Casper eyed our small group. “Everyone go clean up and head home. I’ll stay with Specter until the cleanup is handled. Then we’ll crash at the compound tonight and head out first thing in the morning.”
Specter shook his head. “I’ll sleep on the plane. I have a jet on standby. I’m done waiting.”
Casper clapped him on the back and Badger motioned for us to head out. I wasn’t about to go home covered in blood and gore. Thankfully, we’d all stashed a set of clothes at the clubhouse in case things ended up getting a bit gruesome. Each of us showered and changed, had a beer to unwind after the massacre, and then went home.
I knew Glory would ask what had happened tonight. I’d made sure my shirt was identical to the one I’d left in. The blood-soaked one would be burned, along with the other clothes we’d removed. Nothing would be left but ash, and even that would be disposed of. Nothing would tie us to the night’s bloodshed. Our cuts had been soaked in blood so many times before. A little more wouldn’t change anything. They’d be cleaned by professionals. Hell, as good as Casper and Specter were, I doubted anyone would know those men had been killed in that field.
The lights were on when I pulled up outside the house. I’d known Glory would wait up for me. I took a breath and went inside, hoping she wouldn’t take one look and know what I’d done tonight. I should have known better.
She opened the door before I could even grip the knob, staring up at me with worry and relief. She threw her arms around me and breathed in deep, then stepped back, her brow furrowed. She looked up at my hair, touching the wet strands, and I cursed myself for not thinking to make sure it was dry first.
“What did you do?” she asked.
I went inside, shutting and locking the door behind me. “You really want to know?”
“Yes, I think I do.” She led me to the couch and sat, tugging me down next to her. “Are they gone? Did you kill them?”
“I took a shower, Glory. What do you think?”
She leaned against me. “I think you had to wash the blood off you. Thank you.”
I jerked my gaze toward her in surprise. “What?”
“Thank. You. Did I suddenly start speaking in tongues?”
“Smart-ass,” I muttered. “No, but why are you thanking me? I killed a man tonight, Glory, and watched as the others were slaughtered. Those men didn’t go easy. They suffered. We made sure of it.”
“Good.” She gave a slight nod. “Maybe they hurt as much as Amelia did. At any rate, you made sure they won’t be raping or killing anyone ever again. That doesn’t make you a bad man, Max. It makes you a hero.”
I kissed the top of her head and held her close. “You’re an odd one, Glory. But you’re mine.”
“Is it wrong I’m glad you killed them?” she asked.
“No. A little bloodthirsty maybe, but that just makes you perfect. A Devil’s Fury old lady should have some fire in her veins. You’re strong. Beautiful.” I paused and looked down at her. “Perfect. I didn’t think you’d be able to handle the darkness I hide inside me. Glory, I didn’t just slaughter that man. I liked it.”
I took a breath and looked away, trying to gather my thoughts. She reached up, her fingers brushing my chin, bringing my focus back to her. “Max, you don’t have to hide any part of yourself from me. I accept all of you.”
“Even the ugliness? There’s a monster locked down tight, Glory. I don’t let him out often, but tonight… he got a free pass. I liked the smell of the blood in the air. Got a thrill over hearing their screams as they begged for mercy. I… I’m a killer.”
She shook her head. “No, you’re a protector, Max. Sometimes that means getting your hands dirty, to make sure other people stay safe. You aren’t going to go off and kill a bunch of innocents. There’s a difference. Those men deserved what they got, and so much more. I’m not scared of you, or ashamed. I’m proud of you.”
I swallowed hard and held her tight. I didn’t know what I’d ever done to warrant having the love of a woman like Glory, but I’d thank the fates every day for sending her to me. She was the light to my darkness. An angel. I smiled faintly. Maybe an avenging angel since she’d been okay with me slaughtering that man. Although, could I really consider him a man with all the evil he’d done? I wasn’t sure he’d even had a soul.
That sobered me a moment. The men we’d killed tonight weren’t the only bastards out there who hurt women. And I needed to tell Glory I knew who’d hurt her. I’d let the decision be hers. I could burn the file, show it to her, or hold onto it for safekeeping. Whatever she decided, I’d stand by her.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” I said.
“What?”
“It’s about the night you were attacked on campus.” She lifted her head to hold my gaze. “Lavender, Wire’s woman, is a hacker like her old man. She found the video the campus had hidden of what happened that night. I have the faces, names, and addresses of the men who hurt you. And I’m pretty sure I know which one is Sienna’s sperm donor.”
She pulled away and ran a hand through her hair. “Why are you telling me this? And why now? You had to know before tonight.”
“Outlaw gave me the file earlier. I’d planned to sit on it for a bit, but I decided after everything
