“I feel like it is. If I’d never showed up here, none of this would have happened.”
I lift her chin. “If you’d never showed up here, I’d still be alone and miserable.” It crosses my mind that I probably still am alone and miserable if she leaves. I don’t see how she can stay now. They’ll never leave her alone. She’s gonna be dragged into this feud between us. He’ll never forgive me for his brother. Even if I did save his son, he won’t stop until I’m six feet under. It’s not fair to Vi to be dragged into this.
The paramedics lift Jack into the ambulance. He must have fallen or got a bang on the head, unless Belle attacked him. Border Collies are loyal dogs, but they don’t take too kindly to strangers, especially one’s breaking and entering. Poor kid, another victim wrapped up in all this mess from the past.
Shane shoves Gareth into a police car. His colleagues take a statement from him and Lilly. I hold Vi close, kissing the top of her head and running my knuckles up and down her spine. She looks exhausted. I kept her up most of last night, and she’s done a double shift today. The smell of fire and ash lingers in her hair. It’s like bonfire night without the burgers and toffee apples.
“You all right, man?” Shane stands behind Vi and places a hand on my shoulder.
I take in a deep breath and sigh, glancing at Vi in my arms. “I will be.”
“Kane, come back to the house, get some sleep. We can salvage what’s left in the morning.” Lilly places her hand over Shane’s on my shoulder. “Don’t stay here watching this.”
“I’m gonna go to the lake house. I’ll take Vi. She’ll be safe there while I sort everything out.”
Vi lifts her head. “The lake house?”
“Yeah, it’s a house I bought when I came out…when I was released. Jump in the truck. We’re going home.”
She gives Lilly a hug before walking around the front to the passenger side. Lilly throws her arms around me. “You can stay at my place or Shane’s for the night. It’s not a problem. Your lake house is a building site. Or call Dom. He’ll put you up in his hunting lodge”
“Thanks, but she’ll be safer away from here.” The last thing I want is to rope anyone else into this feud as well. I already made a hole in her kitchen wall. I don’t want their houses burning because of me.
45
VIOLET
Iwait in the Ranger where Kane parked it away from the house. The fire’s dying out now, but it doesn’t look any less devastating. I called Jesse about Jack so he can go to the hospital to be with his brother. He was at home unaware of their plans, or so he said.
Shane and Kane talk to a fireman, then Shane gets in Lilly’s car. Kane taps the bonnet before they drive down the dirt road. I stroke Belle on the back seat, my body twisted through the gap between the front seats. Her eyes are heavy, but her breathing seems better. “Good dog. You get some sleep now.”
Moisture pools in the corner of my eyes. She’s an old girl. She doesn’t deserve to be going through this. Lilly said she’ll be okay but to keep an eye on her. The fact that the kitchen wasn’t on fire at the time, and she was still barking when we got here, is a good sign.
Kane strides towards the truck, looking worn out, like he’s aged another five years today. My foster parents always said I turned them grey. Perhaps they were right. I’m more trouble than I’m worth.
“How’s she doing?” Kane slides into the truck beside me.
“She’s just tired. We all are.” A yawn takes over my mouth, the stretch pulling at my bust lip, making me wince. I cover my face with my palm so Kane doesn’t see. He has enough to worry about without my bust face being one of them. “How are you?”
He starts the engine and backs up, swinging around the fire engine that’s still blasting water at the house. We turn onto the dirt road. Flames shrink in the rear-view mirror. Kane doesn’t look back. “I realised something tonight.” He turns onto the main country road. “I have all I need right here.” Kane takes hold of my hand, bringing my knuckles to his lips. “As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters to me.”
“But your family photographs and…” I lower my head. “Mum’s letters.”
“I have some photos at the lake house.” His voice wobbles. “And I read those letters a hundred times. It’s time to move on.” He clears his throat.
I still can’t help but think this is all my fault. In the back, a soft doggy snore comes from Belle. “We should have Belle in bed with us tonight.”
Kane glances my way. A look of surprise on his face. But I’m not sure if it’s mentioning Belle sleeping with us, or that I assumed we were both sleeping in the same bed.
I squeeze his hand in mine. “I thought… after last night we would—”
“Yeah. I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”
The car turns onto another country road. Headlights and the crescent moon light the way. The scent of burnt wood and melted plastic still irritates my nose. I can’t work out if they thought Kane would be home. At some point, I'll have to face them and get my stuff. But that's not tonight.
One saving grace is I still have Mum’s notebooks intact in my room at Gareth’s place. Shane said he’ll collect my things. “How far is the lake house?”
“Not far. Another thirty minutes or so.”
