Page 47 of Embers Glow After the Fire

He jumps back, whirling the light toward the familiar gruff voice.

Christian winches at the piercing beam.

The hot summer air turns ice cold, chilling the bead of sweat ravining down Brendon’s back, inciting a shiver that recalls the burning sick in his chest. His skin tingles with numbness as is phone falls to the ground. His body folds and his fingers fumble to reclaim the device between his feet, hugging it to his chest when he snaps upright, directing the light at his husband’s face.

Christian’s hand scoops under Brendon’s chin. “We need to talk.”

“What are you doing here?” His voice quakes.

“You can’t just leave like that.” Christian’s hand wrenches Brendon’s clavicle and his fingers dig under the bone.

”How the fuck did you find me?” His feet feel rooted into the soil.

Christian’s brow furrows and his pupils dilate, a chilling signal Brendon is too familiar with.

“That last text—led me right to you.” He pinches Brendon’s earlobe, rubbing it in his thumb and index finger. “Then I met Robbie at the store when he picked up the cake.” His fingers twist and climb the rim of his ear. “He’s nice. He invited me up to the cabin. You weren’t there earlier.” His hand snakes around the back of Brendon’s neck.

Brendon steps back, coiling away from his touch. You’re Todd—fuck! He digs his heels into the ground to steady the wavering in his knees.

“You shouldn’t be here—I’m not coming back to Houston.” His voice cracks.

“Yes, you are.” Christian’s tone goes flat. “We’ll work this out—I forgive you.”

“There’s nothing to forgive—I’m done.” He takes another step back. “I can’t live like that anymore.”

Christian jumps forward and grips his bicep.

“Brendon?” Phoenix points light on them.

He hadn’t heard the boys coming up the trail but couldn’t be happier to see them.

“I’m okay.” Brendon pulls his arm from Christian’s fingers. “Go ahead—I’ll be right up.”

“You sure?” Sweet Eli puffs his chest and glares at Christian.

“Yes.” Brendon bites. “Go on.” He knows the boys would be no help. Christian is rugged and sculpted by decades in the gym and chemical enhancements that likely contribute to his rages. He’s seen the beastly fortitude his husband possesses when he’s challenged. He’s not about to let these boys take that heat.

Phoenix and Eli creep past and continue up the path. Eli holds his stare at the burly beast of a man.

Christian turns back to Brendon with a shitty half-grin. “They’re cute.”

Brendon rolls his eyes. “You need to go home.”

“I am—and you're coming with me.”

Brendon steps around him. “I’m not.”

Christian’s hand clamps his arm and jerks him back.

“We’re at least going to talk. You owe me that much.”

“I don’t owe you anything.”

The narrowing of his husband’s eyes chills his blood.

“Talk.” He surrenders.

Christian grips his wrist and tugs him back down the trail.

---