Page 87 of Declan

I stand before anyone else moves. “Let’s go.”

Everyone rises. No hesitation.

“Wait!” Lex says, looking around at all of us.

“Not now,” Hux rushes, shaking his head.

“If I don’t do it now, I never will.”

I dip my brow, confused as I stare at my friend. “What’s up? We need to get to Lena.”

“I know, this will only take a second.” He swallows and gives a tight grin. “I’ve talked to Hux and Kaden, and I’m telling you guys. I’m going nomad.”

“What the fuck?” I shout.

“Lex, no, brother,” Wesley says.

“You serious?” Elias asks.

“I know you all have your feelings, and I understand, but this is what is best for me. I love you guys and I love this club, but I need something else. I need to be away from the memories that haunt me and this is the only way. I’m sorry, but after we get Lena, I’ll be turning in my patch.”

I look to Hux and I see the uncertainty in his eyes. I’m sure he’s haunted by memories, too when he looks at Lex. It’s going to be different, and I hate that he’ll be nomad, but if I lost Lena, I’d probably need to do the same.

“Gonna be weird without you, brother, but I understand. I’d love to talk about it more, but if we don’t get my girl, I’ll be coming with you.”

The ride there is a blur of noise and silence. My hands grip the bars so tightly they ache. My engine roars, but it’s nothing compared to the storm inside me. The last time we were here, it was just me and Wesley. I went against orders and gave Jason time. Now, my girl is in that house. Alone. Terrified. Because of me.

We pull up on the property, secluded, run-down, too quiet.

I kill my bike and go to charge the front door when a hand grabs both my shoulders.

“Stop,” Wesley says firmly. “You need to slow down.”

“I don’t have time to slow down,” I growl, pushing against his hold. “She’s in there!”

“And we need you smart, not reckless,” he says, his voice strong despite the pain in his eyes. “Don’t make this worse.”

But I can’t wait. I shove past him, ignoring the voices behind me, storming the steps two at a time and kicking the door in with everything I’ve got.

“Lena!” I shout, heart pounding in my ears.

I stop dead in the doorway of the living room.

Lena’s tied to a chair, duct tape around her wrists, her cheeks tear-streaked and bloodied. And across from her, standing with a smug grin, is Derek Woods. His hand grips a gun pointed right at her head.

“No!” I scream, stepping forward instinctively.

“Not one more step,” Derek warns. “Unless you want her dead.”

“Take me instead,” I say, throwing my hands up. “Let her go. Please. I’ll do whatever you want, just let her go.”

“Declan, no!” Lena screams, struggling against the ropes. “Don’t do this!”

“I have to,” I tell her, my voice cracking. “You’re my everything, Lena. I won’t let him hurt you again.”

Derek cocks the gun and laughs, eyes wild. “An eye for an eye, right? You took my boy, after promising me and him more time. Now I take you.”

He starts to lift the gun, but I have no fear. I promised I’d always protect Lena and I will. Until my last breath.

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