Page 87 of Against the Autumn Pines
I watched as she just shrugged. He stared at her for a moment before looking towards me.
“You are?” he questioned. It was so rare I got that question in this town that I almost chuckled, until I realized that he was with the state, not a county cop, and had no idea who the fuck I was.
“Wyatt Carragan, I’m her boyfriend,” I said calmly.
“Okay, well Ms. Brady. It seems the fire started in the middle of your bakery. Accelerant was used, spread around the entirety of the entryway and main level. Do you have any idea how—” I held up a hand, cutting him off, because I knew where these questions were going. I wasn’t stupid.
“Before you head down that road, we have security footage of every angle of the bakery, including the apartment above where we were sound asleep when the fire started. The only reason we even woke when we did was because of said security. It alerted me to increased temperatures, and when the smoke alarms went off, it alerted you. I’d be happy to send over everything from whatever window of time you’d like to look into.”
He eyed me skeptically at first before nodding and handing me his business card that included his number and email. “The fire marshal said it burned for about four minutes before they arrived. You were lucky you were so quick to act. Thankfully, the building is solid brick, so it wouldn’t have spread, but it would’ve climbed. Could’ve been a much different outcome if you hadn’t woken up when you did.” He shifted on his feet before his eyes met mine. “If you could send me two hours before the fire until now, I’dappreciate it.” He looked back over to Ember. “Ms. Brady, I’ll be in contact with some questions, but for now, I’ll let you guys try to rest and clean up.”
“Thank you, Detective Montague,” I replied when Ember just leaned her head on my shoulder and said nothing.
He walked away, back to talk to the fire marshal, if I had to guess.
“Where are we going to go?” Ember whispered. “Do we even have a car key?”
“Mine was in my bag, don’t worry. We’ll go to my place tonight and work the rest out after we get some sleep, okay?” My arm wrapped around her shoulder, I pulled her in tight, and kissed the top of her head.
A slow breath out and back in. At least it wouldn’t take much investigating to figure out who was responsible. We had a pretty solid idea of exactly who was behind this.
Pulling into my driveway,I put the car into park as the dashboard clock read four oh two in the morning. We weren’t able to go back into the apartment because the building hadn’t been approved as structurally sound yet. We hadn’t been upstairs to the apartment either, but I assumed it was flooded.
I looked over at her. She was leaning against the passenger door, her gaze on the outside of the window and CC in her lap. Reaching over, I took her hand in mine and squeezed.
“Let’s get you inside and in the shower. We’ll clean off and try to get some sleep. We can figure out clothes and shit in a few hours, okay?” I asked, my voice still quiet.
She nodded and unbuckled herself before sliding CCback into his carrier despite his protests. He didn’t want to be away from her, and I didn’t blame him because neither did I.
I got her inside, locked the house back up, and let CC out of his carrier so he could find his own way around the house. It didn’t take much coaxing to get her up the steps and into the master bedroom.
Undressed and in the warm shower, my hands placed on her shoulders, I turned her around so her back was under the water spray.
“Head back, little flame.” I was doing my best to keep my tone gentle with her as she listened, her dark red hair dipping beneath the stream of water. Shampoo, conditioner, getting her clean, all of it went by in a flash. A silent flash, because she still hadn’t spoken a word since she asked me where we’d go. I knew it was a symptom of her shock, but it didn’t seem to stop me from worrying about her.
Once we were both clean, I dried her off with a fluffy towel and slipped one of my t-shirts over her body and a pair of boxers on mine. I made her sit on the edge of the bed while I brushed through her hair and then towel-dried it the best I could. I didn’t own a blow dryer, and to be honest, even the brush was a new purchase. The wet hair didn’t seem to be bothering her though.
Pulling the blankets back, I nodded my head towards the bed and watched as she climbed in. Once I was beside her, I pulled her back against my chest and wrapped my arm tightly around her.
Her body was perfectly still, even her breath barely moving her chest.
“I’m here, Ember. You aren’t alone. It’ll be okay,” I whispered into the darkness.
She shook her head. “If you hadn’t been there Wyatt…”
Her voice trailed off, but we both knew what she was implying. If I hadn’t been there, she and CC may not have made it. My chest felt tight just thinking about that fact.
“You don’t know that. Don’t let your mind go there. You’re both safe here, and I’ll do anything in my power to ensure you stay that way.”
She rolled over so she was facing me, her dark eyes staring up at me—eyes filled with fear of the unknown, unshed tears, but also unspoken gratitude. I wasn’t sure why she was grateful. All I did was protect her, and as a man who loved her, that was my one and only true job.
“You told me you loved me,” she whispered after another moment. “Did you mean it? Or was it just something you said because it was?—”
“Stop,” I said, cutting her off. “I said it because I meant it, and if the worst was going to happen? I refused to leave this world without you knowing. I’m in love with you, Ember Rae. So damn in love.”
I leaned down, my hand cupping her jaw as I kissed her. Cutting her off again before she could say anything more.
“Now, go to sleep.”
