.” I stand and start pacing. Can’t sit still. Too much anger burning through me. “We gather everyone who can still fight. We hit their compound. We burn it to the ground just like they tried to do to us.”
Ash is quiet for a long moment. Then he says, “I can’t lead it.”
I stop pacing. “What?”
“I can’t lead the offensive.” He looks at me. “I have to go to Bonnie and Ghost.”
“Ash—”
“Ghost is dying, Titan. Bonnie is alone, trying to save him with no training and no help. I have to go.”
“The club needs you here, like you said.”
“I know.” His jaw tightens. “But they need me more.”
“What’s the plan?” I ask.
“You lead the offensive. Take whoever’s still standing. Hit the Savage Legion hard while I go to the safe house. Get Ghost and Bonnie. Bring them back here where we can protect them properly.”
It makes sense. Tactically, it’s sound. But it means splitting up. Dividing our leadership when we need to be unified.
Before I can say anything, someone starts screaming outside.
“He’s home! He’s home!”
Ash and I look at each other. Then we’re running toward the door.
We burst outside. Brothers are gathering near what’s left of the gate, all of them looking in the same direction.
Bikes. At least fifteen of them. Rolling through the destroyed entrance in formation.
My hand goes to my gun, but then I see the cuts.
Ruthless Devils. All of them.
The lead bike pulls to a stop in the center of the compound. The rider kills the engine. Reaches up and pulls off his helmet.
Everything slows down.
Jackal.
He’s older than I remember. Harder. His dark hair is longer, tied back at his neck.
A full beard covers his jaw. Scars mark his knuckles.
His Ruthless Devils cut is worn and faded, the president patch on the front still bright.
He swings off his bike and stands there, surveying the compound with dark eyes that mirror Bonnie’s.
The fires. The bodies. The destruction.
Brothers gather around him, slapping his back, welcoming him home. But Jackal doesn’t take his eyes off the damage. He turns slowly, taking it all in. The burned garage. The collapsed fence. The bullet holes peppering every building.
Then he looks at me and Ash. “Looks like I missed the party.” His voice is deeper than I remember. Rough. “Where’s my sister?”
Ash steps forward. “Jackal—”
“Where’s Bonnie?” Jackal’s eyes narrow. “And why does this place look like a fucking war zone?”
“We were attacked,” I say. “Savage Legion. Hit us this morning.”
“Casualties?”
“Three of ours. Twenty-plus of theirs.”
Jackal nods. Processes. Then asks again, “Where’s Bonnie?”
Ash and I exchange a look.
“She’s safe,” Ash says. “I sent her to a safe house before the attack.”
“Smart.” Jackal’s shoulders relax slightly. “So she’s okay?”
“Ghost is with her.” Ash’s voice goes tight. “He got shot. He’s in bad shape.”
All the color drains from Jackal’s face. “What?”
“He took Bonnie to the safe house. Went out for supplies. Ran into Savage Legion riders on the way back.” I fill in the details that Ash can’t seem to get out. “Killed them all but one of them got a shot off before he died. Hit Ghost in the side.”
“How bad?”
“Bad,” Ash says quietly. “Bonnie called during the attack. Said there’s a lot of blood. He keeps losing consciousness.”
Jackal runs both hands through his hair. Pulls it. “Fuck. Fuck!”
“We’re going to get them,” Ash says. “Bring them back here—”
“When?” Jackal cuts him off. “When are you going?”
“Soon as we—”
“Now. You’re going now.” Jackal steps closer. “My sister is alone trying to save Ghost’s life, and you’re standing here having a fucking meeting?”
“We just got attacked,” I snap. “We needed to make sure the compound was secure—”
“The compound is secure. I brought fifteen men. Plus whoever you have left.” Jackal looks around at the brothers gathering. “That’s enough to hold this place and plan a counterattack.”
“Counterattack?” Ash asks.
“Yeah. Counterattack.” Jackal’s jaw sets. Hard. Dangerous. “Marcus Stone just declared war. So we’re going to finish it. But first, you’re going to get my sister and Ghost and bring them home.”
Ash stares at him. “Jackal—”
“That’s an order.” Jackal’s voice drops. Cold. Absolute. “I didn’t ride fifteen hundred miles with my chapter just to stand around with my dick in my hand. You’re the president of this club, Ash. Act like it. Go get your family. I’ll handle things here.”
“Okay.” He looks at Jackal. “You’re in charge until I get back.”
“Damn right I am.” Jackal crosses his arms. “Now get the fuck out of here before Ghost bleeds out.”
Ash doesn’t need to be told twice.