“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Kael stares at me with concern on his face. This is it—my final chance at moving on. To see the man who hurt me so many years ago. Who took from me. With one of the vile devil’s dead and buried, he’s the only one left who still haunts me.

Even though I haven’t told Kael, he hears me some nights when I whimper and cry, begging for them to stop. Those nights will probably always haunt me. “I’m ready. This is it, I need to do this.” He nods, slipping a strong hand into mine as he pushes the thick metal door open.

As soon as I step inside, the man in question, Satan himself, is there bound to a chair. His face is bloodied—I’m sure Sam has had time with him. His eyes are covered, but I’m sure he can tell we’ve walked in. When Samael slices the blindfold off, dark evil eyes fall on me and I’m slammed with painful memories. When he opens his mouth, the deep rumble of his voice sends revulsion skating down my spine.

“Ah, you’ve brought the pretty redhead,” he growls.

“Shut it.” Kael’s angry bark is enough to scare anyone, but I know this vile piece of shit won’t be perturbed by it.

“Do you know I tasted her, Kael? I made her pretty holes bleed, and then I licked it up. I cleaned her with my tongue.” His words drip venom and Kael rears back and punches the old man so hard, I hear the crack of bones below his fist.

Glancing around the room, I find what I need. A sleek silver blade glints with promise. The vow to get my closure. Stepping toward him, I lift the blade and trail it over his cheek, pressing the tip into the wrinkled skin just below his eye. When I glance up, I’m met with the steel gray eyes of my tormentor. The man who not only raped me, but hurt me almost beyond repair. I say almost, but because I’m even though I was shattered, I was broken, I’m now stronger. 

“So you do remember me. You know, of all the girls you hurt, it’s a wonder you remember any of them.” His gaze pins me with an icy glare. 

“Sweet toy, you of all the whores I fucked, had the sweetest cunt. Your blood was delicious. Like a drug, it made me so fucking hard.” He sneers, and I can’t stop my hand coming down slicing his face from the ear down to his lips. Blood drips from the gaping flesh and I can’t help smiling. I’ve turned into a maniac, but I don’t care. “Kael, your pet is something else.” He glances at the man behind me.

Dark brown eyes pin me to the spot and a sinister smirk plays on his mouth. Suddenly the door flies open and there with her beautiful light is Freya. She steps inside and just behind her is Samael. His blue gaze meets mine and he nods. 

“Ah, the little Angel. You boys have good taste in toys.” Harkin flits his gaze between the four of us. Freya reaches for the knife, leans in, and gets close to his face. 

“You are filth. There’s nothing in this world that will make me not want to do this, because after all you’ve done, you deserve much worse. Perhaps we should soak you in gas and light you up. I’d love to watch you burn. To see your skin flay off your bones and see your blood pool on the floor. I’ll bask in it.” Her words are chilling. For a sweet-looking girl, her mind is scary. 

Her hand lifts and she presses the tip below his left eye. The skin pierces and a purely animalistic scream that’s utter agony roars from him. Blood drains from his eye and Freya continues her torture on the other eye. Her smile is manic. “Angel.” Sam’s deep rumble comes from behind me, and he steps forward. His grasp on her wrist must calm her because she stops trembling. “I’ll finish this.” He takes the knife and steps forward. 

The old man meets his gaze and smirks. “Do you have the courage to finish it, Sammy?” He chuckles and before we know it, the man who saved my life pushes the knife into his chest and we all watch. Me with fascination. Freya in awe. Kael’s arms circle around me. When Samael steps back, he leaves the blade and watches the blood drain from the monster. Crimson liquid which he wretched from me now gushes through his crisp, white button up. 

I’ve never been a violent person. I’ve never thought that one day I’d watch a man die in front of me and be happy. But as I see the light dim in those steely eyes, I smile.

After the pain. After the assault. Watching this, I know I’ll walk away with closure. With the knowledge that justice has been served.

