Page 99 of Duke

I need to get the fuck out of here but find myself unable to leave.

“You go. I’m gonna stay.”

He grabs my arm hard, “No. Get the fuck out of here. Now!” he hisses.

We run hard across the dirt lot to the woods in back. Both our bikes are hidden in the tall grass.

“I’m staying.”

“You fool. At least move further back.” He takes off just as the flames break through the roof.

Taking his advice, I roll the Harley back into the brush covering it with dead branches then I creep closer feeling the heat of fire. Will was right. The kitchen grease was the perfect igniter to make this motherfucker burn.

I know she loved this place… as much as she hated it. It became a burden, another shackle, preventing her from starting her dreams. The insurance money alone will wipe her debt clean, but leave her with enough cash to hire a full-time nurse for Colin—freeing her to come to me. I’ll play dumb and ride this out. It might take her months, but she has to come to me knowing she’s free and clear. I want her to choose me—because she can. She’ll be pissed and hurt but, in the end—I trust in our love and know she’ll leave her Pops for me.

The ancients were right.

Fire is cleansing.

I always knew together—we were gonna burn.

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