Page 38 of Rogue’s Reckoning

I’m gasping for breath, trying my hardest to get away, but I can’t. The smell of leather and cigarettes is thick and clogs the air. Storm is relentless. He won’t stop. His fists are meaty and heavy, and no matter how much I beg, it doesn’t make a difference.

"Please," I whimper. "I'm telling the truth. It wasn't me."

The burning agony of the brand searing into my hip has me crying out in pain. It’s too much. All of this is too much.

No one is listening to me. They don’t want to. I haven’t done what they’ve accused me of. Ezra stands in the corner, his face impassive as he watches me suffer.

“Please,” I beg, my entire body hurting. I’m beyond tired.

I close my eyes, hoping like hell that they’ll stop. I hear silence, utter silence. When I open my eyes, I’m frozen in place. Lochlann looms over me, his cold eyes gleaming with cruel intent.

“I think it's time we taught little Willow here a lesson about keeping her mouth shut," he sneers at me. The look of pure malice on his face makes my body shudder with fear.

“Ivy, please!" I plead with my sister, but she does nothing, just stands there and watches as the man she’s dating violates me.

"No!" I scream. "Don't touch me!"

"Willow! Willow, wake up!" A gentle voice cuts through the horror, pulling me back to reality.

I jolt awake with a gasp, my heart racing. For a moment, I'm disoriented, panic gripping me as I try to remember where I am.

It’s just a dream. God, it’s just a dream.

Then I see Natalia's concerned face hovering over me, and the familiar surroundings of her apartment come into focus. I'm safe. I'm in Portland. It was just a nightmare.

"It's okay," Natalia soothes, carefully placing a hand on my arm. "You're safe. It was just a bad dream."

I nod, trying to catch my breath. My nightgown is soaked with sweat, and I can feel my swollen belly tight with tension.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, embarrassed. "I didn't mean to wake you."

Natalia shakes her head. "Don't apologize. That's what friends are for."

Over the past eight months, Natalia has become more than just a friend. She's been my lifeline in this new city. She didn't push when I arrived bruised and broken, just offered a safe place to stay and a listening ear when I was ready to talk.

When she discovered I was pregnant, she was so worried about me. She has been my rock, organizing doctor’s appointments and making sure I’m doing okay. Not to mention, when the nightmares take a hold of me, she’s there through each and every single one of them. She knows how to help me through the panic attacks that grip me so violently they can leave me reeling for days.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Natalia asks gently.

I shake my head, not ready to revisit the horrors of my dream. "No, I'm okay. Thank you though."

Natalia nods, understanding in her eyes. "Alright. Do you want some tea? It might help you relax."

"That would be nice," I say with a small smile.

As Natalia heads to the kitchen, I slowly sit up, placing a hand on my swollen belly. The baby kicks, as if sensing my distress.

"It's okay, little one," I whisper. "We're safe here."

But even as I say the words, I'm not sure I believe them. The nightmares have been getting worse as my due date approaches. The fear of what might happen when the baby comes, of being found by the Saints or Lochlann, haunts me constantly.

Natalia returns with two mugs of chamomile tea. I take a sip as she takes a seat beside me, and I find myself wishing, not for the first time, that I could tell her everything. About the Saints, about Ezra, about what really happened to me in Boston. But I know I can't. The less she knows, the safer she is. I’ve told her a little, though not the name of the motorcycle club as I don’t want her to be pulled into this mess if anything were to happen. She’s been my lifeline, a friend when I desperately needed one. She’s the sweetest angel, and I’m so very lucky to have found her. I never want my past or the pain I’ve been through to taint her.

"Have you thought any more about what you're going to do after the baby comes?" Natalia asks gently.

I sigh, running a hand over my belly. "I don't know," I admit. "Part of me wants to stay here in Portland. You've been so good to me, and I feel safe here. But..."

"But you're worried they might find you," Natalia finishes.

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