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* * *
“Any news?” Jamie asks gruffly over the phone I’m holding to my ear while pacing the little area next to Josephine’s bed.
The staff let me back here a few minutes ago to sit with her. I called her dad and brother earlier to fill them in on what happened.
“She’s gonna be good. Some burns and smoke inhalation. They’re keeping her for observation to make sure there’s nothing else that she needs to be treated for,” I answer and reach up to pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Right,” Jamie grunts. “And do we know for sure if the bastard who did this is dead?”
“Can’t confirm that yet.”
I wish like hell I’d gotten to Josephine sooner. I could have saved her from being in a burning house and gotten my hands on the bastard who took her.
“Fuck.”
My sentiment as well.
Glancing at my woman on the bed and the fact she’s stirring, I decided to get off the phone. “I’ll keep you updated,” I inform Jamie and hang up without waiting for him to respond. Moving to Josephine’s side, I sit on the side of the bed and take her hand in mine.
At the scene, she’d told me she loved me. It’s the first time someone not related to me by blood or marriage has said that to me. Sure, I’ve heard the comment about my cock but not me. I’m pissed she said it then, but I can also see why she did.
Josephine opens her eyes slowly and looks at me, a small smile curling on her lips. “I knew you’d find me.”
Those simple words are like a sucker punch in my gut. I squeeze her hand and clear my throat. “Swear to fuck, Freckles. I’m gonna have to lock you away if this shit keeps happening.”
“Did you get him?” she asks, eyes going on alert.
“Don’t know, baby, got to that fuckin’ house, and my only thought when I saw the flames was getting you out,” I murmur and lean enough to press my forehead to hers. “Nothing . . . and I mean nothing has ever scared me as much as thinking you were gonna be dead because of that damn fire.”
“He was insane . . .” she croaks. “Said something about you taking my light and that with you coming, he was going to burn us alive.” Tears stream down her face, and her breath hitches. “I tried to get away from him. I swear I did. He tackled me when I got away from him, and I hit him in the head with the paint can.”
That would explain the burns on her hands. The metal on the tin would have scorched her palms.
“Far as we know right now, he’s gone. But we’re waiting for it to be confirmed,” I tell her and soothe a hand over her cheek.
A knock comes at the entryway to her room. They hadn’t moved her yet, but they were going to soon, to an actual room and out of the emergency room. I twist and look to see Stella standing there. Her expression filled with concern and something else.
“Everything good?” I ask, hoping she’s not here to share bad news. I’m barely holding it together as it is.
“Yeah, um, Angel and Reaper need to talk to you, and they’re about to move Josephine.”
I nod understanding and look to Josephine. “I’ll catch up to you in a few minutes, okay?”
“Okay,” she whispers and closes her eyes.
I’m sure she’s still tired. Leaning over her, I press a kiss to her forehead and murmur, “I won’t be long.”
“Okay.” Josephine keeps her voice quiet. I don’t want to leave her, but whatever it is has to be something important otherwise, they wouldn’t pull me away from my woman.
* * *
“What’s going on?” I demand the moment I’m surrounded by my brothers and Stella. I don’t know what she’s doing here, but I have a feeling whatever it is isn’t good.
“Stella asked us to find a spot. She’s got news to share we’re not gonna like,” Angel answers and pulls his woman in his arms.
“I got word paramedics were bringing in another burn patient. Severely burned. First name, Porter. I haven’t had a chance to look more into it,” she says quickly, sensing the tension immediately surrounding her. “He’ll be taken to the burn unit to be treated.”
“That fucker needs to be dead,” Beast mutters harshly.
