Pounding into her, possessive and claiming and desperate.
My name on her ribs.
Her name on mine.
Our bodies marked and bound together.
"Mine," I growl. "Say it."
"Yours!" Grace arches beneath me. "I'm yours, Shadow. Always yours."
"Good girl."
I feel her start to shatter, her body tightening around me, and I follow her over the edge.
We come together, tangled and gasping and completely consumed by each other.
After, we lie there in the dark, sweaty and spent and perfectly content.
Grace traces patterns on my chest, her touch gentle now. "Promise me you'll come back tomorrow."
"I promise."
"Shadow—"
"Grace." I tip her face up, make her look at me. "I'm coming back. We're ending this, and we're coming home."
Dawn comes too soon.
I'm up before Grace, getting dressed, checking weapons, preparing for what's coming.
Grace wakes, watches me from the bed. "It's time?"
"Yeah."
She gets up, gets dressed, and we head to the compound together.
Charlie stays with Jolene and Dakota—no way we’re bringing her into this mess.
Saying goodbye to Charlie is harder than I expected.
The dog whines, knows something's wrong, and tries to follow Grace.
"I'll be back, baby girl," Grace murmurs, hugging her. "I promise. Be good for Grandma."
Jolene hugs Grace. "Come home safe."
"I will."
Dakota hugs her next. "Kick their asses."
"We will."
Then it's time.
Brothers are gathered in the compound—Shotgun Saints and Reapers Rejects, ready to ride.
Phantom stands at the front, his voice carrying. "Today we end this. Today we ride to Houston. Today the Copperhead Kings learn what happens when they threaten our club. For Grace. For family. For the club."
