Page 62 of Raging Inferno

As she had done almost every night since she and her family had moved into the minister’s house at All God’s Children Church, Charmaine entered the unlocked door and headed to the chapel. Usually, the quiet was comforting. Tonight, however, it made her uneasy. Dominic had said to lock the doors, but Ezekiel wouldn’t hear of it. He wanted members of his flock or any lost soul to be able to get inside and pray at all hours of the day and night.

There was another sound she couldn’t identify. “Hello? Is anyone there?”

Again, no answer.

Charmaine continued to the room where the prayer candles were located. Each night, she confessed her sin to God, begging for his forgiveness. One day, she might believe he would do so.

She could see the candles flickering in the darkness as she approached. She started to step inside when something tangled in her legs, causing her to fall hard to the slate floor.

“Ow,” she moaned. Her knees ached, and her palms were scraped. The air had been knocked from her lungs. Still, she sensed someone behind her. “Help me. I’m hurt.”

No answer.

“Who’s there?”

“Your worst nightmare.”

Before Charmaine could react, two hands gripped her head and slammed it into the stone floor. Pain burst in her skull and panic flared before everything went black. She didn’t feel arms dragging her nor hear the crash of the stand holding the votives.

And Charmaine never felt the flames scorching her hair and licking her skin.

Chapter Fifteen

Dominic floated in and out of a sensual haze, lost in the bliss of the most incredible sex he’d ever experienced in his life. Presley was his equal in passion, desire, and appetite.

Back in high school, she’d been Gwen’s adorable cousin. She’d been way too young, and he’d never seen her any other way. He most certainly hadn’t thought about kissing her.

Who knew that the sweet little girl would grow up to be his dream woman?

Darkness had descended, and stars twinkled over the lake. He’d checked in with Gia earlier, happy to learn she was having a great time with Tracey. Major was doing well too. That eased any guilt he felt at sending her away.

Presley hummed, and he luxuriated at having her in his arms. “You smell so good,” he murmured against her neck as he gathered her closer.

Dominic’s phone chimed, jarring him from the sexual high he was currently riding like a surfer hanging ten over a point-break wave. He’d have ignored it if it hadn’t been the tone he’d assigned to the fire station. With a sigh, he released Presley and sat up to grab it from the nightstand. Presley gathered the sheet against her and scooted to lean against the headboard. He wanted to rip it away to stare at her perfect breasts.

“Hello?” His jaw clenched as he listened to what was being said. He glanced at Presley with a sympathetic look, and she jumped out of bed. He couldn’t even take pleasure in seeing her naked body as she slid into her clothes.

“I’m on my way.”

He disconnected and dressed quickly.

“Dominic?”

He hated having to break the news to her. “There’s been another fire.”

“Who was it?” Her voice was a whisper.

“Charmaine.”

Presley dropped onto the bed. “Oh, no. Dominic, she has three children.”

“Yeah. I know.” Abraham, Ruth, and Lazarus. They would grow up without their mother.

“What happened?”

Dom yanked on a pair of jeans and stepped into his boots. “I don’t have the details. All I know is that there was a fire at the church.”

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