Page 74 of Moonlight & Matrimony
Chapter 19
Luca
? Fire and the Flood - Vance Joy
“Ivy, wake up!” Something is very wrong — I can feel it in my bones. After the encounter in her studio, Ivy and I stumbled back to my bedroom in a haze of lust where I took her every which way before collapsing into a deep sleep, only to wake up hours later to an uneasy feeling roiling in my gut.
“Mmm,” she moans, and the sound has my cock rising to the occasion. As much as I’d love to sink back into her right now, there’s a prickling sense of unease surging through me, and I need to find out why. I gently shake her shoulders, hoping to rouse her from sleep. “Ivy. Sweetheart.”
“What’s going on, Luca?” she mumbles, her glassy eyes slowly opening.
“I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out. I’ll be right back, okay?”
She frantically reaches out to snag my wrist. “No. Wait. I’ll come with you.”
“Stay. I’ll come back for you, I promise.”
Without further argument, she sits up, a look of concern etched on her delicate features. “Be careful,” she whispers, clutching my hand as if her life depends on it. I give her a reassuring squeeze before throwing on a hoodie and heading out the door.
The acrid stench of smoke laced with something bitter and unnatural permeates the air as I descend the staircase to the main floor. Last night, Evelyn texted that Ry had fallen asleep in the truck and offered to let her stay at the ranch. For the first time since they came to live with me, I’m grateful Rylin isn’t here.
When I round the corner into the kitchen, a flash of something blinding catches my eye through the windows to the backyard. “FUCK!” I shout, clamoring up the stairs as I pull my phone from my pocket.
“Ivy! The workshop is on fire. We have to get out of the house in case it spreads.”
Her eyes fly to mine with a look of sheer panic as she frantically stumbles to her feet, throwing on whatever clothing she can find. I take her hand, dragging her down the stairs behind me, dialing emergency services as we go.
As the line clicks over, I guide Ivy safely across the street to stand in front of the neighbor’s house as we watch the flames consume my workshop, the harsh flickering light of the fire illuminating everything in its path. “9-1-1, what's your emergency?”
“My name is Luca. I live at 542 Pinecrest Lane. My workshop is on fire.”
“Got it. How big is the fire? Is it spreading?”
“The entire roof is engulfed, but it hasn’t spread yet.” I glance over at Ivy in my oversized t-shirt — this isn't how I wanted to see her in my clothes for the first time. Her normally neat hair is a bit disheveled, and her hands are trembling slightly.
“Ok, Luca. Help is on the way. Are you and anyone else safely away from the building?”
“Yes. The workshop is in the backyard. Me and my wife are across the street.”
“Good. Sit tight. The fire department is on the way. Are there any hazardous materials in the workshop, like chemicals or propane?”
“Yes, I have stains and solvents in there.”Fuck.My mind immediately jumps to the very real possibility that the fire could spread to the house.
“Stay put and keep yourself and your family safe. The fire department will be there as soon as possible.”
Ivy’s face pales, her knees giving out as she collapses to the ground. “Luca. Chance, Sage, and Hazel are in the house.”
I let out a strangled curse. Covering my mouth with my hoodie, I rush back towards the house, Ivy’s cries carrying across the empty street, pleading for me to stay back. As I enter through the front door, I’m engulfed in a cloud of smoke. Keeping my head down, I venture down the narrow hallway to Hazel and Chance’s enclosure first.
Adjusting my shirt over my mouth and nose, I quickly open the pink travel crate that Ivy uses for vet visits, scooping each cat inside, not without protest from the furry creatures. Once they’re both safely tucked inside, I walk over to Sage’s kennel next. The whining pup is crouched in the corner with her ears pulled back. “I’ve got you, girl,” I soothe, the sound of my voice muffled by my makeshift mask. I clip on Sage’s lead and head back towards the front door, not stopping to check the state of the ever-growing fire still roaring in the distance.
“You fucking reckless, stupid, idiot of a man!” Ivy screeches as I meet her on the sidewalk. “You could’ve gotten yourself hurt or killed!”
“I’m okay,” I say, handing her Sage’s lead as I place the crate on the sidewalk. Gently cupping the back of her head, I bring her cheek to rest on my chest, allowing her to feel my steady heartbeat. “Everything is going to be okay,” I whisper, my voice horse from the smoke. I don’t think I’ll ever get that smell out of my nose.
As the fire continues to rage, silhouettes of emergency vehicles start to appear, their flashing lights adding an eerie soundtrack to the chaotic scene. A familiar figure hops out of the truck. “Ivy, Luca. Everybody ok?” Liam asks. “Where’s Rylin?”
“She’s with Evie,” she says.
