Page 27

TWENTY-SEVEN

ROGUE

The chapel doors burst open as Wren comes running in, tears streaming down her face.

"Daddy!" she cries. "A bad man is talking to Mama!"

My blood runs cold at her words. I'm on my feet in an instant, rushing out to the lot with my brothers close behind. But we're too late—all I see is a black sedan speeding away, kicking up dust.

"Fuck!" I roar, slamming my fist against the nearest wall. This can't be happening. Lochlann is supposed to be dead. Willow is supposed to be safe.

Ghost puts a hand on my shoulder. "We'll find her, brother. We won't let that bastard hurt her again."

I nod grimly, forcing myself to focus. Willow needs me to keep it together right now.

"Hades, check the security cameras. See if you can get a plate number or anything useful," I order. "Tempest, call our contacts. See if anyone's spotted Lochlann or knows where he might be headed."

As the brothers spring into action, I kneel down in front of Wren, who's still sobbing. "It's okay, sweetheart," I tell her, trying to keep my voice calm. "We're going to find Mama and bring her home. I promise."

Wren throws her arms around my neck, clinging to me tightly. "I'm scared, Daddy," she whimpers.

"I know, baby," I say, holding her close. "But I won't let anything happen to Mama. Or to you."

As I comfort our daughter, my mind is racing. How the fuck did Lochlann survive? And why take Willow now? What's his endgame?

One thing's for sure: I won't rest until I find Willow and make Lochlann pay for ever laying a hand on her. This time, I'll make damn sure he stays dead.

"Rogue!" Hades calls out. "I've got something!"

I pass Wren to Natalia, who's come out to help, and rush over to where Hades is reviewing the security footage.

"Look," he says, pointing to the screen. "You can just make out part of the plate number. It's not much, but it's a start."

I nod, committing the partial plate to memory. "Good work. Anything else?"

Hades shakes his head. "Not yet, but I'm still looking."

Just then, my phone buzzes. Unknown number. With a sense of dread, I answer.

"Hello, Rogue," Lochlann's voice sends a chill down my spine. "Missing something?"

"You fucking bastard," I snarl. "If you hurt her, I swear to God?—"

"Now, now," Lochlann interrupts, his tone mocking. "Is that any way to talk to the man holding your woman's life in his hands?"

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to stay calm. Losing my temper won't help Willow right now. "What do you want, Lochlann?"

He chuckles, the sound making my skin crawl. "What I've always wanted—to see you and your little club burn. But I'll settle for making you suffer first."

"Let me talk to Willow," I demand. "I need to know she's okay."

There's a pause, then I hear her voice. "Ezra?"

"Willow!" I exclaim, relief flooding through me at the sound of her voice. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"I'm okay," she says, but I can hear the fear in her voice. "Ezra, please be careful. He's?—"

Her words are cut off abruptly, and Lochlann's voice returns. "That's enough of that. Now listen closely, Rogue. I want you to meet me at the old warehouse on Pier 12. Come alone, or Willow dies. You have three hours."

The line goes dead before I can respond. I clench my fist around the phone, rage and fear warring inside me.

"What did he say?" Ghost asks, his face grim.

I quickly fill the brothers in on Lochlann's demands. "It's obviously a trap," I conclude. "But I don't have a choice. I have to go."

"Like hell you do," Savage growls. "We're not letting you walk into that alone."

I shake my head. "I can't risk Willow's life. You heard him—if I don't come alone, he'll kill her."

Ghost puts a hand on my shoulder. "Brother, we can't let you do this. There has to be another way."

I shake my head. “No, this has to be done. I’m not hanging around. I’m not waiting around. This club has failed Willow one time too many. I’m going to get her, no matter what you say.”

They all watch me with wary glances. This is not the way we do things. Ghost’s word is final. But fuck, I’ve put the club above Willow constantly, and today, when she needs me the most, I’m not doing it.

“I’ll come with,” Tempest says, stepping forward.

“Me too,” Hades says, joining him.

It doesn’t take long until the majority of my brothers step up, wanting to take my back.

