Page 42 of Promise of Hellfire

Still, I managed to refrain from calling her or texting, hoping that she would finally talk once she got home. Then our parents showed up, and we pretended like nothing was wrong while we waited. The entire time, my eyes were glued to the door. My mother gently patted my shoulder and reassured me everything was fine, but she didn’t know the truth. It was better that way.

Once Rayne walked through the door, it felt like the air had left my lungs. Her face was red, yet somehow she managed to plaster a semblance of politeness on it. I’d cringed when Dominic’s father brought up our relationship. It wasn’t the right time, but Rayne shouldered his question with ease and not too long after, excused herself.

After everyone said good night, I turned to Ethan. “Spill.”

He sighed at me as he rubbed his face. “I’ve gotta call Ignacio tomorrow and hope he has a contact in Clearhaven. With the number of favors I’ve called in recently, I’ll never be done paying him back.”

“How bad was it?” Dominic asked, swirling the remaining wine in his glass.

Ethan grimaced at the question. “Which part? Where she grew up? The house? The look on her face? Or the fact she cried nearly the entire way there?” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a joint. “I don’t know what you want me to tell you. The whole thing was fucking bad. After this afternoon I completely agree with her. This has gone on long enough and Ayers needs to be dealt with.”

He stormed off to the rooftop, and I let him go. At that moment, I understood his rage and frustration at the situation. It was better for him to blow off steam here rather than elsewhere, and I didn’t have the mental capacity to worry about where he might escape to tonight.

The idea of Rayne crying broke my heart but knowing her family was gone devastated me. From what she’d said, and the way she acted, I knew her childhood rivaled Ethan’s, but that didn’t diminish her hurt.

I looked at Dominic and he nodded to me, an unspoken discussion occurring between us. We crept up the stairs quietly into her room and I crawled into bed next to her, wrapping my arms around her. Dominic did the same on the opposite side, brushing the hair from her face.

She wasn’t asleep, the only thing giving her away was an occasional sniffle. Tonight, I would lie beside her and she could rest. Tomorrow, I would make her talk to us and we could decide the best way to get rid of Ayers. I typically preferred a clean kill. A bullet to the head felt appropriate in most situations. I doubted Dominic or Ethan would agree with that idea, though. Things would probably get messy knowing the two of them.

The next day I woke up to midmorning sunlight streaming through the window and Rayne’s soft breath caressing my skin. Dominic’s spot was empty already.Probably busy cleaning up after last night. I slipped from the bed, careful not to wake Rayne. She needed some sleep. Hell, we all probably did.

As I poured a cup of coffee, Ethan nudged me with his shoulder. “Talked to Ignacio this morning. Apparently, it was her parents, brother, and grandmother.”

Shit. “So basically her whole family. What are we going to do?”

Dominic looked up from his laptop. “Well, obviously we’ll cover the funeral costs and ensure a proper burial if she wants it.”

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.How is he always so rational and logical?Most times it didn’t bother me, but my patience was holding on by a thread.

“That’s a given,” I drawled. “I meant about my father. Has anyone called Oliver yet? Or even Paul? They won’t let this slide.”

Dominic shut his laptop and shifted in his seat. “I’ll talk with Oliver and tell him we’ll handle the situation. I need to borrow the warehouse anyway.”

Ethan’s eyes grew wide at those words, but he said nothing, choosing instead to focus on pouring a bowl of cereal. “Are you sure we need the warehouse? We could just dump him in the river?” I asked, knowing the argument was futile.

Dominic grinned coldly as he picked his phone up. “The river would be too nice of a grave for him. Besides, would we really let him get off that easily after everything that has happened? Our girl has been through literal hell and he deserves nothing less.”

“When?” I asked, trying to feel out the situation.

Dominic stood and stretched before answering. “Tonight preferably, but I’m going to make sure that it’s approved first.” He stepped away as he made the phone call, leaving me with the sound of Ethan’s chewing and my thoughts.

Rayne strolled into the kitchen not long after, hair damp, makeup on, and dressed for the day. She poured a cup of coffee and settled onto a stool across from me. She wasn’t upset like I expected her to be. No, instead her demeanor unnerved me and I couldn’t quite read her body language.

Her shoulders were pushed back as she tipped her chin towards me, eyes narrowed. She took a quick sip of the coffee she was holding. “Where’s Dominic?” she asked, ice lacing her tone.

This conversation was going to be pleasant. “He’s talking to Oliver right now and discussing yesterday with him. Approving our plans.”

She pursed her lips and a look of defiance flashed through her eyes. “I’m not looking for approval. Either you’re with me or you’re not, because I’m done running and hiding. It ends today, one way or another.”

I held up my hands in front of me at her words. “Hey, we’re with you. We just had to make sure the time–”

“Tonight,” she snapped and Ethan struggled to hide the smile forming on his lips. Of course he would be amused by this.

“Tonight,” he agreed as he carefully approached her like she was a dangerous animal. He leaned close, placing a careful kiss against her forehead. “That was the plan to begin with, baby. Just take a deep breath. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

I watched him defuse the situation with curiosity. Rayne could be a hellcat when she wanted to be, but he somehow knew how to calm her volatility.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “And what would that be? If you mention anything about what’s in your pants, I swear to god.”

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