Mrs.Bolivar came over and wrapped them both up in blankets.“Cassie, I’m so sorry, sweetie.Want to come inside with me and wait for—”
“No,” she whispered raggedly.“Th-thanks.”She was way beyond trying to hold it together at this point.
“Crew will be here any minute,” Tristan said.
Not soon enough.She could hear the flames crackling hungrily in the background as they devoured her house.
It seemed to take forever for the sound of the sirens to cut through it.
The fire truck arrived first.The crew quickly corralled them farther down the block and rushed to begin spraying water on the roof.Cassie looked away, sickened by the sight of her destroyed home.
Tristan sat with her on a neighbor’s lawn, pulled her into his lap and cuddled her close.Finally, the cops arrived.She and Tristan stood as Sheriff Buchanan got out of his vehicle and strode toward them.“You both okay?”
“Yeah,” Tristan answered.
“Tell me what happened.”
Cassie felt numb.Frozen solid inside as she and Tristan relayed everything.A second fire truck arrived.Both crews battled the flames.
A faint flicker of hope filled her.They seemed to be making a little progress.The downstairs was likely gutted, but the flames were being contained.Maybe some of her things upstairs might still be salvageable—if they weren’t completely ruined by smoke and water damage.
Gavin and Decker rushed up to them.She nodded woodenly when they asked if she was okay.No, of course she wasn’t okay.
They stood with identical postures and expressions, arms folded across their wide chests as Tristan explained the story.A minute later, Ryder, Callum, and Walker arrived.Along with Ivy.
Ivy came straight over and pulled her into a tight hug.“Shit, Cass, I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks.”What else was there to say?
“I’ve been trying all night to find out where he is, but he’s been careful.Until now.”She pulled back and set her hands on Cassie’s shoulders.“That bastard is desperate.And that means he’s vulnerable.”
“He already got sloppy with this.”She nodded at her smoldering house.
Ivy nodded in agreement.“Damned right.He’s going down.”The deadly edge to her voice sent a chill down Cassie’s spine.Once again, she was glad Ivy was on her side and not against her.
The awful numbness encasing her gradually began to fade.Exhaustion took its place.Along with a hollow feeling.
She didn’t know how long she stood there with the others while the emergency crews did their work.Eventually, the firefighters were able to enter the house and battle the flames from inside as well as out.
“If you’re both ready, I’ll take you in to make your official statements,” the sheriff said to her and Tristan.“Forensics will be here shortly.They’ll start with checking for any sign of blood in the yard and on the sidewalk.”
The last thing she wanted was to give another fucking statement.But she also just wanted to get this over with.
Buchanan put her and Tristan into his vehicle and drove them down to the station.They were separated to give their individual statements.Reports were filed.
When it was finally over and she’d told them everything she could about Rob, she walked out to find Tristan waiting for her in the reception area.Through the glass front doors, she saw Gavin and Decker both standing beside a CPS SUV.
“They’ll take us to my place,” Tristan said.“You’re staying with me until this is over.”
“Okay,” she said, not about to argue.His condo was more secure than someone’s house or a hotel.Even if Rob or anyone else was watching them, it would be nearly impossible to target them inside Tristan’s building.
In theory.
