Page 475 of The Tempted

Epilogue

The thing about finding your heart is knowing that you now have something valuable, something worth more than any dollar in a trust fund, and with that knowledge comes the urgent need to always protect your heart.

One month ago Sun Wu tried to take my heart from me.

Stupid fucker.

But tonight, he’d be a dead fucker because tomorrow my family was coming home and before they step foot outside that hospital it’s my job to ensure their safety.

To settle the score once and for all.

For the first time since the shooting, I parked my bike in front of the Dog Pound and killed the engine before removing my helmet. I glanced over to the spot where both Bones and Lauren had been shot and the memories came rushing back. Her frightened eyes as she begged me to choose Pea, and Bones’ short breaths as he bled out beside her.

The memories gave me a burst of adrenaline, making me even more certain that tonight was the night I’d live up to the promise I made to Bones.

I shook my head, trying to shake the memories as I pulled opened the door and heard the boisterous sounds of my brothers as they prepared for war.

I missed that fucking sound.

“Get your dick out of your ass, boy, and suit up,” Wolf told Stryker, slapping him upside the head before dropping a bullet-proof vest on his lap.

“Well, look who it is,” Pipe shouted over their voices as his eyes met mine.

The room grew silent as they all turned around and looked at me as I walked further into the clubhouse, my eyes catching the cut that hung behind the bar in a frame.

I didn’t have to look at the patch to know it was Bones’—the blood still stained parts of the patches. I locked eyes with Jack, who stood behind the bar, lining up a row of shot glasses.

“Nice to see your pretty face,” Pipe said, breaking the tension that filled the room.

I tore my eyes away from Jack and looked back at the rest of my brothers.

“I know you bitches missed me,” I said, grinning.

“Pipe cries himself to sleep night after night. Keeps a photo of your naked ass under his pillow,” Wolf chimed in, walking over to me and patting me on the back. “Glad you’re back, kid. You ready to hunt, motherfucker?”

“That depends what’s on the menu,” I said, looking back at Jack.

“Peking-fucking-duck,” he growled.

“With a side of Wu,” Wolf added.

Jack walked out from behind the bar, stood in front of me as he crossed his arms and assessed me.

“Only going to ask you once—” he started.

“You don’t have to ask at all,” I interrupted. “Let’s do this.”

Jack remained quiet for a moment before he bit the inside of his cheek and nodded. He knew all about revenge, got his and now it was fucking time for me to get mine.

“One thing before we hit the road,” Jack said, turning back toward the bar.

We all followed and took the glasses he offered us before lifting them to his.

“To Bones,” Jack cheered.

“To Bones,” we all said in unison before shooting back the liquid fire.

Time to make it right.

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