Page 77 of Rogue’s Reckoning

"About as well as you'd expect," I say wryly. "He's furious. Wants to make Lochlann pay."

Natalia reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. "Can you blame him? If it were Ghost, I'd want the same thing."

I nod, knowing she's right. "I just... I'm scared, Nat. What if something happens to him? What if Lochlann hurts him too?"

"Rogue's tough," Natalia reminds me gently. "And he's got the whole club behind him. They'll keep him safe."

I try to take comfort in her words, but the knot of anxiety in my stomach refuses to ease. Before I can respond, Wren comes bounding into the room, her face lighting up when she sees me.

"Mama!" she exclaims, throwing herself into my arms. "Where's Daddy?"

The ease with which she calls Ezra 'Daddy' still takes me by surprise sometimes. "He had to go to a meeting, sweetheart," I tell her, smoothing her hair. "But he'll be back soon."

As Wren chatters away about her plans for the day, I try to push my worries aside and focus on her. She deserves a mother who's present and engaged, not lost in fears about what might happen.

But even as I smile and nod at her enthusiastic descriptions of the picture she wants to draw for Ezra, I can't shake the feeling that our fragile peace is about to be shattered.

Later that afternoon, as Wren naps and Natalia rests in her room, I find myself pacing the common area, unable to shake myrestlessness. The clubhouse feels claustrophobic suddenly, the walls closing in on me.

Just as I'm considering sneaking out for some fresh air, the door creaks open. Ezra strides in, his face grim and his eyes blazing with barely contained fury.

"Ezra?" I say, alarmed by his expression. "What's wrong?"

He runs a hand through his hair, his jaw clenched tight. "Fuck, I shouldn’t be telling you," he says through gritted teeth. "Club business. But this puts our daughter and you at risk.” He takes a steadying breath. “He's planning something big, Willow. Something that could hurt you and Wren."

My heart races at his words. "What kind of something?"

Ezra hesitates, clearly torn about how much to tell me. Finally, he sighs. "The asshole only has a few members of the club left. They’ve brought a shipment of guns and explosives in. Enough to take out a fucking mall. We don’t know their exact plans, but we know it’s big and directed at us."

I feel the blood drain from my face. "Oh my god," I whisper. "Wren..."

Ezra pulls me into his arms, holding me tight. "We're not going to let that happen," he says fiercely. "We're going to stop him."

I pull back slightly to look up at him, fear gripping my heart. "How?"

His expression hardens. "We’re going to end this once and for all."

I know what he's not saying—that this plan is dangerous, potentially deadly. That he might not come back from it.

"Ezra, please," I plead, gripping his cut. "Don't do anything reckless. Wren and I need you."

His face softens as he cups my cheek. "I know, Little Flower. And I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to come backto you both. But I have to do this. I have to stop him before he hurts you again."

I nod, tears welling in my eyes. As much as I want to beg him to stay, to keep him safe by my side, I know I can't. This is who Ezra is—a protector, a man who will do whatever it takes to keep those he loves safe.

"Just... be careful," I whisper. "And come back to us."

Ezra pulls me close again, pressing a fierce kiss to my lips. "Always," he vows. "I'll always come back to you, Willow."

As he turns to leave, to join his brothers and face whatever danger lies ahead, I can't shake the feeling that everything is about to change. For better or worse, the next few days will determine our future.

All I can do now is pray that Ezra and his brothers will be successful, that they'll stop Lochlann before it's too late. And that when the dust settles, we'll still have a chance at the future we've only just begun to imagine together.

As the day wears on, the tension and worry start to take their toll. With Wren occupied by a movie and Natalia resting, I decide to try and relax with a hot bath.

I sink into the warm, lavender-scented water with a sigh, trying to let the heat ease some of the tightness from my muscles. As I close my eyes and lean back, my mind drifts to Ezra.

I think about his strong arms holding me last night, the gentleness in his touch despite the anger I know was simmering beneath the surface. The way his eyes softened when he looked at me, full of love and protectiveness.

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