Page 51 of Embers Glow After the Fire

“I’m not going anywhere without you.” Matthew stands his ground. He clenches shaking hands into rigid fists.

“I’m okay—” Brendon’s words are cut off by Christian’s hand on his neck.

“My husband is coming home with me.” Christian grips his jaw and digs fingers into his cheeks.

Brendon shoves at his chest, but Christian’s solid frame doesn’t budge.

He leans in and kisses force-puckered lips without breaking his narrow glare on Matthew. His wrist bends back and his palm slaps the side of Brendon’s face.

“He’s a good little fuck, I know.” Christian bites his lip. “But you’re going to put your dick away now. I’m taking him back with me.”

Matthew fumes. His stomach rolls with sickness. “Fuck you!”

“Did you have fun playing with my toys, Matthew?” He claws Brendon between his thighs and squeezes a cry out of him.

Matthew leaps forward and pushes Christian back with all his strength. Freeing Brendon from his grip.

Christian’s fist meets Matthew’s cheek.

His jaw cracks in his ear and stars spot his vision. He throws a fist back, catching Christian’s temple with his knuckles.

Christian boars forward. Grabbing Matthew’s throat and pinning him against the tree. Slamming his fist into Matthew’s gut just under his rib.

The blow knocks the air out of him and the fingers clenching his neck stifle his ability to inhale.

Matthew sees a tunnel of stars while he chokes on the metallic pool under his tongue. He grasps Christian’s arm with both hands and makes his best attempt to pry himself free.

Brendon joins the battle, wrapping around Christian’s shoulder to pull him off.

Christian bumps him off a hip, to the ground, and squeezes Matthew’s throat tighter.

“Stop it!” Brendon cries. “I’ll go with you. Let him go!”

Christian’s face is seething with rage. His pupils dilate and his fingers dig under Matthew’s larynx.

Bright white nothingness strikes out the dark forest.

The bushes rustle and a figure barrels out of the shadows, plowing into Christian, and throwing him off balance, away from Matthew.

He stumbles and fights to gather his footing.

Matthew drops to his knees and gasps.

Christian’s scream fades over the cliff’s edge. The snap of tree limbs echoes through the valley.

Robbie heaves and panic sets across his face. His jaw hangs open and his eyes are wild.

Brendon is frozen, crouched on the ground. Staring at the space where Christian flailed for his life.

Matthew’s throat burns and throbs. He can’t speak but air finds his lungs again.

“Jesus Christ.” Dennis appears, out of the shadows. He wraps around Robbie, shaking him from a stupor, and catching him as he collapses into tears.

Chapter 21

The Edge

“Holy shit.” Dennis’ jaw drops.

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