Page 38 of Promise of Hellfire

“And?” Hunter asked, cracking eggs into the hot skillet in front of him. Rayne silently descended the stairs, her face completely blank, and Dominic finally looked up from the article on his phone. He poured a mug of coffee and handed it to her.

“And it seems the media is rampant with wild speculation regarding the mystery woman who attended Michael Carter’s viewing. They’re also busy guessing who she’s with. It’s quite the scandal given the photos with both you and Hunter.”

Rayne let out a small groan at his words and rubbed her hand over her eyes. “I’m not worried about the supposed scandal. Ayers threatened me last night, so I’m much more concerned about what his next move will be.”

Hunter’s phone rang from his pocket and he answered it. “Hey, Mom. What’s happening?” A frown formed on his face and deepened with every passing second. “Slow down, I can explain… No, it isn’t what you think… Listen, why don’t you come over for dinner tomorrow?” He stared at the ceiling for several moments, pursing his lips. “Yep, around seven. I’ll see you then.” After he ended the call, he shoved the phone back in his pocket and leveled a look at Dominic. “Speaking of scandals, it looks like mom saw the pictures already. We may not usually handle gossip, but this time…” He trailed off as he shoved a bite of eggs into his mouth.

I didn’t envy Hunter or Dominic at that moment. My mother had been gone for years and my father could no longer berate my life choices. How would their parents feel when they discovered our non-conventional relationship?

“I didn’t exactly think of our parents when I saw the article,” Dominic confessed as he raked a hand through his hair. “We knew they would discover it at some point, but I wish it wasn’t right now.” Dominic and his family had just recently begun mending their relationship and this could spell disaster.

“You should call them. Have them come over at the same time as Heidi. Just rip the bandaid off,” I mused as I pushed the stool back. “Besides, we’re adults. What are they going to do? Yell? Ground us?” I let out a small laugh. “I need to go get ready. Rayne’s right. I’m more concerned with Ayers than I am what people think right now.”

I quickly showered and put on the black suit hanging in my closet, ready to get today over with. Hair carefully styled, cufflinks in place, and a somber expression plastered in place, I sauntered downstairs, signaling that I was prepared to get this show over with.

By midday, I sat beside my stepmother, her hand carefully tucked into mine, as she dabbed at the corner of her eyes. Sunglasses covered her face, and I doubted the tears were real. She was immaculately put together as always, dressed in black with a single strand of pearls adorning her neck. The fingers from my free hand dug into my thigh painfully, helping to keep me grounded.

All the elites of Strathmore were in attendance, which meant Ayers was here somewhere as well. The media was also in attendance, keeping a thankfully respectful distance.

Rayne and the guys were here, seated a few rows back. I felt their eyes on me, offering silent support while I put myself on display for the public. I’d rather be anywhere else currently, but they were right. If I didn’t show up today, it would seem suspicious. My father had been certain that whatever cracks had formed in our relationship over the years were hidden from the public eye.

The priest droned on as I stared forward, focusing on the edge of the coffin. As he said something about knowing that the deceased was currently in heaven, I stopped myself from laughing.Hell was more like it, I thought to myself. There was no way a monster like my father was headed to a peaceful afterlife.

The events at the Ruby Rose still haunted me when I closed my eyes. As much as I’d suffered at his hands over the years, it couldn’t compare to the condition we’d found the women in. Malnourished, dirty, and caged like animals. He was far from the saint he was being portrayed as.

The priest asked if anyone had anything they would like to say. The people surrounding me looked at me expectantly but I kept my eyes focused straight ahead. I had agreed to attend his funeral, but there was no way in hell I’d agree to speak about the monster being buried today. My stepmother sniffled loudly and after a few moments, Wayne Ayers stood in front of the crowd dressed in a three-piece suit. Someone behind me gasped, and I bit my tongue until copper flooded my mouth. Of course, Ayers would be the one who wanted to speak.

I freed my hands and balled them into fists on my lap as Ayers cleared his throat. Icy rain drizzled down around us and all I could think was that the day couldn’t be any more miserable.

“Many of you know that Michael Carter was one of my closest friends. We grew up together, went to the same college, and later in life started several business ventures. He’ll be missed by everyone in Strathmore. He was a true philanthropist and believed in giving back to the community.”

I flexed my jaw and worked on keeping my emotions in check at the words spilling out of his mouth. They weren’t lies, but half-truths. He gave money to the community. What better way to pay off officials and receive a tax write-off? They had business ventures together, but those included selling other humans. Sure, people would miss him, especially the clientele that frequented their auctions.

Ayers’ parting words pulled me from my thoughts. “Carter left behind his only child, Ethan, who I’m sure is reeling from the loss. I reassure you,” his gaze met mine, “that the people responsible will pay.”

I tipped my head in acknowledgment, letting him know I understood his message. He knew exactly who was responsible for my father’s murder.

Afterward, people slowly stopped by, pulling me from my thoughts to offer words of sympathy. I nodded, unsure of what to say. My stepmother, always the gracious hostess, discussed how they were having a gathering at the house later that afternoon and invited whoever would listen.

The only thing I felt was relief as the coffin was lowered into the ground, dirt thrown haphazardly on top. There was no great, profound sense of loss over the man who raised me. I bobbed my head at my stepmother as I excused myself, telling her that unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to swing by later.

At some point, I’d have to see her one last time. His estate still would need to be settled and they would want to read his will, yet another thing I couldn’t care less about. Step mommy dearest could have it all. I wanted nothing of his.

As I slowly shuffled towards where Dominic’s SUV sat idling, awareness pricked at my skin and the hairs on the back of my neck stood. I hazarded a glance over my shoulder. Wayne Ayers stood at the edge of the graveyard, observing me. I quickly looked away and reminded myself to talk to Dominic later that evening.

Killing my father had messed with our original plans. That was the only thing I currently regretted. If I’d been more patient, we could have tied both of them up, thrown them in an abandoned building, and let Rayne set fire to the whole thing.

I opened the back door and slid inside next to Rayne, kissing the top of her head.

Chapter twenty-four

Rayne

Afterthefuneral,thingsSaturday evening were relatively peaceful. Once we got home, I changed clothes quickly into yoga pants, a hoodie, and fuzzy socks. I was choosing comfort over fashion after sitting in the rain and trodding through a graveyard, my heels sinking into the soft ground every step of the way. The icing on the cake was Ayers standing up to speak and everyone thinking he was a saint. The devil was a more apt description.

For a while, I was content to curl up on the sofa, warm and dry next to Smudge. She allowed Ethan to pet her briefly before turning her back to him. I stifled a laugh at his frown.Progress,I thought to myself. It was almost like Smudge could smell the desperation on him and knew how much he wanted the cat to love him. She eventually would. He’d wear her down in the same manner he had me. Her allowing him to touch her, even intermittently, was the first step.

After sunset, Ethan found two bottles of wine and ushered us up to the rooftop, claiming it was time to celebrate. Dominic scowled at him before calling his parents to invite them to dinner the following night. As was expected, they had several questions about me and the nature of our relationship, especially since Christmas Eve he had introduced me as his girlfriend. Dominic reassured them in hushed tones I was his girlfriend and that everything would be clear at dinner as he paced the length of the rooftop.

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