Page 116 of Flare

“We’re fine.” Jack wriggled free and frowned as I gasped for breath. “Did you run?”

“Of course, I bloody ran. It’s quicker through the pathways.” I catalogued the black smears criss-crossing his face and the shocked fear in his eyes and quickly pulled him back against me. Drew looked about the same as Jack, but his wide-eyed stare worried me. I reached across and pulled him close as well. “Are you okay, Drew?”

He nodded. “Just a bit shocked. They checked us out, gave us something to drink, and put us here. We’ll be fine.”

I let go and ignored the urge to interrogate the two of them as to what the hell they’d been doing here. That could wait. Instead, I checked them both over, happy enough with what I found. Then I caught sight of the rear of Rhys’s car parked just up the road and my heart stuttered. I grabbed Jack by the shoulders. “Where’s Rhys?” I tried to keep my fear under wraps. “Was Rhys inside? I thought he was still at the event centre, but his car’s here and he hasn’t been answering his phone.”

Jack glanced in the direction of Rhys’s car and shook his head. “I don’t think so. We were around back when it happened, but I... I don’t know.”

“Shit.” I checked my phone again but still no reply to my earlier text. The smoke inside the store prevented me seeing inside, but the windows in the flat appeared clear so the door must’ve been shut between the two.

Jack doubled over in a fit of coughing and Drew handed him a water bottle.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked, frantically waving a paramedic over.

He nodded but sat so the medic could check him out again. “We went inside to try and save Valentino, and yes, I know it was stupid, okay?” He took a slug of water. “But there was too much smoke, anyway.”

The medic’s expression said everything that needed to be said about idiotic teenagers. “They weren’t in there long. His throat’s just a bit irritated. Keep an eye on him and take him to a doctor if he gets worse or throws a temperature.”

“There was no one else inside?” I asked the man.

He shook his head. “Not that we’re aware of.”

Not good enough. I spun to the closest officer who was keeping an eye on the boys. “This is my boyfriend’sstore and that’s his car parked over there.” I pointed up the road. “And there’s a cat inside somewhere, Valentino. Can you check—” I couldn’t finish the sentence.

The officer immediately got on his radio and came back with a quick response. “They’re checking the property again. Someone is still trying to get hold of the owner. The alarm company hasn’t had any luck either, apparently. That tattoo artist, Leon, is it?”

I nodded.

“He thought the owner was across town at some rehearsal, so he’s trying the assistant.”

Kip. Yes. The perfect person to hunt him down.I scanned the crowd for Leon and tried to remember when Rhys thought he’d be home.Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Why hadn’t we spoken earlier in the week? What the fuck was wrong with me?If anything had happened to Rhys... I couldn’t finish that thought.

“And they know about the cat. They’re looking for him.”

“Thank you.” I turned to Drew. “Have you called your parents?”

His panicked gaze darted to the crowd like they might suddenly appear from its midst. “No! No. They, ah, don’t know I’m here and they don’t need to, please. At least not right now. I’m fine. I’ve let Greg know and he’s coming. The police are waiting until he arrives. I’m... I’m not going back, Beck.”

Fuck.

The officer’s radio crackled again, and I waited until he was done listening.

“It’s okay,” he reassured. “There was definitely no sign of anyone else caught inside, and apparently Leon managed to get hold of the assistant. Leon’s over there if you want to ask him yourself.” He pointed behind me.

Thank God.I spun and saw Leon talking to someone behind the fire truck, his face almost lost to the gathering evening shadows and the thin veil of smoke. “Stay here,” I told Jack.

“Uncle Beck.” Jack’s hand slipped into mine and his eyes said a million things I’d been searching for since he’d moved in.I need you. Stay with me. Not you too. Please.

The breath gushed out from my chest and I closed my eyes for a second to find some calm.

I pulled Jack into a hug. “I just need to talk to Leon, okay? See if he’s talked to Rhys or Kip.”Please be safe. Please.

Jack’s gaze darted to Leon and he nodded. “Don’t be long.”

I ran to Leon before anyone could stop me. Like Jack and Drew, his face too was smudged in black, his hair a tangled mess, and he stank of smoke and sweat and adrenaline. “Are you okay?” I ran an eye over him.

He nodded. “I was in the storeroom at the back.”

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