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TWENTY-NINE

ROGUE

The atmosphere in the chapel is tense as we gather for an emergency meeting. My brothers' faces are grim as they take their seats around the table. We may have taken out Lochlann, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

Ghost calls the meeting to order with a sharp rap of the gavel. "Alright, brothers, let's get down to business. We've confirmed Lochlann is dead. The Shadow Hawks are finished. But we need to talk about what happened and what it means going forward."

I nod grimly. "Lochlann was fixated on finding Ivy. He seemed to think she and Willow had planned some kind of escape together years ago. But that doesn't make sense to me. Ivy just stood there and watched when Lochlann...” I pause, unable to say the word. “When he hurt Willow. Why would she help her escape after that?"

"Exactly," Ghost says. “It doesn’t make sense. What the fuck are we missing?”

"Willow swears she hasn't had any contact with Ivy since that night. She was just as confused by Lochlann's obsession as we are," I say through gritted teeth.

Ghost slides his eyes to me, and I know we’re both thinking the same thing. We know exactly why Ivy hasn't been in contact—because we killed her years ago. But that's not something Willow needs to know. Not ever.

"So what are we thinking?" Hades asks. "Did Ivy have something on Lochlann? Some kind of leverage?"

Ghost shakes his head. "It's possible. But whatever it was, it died with her. We know she's not coming back."

The room falls silent as everyone processes this. Finally, Savage speaks up. "Could she have taken something? Some information or evidence that Lochlann wanted back?"

It's a good question, and one that makes me uneasy. If Ivy had something on Lochlann, something important enough for him to still be looking for her years later, what was it? And more importantly, where is it now?

"It's possible," Ghost says slowly. "But we have no way of knowing for sure. Ivy's dead, and Lochlann took whatever secrets he had to the grave with him."

I run a hand through my hair, frustration building. "So what do we do now? Just hope that whatever Ivy might have had doesn't come back to bite us in the ass?"

Ghost sighs heavily. "For now, yes. We keep our ears to the ground, stay alert for any whispers of trouble. But unless something concrete comes up, we have to assume this chapter is closed."

The brothers nod in agreement, though I can see the unease on their faces. None of us like loose ends, and this feels like a big one.

"What about Willow and Wren?" Tempest asks, looking at me. "Are they staying?"

I nod, unable to keep the small smile off my face despite the seriousness of the situation. "Yeah, they're staying. Willow wants to make a life here, with me and Wren."

There are nods of approval and a few grins from around the table. The brothers have all grown fond of Willow and Wren over the past weeks.

"Good," Ghost says, clapping me on the shoulder. "They belong here. With family."

I feel a warmth in my chest at his words. After everything that's happened, it means a lot to have the support of my brothers.

"So what's our next move?" Savage asks, bringing us back to the matter at hand.

Ghost leans back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "We keep our eyes and ears open. If there's anything out there that Ivy might have had on Lochlann, we need to find it before anyone else does. We can't risk it falling into the wrong hands."

"I'll reach out to some of my contacts," Hades offers. "See if there's been any chatter about Ivy or anything connected to the Shadow Hawks."

Ghost nods approvingly. "Good. Tempest, I want you to do a deep dive into Ivy's background. See if you can find any properties, bank accounts, anything that might give us a clue where she might have stashed something important."

"On it, boss," Tempest agrees.

"The rest of us will keep things running smoothly here," Ghost continues. "We need to show strength now more than ever. The Shadow Hawks might be gone, but there's always someone waiting to take advantage of any perceived weakness."

There are nods of agreement all around the table. We all know how precarious our position can be in this world.

"Rogue," Ghost says, turning to me. "I need you to talk to Willow. See if there's anything else she can remember about that night, or about Ivy. Anything that might help us figure out what Lochlann was after."

I nod, though the thought of making Willow relive that night again makes my stomach churn. "I'll do my best," I promise. "But I won't push her if she's not ready."

Ghost's expression softens slightly. "Of course. Her wellbeing comes first. Just... keep your ears open. Sometimes the smallest detail can be important."

As the meeting wraps up and the brothers file out, Ghost holds me back with a hand on my arm.

"You okay, brother?" he asks quietly once we're alone.

I sigh, running a hand over my face. "Yeah, I guess. Just worried. About Willow, about Wren. It’s been full on for a while, and now that it’s not, I’m hoping things don’t change for the worse."

