That motherfucker just set another building on fire.
I chase after Phantom, hoping we arrive in time to prevent another disaster and destroyed business. Black smoke is already billowing into the air as we arrive. It’s the sheriff’s office.
Phantom hollers for me to call 9-1-1. The front window has been broken, and I can see a figure on the ground inside. Fuck!
There’s no time to waste as I make the call, telling the operator we’ll need an ambulance too. I don’t know if the person inside is dead, but I have a horrible feeling it’s Boomer inside. Scythe is going to lose his shit.
The only club brother I’d let run into a burning building is Phantom. The flames won’t hurt him. He’s already fading into the shadows, using their cloak to protect his body.
That’s the tricky, fascinating part of being spelled by Salem witches. Some of the founding family bloodlines have unique abilities. Phantom can briefly become incorporeal.
He’s dragging the person inside toward the door as I hear sirens. I rush to help him, cursing as I see it really is Boomer. I help him drag the big guy outside and away from the flames that are starting to engulf the interior.
Boomer groans. There’s blood dripping from a wound on the side of his head. “Call Scythe,” he rasps, turning his head to cough.
When I see the soot on his face, it takes me right back to the night my parents died. I swallow down the sorrow and swipe across my cell, hoping Scythe answers.
“Mountain? Are you downtown?”
“Yeah, Pres. You need to come here now. Boomer’s hurt.”
His voice is too calm when he answers me. “How bad?”
“The arsonist set another fire. The sheriff’s office.”
“Fuck! Tell my brother I’m on my way.”
“I will.”
Scythe ends the call as I see Braden rush toward the scene with a hose. They’ll be able to save this building. Most of the interior is charred, but it’s not destroyed as the Butter Bliss had been.
I don’t get it. Why burn the Butter Bliss and now here? Why start the fires at all? It doesn’t accomplish a damn thing.
Just as the horrible truth pops into my head, I hear gunshots. My gut churns because I know from the direction of the shots, it’s coming from the bakery. I can’t wait for the club or Scythe. Not when Cami is in danger.
I rush toward her and hope I’m not too late.
CAMILLE
HAYRIDE SEEMS ANXIOUS. He’s pacing as he glances out the front windows of the Butter Bliss. It’s like he can sense that danger is close, and he can’t stay still because of it.
I hope Rex comes back soon. It’s getting late. The sun set hours ago, and I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.
Hayride is probably jittery because he’s had three cups of coffee, and I don’t make it weak. I’ve had two myself. We’ve eaten several of the cinnamon rolls I made, and the rest are boxed up for Rex and Granny Jo.
There’s not much else I can do inside the bakery unless I want to make cupcakes or biscotti. I’m still waiting for a big order delivery to finish stocking the shelves. Every inch of spaceis clean, organized, and unpacked to the best of my ability. There’s more work to do, but I’m pleased with the progress.
The Butter Bliss will be open for business soon.
Hayride stops pacing. His body tenses, which immediately puts me on alert. He’s facing the windows. “What the fuck is that?”
I don’t know what he’s talking about. It’s too dark outside, and with the lights on in the store, I can’t see anything other than empty streets. It’s past closing time for the Fear Farm, and the crowds have left.
Nobody should be wandering around outside. There’s nothing open and no reason to be out there.
“Duck!” Hayride shots, and I react without thinking, dropping behind the new countertop that was just installed, along with the glass display cases.
There’s a crash, and glass shatters. Something heavy hit the panes and tumbled across the floor, landing a few feet from where I’m crouched. I see a huge brick and blink, barely realizing this is intentional, before I hear gunshots.
