Page 37 of A Christmas Surprise for the Biker

“Let’s go,” Wrath orders.

Moving quickly, we carry Turner out, finding Sparrow waiting in the drive with the van.

“You fucked with the wrong club, motherfucker,” Sparrow calls back from the driver’s seat.

When we reach the compound, we don't head for the clubhouse. Instead, we drive to the far edge of the property, a swampy patch of land that is home to Sparrow's gator.

When the man himself comes to a stop, Knox throws open the doors and drags Turner from the van. I see the moment he realizes what's about to happen. The fear in his eyes is telling, and for a split second, I almost feel sorry for him.

Almost.

We set up quickly, rigging the old boat motor and winch. Turner struggles harder now, his muffled screams barely audible over the sound of the swamp at night.

Viper steps forward, ripping the gag from Turner's mouth. "You should have left well enough alone," he says, his voice cold.

Turner's bravado returns in a rush. "You think you can get away with this? They'll come for you!” He looks to each of us. “All of you!"

I step forward, getting right in his face. “That’s where you’re fucking wrong. As far as anyone knows, you just couldn't handle the pressure anymore. Decided to take a long walk into the swamp. It happens."

The color drains from Turner's face as he realizes the full extent of exactly what’s happening here. "You can't do this," he pleads, his voice breaking. "I have a family."

"So do I," I growl. "And you threatened them. This is what happens when you fuck with our family."

Viper nods to Knox and Wrath, who lift Turner and secure him to the winch. Sparrow cranks the motor and the arm swings out over the water.

Turner's pleas turn to screams as he begs for mercy, but it’s too late for that.

I watch, my stomach turning slightly, when he's dropped into the water, followed by long moments of thrashing before everything goes silent. The ripples on the water's surface are the only evidence of what just happened.

“Now what?” I glance over at Viper.

"It's done," he says, shrugging his shoulders. "Now we move forward."

And just like that, the threat to my family is gone.

Stepping inside our temporary home, I hear the sound of Brae humming coming from down the hall. Following the sound of her voice to Ryder’s room, I lean against the doorway, watching as Braelynn gently lowers our son into his crib.

When she turns and sees me, I hate that there’s a frown on her face. "Hey," she whispers, walking over to me. “Everything okay?"

I nod, pulling her into my arms. She's here, she's safe. Her and Ry, that's the only thing that matters. "It is now."

She searches my face. "Is it... done?"

I nod again, not wanting to say any more. She doesn't need to know the details of what happened tonight; she doesn’t need that darkness touching her.

Her body relaxes against mine. "Good," she murmurs, standing on her tiptoes to press a kiss to my lips.

My hands land on her hips, and I deepen the kiss, needing to feel her, to remind myself of what I'm fighting for.

This right here, this is my world. She is my world.

Brae melts into me, her hands sliding up my chest. I growl into her mouth and when we finally break apart, I rest my forehead against hers. Fuck. I could stay like this forever. "Let's go to bed, baby,” I say, my voice rough with my need for her.

She nods, taking my hand and leading me to our room.

As soon as the door closes behind us, I pull her against me, my hands roaming her body. She moans softly, her head falling back as I trail kisses down her neck.

"I need you, Brae," I grunt, my cock already hard and pressing against her.

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