Page 83 of Rogue’s Reckoning

"You fucking bastard," I snarl. "If you hurt her, I swear to God?—"

"Now, now," Lochlann interrupts, his tone mocking. "Is that any way to talk to the man holding your woman's life in his hands?"

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to stay calm. Losing my temper won't help Willow right now. "What do you want, Lochlann?"

He chuckles, the sound making my skin crawl. "What I've always wanted—to see you and your little club burn. But I'll settle for making you suffer first."

"Let me talk to Willow," I demand. "I need to know she's okay."

There's a pause, then I hear her voice. "Ezra?"

"Willow!" I exclaim, relief flooding through me at the sound of her voice. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"I'm okay," she says, but I can hear the fear in her voice. "Ezra, please be careful. He's?—"

Her words are cut off abruptly, and Lochlann's voice returns. "That's enough of that. Now listen closely, Rogue. I want you to meet me at the old warehouse on Pier 12. Come alone, or Willow dies. You have three hours."

The line goes dead before I can respond. I clench my fist around the phone, rage and fear warring inside me.

"What did he say?" Ghost asks, his face grim.

I quickly fill the brothers in on Lochlann's demands. "It's obviously a trap," I conclude. "But I don't have a choice. I have to go."

"Like hell you do," Savage growls. "We're not letting you walk into that alone."

I shake my head. "I can't risk Willow's life. You heard him—if I don't come alone, he'll kill her."

Ghost puts a hand on my shoulder. "Brother, we can't let you do this. There has to be another way."

I shake my head. “No, this has to be done. I’m not hanging around. I’m not waiting around. This club has failed Willow one time too many. I’m going to get her, no matter what you say.”

They all watch me with wary glances. This is not the way we do things. Ghost’s word is final. But fuck, I’ve put the club above Willow constantly, and today, when she needs me the most, I’m not doing it.

“I’ll come with,” Tempest says, stepping forward.

“Me too,” Hades says, joining him.

It doesn’t take long until the majority of my brothers step up, wanting to take my back.

“Alright,” Ghost sighs, nodding. “Let’s go get Willow.”

The old warehouseon Pier 12 looms before me, dark and foreboding in the dark. I park my bike a block away and approach on foot, every sense on high alert. My brothers are already here, scattered around, ready and waiting in case I need them.

I know this is a trap. I know Lochlann has no intention of letting either of us walk away from this. But I don't have a choice. Willow's life is at stake.

As I near the warehouse, I think of Wren's tearful face as I left her with Natalia. "Bring Mama home," she pleaded. I intend to do just that, no matter what it costs me.

The warehouse door creaks as I push it open, the sound echoing ominously in the cavernous space. "Lochlann!" I call out. "I'm here. Where's Willow?"

A chuckle comes from the shadows. "So predictable, Rogue. Always rushing in to play the hero."

Lochlann steps into view, dragging Willow with him. My heart clenches at the sight of her—bruised, terrified, but alive.

"Let her go," I growl. "You've got me. That's what you wanted, right?"

Lochlann smirks, pressing a gun to Willow's temple. "Oh, I want so much more than that. I want to watch you suffer. I want to destroy everything you love."

"Please," Willow whimpers. "Ezra, just go. Don't let him hurt you too."

---