Page 19

NINETEEN

ROGUE

"How are they settling in?" Ghost asks as I enter the common room.

I run a hand through my hair, sighing heavily. "As well as can be expected, I guess. Willow's scared, even if she's trying not to show it."

Ghost nods grimly. "Can't say I blame her. This is a fucked up situation."

"Yeah," I agree. "But we'll handle it. We always do."

Just then, Hades bursts through the door, his face grim and his eyes filled with anger. "Brothers," he says urgently. "We've got trouble. The Hawks just hit Sultry Saint's. They torched the place."

My blood runs cold at his words. It's starting. The war we've been preparing for is finally here. They took out the strip club we own.

Ghost's expression hardens. His jaw tenses and his fists clench at his side. "Casualties?"

Hades shakes his head. "No one was hurt, thank fuck. But the damage is extensive."

"Alright," Ghost says, his voice steely with determination. "Call everyone in. We need to regroup and plan our next move."

As the brothers start to gather, I can't help but glance back towards the hallway where Willow and Wren are staying. I made a promise to keep them safe, and I intend to keep it. No matter what it takes.

I take my place at the table, my mind racing with all the ways I’m going to hurt these bastards. The Shadow Hawks need to stop with their shit. Time and time again they try to best us and it never works out. We’ll end them, there’s no doubt about that.

Ghost calls the meeting to order, his voice filled with anger. "Alright, brothers. The Shadow Hawks have made their first move. They've torched Sultry Saint's."

A burst of angry curses fills the room. Sultry Saint's is one of our most profitable businesses, and its loss will hit us hard.

"This is just the beginning," Ghost continues. "We need to be prepared for more attacks. They'll likely target our other businesses next."

"What's the plan, Prez?" Tempest asks, his normally jovial face set in grim lines.

Ghost leans forward, his eyes hard. "We strike back. Hard and fast. Show these fuckers we're not to be messed with."

"We hit their business," I suggest, my voice low and dangerous. "Send a message that we're not afraid to take the fight to them."

According to the intel that our brother, Venom uncovered, the Shadow Hawks own a chain of hotels. Three in total, all of which are currently in the stages of being set up ready for their grand opening next month. The fuckers are going to lose everything.

Ghost nods approvingly. "Good. Rogue, you'll go. Take Hades, Tempest, Savage, and Sniper. Scout the location, plan the hit."

As the meeting continues, we hash out plans to protect our remaining businesses and gather intel on the Hawks' movements. But even as I contribute to the discussion, part of my mind remains focused on Willow and Wren.

When the meeting finally adjourns, I pull Ghost aside. "Brother, I need a favor."

Ghost raises an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"I need you to keep an eye on Willow and Wren while I'm gone," I say, my voice low. "Make sure they're safe, comfortable. Wren... she asked me to play with her later. Could you maybe spend some time with her? I don't want her to feel scared or lonely."

Understanding dawns in Ghost's eyes. He knows how much this means to me. "Of course, brother. I'll look after them like they're my own."

I clap him on the shoulder, grateful beyond words. "Thank you."

As I head out to prepare for the scouting mission, I can't shake the feeling that everything is about to change. The war with the Shadow Hawks, Willow and Wren being here at the clubhouse... it all feels like a turning point.

I just hope I'm strong enough to protect everyone I love.

The night is dark and quiet as we approach the Shadow Hawks' newest hotel property. It's still under construction, scaffolding and tarps covering much of the exterior. Perfect for our purposes.

"Alright," I whisper to the brothers. "Remember the plan. We go in fast and quiet, plant the charges, then get the fuck out. No unnecessary risks."

They nod grimly, their faces set with determination. We've all been itching for payback since the Hawks torched Sultry Saint's.

We move swiftly through the shadows, avoiding the few security cameras set up around the perimeter. Tempest makes quick work of the lock on a side door, and we slip inside.

The interior is a maze of half-finished walls and exposed wiring. We split up, each heading to our designated areas to plant explosives. As I'm setting a detonator in what will eventually be the hotel's main restaurant, I hear a noise.

Freezing, I strain my ears. There it is again—footsteps, coming closer.

"Fuck," I mutter under my breath. This was supposed to be a quick in-and-out job. No confrontations.

I duck behind a stack of drywall just as two men round the corner. Even in the dim light, I recognize them as Shadow Hawks members.

"I'm telling you, I heard something," one of them is saying.

"Probably just rats," the other replies dismissively. "This place is crawling with 'em."

They're getting closer. I hold my breath, my hand inching toward the gun at my waist. I don't want to use it—gunshots would draw too much attention—but I will if I have to.

Just then, there's a crash from somewhere else in the building. The Hawks' heads whip around toward the sound.

"What the fuck was that?" the first one says, already moving toward the noise.

I silently thank whichever of my brothers created that distraction. As soon as the Hawks are out of sight, I finish planting the explosive and make my way toward our exit point.

I'm almost there when I hear shouting. "Intruders! Sound the alarm!"

"Shit," I curse, breaking into a run. I round a corner and nearly collide with Hades.

"Time to go, brother," he says urgently.

We sprint for the exit, the sound of pursuit close behind us. As we burst out into the night air, I hear the crack of gunfire.

Pain explodes in my left arm as a bullet grazes me. I stumble but keep running, adrenaline pushing me forward.

We make it to our bikes just as more Hawks pour out of the building. Ignoring the burning in my arm, I kick my bike to life and tear out of there, the others right behind me. I watch as Savage uses his cell and hits the button to detonate the explosives.

The sky lights up behind us as the explosions rip through the hotel. The roar of the blast drowns out the angry shouts of the Shadow Hawks. I feel a grim satisfaction as I watch their precious new property go up in flames.

We ride hard and fast, putting distance between us and the chaos we've left behind. My arm throbs with each bump in the road, but I grit my teeth and push through the pain. This is nothing compared to what those bastards did to Sultry Saint's.

As we arrive at the clubhouse, I see Ghost waiting for us in the lot. His eyes narrow as he takes in my bloody arm.

"What happened?" he demands as we pull up.

"Just a graze," I grunt, dismounting. "Mission accomplished. That hotel won't be opening anytime soon."

Ghost nods approvingly. "Good work, brothers. But you," he points at me, "get that arm looked at. Now."

I want to argue, but the adrenaline is starting to wear off and the pain is intensifying. I let Hades lead me to the clubhouse's makeshift infirmary.

As he's cleaning and bandaging my wound, I can't help but think of Willow and Wren. Are they okay? Did they hear about the explosion? Are they worried?

"There," Hades says, taping down the last of the gauze. "Try not to get shot next time, yeah?"

I chuckle weakly. "I'll do my best."

As I leave the infirmary, I nearly collide with Willow. Her eyes widen as she takes in my bandaged arm.

"Rogue," she gasps. "What happened? Are you okay?"

The concern in her voice warms something inside me. "I'm fine, Little Flower," I assure her. "Just a scratch."

She doesn't look convinced. Without thinking, she reaches out and gently touches my uninjured arm. "You promised to be careful," she says softly.

I cover her hand with mine. "I know. I'm sorry for worrying you."

For a moment, we just stand there, connected by that small touch. Then Willow seems to remember herself and pulls away.

"Wren's been asking for you," she says, a hint of awkwardness in her voice. "She wanted to know if you were still going to play with her."

Despite my exhaustion and the lingering pain, I find myself smiling. "Of course. I never break a promise to my girl."

As I follow Willow back to their room, I can't help but feel like something has shifted between us. It's small, almost imperceptible, but it's there. A tiny crack in the walls she's built around herself.

And for the first time in a long time, I feel a flicker of hope for our future.