Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“The Cade brothers,” Lilah said. “Bless their hearts. I will pray that they find respite from their troubles. That you find them well and bring them back here, to their family who love them.”
Styx walked out of his study and stopped at the door. Mae swiveled to face her husband and got to her feet. She took his hand and led him into the hallway. I heard the low murmurs of them speaking. No one ever heard Styx speaking to Mae, yet I heard Mae plead, “Do not let anything happen to her. Please, River. Promise me.” Kissing Lilah on her head, I stood and caught sight of Styx with his arms wrapped around Mae, kissing her lips. I averted my eyes. I longed for Flame’s kiss.
I was determined I would have it again.
A knock sounded on the door and Bella walked inside. Ruth and Rider came next. Ruth smiled and came over to me. “Bella and Rider told me the instructions the hospital doctor gave about your after-care.” She wrapped her arm around me. “I will not let anything happen to you or your baby. You have my word.”
“Thank you,” I hushed out. A car horn sounded outside.
“They’re here,” Rider announced. Styx kissed Charon, Mae, then left the house. Ruth took my bag. I followed her and Bella outside. AK jumped out of the van. Viking followed him. Viking rounded the van and a huge smile splayed on his face when he saw Sister Ruth. She seemed to hesitate at the sight of him.
“Sister Ruth,” Viking acknowledged. He rushed over to take the bag from her hand. “Allow let me take your bag.” I heard Sister Ruth sigh. She was dressed in jeans and a white linen shirt. Her brown hair flowed down her back. She was beautiful and it was easy to see where Rider got his good looks. Viking deposited the bag in the back and came to open the side door. “M’lady,” he bowed slightly to Sister Ruth. “Madds.” Ruth helped me climb into the van and then into my seat. Sister Ruth sat beside me, and Bella sat with Rider immediately behind us.
“Solomon and Samson are staying with your sisters. Styx has ordered them to stay here, altogether. Zane is staying too. Everyone else is coming. Those fuckers aren’t gonna know what hit them when we fucking rain down on them,” AK said. But I heard the rest of the sentence hang silently in the air … as long as Flame and Asher are still alive.
Through the window I watched the Hangmen form a ‘V’ with their bikes, then pull out slowly onto the back road. “Tell me if you feel any discomfort,” Ruth said beside me. “If you feel faint or lightheaded.” She gave me a reassuring smile. “I know, in theory, we should be back in the space of a day, but I have brought my kit just in case this takes longer.” It was why Mae had packed me a bag. None of us knew what we are walking into. The Hangmen were used to this way of life on the road, I was not.
“So, Sister Ruth,” Viking said, turning in the passenger seat to look our way. She met his gaze. His eyes roamed over her and he smiled wide. “Tell me about yourself. I want to know everything.” The air became strained in the back of the van. The four of us, including Ruth, knew what her entire life had been like. It had been hell, as it had been for us all who came from The Order. AK punched Viking in the arm. He was with Phebe. He must have known the memories that question conjured up.
“Not the fuck now, Vike,” AK hissed.
“Okay, okay,” Viking conceded, holding up in hands. But he turned to Sister Ruth one more time. “Just one more question, then I’ll shut up.”
“Okay?” Sister Ruth said demurely, eyes narrowed.
“Do you like the taste of pineapple?”
Closing my eyes, I rested my head against the back of the van and prayed. I had not prayed for so long. Not with specific purpose. But right now, I prayed hard to God that He sheltered Asher and Flame in his arms and kept them safe until I got to them. Because I desperately needed to get to them, to Flame. He would be okay as long as I was by his side. He had to be. There was no other option. My fingers found my wedding ring and I held my left hand over my heart.
I am coming, Flame. I am coming to bring you home.
Chapter Seven
Flame
I wrestled my bike to a stop, tires skidding on the wet mud. My breathing was hard, but all I could focus on was the smoke rising above the trees. Black fucking smoke filled up the sky. Smiler told me I’d see it and to follow it. Ash pulled up beside me, out of breath from the ride. “That them?”