* * *

Since I watched the man who hurt me die, I’ve been wondering how people can be so evil. All that time I spent in Caged, all those clients, men who were apparently well known, pillars of society even, with their sick, evil needs were hidden behind masks. Covering up what they were doing, they hoped their dark secrets would be kept that way, until Sam shone a light on everything.

I should be studying, but my mind has been working overtime, remembering what I did. What I witnessed. “Baby.” Kael’s voice startles me, and I roll over to see him dressed in his painting jeans.

They’re ripped, hanging low on his hips. I take in the taut muscles and V line that taunts me. “You’re looking amazing,” I say, biting my pencil. I rake my eyes over his body, and when I reach his face, I’m met with a sinful smirk.

He steps inside the room and immediately the air shifts and hangs heavy with desire. Pushing up, I sit crossing my legs. A heated gaze drops between my thighs and fire blazes behind those dark chocolate pools.

“Is there something else on your mind, handsome?” He nods, crooking his finger and I’m immediately on my knees, my legs spread, presenting him with my body.

“Take your top off, I want to see those sweet tits,” he orders, and my tank top finds a spot on the rug beside me. “So beautiful,” he murmurs.

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Sit back, touch your pussy, I want to watch you get wet for me.” Shifting onto the floor, I spread my legs and stroke myself over the soft material of my panties. “God, Firebird, you’re so beautiful.”

“Sir, touch me,” I whimper, shifting my thong to the side, flashing him my smooth sex. Swiftly, I’m grasped and tugged up and against his body.

“Take those fucking panties off, now.” Shoving the material down my thighs, I step out of them and big hands grip my ass, lifting me, pressing against the cold wall and Kael’s hands move below me. The zipper hisses in the silence, and his smooth, steel shaft nudges my entrance. “You want this?” he taunts, teasing me with the crown of his dick and I whimper. Rolling my hips, needing him to fuck me. I dig my nails into his shoulders and the growl that emanates from his chest is evidence that he’s barely holding on to his restraint.

“Fuck me,” I moan loudly and without warning, he impales me on his thick cock. “Yessss…” A hiss falls from my lips as he drives into me. His mouth finds my nipple and his teeth, grazing over the hardened bud, bite down and my body convulses.

“Jesus, Phoenix, your little cunt is milking my cock,” he grunts, and I feel his hot seed bathing me. Marking me. Our mouths meet in a soul-searing kiss.

* * *

A long drive home is the last thing I need. My feet hurt, my body aches, and the only thing I can think about is a hot shower and a comfortable bed. Maybe I can get Kael to give me a massage. Or… Maybe we can play out a scene. Thinking about that already has me squirming in my seat. It’s been two long weeks since we’ve really spent time with the flogger and cuffs, and I’d like to find that heightened relaxation today.

There are days I love my job more than anything, but sometimes, I just want to have a day to myself. Some peace and quiet. I suppose, when they’re your own kids, there is no peace and quiet. I can’t help smiling at the thought of having little versions of Kael running around. If we had girls, I could teach them to dance. Or perhaps they’d like to paint. I know he’d love that. Teaching them all he knows. Without thinking, my hand circles my belly and it flip-flops, wondering if and when we’ll have our chance.

As soon as I pull into the driveway and park the car, I let a yawn fall from my lips. Exiting the car, I make my way up the stairs to the front door. Weariness has my mind running at a million miles a minute. There were too many kids, and the nonstop classes put a strain on me.

Pushing open the door, I step inside the house and find it in complete darkness. Strange. I know Kael’s home. He sent me a message to let me know he’d arrived home from the gallery only an hour ago.

Perhaps he’s busy in the studio, which means he hasn’t made dinner, and that means we’re getting take-out. There’s no way I’m going to be cooking right now. Dropping my keys and purse on the counter, I place the gym bag on the floor.