Ghost nods understandingly. "I know. But you'll figure it out. You always do."

"Yeah," I agree, though I can't quite shake the uneasy feeling in my gut. "I just hope whatever Ivy might have had doesn't come back to haunt us. Willow and Wren have been through enough already."

Ghost's expression turns serious. "We'll deal with whatever comes, brother. You know that. The club has your back—and Willow and Wren's too."

I nod, grateful for his reassurance. "Thanks, man. I appreciate it."

As I turn to leave, Ghost calls out one last time. "Rogue? Remember, what happened with Ivy... Willow can never know. For her own good."

I pause in the doorway, a weight settling in my chest. "I know," I say quietly. "She won't hear it from me."

With that, I head out of the chapel, my mind racing. I need to find Willow, hold her close, and remind myself that she's safe now. Whatever secrets are still out there, whatever danger might be lurking, I'll face it. For her. For our family.

As I walk toward our room, I can't help but wonder—what did Ivy know? And more importantly, where did she hide it? The thought that there might still be a threat out there, something that could hurt Willow or Wren, makes my blood run cold.

But I push those thoughts aside as I open the door to our room. Willow is there, curled up on the bed looking gorgeous as ever. My cock thickens as I close the door behind me.

The second I close the door, Willow looks up at me with those beautiful eyes. All thoughts of club business and potential threats fade away. Right now, all I want is to lose myself in her.

I cross the room in a few quick strides, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. Willow responds eagerly, her arms wrapping around my neck to pull me closer.

"I need you," I murmur against her skin as I trail kisses down her neck. "Let me take care of you, Little Flower."

Willow nods, her breath hitching as I gently push her back onto the bed. I take my time undressing her, pressing reverent kisses to each inch of skin I uncover. By the time she's naked beneath me, she's squirming with need.

I settle between her legs, inhaling her intoxicating scent. The first swipe of my tongue against her core has Willow gasping, her fingers tangling in my hair. I take my time, savoring her taste as I build her pleasure slowly but steadily.

"Ezra," she moans, her hips rocking against my face. "Please..."

I redouble my efforts, sucking her clit as I slide two fingers inside her. It doesn't take long before she's crying out, her body shuddering with release. I work her through it gently, only pulling away when she tugs at my hair.

Willow pulls me up for a deep kiss, moaning as she tastes herself on my tongue. Then she's pushing at my shoulders, urging me onto my back.

"My turn," she says with a wicked grin that goes straight to my cock.

I groan as she takes me in her mouth, her tongue swirling around the head before she sinks down. The wet heat of her mouth is incredible, and it takes all my self-control not to thrust up into it.

"Fuck, Willow," I pant, watching as she bobs up and down my length. "That feels so good, baby."

She hums around me, the vibrations sending sparks of pleasure through my body. But as much as I'm enjoying this, I need to be inside her.

I gently tug her off my cock, pulling her up for another kiss. In one smooth motion, I flip us over so she's beneath me again.

"Ready for me, Little Flower?" I murmur, positioning myself at her entrance.

Willow nods eagerly, wrapping her legs around my waist. "Please, Ezra. I need you inside me."

I slide home with a groan of pleasure, pausing for a moment to savor the feeling of being joined with her like this. Then I start to move, setting a steady rhythm that has us both panting.

"God, you feel so good," I growl, picking up the pace. "So tight and wet for me."

Willow meets me thrust for thrust, her nails clawing against my back.

"Ezra," she moans. "Oh god, don't stop."

I can feel Willow getting close again, her inner walls starting to flutter around me. I slide a hand between us, rubbing tight circles on her clit.

"Come for me, Little Flower," I urge her. "Let me feel you."

With a cry of pleasure, Willow comes undone beneath me. The sight and feel of her orgasm triggers my own release. I groan her name as I spill inside her, holding her tight against me.

We lay tangled together afterward, both of us breathing heavily. I press gentle kisses to Willow's face and neck, savoring having this back again.

"I love you," I murmur against her skin. "So much."

Willow smiles up at me, her eyes shining with contentment. "I love you too, Ezra."

As I hear her breathing even out, I press a kiss to her forehead. I have everything I could have ever imagined and then some. I have my brothers, the club, and now I have the woman I love more than life itself and our daughter. Life couldn’t get better than this.