Her moan as she climaxes around my cock is soft and satisfied. I bury my face in her shoulder and hold her like I’m afraid this is just a dream. My balls tighten, and I release inside her, filling her with my cum.
 
 I’m hoping for a nice blowie while I’m sensitive, but my phone rings.
 
 I groan and rest my forehead on the wet tile. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
 
 I step out of the shower, dripping wet, and head to thebedroom where the annoying cell clatters on my dresser.
 
 Griffin’s name flashes on the screen, and I pause for a brief moment. It might all come down to this one phone call.
 
 I answer, still completely naked. “Alo?”
 
 “It’s time,” Griffin says. “The prosecutors have Ruby in protective custody. That means the DNA came back pointing to the knights. The crime unit unmasked them. They have their real identities and know where they are. This is solid. They’re prepping warrants now.”
 
 Raina walks out of the bathroom in her towel and drops onto the bed, eyes wide.
 
 “When?” I ask.
 
 “They’ll arrest the knights tomorrow morning. Typical predawn raid. The exact time is still being finalized, but we’ll get it. The strike on Noel has to be simultaneous.”
 
 “I know,” I say.
 
 “What’s going on?” Raina asks, looking hungry for this fight that’s been on hold.
 
 “The DNA checks out,” I tell her with my phone tucked into my ear. “The knights are being arrested tomorrow.”
 
 Like a pinball machine hitting every bonus lever, Raina’s face lights up with thoughts of vengeance.
 
 “What’s your plan, Connor?” Griffin’s concerned voice steals my attention.
 
 Quinlan Empire technically doesn’t have to do anything. Rhys can even let Valdrin walk out of the safehouse and wish him luck.
 
 I, the man who’s in love with his daughter and worries she’ll be hunted her whole life, must do something.
 
 “I plan to blow Tahiri’s head off,” I whisper to Griffin and end the call.
 
 “What?” The sound of teeth gnashing snarls behindme.
 
 I turn around. “You heard me.I’mkilling Tahiri. Me.”
 
 “No. He’smine.” She glares, her face tight with fury. “I am their blood. The blood of akyre. If you do it, you’ll start a war.”
 
 I am so in love with this woman for how she gets me, gets this world. “Rain—”
 
 “Ithasto be me,” she says. “It’s symbolic.Ihave to end Tahiri.”
 
 “I’ve killed plenty of people. You killed one. You’re not up to this one, Venom. Not a guy like Tahiri with a penthouse full of fucking guards.”
 
 I know I’m signing our break-up papers, but she seems to take my argument seriously.
 
 Still naked, I crawl toward her.
 
 Her breath catches. “Whoa, Quinlan. What are you doing?”
 
 I wonder what she’ll call me when she’s a Quinlan, too.
 
 I reach into the drawer beside the bed and pull out the engagement ring I’ve had hidden for about two weeks. It’s simple. Strong. Beautiful.
 
 Just like her.