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TWENTY-SIX

WILLOW

The warm afternoon sun beats down as I watch Wren playing in the clubhouse yard. She's running around, her laughter ringing out across the lot. It's a sound that never fails to warm my heart.

As I sit on a nearby bench watching her, my mind drifts to last night. On Ezra's return, he was a little bruised but relatively okay. I think of the way he looked at me, his eyes full of love and desire, and remember how his hands felt on my skin. God, he made me feel so alive.

A blush creeps up my cheeks at the memory. It had been so long since I'd been with anyone. But it felt right. Like coming home after years of wandering.

"Mama, look!" Wren calls out, drawing my attention. She's made a daisy chain, and she’s holding it up proudly for me to see.

"It's beautiful, Little Bird," I call back with a smile.

As Wren returns to her play, I can't help but admire how much has changed in such a short time. Just a few weeks ago, the thought of being back here, of letting Ezra back into our lives, would have terrified me. Now, it feels like the most natural thing in the world.

The club is in Church now, discussing what happened last night and planning their next moves. Part of me wishes I could be in there with them, to know exactly what's going on. But another part is grateful for this moment of peace, watching our daughter play without a care in the world.

Still, I can't shake the feeling that this isn't over. Ezra said Lochlann is dead, that the Shadow Hawks are finished. So why do I still feel on edge?

Maybe it's just old habits die hard. After years of looking over my shoulder, of being ready to run at a moment's notice, it's hard to believe we're truly safe.

Or maybe... maybe it's something else. A sixth sense telling me there's still danger lurking just out of sight.

I shake my head, trying to dispel these dark thoughts. We're safe now. Ezra promised me that. And after everything, I choose to believe him.

As I watch Wren play, her face alight with joy, I make a silent vow. Whatever comes next, whatever challenges we might face, we'll face them together. As a family.

Because that's what we are now. A family. Ezra, Wren, and me. It might not be conventional, and it certainly isn't perfect. But it's ours.

And I'll be damned if I let anyone take it away from us again.

My heart stops as I see the black sedan pull into the lot. There's nothing particularly remarkable about it, but something sets off alarm bells in my head. A chill runs down my spine as the car comes to a stop.

Then I see him. Lochlann. He steps out of the car, very much alive, his face bruised but his eyes gleaming with malice.

Terror grips me as I realize Ezra was wrong—Lochlann isn't dead. And now he's here, at the clubhouse, where we were supposed to be safe.

"Wren!" I call out, trying to keep the panic from my voice. "Go inside and find Daddy, right now!"

To my immense relief, Wren doesn't question me. She must sense the urgency in my tone. She takes off running toward the clubhouse door.

I stand frozen, watching Lochlann's eyes track Wren's movement. A cruel smile spreads across his face as he turns his gaze to me.

"Hello, Willow," he says, his voice sending shivers of revulsion through me. "Miss me?"

I want to run, to scream, to do something. But fear has me rooted to the spot. Where are Ezra and the others? Why aren't they coming out?

Lochlann takes a step toward me, and I finally find my voice. "Stay away from me," I warn, though my voice shakes.

He laughs, and it’s a cold, mirthless sound. "Or what? Your biker boy isn't here to protect you now, is he?"

“He’s right behind those doors,” I tell him. “You’d better leave.”

The snarl that forms on his face is sinister. It reminds me of the night he violated me; how he broke a piece of me. Terror takes over my body as he prowls toward me.

Lochlann's face twists into a snarl as he lunges for me. Before I can react, his fist connects with my jaw, sending me stumbling backward. Pain explodes through my head as stars dance in my vision.

"You stupid bitch," he growls, grabbing my arm roughly. "You thought you could hide from me forever?"

I try to scream, to call for help, but Lochlann clamps his hand over my mouth. With brutal strength, he drags me toward his car. I kick and struggle, but it's no use—he's too strong.

As he shoves me into the backseat, I catch a glimpse of the clubhouse door opening. My heart leaps with hope—Ezra! But Lochlann slams the car door shut before I can see who emerged.

The engine roars to life as Lochlann peels out of the lot. Tears stream down my face as I pound on the window, screaming for help. But it's too late. The clubhouse fades from view as Lochlann speeds away.

"Please," I sob, terror gripping me. "Please, just let me go. I won't tell anyone, I swear."

Lochlann's cold laugh chills me to the bone. "Oh Willow," he says, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. "We're just getting started."

As the car races down the highway, taking me further and further from safety, from Ezra and Wren, I close my eyes and pray.

Please let Wren have found Ezra in time. Please let them be coming for me. Please don't let this be the end.

But as Lochlann's cruel laughter fills the car, a part of me fears it might already be too late.

“Tell me, whore, where is that cunt of a sister of yours?” he growls.

My brows knit together. “Ivy?” I ask, wondering why the hell he’s questioning me about her.

His bark of laughter chills me to the bone. “Who else would I be talking about? Where the fuck is she?”

“I don’t know,” I say, my voice trembling. “I haven’t seen Ivy since the night you raped me.”

Lochlann's eyes narrow dangerously in the rearview mirror. "Don't lie to me, bitch. I know you've been in contact with her."

I shake my head, confused and terrified. "I swear, I haven't seen or spoken to Ivy in years. Not since that night."

He slams his hand against the steering wheel, making me flinch. "Bullshit! She disappeared right after you did. I know you two planned it together."

My mind races, trying to make sense of what he's saying. Ivy disappeared? But why? And why does Lochlann think I know where she is?

"I didn't plan anything with Ivy," I insist, my voice shaking. "I left on my own after... after what you did to me. I haven't had any contact with her or my parents since then."

Lochlann's laugh is cold and cruel. "You expect me to believe that? Your precious sister watched me fuck you and didn't do a damn thing to stop it. You really think she just walked away after that?"

His words bring back the horror of that night; the betrayal I felt at seeing Ivy just standing there while Lochlann violated me. Tears sting my eyes as I push the memory away.

"I don't know what happened to Ivy," I say, fighting to keep my voice steady. "And I don't care. She's dead to me after what she did."

Lochlann is quiet for a long moment, his eyes flicking between me and the road. Finally, he speaks again, his voice low and dangerous.

"Well, if you don't know where she is, I guess I'll just have to make do with you," he says, a cruel smile twisting his features. "I'm sure your biker boy will be very interested in getting you back. And who knows? Maybe Ivy will come out of hiding to save her baby sister."

Terror grips me as I realize what he's planning. I'm bait—for Ezra, for Ivy, for anyone Lochlann thinks he can use me against.

As the car speeds down the highway, taking me further and further from safety, from Ezra and Wren, I close my eyes and pray harder than I've ever prayed before.

Please let Ezra find me. Please let this nightmare end. Please don't let Lochlann hurt me again.

But as I open my eyes and see Lochlann's cruel smile in the mirror, I fear my prayers may go unanswered.