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“Don’t say that.”
“Why not? He’s probably killed Rita, and now he’s torched our house.”
“I don’t want to think about Boone.”
“If he shows his face, be prepared to bail me out of jail. I can’t make any promises.”
“Please don’t talk like that,” she said. “Not now. I need you.”
“And I’m here for you.” He drew a deep breath and held it for a moment. “Let’s go see the damage.”
The lump in her throat grew even bigger as she exited the car and took in the crowd. Every one of their neighbors had to be there given the size of the group gathered.
Smoke filled the air, and its stench clung to her nose and mouth.
Damon put a stiff arm around her shoulders.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m going to have to be.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
“We’ll get through this,” he said. “No matter how bad it is. You’re safe, and that’s all that matters to me. Everything else can be replaced.”
At least he wasn’t talking about killing Boone. She couldn’t stomach the thought of Damon going to jail. That neighbor wasn’t worth it.
Lia ran toward them as they approached the crowd, throwing her arms around Ariana and crying. “I can’t believe it!”
It had to be bad if she was this upset.
Ariana held her, not trusting her voice. One word, and she would likely crumble into a sobbing mess.
“Where’s Charles?” Damon asked.
“As close to your house as possible,” she said. “He’s speaking with one of the firefighters.”
“You stay with Ari.” He hurried away, disappearing into the throng of onlookers.
“Did you see anything?” Ariana asked, and cleared her throat. Tears streamed down her face, but she was holding herself together.
For now.
“No,” Lia said. “Charles and I were scrolling the newsfeeds for any updates when we heard the sirens. By then, it was already roaring.”
“How bad is it now?”
“It’s engulfed. I’m so sorry, sweetie.”
Engulfed?
Ariana pulled away from her friend and threw up in the nearest bush.
Lia rubbed her back. “I’m so sorry this is happening, sweetie. And at the same time Rita’s missing. It’s too much.”
“It’s connected.”
“Are you sure?”
