“I’m going home to grab my laptop,” Slash said. “Is the boutique near that Italian restaurant we like?”
Elsa smiled. “That’s the one, but you don’t have to?—”
“I’ve got this.” Slash stood. “I’ll be back in a few.”
Carrera held out a credit card, but she waved it away.
Jazz breezed in with Russell. Jazz eyed Slash and Carrera before kissing her grandmother on the forehead.
“G-ma, I can’t believe this happened to you,” Jazz said. “Are you okay?”
G-ma nodded.
“Hey, man,” Russell said to Carrera. “We came as soon as we heard.”
They’re a we, now?
Russell walked around the bed, extended his hand to Slash. “Russell Fitzpatrick. I’m running for US Congress. A seat opened up in the great state of Virginia, and I’d love your vote.”
Slash raised her eyebrows as she shook his hand. “Slash.”
“I’m sorry?” Russell asked.
“That’s her nickname,” Jazz said, and rolled her eyes.
“Jazz’s dad told us about the fire,” Russell said. “G-ma, did you leave something on, like a burner?”
Instead of heading out, Slash sat in the bedside chair, clasped G-ma’s hand. Carrera couldn’t miss the shift in her energy. With a ramrod-straight back, her gaze ping-ponged from Jazz to Russell, then back to Jazz. No longer chill, she had a stance that screamed, “Don’t fuck with me.” He loved that about her. Without question, her loyalty was to his grandmother, bar none.
She’s a pit bull.
“What’sshedoing here?” Jazz asked.
A growl shot from Carrera. “Slash ran into the house and rescued G-ma. She saved her life.”
“Hometown heroine,” Russell said. “We should feature you in my campaign ad.”
“God, no,” Jazz blurted. “I’m in that ad, and there’s no way I’m doing it if she’s in it.”
“Jazz is very grateful,” Russell said, putting his arm around her. “She’s just upset about what happened, right Jazz?”
“Of course,” Jazz said, her voice tight. “I’m soooo glad you’re okay, G-ma. We drove by the house on our way here. It’s not good.”
Tears filled G-ma’s eyes, and Carrera’s heart broke. His grandparents had lived in that house for decades. Even after G-pa passed on, G-ma had refused to leave.
Now, she didn’t have a choice.
“We’re going to salvage whatever we can,” Carrera said. “And G-ma’s moving in with me.” He shot his grandmother a smile. “It’s gonna be fun.”
G-ma pointed to Slash.
“What?” Jazz asked. “Why are you pointing at her?”
“Slash is moving in with us too,” Carrera said.
Jazz narrowed her gaze at Slash. “You’removing in with them?”
“Whatever Elsa wants, Elsa gets, right?” Slash said to G-ma.
