Page 135 of Watch Me Burn
“Maren.” Karen sighs her name. “This is an active crime scene. Who authorized your presence?”
“No one has to authorize my presence here. I practically live here.”
“At this time, I must insist that only family be present until forensics have finished their work.”
“Luna and I are family.” Red creeps up Maren’s cheeks, her temper rising to the surface. I need to intervene before she gets herself arrested.
“Karen, all this activity has stressed many of the animals. I told Maren she didn’t need to come, but now that she’s here, I need her to help settle them.”
Karen sighs but nods. “Fine. But she stays out of the way.”
Maren looks back at me. “Luna, what the hell is going on?”
“Caleb came here tonight. He was drunk and angry.” I motion to my face. “He hit me, then tried to shoot Shadow. He’s okay.” I reassure her again, squeezing her hands when her eyes flash. “He was just grazed. But then Damien showed up, and he and Caleb fought. We thought he’d knocked out Caleb, but while Damien was taking care of me, he took off.”
Even though we rehearsed this story, saying the words aloud makes them feel real.
“You let him go?” Maren turns her anger on Damien again.
“Taking care of Luna and Shadow was my priority.”
“Where is Shadow now?” She looks around, searching for the protector that rarely leaves my side.
“I put him in my bedroom because he was getting agitated with all the men around. Can you grab him and take him over to the wolf enclosure? Get him away from all these people? And then go check on the other animals to make sure they’re all alright?”
Maren nods as she stands. “Yeah. I’ll take care of it.”
Karen looks toward the door where one of her deputies is motioning for her to come outside. “If you’ll excuse me. I need to check in with my team. Don’t leave the premises.” She gives Damien a pointed look. “Any of you.”
As soon as Karen is out of earshot, Maren whirls on Damien, her eyes blazing.
“This is all your fault.”
Damien raises an eyebrow. “How exactly is Hunter coming after Luna my fault?”
“Everything was fine until you came into her life.” Maren looks around and lowers her voice. “First as her creepy masked stalker, then as her lying next-door neighbor. Luna’s life has been chaos ever since.”
My heart pounds faster. “Maren,please—”
“No, Luna, I won’t shut up this time. This asshole manipulated you and lied to you. God knows what else he’s hiding.” She squares off against Damien despite being almost a foot and a half shorter. “You’re a one-man apocalypse. Even your looks aren’t enough to make up for it.”
Damien’s expression doesn’t change, but his shoulders tense. He’s restraining himself. Because of me.
“Caleb coming here had nothing to do with Damien.” I stand and place myself between them. “He came because he thought I ruined his life. Maybe I did.”
“That’s bullshit!” Maren and Damien say at the same time before they glare at each other.
“I still think it’s his fault.” Maren turns back to Damien. “You broke my best friend’s heart, asshole. No matter what she decides, you and I will never be right. I’m going to be watching you.”
I love Maren for how protective she is, but now’s not the moment.
Cade steps forward. The air in the room seems to compress around him, molecules bending to make space for a presence that commands attention without asking for it.
“Ms. Rodriguez, I understand your concern for your friend, but this is not the time or the place for this kind of private conversation.”
Maren turns her fury on him. “And who the hell are you?”
“Cade Crawford, head of security for Wolfe Technologies.”
