Page 26 of Rogue’s Reckoning

A collective growl of anger ripples through the room. I feel my own fury rising, thinking of the brothers we've lost.

"These fuckers are going after our business," Storm continues, his voice low and dangerous. "That can’t continue. These cunts are going to pay."

We hash out the details, all of us wanting to kill the fuckers, but it’s down to Storm as our Prez to tell us what he wants.

"Rogue," Storm's voice cuts through my thoughts, "take Ghost and Savage with you. I want these fuckers to know what the hell happens to those who go after one of our own. Meeting over," he declares and everyone gets to their feet.

I nod, pushing thoughts of Willow aside. "Consider it done, Prez."

Before I’m able to leave, Storm approaches, his face grim. "We need to talk about Willow," he says without preamble.

My blood runs cold at his words. "What about her?"

Storm gestures for me to follow him to his office. Once inside, he closes the door and turns to face me, his expression unreadable.

"We've got intel that suggests Willow might be involved with the Hawks," he says bluntly.

I feel like I've been punched in the gut. "That's impossible," I growl. "Willow's not involved in any of this shit. She's innocent."

Storm holds up a hand to silence me. "I know you care about her, brother. But we can't ignore the facts. Our sources say she's been seen meeting with Lochlann, the Hawks' VP. And there's something else..."

He pauses, his eyes searching mine. "We think she might have stolen something from us. Information about our operations, our supply routes. The Hawks' recent hits... they were too precise. They knew exactly where to strike."

I shake my head, denial rising in my throat. "No. No way. Willow wouldn't do that. She doesn't even know about the club, about what we really do. Her sister is supposedly dating him."

"Are you sure about that?" Storm asks, his voice softening slightly. "I had a couple of guys look into your girl while she’s at college, while Bones is busy. There’s been no mention of a sister, just your girl. You've been spending a lot of time with her. Are you certain you haven't let anything slip?"

I swallow hard at Storm’s words. Has Willow been lying to me all this time? His contacts haven’t found a sister. I think back over the past six weeks, trying to remember every conversation, every moment with Willow. Had I said something I shouldn't have? Had she been fishing for information without me realizing it?

"I... I don't know," I admit finally, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.

Storm sighs, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I know this is hard, brother, but we need to know the truth. If Willow is working with the Hawks, if she's betrayed us..."

He doesn't finish the sentence. He doesn't have to. We both know what happens to traitors.

"What do you want me to do?" I ask, my voice hollow.

"Keep her close," Storm says. "Find out what she knows, who she's working for. And if she is involved with the Hawks... you know what needs to be done."

I nod mechanically, my mind reeling. The thought of Willow betraying me, betraying the club... it's almost too much to bear. But even worse is the thought of what I might have to do if it's true.

The air isthick with tension as we approach the Hawks' warehouse. Ghost and Savage flank me, faces grim behind theirbandanas. The weight of my gun is heavy against my side, a constant reminder of what I'm about to do.

I push thoughts of Willow aside, focusing on the task at hand. Whatever's going on with her, whatever secrets she may be keeping, I can't let it distract me now. My brothers are counting on me.

We move silently through the shadows, taking out the guards with practiced efficiency. When we breach the warehouse, chaos erupts. Gunfire echoes off the metal walls, shouts and screams filling the air.

I lose myself in the familiar dance of violence, my body moving on autopilot. Take cover. Aim. Fire. Repeat. The faces of the Hawks blur together, just nameless enemies to be eliminated.

But then I see him. Lochlann. The Hawks’ prince. The man Willow's supposedly been meeting with.

Our eyes lock across the warehouse floor, recognition flashing between us. In this moment, all my doubts and fears about Willow come rushing back. Does she know this man? Has she really betrayed me?

Lochlann's lips curl into a cold smile, and he raises his gun. Time seems to slow as I watch his finger tighten on the trigger. I dive for cover, feeling the bullet whistle past my ear.

Lochlann continues to fire shots at me. The fucker isn’t going to stop until I’m dead. Well tough shit. I won’t stop until he’s lying on the ground, his body riddled with bullets.

"She told us everything, you know," Lochlann calls out, his voice taunting. "Your woman. She sang like a bird."

---