Page 32 of Rogue’s Reckoning

"Save it," I cut her off. "Do you have any idea what they did to me? What Ezra let them do to me?"

Guilt flashes across Ivy's face, quickly replaced by defensiveness. "I didn't mean for you to get hurt," she says. "But you don't understand. Lochlann said he needed that information to protect me. He said the Saints Outlaws Motorcycle Club were dangerous."

"Dangerous?" I laugh harshly. "You have no idea. They tortured me, Ivy. They branded me." I lift my nightdress to show her the angry burn on my hip.

Ivy gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh my god, Willow. I'm so sorry. I never thought?—"

"No, you didn't think," I snap. "You never do. You just do whatever you want, consequences be damned. And I'm always the one who pays the price."

"That's not fair," Ivy protests. "I was trying to protect you too! Lochlann said?—"

"Lochlann is a liar," I interrupt. "He's using you, Ivy. Can't you see that?"

Ivy's face hardens. "You're wrong about him. Lochlann loves me. He's the only one who's ever really understood me."

I shake my head in disbelief. "Are you serious right now? After everything that's happened, you're still defending him?"

"You're just jealous," Ivy spits out. "You've always been jealous of me. Well guess what, Willow? I'm the talented one. I'm the special one. You're just... ordinary."

Her words cut deep, echoing the insecurities I've carried my whole life. "Get out," I whisper.

"Gladly," Ivy sneers. "But this isn't over. You'll see. Lochlann and I, we're going to make the Saints pay for what they did to you."

As she storms out, slamming the door behind her, I collapse onto my bed, overwhelmed by pain and betrayal. How did everything go so wrong?

Tears fall thick and fast. This is too damn much to bear. I’m so lost, so hurt, and I have no one to turn to.

I must have dozed off, because the next thing I know, I'm jolted awake by a pounding on my door.

"Willow!" Ivy's voice calls out. "I need to talk to you!"

I struggle to sit up, my body still wracked with pain, as Ivy barges into my room. But she's not alone. My blood runs cold as I see Lochlann enter behind her, his cold eyes raking over me.

"What is he doing here?" I demand, fear and anger warring inside me.

"We need to talk," Ivy says, her voice hard. "About what happened with the Saints."

I shake my head, backing away as far as I can on the small bed. "No. I don't want to talk to either of you. Get out."

Lochlann steps forward, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Now, now, sweetheart. That's not very friendly. After all, we're practically family."

"You're not my family," I spit out. "You used my sister and got me tortured. Stay away from me."

Ivy's face twists with anger. "Stop being so dramatic, Willow. It wasn't that bad."

I stare at her in disbelief. "Wasn't that bad? They branded me, Ivy! They beat me for days!"

"And whose fault is that?" Ivy sneers. "If you had just told them the truth?—"

"The truth that you were the one who betrayed them?" I interrupt. "That you're the one working with the Hawks?"

Lochlann's hand shoots out, grabbing my arm painfully. "Watch your mouth, little girl," he growls. "You don't know what you're talking about."

I try to pull away, but his grip is like iron. "Let go of me!"

"Lochlann," Ivy says, her voice uncertain, "maybe we should go."

But Lochlann's eyes are fixed on me, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "No, I don't think so. I think it's time we taught little Willow here a lesson about keeping her mouth shut."

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