I rode solo on my bike with Jax, Brock, and Knox following in the van. I wanted this to be an in-and-out job, quick and painless. I knew Jasper would put up a fight, but he was no match for me. That poor shmuck stood at least a foot shorter than me and had no idea what he’d done by throwing that brick through an outlaw’s window. He’d started a war I was eager to finish.

Brock quickly picked the cheap lock on the front door, and the house was deathly quiet and completely dark as we entered. We had masks on for good measure, just in case anyone saw us—neighborhood watch programs had really made sneaking into suburban houses harder than necessary.

We slipped into the master bedroom at the back of the house. I watched for a second as the pair lay there sleeping so soundly, unaware of the danger that had just crept in.

This lady really should have gotten a dog.

I nodded to Jax and Knox. They swiftly put Ziploc bags over Jasper and Lilith’s mouths and noses, holding on tight as they were startled awake. Both of our captives tried to fight off their attackers, but to no avail. Jax sat on Jasper’s chest as I zip-tied his hands and feet, and Brock and Knox did the same with Lilith. Their muffled cries slowly died out as their bodies went limp from lack of oxygen. Within two minutes we had the van backed up into the garage and were throwing our passed-out hostages into a large cage in the back of the blacked-out vehicle.

Cloaked in the darkness of night, we made the three-hour drive up to Sweetwater to deliver my princess her presents.

Finally, we pulled up next to Ryder’s truck. With my gun drawn, I stood ready as Knox opened the back doors of the van.

Jasper was screaming, “Do you know who I am, motherfucker? You’re going to pay for this!”

Lilith was curled up in a ball in the corner, bawling her eyes out.

I stepped up to the metal of the cage, growling, “Do you know who the fuck I am, you spineless piece of donkey shit? Should have stayed safely locked away in the nice cell we made for you.”

He tried to spit in my face but missed by a mile. “You can go fuck yourself.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Oh, no. I plan to go fuck my wife after all of this is settled. You might know her—her name is Scarlett.”

All of the color drained from him face. “Shit,” he murmured.

“Take them to the shed. I have to go get my old lady.”

I jumped to my feet as Bear’s wide frame filled the doorway at the front of the cabin.

“I have a special delivery for you, babe. Think of it as a late wedding present.” He reached out for me as I jumped into his arms.

“Are they here?” I whispered in his ear, and he nodded.

Ryder and Collin walked with Carson and Blaz out the back door.

Crickett, Raine, and Abigail were frozen in the kitchen, looking at us with questions in their eyes.

“I think it’s best if you ladies turn the TV on and just enjoy your evening.” Bear quickly hugged all three of them before leading me outside, but then he stopped me before I could get to the metal door.

“Baby, are you sure you want to do this?” The look of concern as he asked me the question crashed into my heart. “You can’t come back from this once it’s done, but you can go back inside right now and let me take care of the rodent problem back here.”

I ran my hand over his coarse reddish beard. “I have to do this. I want you by my side while I end something that should have been taken care of a while ago. I thought it was better that they’d have to live with the guilt of what they’d done, but clearly that didn’t work, so now it’s my turn to protect you.”

Pride washed over his face at my words. Bear had done so much for me in the time we had been together. He’d saved my life, taken care of me while I healed, protected me from Jasper numerous times, and mended my brokenness. It was finally my turn to show him how in this I was, to prove to him and his brethren that I wouldn’t let anything threaten me or my family.

In the shed, Jasper and Lilith sat in chairs, their hands and legs fastened to the wood, gags in their mouths and tears streaming down their faces.

“Fancy seeing you here, Jas. I wish I could say it was good to see either of you.”

Lilith tried to beg for her life as I stood with my arms crossed, Bear at my side.

“You two thought you got the better of me, and look at you now—how pathetic.” I spit at their feet. “You should have just left well enough alone. You just had to run me off the road.” I leaned in close to Jasper as he whimpered a little before I continued, “You know what, though? Thank you for that. If you hadn’t almost killed me, Bear would have never found me and I wouldn’t be married to a real man. You really did me a favor that night. I could still be in my miserable, clueless life of getting cheated on and fucked over constantly.”

Ryder laid out his buck knife, a power drill, and a hammer. “Dealer’s choice, little lady.”

I cracked my knuckles, staring down at the toys I was about to play with. I’d never thought of myself in this way—vengeful and bloodthirsty—but I suppose people change when pushed to their limits.

I pulled my Kimber out of its holster, handing it to Bear. “I think a bullet is just too nice for Jas. Lilith should watch though, to let her feel a little of the pain she caused me.”

“As you wish, darlin’.” He took my gun and pointed it right at Lilith’s temple.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart—your suffering will be over soon.” I snickered at her. “And think, you used to be like a sister to me. Should have thought twice before climbing into bed with such a dirty bag.”

I glanced around at all of the members crammed into the shed. “Why don’t y’all head inside for this one. I want a little one-on-one bonding time with my husband.”

“Call if you need us,” Ryder said in my ear before escorting the guys back up to the house.

With the gag still in his mouth, Jasper pleaded, “Please, Scar, I’m so sorry. I’ll never bother you again. Just let us go.”

I shook my head. “Been there, tried that. Apparently, it doesn’t work for you. You’ve left me no choice.”

I took the buck knife and rammed it into his gut, turning it before ripping the metal out. He shrieked and gasped as he fought against the tethers that bound him.

“Oh my god,” Lilith screamed as she struggled against her restraints, rocking the chair from side to side.

“Shut her up. She’s seen enough.” I looked over my shoulder at Bear, and he fired one shot into the middle of her forehead.

Her limp body slumped in the chair as blood drained from her wound.

Bear grabbed the drill. “May I?”

“Be my guest.” I held my open hand out to signal that he could continue as he pleased.

Bear let the drill come to life then bored a hole in Jasper’s right knee cap. He thrashed as the pain consumed him, biting down on the bandana that was fastened in his mouth.

“I’ve always wanted to do that.” Bear winked at me as he set the drill down on the plastic-covered workbench.

I swung the hammer into Jasper’s side, hearing the bones crack from the blow. “Broken ribs—yeah, I know how painful those are.”

Jasper was sniveling as he tried to plead with his eyes. I knew the fun and games had to end.

“Remember when you said ‘until death’?” I barked at him. “Well, I’m glad you’re the first one to go.”

“Please, Scar. Don’t—you’re not a killer,” he whined as snot ran down his clean-shaven jaw.

“Don’t tell me what I am. You led me to this door, I just chose to walk through it,” I cooed in his ear.

I grabbed the hunting knife again, ramming it into his jugular. Blood spewed as he gurgled his last few breaths.

Standing in the aftermath of the madness, I looked up at Bear. “Thank you.”

“For what, babe?” he asked as he handed me a rag to clean some of the blood off my hands.

“For letting me take part in this. I needed the closure,” I explained.

“I told you, babe—anything for you.” He kissed the top of my head.

“What do we do now?” I asked, tossing the rag at Jasper’s feet.

“We let the guys handle the cleanup while we have a nice strong drink.”

“Yeah, I think I need one.”

“So, you’re kinda like my Bonnie, huh?” Bear hooked his arm around my neck as we made our way back to the cabin.

I glanced up at him. “I’ll be your Bonnie if you’ll be my Clyde.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Me too.”