“No! I need to put that fucking fire out.” Managing to twist out of his hold, I kick off my heels and then I run barefoot down the street.
I round the corner and come face-to-face with my store. Two firetrucks are blocking the entrance, their hoses already spraying water onto the building. I can’t look away.
An arm wraps around my waist. “Don’t ever fucking run off on me again. I’m trying to protectyour ass here,” Enrique growls in my ear from behind me.
“If you don’t remove your hands from me right now, I’m going to scream bloody murder,” I tell him.
“You think that scares me?” he asks. “You need to get in the car. I need to take you home.”
“You can fuck right off.” I shove my elbow into his ribs. He hunches over, his hold on me loosening, but not enough for me to get away from him again.
“Fucking hell. Calm down,” he grunts.
“My store is on fire and you’re telling me to calm down? Fuck you.” The next time I try to elbow him, he manages to move out of the way before I can make contact.
“I’ll let you go, but you need to stay by my side,” he says.
“Sure,” I agree in a sugary-sweet voice, having no intention of following through.
“I’m calling jefe,” he says.
“Don’t,” I tell him. “He’s busy, and this…” I wave a hand towards my shop. “…doesn’t concern him.” I walk over to a fireman who is talking to Amy. She doesn’t appear hurt. I’m glad she got out okay.
“Oh my god, Evie, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened. One minute everything was fine and then…” She shakes her head, tears running down her cheeks. “It’s all my fault.”
“No, it’s not.” I pull her into a hug. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay,” I say, unsure if I’m trying to convince her or myself. I’m lost. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.
“What happened? How much damage will there be? Is anything salvageable?” These questions all come from Rachel, who has finally caught up with me. She’s looking at the fireman, waiting for answers.
“We won’t know for a while yet. Who’s the owner?” he asks.
“I own the shop but I rent the building. I can get you my landlord’s details if you need them,” I reply.
Shit. Am I going to have to pay for this? I don’t know how I will even replace all the stock that I’ve just lost. How the hell am I supposed to repair a whole building? This is going to ruin me financially.
I could sell my car. Who needs a car anyway? Maybe my house too? I don’t need that either, right?
“Okay, this is what we’re going to do. We are going to take Amy home. Then you’re coming to my place. We will contact your insurance provider and find out what we need to put in a claim for the losses,” Rachel says, taking charge of the situation.
Insurance. Yes. I have insurance. Why didn’t I think of that?
“Okay.” I nod my head and follow Rachel and Amy to the car that’s parked across the street.
My phone rings. I’m not surprised when I see Emmanuel’s name on the screen. “I’ll catch up with you. I need to take this,” I tell the girls before answering. “Hello.”
“Mi alma, are you okay?” Emmanuel asks.
“Physically? Sure,” I tell him.
“I’m sorry. What do you need?”
“I need to not have your guy manhandle me for a start, and then I need to not have my store burned to the ground. I’m sorry. I’m a little busy. Can I call you later?”
“Enrique manhandled you? How?” Emmanuel growls through the phone.
“I’m fine. I ran. He didn’t want me running towards a burning building. It was a misunderstanding.” I try to smooth over the situation. I don’t think Emmanuel would do anything to the workers he’s instructed to protect me? I mean, the man is just trying to do his job.
“I’m done waiting. I’m coming to get you. I’ll be there tonight. Pack a bag. You’re coming home,” Emmanuel says, and then the line goes dead.He’s not coming here.
