Page 13 of Chasing the Flame (The Sacred Flames Of Ruin #1)

She’s tall, willowy, with her hair neatly pulled back in an elegant chignon.

“Luke,” she drawls, leaning in to kiss both of his cheeks in the most over-the-top greeting I’ve ever seen.

The hairs on the back of my neck stick up, and my hackles raise.

Whoever this woman is, she’s familiar with my husband.

The thought is like a knife to my gut. An ugly twist of jealousy surges through me as vivid images of the two together dance in my mind.

“Amelia, how lovely to see you. You’ve completely transformed this place,” my husband says, his gaze traveling lower to her ample breasts on display from the deep V of her cocktail dress.

I bristle, though, neither of them notice.

“This is my wife, Averie. Do you remember me telling you about her? ”

There’s a glint in Luke’s eye that I don’t care for, one that makes me think the conversation wasn’t quite in my favor. “Of course,” she purrs, turning to me with a wicked grin.

“You look stunning in that green. It makes your eye color pop.” Amelia leans in, her hand reaching for mine and squeezing it lightly. Her eyes glint mischievously, and my gaze dips lower to the swell of her breasts nestled underneath a strange-looking pendant.

It’s a teardrop, attached to a black chain that screams obsidian to my witchy brain.

Golden shimmering veins thread throughout flames that remind me of a phoenix.

On the right of the pendant is an eerie-looking beast. Horns grace its head, but it’s the golden eyes draw me in, shooting goosebumps along my spine.

“You have such gorgeous natural red hair, and those pouty lips! Girl, you’re a fucking ten! ”

The compliments take me by surprise, suspicion coiling in my gut.

Is Amelia…flirting with me? Luke’s gaze darkens, taking in the two of us with such a primal look that heat flushes my whole body.

Luke knows about my past and all those experimental nights.

I enjoyed the occasional hookup with a woman and can certainly appreciate the female form.

Is that what this is? Has he decided he’s okay with sharing as long as he gets something out of it, too?

Over my dead fucking body.

“Thank you, Amelia,” I say coolly, not bothering to spare her another glance. Luke grips my thigh under the table, squeezing tightly, reminding me that poor manners will not slide.

“I love your dress.” The words leave my lips in a squeak, sounding ridiculously weaker than I was going for. Amelia smiles brightly at me, patting the back of her hair as if checking for stray strands.

“This old thing?” She asks, her hand trailing down to rest along the pendant’s edge. “It’s been in my closet for over a year, and I finally found a use for it. I’m so glad Dane was able to open the restaurant this year. It’s been wonderful having a place for the members to meet—”

“Yes, how fortunate.” Luke interrupts her, giving her an icy stare that immediately shuts her up. “We’re waiting on the rest of our party. Have a great night, Amelia.”

Amelia’s cheeks flush in embarrassment, and she dips her head before turning on her heel and exiting the restaurant. What was that about?

Three gentlemen enter the restaurant seconds after her departure, one of whom I recognize as my father-in-law, Donald Blackthorne.

My stomach churns, nerves flitting around my stomach like butterflies.

I’ve only had a handful of encounters with my father-in-law, each one leaving me feeling like I’m covered in filth.

Luke is the spitting image of his father, right down to the sandy blonde hair.

As they approach our booth, I realize that three women trail behind them, each dressed in gaudy outfits with lots of bangles and big earrings.

Sighing heavily, I take another sip of my wine, setting the glass back on the table with a thud.

“There’s my gorgeous daughter,” Donald says, coming to my side of the table. He takes my hand, kisses my wedding rings, and pats it gently before saying, “How are you two getting settled in? Is this old bird treating you well?”

I blink, unsure how to answer my father-in-law, but before I can speak, he laughs. “Of course he’s treating you well, just look at you. You look like you stepped out of a magazine with that ensemble.”

I steal a glance at Luke, only to find him staring at me with a look that can only be described as calculated.

