Forged In Fire

By Kasssanna

Shattered.
Her life laid at her feet in a thousand tiny pieces. Maddy Reynolds was betrayed by her husband and cousin in the worst possible way. Her confidence was destroyed and her marriage was gone. For her family, and herself she had to pick up the fragments and build a new life. Wanting and doing are two very different things. Life was not easy and she was starting over. Could she make it work?
Tristin Davis was nobody's savior and didn't want to be.
Until he met Maddy. Life wasn't a romance novel where he could burst into her life a white knight on a magnificent steed. She needed to save herself and he would be there to support her. Despite what she thought, she wasn't broken. Maddy's didn't know it yet but she'd been forged by the fires in life.
He wanted be the man to witness her rebirth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kasssanna
• Release date: Mar 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463568903

Kasssanna

Kassanna is a strong believer in love at first sight and happily ever afters. After meeting her husband in November and marrying him three months later in February the two have survived and mostly enjoyed every adventure life has thrown their way. Ten years, two children, a couple of dogs and a wild turkey that came out the woods and somehow adopted them - later- the adventure continues.Writing has always been her passion but fate sometimes has other roads that must first be taken . Navigating the road less traveled was not only unexpected but in the end extremely rewarding. Her books are mainly contemporary romance but she has delved into the paranormal and plans on expanding into other areas as the ideas come to her. Right now she is enjoying life and seeing her work come into fruition make it that much more pleasurable especially when her books make others smile. Kassanna wouldn't have it any other way.

Book preview

Forged In Fire

BY

Kassanna

*****

Copyright © March 2019, Kassanna

Cover art by Charli Childs Copyright © January 2019

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.

FlavorFullove Unlimited

Florida, USA

www.Flavorfullove.com

A warm word.

Bent not broken. Forged by the fires of life in unexpected ways. Tears flowed and muscles ached with the burning pain of a thousand suns. Overwhelmed emotionally, physically, mentally. But for family, and for yourself. Failure is not an option. Survival in essence is because the storm brewing within you is stronger than the one surrounding you. Embrace the chaos that is life and smile for the lessons learned. You are stronger than you believe. And your glow will illuminate the universe.

Kassanna.

Prologue

Automated glass doors split, whisper soft. The slightest hint of pressurized air ruffled her tresses as Madison Reynolds passed over the threshold. Polished marble floor tiles gleamed under the overhead lighting. The front desk loomed ahead with a single hotel employee standing to the side looking down. Massive oriental vases with overflowing foliage tumbling over their rims flanked the nook.

Oscar, don’t we need to check-in? Maddy hung back, tugging on his hand.

He turned left and stayed silent. She smiled. This was supposed to be his surprise for her, so she would play along. It was their twenty-first wedding anniversary, and her husband brought her to one of West Palm Beach’s most exclusive hotels. Quiet elegance surrounded them, probably carefully chosen by a professional interior designer. The Castle of West Palm Beach was not some cookie cutter upscale resort. Frequented by those with billions, the place’s exclusivity was notorious among the elite. The nightly rate could run upwards of five to six thousand dollars. Trotting through the lobby, she could see why.

Some of the paintings she caught glimpses of as she walked past, she was sure she had seen in one of the many museums she often frequented. Huge chandeliers with light refracting from dangling crystals hung from various points of the ceiling. There was no piped in music flowing through hidden speakers. Tucked in a corner, sitting at a white baby grand piano, a pianist’s fingers swept across the keys as she quietly belted out a bluesy tune. A few guests sat in chairs, champagne flutes delicately gripped with their fingers. A glass wall stretched across the back of the enormous room. In the dark, lights seemed to dance along an unseen path. Maddy was urged in a different direction, toward a small bank of elevators hidden in a narrow vestibule.

She stared at her husband’s wide back. The fabric of his suit jacket stretched across his broad shoulders. Strands of his sandy brown hair brushed across the back of his collar.

All those years ago when they got married, most people didn’t think the young interracial couple would last a month. Twenty-one years later, they had proved everyone wrong. Oscar was a wonderful provider. She was raised among the black elite in Atlanta and grew up lacking nothing she desired. Her husband continued to ensure that she lived in the lifestyle she was accustomed to throughout the course of their marriage. And her daddy, who gifted them a sizable bank account that he had been building since her birth, made sure they got off to the right start. If not, with Oscar’s background, she could have been living in some hovel somewhere up North. Reginald, her father, knew that and taught Oscar how to play the stock market. Their funds grew exponentially, and everything fell into place.

Building a base in West Palm Beach, together, they were able to build a sizable financial firm catering to the rich and famous. That was eighteen years ago, and after they were blessed with their twin sons five years later, their family was complete. With the birth of her boys she took a step back in helping Oscar to build the business to focus on raising their boys and embraced the role of housewife, while her husband took care of the bills and house expenses.

Oscar peered over his shoulder and winked. I told you I arranged everything. I can’t wait to see your face when you see the surprise I planned.

There was no doubt it would be wonderful. He and her cousin, Mercedes, had been whispering to each other for weeks. Their laughter made her curious but every time she approached them, they would shake their heads and break apart, telling her to wait until her anniversary. The elevator doors slid open and they stepped into the cab.

