Page 51 of Devil’s Snare

“You just met your worst nightmare, motherfucker. Gwen is my ol’ lady. You’re gonna be her gift. Wrapped up, punished, and delivered in ashes.”

“I’ll jump first.” He took another step and wobbled on the log.

Apparently, Ethan wasn’t in the mood to talk. He was much closer than I was, and I blinked in shock when he dove for Max. They collided in the air, Ethan’s fist connecting with Max’s jaw before they tumbled into the river.

Shit!

I holstered my weapon and rushed toward the water, leaning over the embankment as I waited for one or both to surface. My luck was shit because my cell slipped out of my cut and sank into the rushing water. My hand shot out to catch it, but I missed. Agitated, I had to let it go because all three of us in the river was a terrible idea.

Ethan surfaced first, followed by Max. I had to run to catch up to them since the current was pulling them downriver. Ethan grappled with Max in the water and managed to shove him toward the shore. I reached out and grabbed him, hauling his ass out of the water.

Ethan panted as I helped him out next.

We turned to Max, who held up his hands. “Fuck. Don’t kill me.”

“Oh, I’ve got a fate worse than death for you. It’s going to be a long night.” I didn’t say the words aloud, but Max would die after I got my pound of flesh.

Ethan slapped me on the back. “That grin is diabolical.” He wrung water from his clothes, then patted himself down. “Shit. I lost my phone.”

“You too?” I couldn’t help cracking a dry smile.

“Christ. You lost yours?”

“When I bent down to search for you dumbasses.”

He chuckled. “Don’t play the Lotto today.”

No shit.

Max must have thought we were distracted enough to let him escape. He really was pathetic. Drug dealer? No way. He didn’t have the skills or cunning. Max was just some lowlife with a few extra dollars in his pocket, but nobody with power or influence.

I doubted anyone would miss this piece of shit. He took a life anyway. With the body in his house, the police would assume he was on the run. It worked for my plan.

Max didn’t get more than a few feet when I caught him, kicking him in his ass with my boot. He crumpled to the ground, cradling his left arm since he landed hard on it.

“I need a phone. Gotta call G.D.”

Ethan lifted a brow in silent question.

“My pres. We’re taking Max to the clubhouse.”

It didn’t matter that I said that shit in front of Max. He wouldn’t be leaving the grounds. I wondered if he suspected I was Death, and he wouldn’t last longer than the night.

Before he faced cremation at dawn, he would feel pain, know suffering, and beg for mercy. There would be none.

Chapter 12 Gwen

Iwent home as G.D. instructed, but I didn’t stay long. My apartment felt too empty. I had a few errands to run anyway, including buying groceries and stopping by the bank to make a deposit. No one waited for me outside this time. When I pulled out of the parking lot, I kept thinking I’d see Cin or my brother on their bikes. I didn’t.

The first stop was the bank. I pulled up to the ATM and reached for my purse. My wallet was tucked inside, and I grabbed it, unzipping it to pull out my bank card and the cash I planned to deposit.

Only it wasn’t there.

My bank card and credit cards were in their usual slots. The money I kept tucked in front of them? Gone.

It took a few seconds for the horrible truth to sink in. Someone stole the money out of my wallet. The list of people who had access was small. I never left it unattended at the diner with Cary, and she’d never steal from me. I had it tucked in the bottom of a box while I taught the class at the women’s shelter, but nobody saw me place it inside. I left once to use the restroom, forgetting it was there, but I didn’t believe that was where the theft happened.

Only one other time remained—the coffee shop. I left my purse on the table while I ordered. Disappointment surged through me as I heard someone honk.