“Alright,” Ghost sighs, nodding. “Let’s go get Willow.”

The old warehouse on Pier 12 looms before me, dark and foreboding in the dark. I park my bike a block away and approach on foot, every sense on high alert. My brothers are already here, scattered around, ready and waiting in case I need them.

I know this is a trap. I know Lochlann has no intention of letting either of us walk away from this. But I don't have a choice. Willow's life is at stake.

As I near the warehouse, I think of Wren's tearful face as I left her with Natalia. "Bring Mama home," she pleaded. I intend to do just that, no matter what it costs me.

The warehouse door creaks as I push it open, the sound echoing ominously in the cavernous space. "Lochlann!" I call out. "I'm here. Where's Willow?"

A chuckle comes from the shadows. "So predictable, Rogue. Always rushing in to play the hero."

Lochlann steps into view, dragging Willow with him. My heart clenches at the sight of her—bruised, terrified, but alive.

"Let her go," I growl. "You've got me. That's what you wanted, right?"

Lochlann smirks, pressing a gun to Willow's temple. "Oh, I want so much more than that. I want to watch you suffer. I want to destroy everything you love."

"Please," Willow whimpers. "Ezra, just go. Don't let him hurt you too."

I shake my head. "I'm not leaving without you, Little Flower. Never again."

Lochlann's face twists with rage. "Enough of this sentimental bullshit," he snarls. "Time to end this once and for all."

He shoves Willow aside and raises his gun. I dive for cover as shots ring out, the bullets ricocheting off metal beams.

I return fire, my heart pounding. Where's Willow? Is she safe? I can't see her in the chaos.

Suddenly, a scream pierces the air. Willow's scream.

"No!" I roar, breaking cover to run toward the sound.

Pain explodes in my shoulder as a bullet finds its mark, but I barely notice. All I can think about is getting to Willow.

I round a stack of crates to see Lochlann dragging Willow toward a side exit. Without thinking, I launch myself at him, tackling him to the ground.

The fucker manages to twist mid-air, so that he’s on top, but with one swift kick, that changes. I unleash my anger on the bastard, but Lochlann fights dirty, gouging at my eyes and kicking at my wounded shoulder. But rage and desperation give me strength, and I don’t stop. I throw punch after punch. This time, he’s not getting away. No fucking way. "This is for Willow," I snarl between blows. "For everything you did to her."

Lochlann struggles beneath me. He’s trying to fight back, but my rage gives me the upper strength. I don’t stop. I can’t. I need this fucker to be done. Even as Lochlann's face becomes a bloody, unrecognizable mess, I don’t stop. I pound his face with my fists.

"Ezra, stop!" Willow's voice finally breaks through the red haze that has formed over me. "He's done. It's over."

I glance over and see Willow standing a few feet away, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and concern. Fuck, I never wanted her to see me like this, but I needed to stop Lochlann. I glance down at the cunt beneath me. He’s gone still and lifeless.

With a shuddering breath, I push myself off Lochlann's motionless body. Stumbling to my feet, I’m suddenly aware of the pain radiating from my wounded shoulder. Crap, that fucker shot me again.

"Willow," I gasp, reaching for her. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

She shakes her head, tears streaming down her face as she collapses into my arms. "I'm okay," she sobs. "I thought... I thought I'd lost you."

I hold her tightly, burying my face in her hair. "Never," I murmur. "I'll always come for you, Little Flower. Always." I hold her close, needing to feel her safe in my arms. Christ, I could have lost her. The thought alone makes me want to break down. I can’t lose Willow, not again. I tighten my arms around her, reminding myself that she’s here, that she’s alive and safe.

The sound of approaching sirens breaks the moment. I look up to see my brothers entering the warehouse, weapons drawn. They took their sweet fucking time, but fuck, it’s done.

"It's over," I tell them, my voice rough with exhaustion. "Lochlann's dead."

Ghost nods grimly. "Good. Let's get you both out of here before the cops show up."

As we make our way out of the warehouse, I keep my arm firmly around Willow, unwilling to let her go for even a second. The nightmare is finally over. Lochlann can never hurt us again.