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Chapter Thirty-Four

Rowan

The stars are out in full force tonight, twinkling down at me as I sit curled up in the chair next to the window, staring up at them as I run through everything we learned today… and everything we didn’t.

Zane Wheeler stayed with us until well after dinner time, trying to help us figure out Evan’s next move but in the end, we came up with a whole lot of nothing. He didn’t stick around long enough in the beginning to learn any part of the plan and his brothers had been hush-hush about their dealings with Evan ever since. Emma also told the full story of her relationship with Ryan for those of us who had never heard it before and Travis was right, it was a doozy. But when I wasn’t absorbed in everything she had been through, I couldn’t help peeking over at Zane’s face, intrigued by his reaction as he listened to all of the horrible things his brother had put Emma through. Every time I did, my heart hurt for him. It became very clear to me in the time that he was here that his brother’s actions weigh heavily on him and he feels a crazy amount of guilt for not noticing what was going on all those years ago and stepping in to help Emma. She doesn’t hold any ill will toward him, though. That became clear when she hugged him by the front door as he was getting ready to leave and told him that Ryan’s actions were his alone and I think it made an impact on him. Or, at least, I hope it did.

He also filled us in on Ryan and Evan’s whole story - how they met in school, became best friends instantly, and went to the police academy together - and he also told us about the years since Ryan’s death. Apparently, Evan was hit the hardest by the news and he went so crazy that he had to be sedated so he didn’t hurt himself or anyone else. He was put on a seventy-two hour hold at the hospital where they decided his actions were just a product of grief and released him. After that, he had to go on trial for assisting in the kidnapping of Emma and he pled guilty for a reduced sentence. Zane said he served his time without incident and after being released two years ago, immediately put his plan into motion. Thinking back to the day Blaze died, I remember all of the pain and anger I saw in Evan’s eyes and it all makes sense to me in a way. Clearly, he’s taken this all too far and held on too tight to the memory of his best friend when he should have tried to move on but his actions make sense to me now and I understand why he’s doing all of this. It’s still scary and makes me incredibly uneasy but it no longer feels chaotic.

Sighing, I turn away from the window and glance over at the bed as I yawn. Travis has been down in the study at the back of the house, drinking and talking over the cases with the guys for hours and I’m pretty sure all of the girls are passed out by now but he asked me to wait for him. It’s especially frustrating since I feel like I might actually be able to get some sleep tonight and I’m beyond exhausted. Turning back to the window, I stare up at the stars, hoping this will all come to an end soon. The boys called Detective Rodriguez over, who was floored to learn that Evan was behind all of this. Apparently, they used to be partners when Evan made detective and he said he knew Evan was messed up but he never guessed he would go this far. Before he left, he called the station and put a BOLO out for him. He said sometime in the next few days we should be able to track him down and put this mess to bed. I’m excited about the idea but also terrified since I have no idea what that means for Travis and me. My mind drifts back to when he asked me to go on a regular date with him when this is all over and I smile. I don’t want to get my hopes up but he’s not sick of me yet so I suppose there is still a chance. It’s slim and could be compared to a ball of ice in hell but it’s there.

A piercing screech cuts through the peaceful silence around me and I jerk in my chair, whipping my head toward the door as my brows furrow. My heart races and the smoke detector in my room joins in, wailing so loudly that it is hard to even think. Jumping up, I grab a sweater and pull it over my head before clamping my hands over my ears and walking over to the door. I yank it open and stumble back as a cloud of smoke rushes toward me.

Holy shit.

Smoke is filling the entire hallway, obscuring my vision, and my stomach drops as a shot of adrenaline rushes through my body. There is a dull roar from somewhere else in the house and my skin prickles as tears sting my eyes.

“Rowan!”

I gasp, turning toward the sound of Tate’s voice coming up the stairs but I can’t see her. “Tate?”

“Just stay right there and keep talking to me. I’m coming to you.”

I nod despite the fact that she can’t see me. “Where is everyone else?”

“I’m not sure about the boys but all of the girls and kids are out in the yard. I came back in here to find you once we realized you were still up here.”

“Where were you guys?” I ask, scowling. I thought everyone else had come up to bed but I guess not.

“Down in Emma and Nix’s room talking. The whole front of the house is on fire and we saw the smoke before the alarms went off.”

“Oh my God,” I whisper as she reaches my room and flashes me a smile but her eyes are full of fear as she reaches down and grabs my hand.

“Ready to get out of here, sweet cheeks?”

I nod. “Most definitely.”

“Do not let go of my hand and try not to breathe in too much smoke, okay? We’re heading for the back door.”

“Okay,” I whisper as we step out of my room and turn toward the stairs. I squint, trying desperately to see through the thickening smoke but it’s no use so I press my other hand to the wall, feeling my way along the hallway. