Page 40 of Promise of Hellfire

I relaxed against Ethan’s body and pushed my thoughts aside as I closed my eyes. There was no point worrying about what-ifs right now. We had to make it through tomorrow and hope that everyone’s parents would at least accept our relationship, even if they didn’t like or understand it.

Chapter twenty-five

Rayne

Thenextmorningwasspent in a flurry. I jumped up from the bed, wrestling out of Ethan’s hold, and raced downstairs, wondering where I should start. Nervous energy fluttered in my stomach as I thought about Hunter’s mom and Dominic’s parents coming over later that day. I gazed around the large living space and breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was tidy and in place. The floor sparkled and everything smelled like lemons.Dominic. What time had he woken up?

He sauntered down the stairs a few minutes later, towel drying his hair. I drank in his appearance. Low-slung denim and a white fitted t-shirt hugged his body, showcasing the muscle underneath. One corner of his mouth lifted as he tossed the towel at me and I laughed at him as it hit my face before I could catch it.

Dominic was being playful?Seeing him not being so damn serious made my chest feel warm, but was he not as nervous as I was about talking with everyone’s parents? Our relationship was in the least unconventional and not the societal standard. His expression fell as he observed me and he strode towards me, wrapping an arm around my waist. As he pulled me close, he tipped my chin up. “What’s wrong?”

I swallowed roughly and wiped my palms against my pants. Words tumbled out of my mouth, a testament to my anxiety. “Nothing, just thinking about tonight. What if everyone gets upset? What are we cooking? What am I wearing? The apartment looks nice. Seriously, what time did you wake up? I could have helped you.”

He pressed a kiss against my forehead and pulled me closer, stopping my rambling. “How are you somehow the same person who charged into the Ruby Rose and the woman who’s nervous about the reaction of our parents? Everything is going to be okay. To answer your questions, in the order you asked them, if they get upset, they’ll get over it, I promise. I was thinking of making pasta for dinner. Everyone loves pasta or at least tolerates it. You’re going to wear clothes.” He chuckled to himself and I pursed my lips. “Seriously, wear what you want. And finally, you know that I’m always up early. When have you ever washed dishes?”

When he finally released me, I felt slightly better, but couldn’t help the anxiety plaguing me. I genuinely liked their parents. Heidi ran a food bank in the neighborhood where Hunter grew up and Dominic was just reuniting with his parents. Their relationship was still fragile with everyone slowly working through the past.

I drank coffee and wasted time until later in the day when I finally decided to take a shower. I needed to do something and getting ready seemed like a good option. As I was toweling off, someone knocked on my bedroom door. Hunter walked in as I shimmied on my jeans.

He leaned against the wall, watching me with hooded eyes as I dressed. In his hand was a brown envelope. “What’s up?” I asked, buttoning the shirt I shrugged on.

“I was just thinking about how I can’t wait to take those clothes off of you.” I opened my mouth to respond, but he held up his hand. “Before you say it, I know. We don’t have time right now.” He handed me the envelope as a sense of dread consumed me. “A courier dropped this off for you. There’s no address on the outside, but it’s safe to assume we know who it came from.”

Everyone’s parents were due to show up in a few hours, but that wasn’t enough. Ayers had to throw me a curve ball today of all days. Before I ripped open the seal, I looked at Hunter. “How long before we can take care of him?”

He stood up straight and raked his fingers through his dark hair. “Princess…” He struggled to find the words to say and whatever dread I’d been feeling was suddenly replaced by white-hot anger. He was stalling and it pissed me off. I was sick of everyone else planning the next move. I was sick of being left in the dark. I was sick of always looking over my shoulder, wondering what would happen next.

Clenching my jaw, I looked down and tore the envelope open. I pulled out the two pieces of paper, a note and a newspaper clipping. I frowned reading the note.

You thought you were smart, burning down my business. Quite a flare for the dramatic, always resorting to fire. I’ve wondered often if you have a touch of pyromania. Perhaps you should ask your therapist about that at your next session?

I hope you enjoy the present I’m gifting you. Remember that if the Kings had taken my offer, none of this would have happened. They were foolish, siding with a woman over me. I’m curious how you seem to have such a hold over them. Young, wealthy, powerful men who fell for someone from the gutter.

You should think about talking to my son and having him reconsider the deal. It’s still on the table. I’ll even forgive Ethan for his misstep regarding his father.

XO

My hands shook with anger as I crumpled up the note and threw it on the floor. Hunter retrieved it, but I was focused on the article I was holding.

The Clearhaven Tribune. I hadn’t been back to Clearhaven since I’d run away from home. I sat on the edge of my bed as Hunter glanced at the piece of paper in his hand.

Tragic Fire Kills Four

In a suspected gang-related incident, four people were found dead inside of a single-family home on 4th Court late last night. Neighbors notified emergency services when they noticed the home had erupted in flames sometime that evening. All victims were dead on arrival. The cause of death was listed as a single gunshot wound to the head. Names of the victims are being withheld at this time while police search for next of kin. If you have any information regarding this crime, please contact Clearhaven police.

The breath I’d been holding rushed out of my lungs and my eyes burned. Ice filled my veins, but I didn’t have confirmation of what I knew to be true. Not yet. I laid the newspaper clipping on the bed and grabbed my sneakers. Lacing them quickly, I rushed past Hunter who stood in the hallway.

“Ethan,” I bellowed, praying he was dressed. I raced down the stairs, Hunter on my heels. I didn’t want to answer his questions yet, not when I still had so many of my own. He reached for me and I jerked out of his grasp. “I need to check something and might be late for dinner. I promise to try to be on time. You and Dominic need to be here for your parents. It won’t take long.”

He gritted his teeth in frustration. “Just tell me what’s going on.”

“I’m not positive yet. I only have suspicions and I don’t want to talk about it yet. Just give me two hours, Hunter,” I managed to say. “If I’m right, I want him dead this week. No more waiting.”

Ethan stepped out of the elevator, holding Dominic’s keys and a grocery bag. “Why didn’t you tell me he was gone?” I barked at Hunter who raised his eyebrows at me.

“Rayne, I need you to calm down and talk to us,” Hunter stated calmly.

Dominic walked down the stairs holding the newspaper article and placed a hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “Let her go with Ethan, man. We’ll talk when they get back.”

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