Page 85 of Declan

But this? This is something else.

This is the moment you realize your life might be over, and no one even knows you’re missing.

Declan.

Wesley.

Someone help me.

Chapter 24

Declan

Sleep never found me last night. I sat on the couch, alone in the dark, feeling it wrap around me like a noose. Every tick of the clock sounded like a countdown, every breath tighter than the last. I watched the sun rise with bloodshot eyes, hoping daylight would bring clarity but all it brought was the blinding truth that sitting here, doing nothing, is just another form of failure.

I’ve called Lena at least twenty times. Straight to voicemail every time. I drove to her place, banged on the door until my knuckles were raw, but nothing. Her car was gone. That’s when the panic really hit me. That tight squeeze in your chest that doesn’t go away.

Now I’m heading to Twisted Souls. If I want any chance in hell of getting Lena back, I need to face Wesley and, more importantly, I need to own my part in all of this.

Lex told me last night not to be a coward. That today had to be the day I stop hiding. So I’m here.

When I pull into the parking lot and see Jeanne’s car, a chill snakes down my spine. She has no business being here unless something’s seriously wrong. My heart lurches. I park my bike and head inside, my gut screaming that this is more than just fallout from a secret relationship.

The front of the club is quiet, which makes sense this early. But no one’s out here. Everyone’s in the back. The only time that happens is if there’s a meeting. A serious one.

I don’t hesitate. I storm down the hall and push the door open to the meeting room. My chair, my fucking chair, is occupied by Jeanne. Everyone turns to look at me like they’ve been expecting this explosion.

“What the fuck is this?”

Wesley shoots up from his seat, arms crossed, face hard and blazing with fury. “Get the fuck out of here.”

“Wes,” Kaden says, trying to calm him.

“No! Fuck that. He doesn’t get to be here!” Wesley shouts, charging me. Elias jumps up, blocking him just in time.

“Let him go! If punching me in the face is what it takes, do it! But I’m not going anywhere,” I say, arms wide, chest heaving. “I’m not going to apologize for loving Lena. Yeah, I screwed up by keeping it secret. I tried to protect everyone and ended up hurting the one person who matters most. But I’m done pretending. I love her. I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to her. And if that means walking through fire, so be it.”

I look around at them, disgusted. “You’re having a meeting about my love life? Are you fucking serious? This is none of yourbusiness. This is between Lena and me. So no, I’m not leaving. I’m done hiding. I’m done playing nice.”

I turn to Wesley, hands shaking with emotion. “I love your sister. And I don’t need your blessing but I’m begging for your help.”

Jeanne’s wiping her eyes, and Lex gives me a quiet nod. But no one says a damn word.

Then Hux speaks, calm but grim. “This isn’t about your relationship, Declan.”

Before I can ask what he means, Wesley explodes again, grabbing a chair and hurling it against the wall with a crash that feels like a gut punch.

“He doesn’t get to know! He’s the reason this is happening!”

I look around, suddenly lightheaded. My knees go weak, and I grip the back of a chair, trying to ground myself. “What the fuck happened?” I whisper.

“Lena’s missing,” Lex says, his voice heavy.

“Missing?” The word barely leaves my lips.

“No,” Hux cuts in. “We believe she was taken.”

My blood freezes.

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