She was lucky to have such a great husband. She’d heard horror stories, some from the groups she attended with other mothers or her friends that she still managed to stay in contact with. That fact was proven when she told him they needed to help another family member.

When her cousin, Cece, called trying to get out of a bad situation with her daughter’s father, Oscar didn’t hesitate to lend assistance. Cece had a history of drug abuse and if she wanted to do better, then she would give her cousin the chance to make that happen. They went and got her, moving Cece and Lexus into their home. Oscar gave her a job in their firm as a receptionist. Her mama, Phyllis, thought she was crazy but Cece was the only family she had left except for her mother who was still living in Atlanta. Her aunt and uncles died in succession with her father passing away two years ago. They were a family; it was only right to help.

The door opened and they walked off the elevator, the plush carpeting making low thuds of their footfalls down the hallway. They stopped at tall double doors. Single doors lined both sides of the hallway. Ooo, did he splurge on a suite?

Oscar twisted to face her and gripped her upper arms. Baby, after twenty-one years together we are starting down a new path in our lives and I can’t wait to spend the next twenty-one years with you. He swiped the key card across a device embedded in the door jamb and clutched the knob, twisting it. One door swung in to reveal a shadowed room.

Candlelight flickered in different spots throughout the space. A flowery scent, roses, wafted to her nose. Giddiness and excitement coursed along her nerves. They had had dates, but Oscar had never done anything like this. He was conservative with their funds; the last time he’d gone all out was when their boys were born. He’d rented a billboard off the exit that led to their home, thanking her for being a great wife and mother.

Maddy eased her purse from her shoulder and spun around. Honey, turn on the lights. She wanted to see his face. Thank him for going to so much effort to celebrate their anniversary.

He grabbed her hand, led her forward, and swung her around. Sit down, sweetheart.

The backs of her knees hit a solid object and she dropped onto a soft surface. Maddy pressed her hands down and spread her fingers across thick, plush fabric. Another set of fingers grazed her knuckles. It didn’t feel like her husband’s touch. She cocked her head, listening for something, only she had no clue what. Confusion clouded her mind. Oscar, turn on a lamp at least, please. Her voice was tight. Goosebumps rose up across her arms. The atmosphere was off – somehow.

Suddenly, light bloomed in a corner, illuminating the room. Oscar stood in front of her in nothing but his boxer shorts. Baby, I love you so much. I know you love me. We have so much. I want to take our relationship to the next level.

The bed dipped and a palm slid over her shoulder. Maddy jumped up and peered toward the space she’d left. Her cousin, draped in a thin lace nighty, rested on all fours in the middle of the mattress. You are so lucky and have so much. Don’t you think it’s only fair to share? Cece crooned.

Maddy’s heart dropped, and her mouth watered as bile burned up her throat. Her gaze darted between her husband and cousin. Inhaling sent sharp pains piercing through her chest. Oscar moved to stand beside the bed and Cece rose up on her knees. If the situation wasn’t so – so fucked up, the harmless expressions on their faces would have been comical. Their looks might have conveyed innocence, but she didn’t miss the planned calculations in their eyes.

Maddy shuffled back, searching her mind for words. She opened her mouth but there was no sound. Dear God.

Don’t look so surprised. Just jump in, join us. Cece slid her palms up Oscar’s arm before leaning in and brushing her lips against his bicep. I promise you’ll like it.

Emotions were rolling through her at breakneck speed. Bewilderment turned into anger. Disgust.

Her husband twisted to face Cece. He wrapped his hands around her jaw and urged her up, claiming her lips in a scorching kiss. There was nothing romantic or sensual about it and she was reminded of the amateur porn they once watched early in their marriage. He lifted his head and fixed his penetrating stare on her. Imagine how good it can be with the three of us together. I want to see her lick your pussy, baby.

She was going to be sick. Maddy took a step forward. You incestuous, drug addled, bald ass bitch. She was going to snatch the weave out of her cousin’s head.

Oscar shifted between them. Calm down and think about what you’re doing. If you choose to fight me on this, it’s over and I will take everything from you. You will have nothing until you give me what I want.

Her marriage just flushed down the vile drain of a public toilet that had never been cleaned. Their nasty asses could have each other. She spun on her heels. Home first. Lawyer second. If they were doing this in front of her now, God knew what the fuck they did behind her back. She didn’t look back as she marched out of the room.

***

Her mind reeled on the cab ride home. Hot tears created wet tracks down her cheeks. Oscar had a darker side; he liked to play during sex. He’d calmed down since they got married, but every now and then he’d voice complaints about the vanilla sex. It wasn’t something she cared for, but they compromised. Only in that aspect of their lives had he ever revealed the sadistic part of his personality. There had been signs, though. Ones she had chosen to ignore.

Maddy thought back to the times she caught her

Reviews for Forged In Fire

[Jessy Sling · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a beautiful short story. Really wanted more but loved it. Her ex died the coward way hope he burns in hell

[Colleen best · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I Enjoyed this story. It's the first time read of this Author