Turning to the wall, I’m about to turn on the light, when I feel something covering the switch. My fingers run over it, but don’t find purchase to tug whatever it is off. I hope he’s not messing around with me again. I’m too tired for his games. The man is worse than a child.

“Kael?” I call out, but only silence greets me. Maybe he’s been called back and he’s working late. He generally goes in to meet with artists and photographers who want to hire the studio for a day or two. In the dim silver light of the moon streaming through the window, I manage to head into the living room without breaking a leg. Upon entering the space, I find a translucent blue light shimmering on the floor. “Babe, are you here?” I pull off my hoodie and lay it on the sofa beside me. When I crouch down, I notice the blue light is coming from plastic tubing. The tiny bulbs inside the cable glow at me in the dark.

Lifting my gaze, I notice the blue leading toward the studio which is upstairs beside the master bedroom. I rise to my feet and slowly edge my way along the trail of light, following the path toward the stairs, which will take me to the bedrooms. My heart rate increases when I find a small note attached to the wall with a blue bulb shining on it at the base of the staircase.

You’re my light in the dark, Firebird.

His words. His handwriting. A small smile plays on my lips, knowing he’s up to something. My pulse skitters, thrumming wildly as I try to figure out what he’s done. There’ve been times when he’s planned romantic evenings with rose petals and massage oils, leaving me tiny notes to follow. I take a tentative step up and find another note not far from the first.

Before my mind can come up with possibilities, I read the next message.

Your fire blazes in my heart for eternity.

My stomach is in disarray as butterflies tumble around, awakening a need. My love. My desire. Everything he does only makes me love him more. If that is even possible. Dragging my gaze up, I find two more lights shining down on little notes like the first two. I rush up to the third one plucking it from the wall. The words still my heart and tears sting my eyes.

You’re my first, my last, and my forever.

The words become blurry as I regard this message. These words mean more than he could ever realize. It’s been a rocky road for us, but it feels as if finally, we’re on the straightened path. I try to swallow down the lump of emotion in my throat. My hands are trembling as I inch my way up to the last note and lift it from the sticky tape that holds it against the wall.

So this is why, I need to know…

The words taper off. I head up to the landing and find the studio lit up in blue and red. It shimmers in the dark, and as soon as I walk into the large area, I fall to my knees and the tears tumble, rolling down my cheeks.

One bare, white wall has blue and red tubing illuminated to create the final note.

Will you marry me?

I can’t stop the tears, the emotions. I love him so much, more than anyone I’ve ever known. For five long years, I didn’t know if I’d ever find love. Happiness. But he’s brought it all back to me. Given me a life I never thought I’d have.

“Kael?” My gaze darts around, and when he steps out of the shadows, I see him dressed in his work jeans which hang low on his hips. His toned torso is bare, and he’s holding a single red rose. The smirk on his face is enough to have me giggling. He’s so proud of himself. He should be. This was a surprise. I knew he’d ask me one day, but this is one of the most romantic things he’s ever done.

“Phoenix,” he murmurs as he nears me. The emotion overwhelms me, tightening my chest almost painfully, but elation sweeps it away when he drops to one knee before me and hands me the flower. I notice a thin white ribbon looped through a ring, fastened with a bow on the thorn free stem.

It’s beautiful, elegant, and simple. Perfect. A square cut diamond surrounded by tiny rubies set in a circle on a beautiful white gold band. “This is… this…” My gaze flits around, and I settle my attention back on the message. It glows at me, asking, pleading, imploring me, and out of all the decisions I’ve made in my life, this is the easiest. There’s no doubt in my mind what my answer will be. It’s always been one word.

“So?” he whispers urgently.

“I can’t say anything but yes, Kael. I love you.” I leap into his arms, and he tumbles backward. He chuckles at my excitement as I settle myself on top of him. Our mouths crash together in a soul-stealing kiss, and I know we’ve been bound forever, not just now, but many years ago when his lips first touched mine.