It’s like he’s itching for me to flirt with his father so he can have an excuse to torment me with it later.

“We’re settling in nicely, Father. Thank you for asking,” Luke says, his predatory gaze slipping to his fathers.

The men exchange a smirk before Donald waves a hand to the other two gentlemen beside him.

“Luke, you already know John and Fred Jennings. This is my son’s wife, Averie. Now that we’re all here, why don’t we get down to business?”

As the evening progressed, one thing was abundantly clear. Donald’s ‘friends’, as it turns out, are escorts. Draping themselves all over the men at the table, kissing them provocatively, and making it abundantly clear that they were being paid to have a good time.

I mean, hey, you do you, baby. Get that money. If I were them, hell I’d do the same damn thing. These old fucks can surely afford it.

Night unfolded, and it became plain to me that the men at the table wouldn’t tolerate our interference, which suited me just fine.

I chatted with the ladies, getting to know them, and realized that one was paying her way through grad school with dates like this, while the other two genuinely enjoyed sex work.

After a few sharp looks from Luke, I dropped the questioning, nursing my one glass of wine. By the time the gentleman had discussed every item on their agenda, my head was swimming, and I felt a migraine coming on .

I just wanted this night to end.

Luck was seemingly on my side, and we all said goodnight in the next few breaths. Donald made Luke promise to stop by his summer home next week. This thought excites me, considering he must take a plane to the Hamptons. It also means I’ll have more downtime in the coming weeks.

This merger is more significant than anticipated, requiring Luke to travel more.

It makes me wonder why we had to move in the first place.

My mind is spinning, so much that when we make it to the car, it doesn’t register that Luke tossed me the keys until I hear his voice. “Drive, I’m too sloshed for this shit.”

Predictable.

As I slide into the driver's seat, Luke sways and stumbles a little before thrusting himself into the passenger seat. It's comical, considering he was worried about me making a fool of myself.

I did my best to seem interested in the conversation happening around me, but if I’m being honest, I barely comprehended half of the business talk. My saving grace was the conversation with Delia, Camille, and Scarlett. However, I can’t be sure that’s their real names.

Looking back on the night, I can’t think of anything I’ve said or done that should bring Luke’s wrath tonight. So, with that comforting thought, I settle in for the short drive to our home.

Luke's soft snores fill the air when we enter the front gate, taking the expansive driveway to the front door. I’ve just gotten the car in park when he stirs, drowsily peeking at me through his hooded gaze.

“We’re home.” The words are quiet, leaving my lips in a hushed flurry. Exiting the car, I rush up our steps to the front door.

The deep green now matches the shutters, and I smile at the thought a little.

Luke isn’t too far behind me, stumbling a bit as he clambers up the steps.

His loud footsteps make me flinch, and I only have a second before his hand grips the back of my neck painfully.

“You were just going to leave me in the car,” he seethes, letting go of my neck only to grab a handful of my hair.

He twists, yanking my hair, tugging me toward our bedroom and through the door. “I-I was not! I thought you were right behind me!” I practically screech, crying when he tosses me on the bed, effectively pulling out several strands of my hair.

Luke steps toward the bed, unfastening his pants and grabbing my ankles with brute strength. Tightening his grip, he pulls me toward him on the bed, slightly slurring when he says, “You flirted tonight, don’t lie to me! Such a disgrace, I told you I needed you to be perfect …”

I’m not sure what he’s referring to, and knowing Luke, it’s something he imagined. If anything, I thought I was cordial all night, even when I was genuinely uncomfortable. My cheek stings, pain shooting down my jaw. The slap he gives me is so hard that my head jerks to the side.

Damn, that’s gonna bruise tomorrow.

“Stop it!” I scream, thrashing in the bed and yelping when my fist connects with his eye.

“You little bitch!” The snarl that leaves his throat is guttural, and I instantly freeze.

