Page 27 of Rogue’s Reckoning

Rage boils up inside me at his words. "You're lying," I growl, squeezing off another shot that grazes his arm.

Lochlann laughs, a cold, mirthless sound. "Am I? Why don't you ask her about the flash drive? About all those juicy club secrets she handed over?"

His words hit me like a physical blow. The flash drive. The one that went missing from the clubhouse a few weeks ago, containing detailed information about our operations. We'd assumed it was just misplaced, but if Willow somehow got her hands on it...

My moment of distraction costs me. Lochlann's bullet finds its mark, tearing through my shoulder. The pain is white-hot, but I push through it, returning fire.

Just then, an explosion rocks the building. Our diversion, right on schedule. In the chaos that follows, Lochlann disappears into the smoke and debris.

"Rogue!" Ghost's voice cuts through the chaos. "We gotta go, brother! Place is gonna blow!"

Clutching my wounded shoulder, I allow Ghost to pull me towards the exit. As we speed away from the burning warehouse, my mind is a whirlwind of anger and betrayal.

The pain from my gunshot wound is nothing compared to the ache in my chest at the thought of Willow's possible betrayal.

Back at the clubhouse, Storm listens grimly as I recount my encounter with Lochlann and his taunting words about Willow.

"This changes things," Storm says, his expression dark. "We need to know exactly what information Willow has and who she's working with."

I nod, feeling hollow inside. "What do you want me to do?"

Storm's eyes are cold as he replies, "I want her here,” he growls. “It’s time Willow realizes just who you are, who we are. She’s betrayed you, brother. She’s betrayed us. You know what that means. She’s got to pay for her betrayal."

I nod grimly. This is entirely fucked up. Lochlann’s taunting words are making my rage rise beyond anything I’ve ever felt before, but there’s that part of me that doesn’t believe it. Willow’s too fucking sweet for this. She doesn’t know who I am,doesn’t know about the club. That small part of me doesn’t think she did this. But who else could have done it?

I leave the clubhouse feeling like I'm trapped in a nightmare. I’m fucking falling in love with the woman and she’s betrayed me. I should have known better. I was just to get close to her, not fucking fall for her.

As I ride back to my apartment, where I know Willow is waiting for me, I steel myself for what's to come. Whatever the truth is, whatever I have to do, I'll do it. For the club. For my brothers.

But a small voice in the back of my mind whispers a traitorous thought: What if, this time, the cost is too high?

Entering the apartment,I see she’s lying on the sofa, her eyes closed, looking so sweet and beautiful. I think back to the night I met her at O'Malley's. The way she looked at me with those big, innocent eyes. Was it all an act? Was it a setup from the get go?

I step closer to the sofa, but I falter. How can this beautiful, gentle woman be involved in something so dark? But I push the doubt aside. I can't let my feelings cloud my judgment. Not when so much is at stake.

I sit on the edge of the sofa, reaching out to gently shake her awake. "Willow," I say softly. "Wake up. We need to talk."

Her eyes flutter open, a sleepy smile spreading across her face as she sees me. "Ezra," she murmurs, reaching for me. "You're back. Is everything okay?"

"Willow," I say, my voice serious. "I need you to be honest with me. About everything."

She sits up, confusion and concern etching her features. "Of course, Ezra. What's going on?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself, waiting, ready to catch her in a lie. "I know about your meetings with Lochlann," I say, watching her face carefully for any reaction. "I know you've been talking to the Shadow Hawks."

Willow's eyes widen, a flicker of fear passing through them. But it's quickly replaced by confusion. "Lochlann? You mean Ivy's boyfriend? I only met him once, at dinner a few weeks ago. What are you talking about?”

Willow's reaction catches me off guard. The confusion in her eyes seems genuine, but I can't let my guard down.

"Don't lie to me, Willow," I growl, my voice harsher than I intend. "I know you've been seen with him multiple times. And the flash drive—what did you tell them about the club?"

Willow recoils from me, fear and hurt flashing across her face. "Ezra, what are you talking about? What club? What flash drive? I don't understand any of this!"

Her bewilderment seems real, but doubt still gnaws at me. Could she really be this good of an actress? Or have I made a terrible mistake?

"The motorcycle club, Willow," I say, watching her closely. "The Saints. My brothers. The dangerous work I told you about—that's what it is. And somehow, information about our operations ended up in the hands of our rivals, the Shadow Hawks. Information that was on a flash drive that went missing from our clubhouse."

Willow's face pales, her eyes wide with shock. "A motorcycle club?" she whispers. "Ezra, I had no idea... I swear, I don't know anything about any flash drive or club secrets. Please, you have to believe me!"

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