Page 36 of Rogue’s Reckoning

Ghost's expression softens slightly. He sits down next to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Yeah, you did. We all did. But what's done is done. The best thing you can do for her now is to let her go."

I shake my head, unable to accept that. "I can't. I love her, Ghost. I can't just?—"

"You have to," he interrupts firmly. "For her sake. You really think seeing you again would do anything but traumatize her further? She needs to heal, brother, and she can't do that with you around."

Deep down, I know he's right. The memory of the fear and hatred in Willow's eyes when I left her at her apartment flashes through my mind. I'm the last person she needs in her life right now.

"Fine," I say finally, my voice hollow. "I'll stay away. But at least let me know if you find out where she is. Just... just so I know she's safe."

Ghost nods. "I can do that. Now come on, Storm wants everyone in the chapel. We've got some business to take care of.”

Once again, a smile on my face forms. Hell fucking yes we do. Ivy, that bitch, must have known what she was doing when she stole that information. She must have known we’d think Willow was the one who betrayed us. She’s going to regret ever fucking with the Saints, that’s for sure.

I follow Ghost down to the chapel, a mixture of emotions churning inside me—anger at Ivy for her betrayal, grief over what happened to Willow, and a burning desire for revenge.

When we enter, Storm is already there along with several other brothers. His face is grim as he outlines what we've learned about Ivy's involvement with the Hawks.

"This bitch played us," Storm growls. "Made us torture her own sister while she was the real traitor all along."

Murmurs of anger ripple through the room. I clench my fists, thinking of Willow's screams; the pain in her eyes.

"So what's the plan, Prez?" Savage asks.

Storm's eyes are cold as he responds: "We're going to send a message. To Ivy, to the Hawks, to anyone who thinks they can fuck with the Saints."

He outlines a plan to abduct Ivy and make her pay for her betrayal. As I listen, part of me recoils at the brutality of it. But a darker part relishes the thought of revenge against the woman who caused Willow so much pain.

When Storm’s finished speaking, he looks at me. "You want in on this, Rogue? Seems only fair you get a piece of the action."

I nod grimly. "Count me in."

As we prepare to carry out Storm's plan, I try to tell myself this is justice. But deep down, I know the truth—no amount of vengeance will undo what we did to Willow. Nothing can make that right.

The raid on Ivy's apartment is swift and brutal. We catch her off guard, still half-asleep in her bed. Her screams are quickly silenced as Ghost gags her and ties her up. Unfortunately, Lochlann isn’t with her. It would have been even better if he was, but I have no doubt that his time will come.

As we drag her out to the van, I catch a glimpse of her face. The resemblance to Willow is uncanny, and for a moment, I'm frozen, memories of Willow's torture flashing through my mind. But then I remember that this is the woman responsible for Willow's pain, and my resolve hardens.

As I ride back to the clubhouse, Willow’s words about her family come back to me. She never felt as though she belonged. She told me her sister was the golden child; that compared to Ivy, she was ordinary, just someone her family pushed to the corner.

She was anything but ordinary. She was magnificent, and I fucked it up. I had the woman of my dreams in my bed, in my life. I fucking loved her with every piece of me and I screwed up so fucking badly.

Back at the clubhouse, Storm wastes no time. He has Ivy strapped to a chair in the basement, her eyes wide with terror as she takes in the grim faces surrounding her.

"You thought you could betray us and get away with it?" Storm growls, circling her like a predator. "You thought you could let your own sister take the fall for your actions?"

Ivy struggles against her bonds. “You’re animals,” she cries. “I saw what you did to my sister. Did she tell you it wasn’t her? But you didn’t listen. You tortured her so badly she ran away.”

Guilt rolls through my stomach, but Storm isn’t letting her words affect him. “Don’t act as though you’re innocent, cunt. You’re the reason she was hurt. You let your sister take the fall. I bet you’re regretting not leaving with her.”

“Fuck you,” she hisses.

Storm laughs. “Never. I have standards, and a bitch who’s been on a Hawks’ dick ain’t ever going to be it.”

Ivy screams as Storm lands the first punch to her face. Everything he does to her is a brutal mirror of what we did to Willow. Every cut, every burn, every blow is payback for the innocent woman we hurt. I participate mechanically, trying to convince myself that this is justice, that this will somehow make things right.

But with each of Ivy's screams, all I can hear is Willow. All I can see is the pain and betrayal in her eyes as I stood by and let her suffer.

Ghost was right, there’s no fucking making up for what I did to her; what I allowed to happen to her. I should have known better than to think it was her. She was right, I didn’t know her. If I did, I would have known she was telling the truth. The reality is, I was too chicken shit to look deeper, knowing that if I did, it would mean going against the club. My club. My brothers. My family. That shit just ain’t done.

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