I have a split second to decide what to do, and he moves just enough that I take the opening.

I jerk my knee up, grinning when it connects with his crotch.

I’m gonna pay for that later, and I damn well know it.

For now, I’ll relish the pained look on his face.

Luke jumps back, giving me ample room to send another kick to the middle of his legs.

He falls backward, grabbing the dresser across the room from our bed.

He isn’t down for long, crossing the room in a flash.

His frosty gaze darkens, his fist connecting with my temple in a sickening crunch.

I’m dazed, my head connecting with the pillow, my body shoved face-down onto the mattress .

I know what’s coming next.

He scrambles on top of me, ripping my dress, and yanking my underwear to the side before he slams his cock inside me. The room is spinning, and it’s like an out-of-body experience. I’m here, but somewhere else while he rapes me.

His thrusts are aggressive, and the weight of his body pinning me to the bed is suffocating.

His hand grips my throat, choking me as he fucks me.

My eyes water, and I’m sure my face is purple, but still, he doesn’t stop.

His other hand grips my hip, painfully squeezing as he continues to drive his dick inside me.

Finally, his hold releases on my neck, and I greedily suck in a breath.

His mouth claims mine in a punishing kiss, sinking his teeth into my lower lip until I cry out and blood coats my tongue.

He laughs, thrusting harder before slapping my ass so hard that I clench. Groaning, he picks up the pace, my anguish seemingly exciting him.

There’s nothing to do but squeeze my eyes shut and wait for him to finish. Mercifully, it doesn’t last long. After several more thrusts, he’s done. Grunting, he pulls himself off me, heading out of the bedroom and down the hall.

I don’t move except to roll over, pulling the covers to my chin tightly. Tears leak down the sides of my face, the silence in the background doing nothing to soothe my battered soul.

It isn’t long before I feel the bed shift. Luke settles in on the other side, casually saying, “Good night.”

I don’t say a thing in return. What’s the point? He doesn’t feel the slightest bit sorry for what he did to me. All because of some alcohol induced delusions.

For a while, I lay there, drowning in self-pity and loathing. My mind circling in an endless loop that only irritates me even more .

Luke’s snores finally fill the room, and I slip out of bed, padding softly down the hall, fingers grazing the wall as I hold myself up.

Flipping the light on in the bathroom, I grab the handle for the shower, turn it on, and let the water turn scalding hot.

I’m no stranger to the pain that comes from this side of my life.

My aching body is already sore from his abuse, and as I look at my reflection in the mirror, I grimace.

I look like shit .

My lip is swollen, split in the center from where he bit me.

I let my eyes trail lower to my right hip, noting the tear in my dress that shows finger marks.

They’ll probably turn purple tomorrow. The worst of it would have to be my right cheek and temple.

Sighing, I strip, laying the tattered remains of my garment on the floor.

After testing the water with my hand, I’m satisfied that it meets my required level of hot, so I step in and let it cascade down my back. It doesn’t take long for me to break down. Tears start angrily spilling down my cheeks, and I cup my face in the palm of my hands, sliding down the shower wall.

I’ve never felt so fucking lonely in all my life.

The thought comes unbidden, wrenching a sob from my chest. The humiliation, the stress, and the wrath I’m feeling all come pouring out of me.

Only when the water turns cold do I move out of the shower, wrap a towel around my body, and walk back down the hall. Luke doesn’t even stir when I enter the room. I walk across the room to my walk-in closet, throwing a pair of sweats and an oversized shirt on before climbing into bed.

It’s a long time before I’m able to get comfortable.

So, while darkness permeates the room, I listen to Luke’s soft snores.

Rain hits the window, tapping relentlessly, as a flash of lightning is followed by a loud boom that shakes the entire house.

Shivering, I wrap the edge of the blanket around me tightly.

After hours, I feel myself drifting off into a fitful sleep. I welcome the darkness, gladly accepting its comforting embrace, and let it swallow me whole.