They were so soft. So gentle. My eyes welled with tears, because I knew that kiss was how he felt about me. I knew from that kiss that he cared beyond measure. That I was precious to him. And that he did not want me to go.

Pulling back, Flame put his forehead to mine and exhaled a breath. I ran my hand up his arm and whispered, “I shall miss you too.”

Flame’s exhale told me I had read his kiss correctly.

A second knock sounded as Mae’s voice called out my name. “Maddie?”

Closing my eyes, I breathed though my nose and declared, “I must go.”

Flame did not say anything, rather he just released his hands from my face and followed me to the door. I opened the door to find Mae, Lilah, Sarai and Ky. Mae’s eyes immediately checked me over, and Ky’s face was stern as he looked past me to Flame.

His eyes narrowed. “You good, brother?”

“You fucking take care of Maddie. Don’t let anyone hurt her. Because I’ll kill them if they do, VP. I’ll fucking kill them.”

Sarai stepped back at Flame’s threatening tone. Ky crossed his arms over his chest. “Reel it the fuck in, Flame,” he bit back.

“Promise me,” Flame snapped.

Ky’s jaw clenched and he said, “You think I’m gonna let anything happen to my bitch?”

Feeling the air crackle with tension, I turned to Flame and reached down to hold his hand. I heard the gasps of shock behind us, but I ignored my sisters and Sarai, to say, “Ky will take care of me, Flame. He protects Lilah as you do me.”

Flame’s dark eyes were focused on mine, the dilation of his pupils betraying his nerves over my leaving. I squeezed his fingers and assured, “I will be only a few hours. Then I will be coming right back to you.”

Flame’s head dropped, and I released his hand to join my sisters. I could see their questioning gazes, but I kept my head down and made a beeline for Ky’s truck. The door was unlocked, and I sat inside waiting for the others to join us.

As Mae and Sarai sat beside me, and Lilah and Ky sat in the front seats, I glanced out of the window and saw Flame still standing in the doorway, watching me.

My heart fluttered anew, and a smile broke on my lips knowing that he was mine.  He had midnight eyes. Was pierced. Tattooed. Strong. And filled with pure rage. But he was mine. And when he was mine, he was gentle, caring, and just as broken as I. And I adored that it was me who got to witness that side of him, and me alone.

He was special to me, as I was special to him.

“We ready?” Ky asked. In unison, Mae and Lilah answered 'yes'. As we pulled away, I waved to Flame, seeing him walk out of the door and watch us go. When I saw his face blank, I almost shouted to Ky to let me out, but then I thought of Sarai beside me, and I forced myself to stay.

The cabin of the truck was calm, until Mae asked, “Are you okay, Maddie?”

My eyes lifted to meet Mae’s and I nodded my head. “Yes.”

Mae’s eyes were searching mine, but I did not want to speak. I knew how they felt about Flame. And what broke my heart more was that he knew what people thought of him too. It was why he barely spoke in company. Nobody understood the real Flame.

Nobody but me.

“Are you nervous, Sarai?” Mae asked. I looked to the small blonde teen. Sarai’s hands were tight in her lap and she looked up to Mae.

“Yes,” she replied softly.

Lilah turned in her seat, her hand remaining in Ky’s. “There is no need to be, Sarai. Pastor James is kind. She has closed the church so that no one will be there to make you nervous.” Lilah smiled and sighed. “And you will see that the Lord can still be worshipped. Only purely, not contaminated by hurtful men and false truths.”

Sarai sighed and shook her head. “I cannot imagine such a place, though I am excited to see it.”

My chest tightened as I stared at this young girl. I was beyond thankful that she had found the courage to run away. I knew I would never have left if Mae had not returned. I would have spent my entire life locked in that hell. Until the day Brother Moses killed me. Because he would have. I know now that Brother Moses would have eventually broken me, as Gabriel had done Bella. And I would never have met Flame.

And him not meeting me would have condemned him to a life alone too. I forced down the emotion creeping up my throat and focused instead on remembering his lips against mine.

Without conscious thought, my fingers had lifted to my lips and a smile had graced my face.

My heart leapt with hope. Hope that, maybe together, we may not be so damaged. That we could somehow make one another whole.

The journey passed quicker than most, my thoughts occupied by Flame. Then Ky pulled the truck to a stop.

Mae took Sarai’s hand and left the truck. I went to leave when I saw Ky lean in to Lilah and crush his mouth to hers. Lilah melted into his embrace, and they both broke away with leaden eyes.

“Love you, baby,” Ky hushed out.

Lilah leaned forward once more to press a single quick kiss to her husband’s lips. “I love you too. So much,” she added, and my heart lurched with envy.

“Call me when you want picking up. I’ll be here, downtown, taking care of some business.”

“Okay,” Lilah replied and jumped out of the truck. I quickly left too. I joined Mae and Sarai on the sidewalk. Sarai was staring up at the church, her mouth gaping at the sight.

“Beautiful, is it not?” Lilah prompted, as Ky’s truck pulled back onto the road.