Souls Unfractured (Hades Hangmen, #3)(55)

… falling asleep as I held her, like I did in her picture.





Chapter Nineteen


Maddie



I could feel Flame’s eyes watching me as I brushed through my hair and tied it back in a bun.

I smoothed my hands over my dress and slipped my feet into my shoes. Checking the time, I saw that Mae, Lilah and Sarai would be here for me any minute. Turning round, Flame was sitting against the wall, his dark eyes watching me.

My heart fluttered, and a blush coated my cheeks when I remembered waking this morning, my head laying on his chest and his arm around my shoulders.

And there were no nightmares. I had no unwanted memories of my time in the commune. And for once, I woke not to the intense fear that my new freedom was nothing save a dream, but to the heady knowledge that I was in Flame’s cabin, safe. And his huge arms were holding me close.

We lay in silence, wrapped in each other’s arms, for most of the morning. Until I had lifted my head and smiled at Flame’s expressionless face. I had lost my happy demeanor instantly.

“What is wrong?” I had asked.

Flame’s jaw tensed and he said, “Last night I laid in this bed, with you in my arms, listening to you sleep. But I barely slept. I couldn’t sleep thinking of you leaving to go to that church. I couldn’t sleep worrying about finding this with you, being able to touch you, kiss you… and losing you.” Flame had turned over his scarred arms, showing me his wrist and, running his arm along the flesh, he had said, “You cool the flames. But without you they come back. When I’m angry they come back. And when I think of you going in that f*cking church, I can feel them waking. I can feel them beginning to push through my veins.”

Sitting up, I cupped Flame’s cheeks in my hands, his beard tickling my palms, and I said, “I will be fine. And the flames are not there. Think of me if they come back. Remember holding me and your touch not harming me.”

Flame had nodded his head, but his eyes remained on his wrist. Since then he had not said much.

As I lowered to the floor, Flame looked up. “They will be here soon,” I said, and reached out my hand. Flame took it in his, and his nostrils flared. “I will not be long. In that time, I think you should sleep.” I lifted my hand to run my finger along the dark circles under his eyes. “You are tired.”

Flame stared away across the room, and I knew the thought of my going to church frightened him. And when I thought of what was done to him as a child in his place of worship, I had to fight back my anger at what he’d endured.

A knock sounded at the door. Flame tensed. Getting to my feet, Flame rose to his, his large frame towering over me. The silence was stifling as he stared down at me. Putting both his hands on my cheek, he leaned down and softly pressed his lips against mine.

They were so soft. So gentle. My eyes welled with tears, because I knew that kiss was how he felt about me. I knew from that kiss that he cared beyond measure. That I was precious to him. And that he did not want me to go.

Pulling back, Flame put his forehead to mine and exhaled a breath. I ran my hand up his arm and whispered, “I shall miss you too.”

Flame’s exhale told me I had read his kiss correctly.

A second knock sounded as Mae’s voice called out my name. “Maddie?”

Closing my eyes, I breathed though my nose and declared, “I must go.”

Flame did not say anything, rather he just released his hands from my face and followed me to the door. I opened the door to find Mae, Lilah, Sarai and Ky. Mae’s eyes immediately checked me over, and Ky’s face was stern as he looked past me to Flame.

His eyes narrowed. “You good, brother?”

“You f*cking take care of Maddie. Don’t let anyone hurt her. Because I’ll kill them if they do, VP. I’ll f*cking kill them.”

Sarai stepped back at Flame’s threatening tone. Ky crossed his arms over his chest. “Reel it the f*ck in, Flame,” he bit back.

“Promise me,” Flame snapped.

Ky’s jaw clenched and he said, “You think I’m gonna let anything happen to my bitch?”

Feeling the air crackle with tension, I turned to Flame and reached down to hold his hand. I heard the gasps of shock behind us, but I ignored my sisters and Sarai, to say, “Ky will take care of me, Flame. He protects Lilah as you do me.”

Flame’s dark eyes were focused on mine, the dilation of his pupils betraying his nerves over my leaving. I squeezed his fingers and assured, “I will be only a few hours. Then I will be coming right back to you.”

Flame’s head dropped, and I released his hand to join my sisters. I could see their questioning gazes, but I kept my head down and made a beeline for Ky’s truck. The door was unlocked, and I sat inside waiting for the others to join us.

As Mae and Sarai sat beside me, and Lilah and Ky sat in the front seats, I glanced out of the window and saw Flame still standing in the doorway, watching me.

My heart fluttered anew, and a smile broke on my lips knowing that he was mine. He had midnight eyes. Was pierced. Tattooed. Strong. And filled with pure rage. But he was mine. And when he was mine, he was gentle, caring, and just as broken as I. And I adored that it was me who got to witness that side of him, and me alone.

He was special to me, as I was special to him.

“We ready?” Ky asked. In unison, Mae and Lilah answered 'yes'. As we pulled away, I waved to Flame, seeing him walk out of the door and watch us go. When I saw his face blank, I almost shouted to Ky to let me out, but then I thought of Sarai beside me, and I forced myself to stay.