“His insurance is going to be pissed,” I whispered.
The chief smiled at me reassuringly. “I’ll put in a good word for him. We’re all set here for now, Eden. I think your ride to the hospital just showed up.”
I glanced up to see Maverick and Carter waiting for me at the far end of the barricades blocking the street. Carter lifted his hand in a little wave, looking on the verge of tears, but his father’s eyes were on the scene of destruction that was Dueling Dragons.
Sometime during the mayhem, the girl who’d come to my back door disappeared. Addie said she had her arm around the kid one minute, then they heard the sirens and suddenly she was gone. Nobody in the group from Garden of Delights had recognized the girl.
Rafael, who lived a block away and jogged over when he saw the smoke, volunteered to stay there with Addie until everything was situated so I could head straight to see Milo. Libby had already texted an update that he was in stable condition andhis vitals were good, but I kept seeing those strobing lights across his face, the blood darkening his hair.
Maverick guided me to the back seat of his car so I could keep hold of Carter's hand during the drive to the hospital outside of town. Though Chief Roberts wanted me to get checked out, I’d refused to sit long enough for another set of paramedics to look me over. There were a few stinging spots on my arms where sparks had landed, another on the back of my neck that had singed a bit of hair at my nape, but I barely noticed any of it until the chief pointed out the burns.
The ride was silent as Carter and I huddled together. When we reached the hospital, Maverick pulled up to the entrance, where Mark waited for our arrival. He leaned in, unbuckled me, and tucked me under his arm as we entered the hospital.
“They’ll go find a parking spot and meet us inside,” he said quietly, like he was trying to hold me together. “Mom and Dad are up in the waiting room on his floor with Libby while he talks to the police. He’s okay, Eden.”
“He’s okay,” I repeated.
“You’re shaking, sweetheart. Do you need a minute before we go up?”
In response, I sucked in a shuddering breath and abruptly stopped walking. Mark shifted so he could wrap his arms around me. It wasn’t the same as an embrace from Milo, but it was close enough that Mark’s steady strength seeped into me.
“He’s okay, I promise. Miraculously, there’s no skull fracture, just a concussion and a nasty ass cut. He’s awake, he’scoherent. I need you to brace yourself, because he looks like shit. He’s a little uglier than usual.”
A hiccuping laugh escaped from my lips. “Brace. Okay.”
“There’s a bandage over the stitches, but the bruising is spreading a bit.”
I nodded, trying not to picture it in my mind. We stopped for my visitor pass at security, then Mark hit the button for the elevator and slung his arm around my shoulders. Once the doors closed behind us, he gave me a squeeze.
“I know there’s been a lot going on, Eden, but I’m really pleased for you and Milo. I can’t remember ever seeing him this happy.”
“Happy lying in a hospital bed? Happy with his store in ashes?” I whispered.
Mark frowned as he turned me, his hands tightening on my shoulders. “Eden, none of that is your fault.”
“If it weren’t for me—”
“No,” he said, his tone sharp enough that my gaze jerked to meet his. “None of it. Did you hit him over the head?”
“No, of course not.”
“Did you pour gas around his barely conscious body? Did you light the match?”
“Oh god,” I whispered.
Suddenly, my limbs were trembling again, vibrating so hard that I wasn’t sure I could stay standing. Mark pulled me against his chest, cupping the back of my head. I couldn’t have pulled free if I’d tried—but I didn’t bother. I dropped my forehead tohis sternum and continued shaking like a leaf in his arms until the elevator doors opened.
Libby stood there, looking distinctly un-doctor-like in yoga pants and a black sweater. Her dark eyes traveled over the two of us, then she opened her arms and I found myself passed from one family member to another.
“Let it out, sweetheart,” Libby cooed, stroking my hair like I was a child with a skinned knee. “Everything is going to be fine, I promise. Milo’s doing much better than expected. He should be ready for you by the time we get to his room, okay?”
I sniffled miserably but nodded, then Mark pressed a wad of tissues into my hand and I managed a watery smile.
Libby rubbed my back, her touch gentle despite her brisk tone. “Good. Now, will you let me check out your burns, or does Milo have to bully you into accepting medical treatment from a doctor on staff?”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Milo
