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 your business. 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.
“Taken? By who? When? What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Because of you!” Wesley shouts, voice cracking. “You drove her away. And now she’s gone. She’s in danger, and it’s your goddamn fault. We don’t need you. You’re not her family! I am. Stay the fuck out of this!”
I don’t even acknowledge him. I turn to Jeanne, the only person in this room I trust to tell the truth. “Tell me. Please.”
Her voice shakes. “She left before sunrise. I thought maybe she was coming to see you. She didn’t take her phone. I waited, but she never came back. I got worried and drove around. I found her car. It was just sitting there. Driver’s door open. And Lena, she was gone.”
A sound escapes me, half gasp, half sob, as I sink into a chair. My chest feels like it’s caving in. My girl. My Lena. Gone. And Wesley is right, it’s because of me.
“We’ve got leads,” Hux says, leaning in. “We’re not giving up.”
“What leads?” I ask, barely able to speak.
“You care now?” Wesley screams. “You didn’t give a shit last night when she was taken!”
That’s it. Something in me snaps. I fly out of my chair, grabbing Wesley by the collar and slamming him against the wall. The room erupts in shouts, but I block it all out.
“You say that one more fucking time, and I’ll end you. You hear me?” I growl through clenched teeth, my face inches from his. “I took your shit last night, but not today. Not when Lena’s missing. I love her. And I’ll burn the world down to bring her home.”
I shove him harder against the wall, the rage and fear boiling over.
“When we find her, and we will, I’m never letting her go. You can either stand with us, or you stand alone. Because I’m not giving up on her. And I’m not wasting another second fighting with you while she’s out there afraid, alone, maybe hurt. We don’t have time for your goddamn pride.”
Wesley glares back, but something flickers in his eyes. Pain. Guilt. Maybe even fear.
I step back, releasing him. “We both love her. So make a choice. Are we fighting each other or fighting for her?”
Hux flicks the ash from his cigarette and leans forward, his face tight. “We got word from one of our guys on the force. He heard something from dispatch. Lena was pulled over early this morning by a cop.”
That cold, sinking feeling in my gut intensifies. “Who?”
Hux hesitates. “Derek Woods.”
Time stops. Air leaves my lungs.
“No,” I whisper, heart cracking in my chest. “Fuck, no.”
“Jason’s father,” Kaden adds sharply.
I don’t look at any of them. I can’t. Shame coats my skin like oil.
The room goes silent.
“We knew there’d be a risk of that asshole after we took his son, but—” Elias starts but doesn’t finish.
“Yeah,” I nod, jaw clenched. “That’s not all of it, though.
” I glance up at Wesley briefly before keeping my focus on the table.
“Lena came to me because she owed Jason money. He was pressuring her because we, I, decided to give him time. That son of a bitch put his hands on Lena. Grabbed her, scared her. So, when she came to me, I had her set up a meeting place, and she told him she had his money. Only, she didn’t go; I did. That’s the day I brought him here.”
“Jeanne, thank you for everything, but you need to leave now. Wesley will update you as soon as we know anything,” Hux says, staring at me as he says it.
She leaves, and he slams his hands on the table.
“I know you’re hurting, but don’t ever bring up club business in front of an outsider again. You fucking got me?”
“Forgot she was here,” I admit, shaking my head.
“She doesn’t understand it, but why didn’t you tell us? You didn’t think to say something?” Kaden asks.
“I was protecting her,” I snap. “She didn’t want anyone to know. She was scared and worried about Wesley’s reaction to her gambling. I was trying to shield her from more pain. And now she’s paying for it.”
Wesley slams his fist on the table. “So now Daddy Dearest wants revenge.”
Hux nods, grim. “We know he’s as dirty as they come, but we also know where he lives.”
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.
“I love you, Lena.”
“Declan, no! Please, I love you!”
Then.
Bang.
Derek’s eyes go wide before his body crumples to the ground.
Behind him, gun still raised, stands Wesley. He came through the back door.
Lena screams, sobs ripping from her throat as I rush forward and drop to my knees. I pull the ropes free, my hands shaking as I pull off the duct tape, and gather her into my arms.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper over and over. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve told them. I should’ve never let you go. I swear to God, I’ll never let anyone hurt you again. Not even me.”
“I was so scared,” she sobs into my chest.
“I know, baby. I know. But it’s over now.”
Behind us, the guys move Derek’s body. No questions asked. No words spoken. Just action.
Wesley walks over, his gun tucked away. His eyes meet mine, hard and protective.
“If you hurt her again,” he says low, “I’ll kill you.”
Then he takes Lena in his arms, kissing the top of her head. She cries harder.
Wesley looks at me over her shoulder and slaps a hand against my back.
“She’s safe now,” he says, voice thick.
I nod, holding Lena once he releases her, tighter than I ever have before.
But deep down, I know I’ve got a hell of a lot to make up for.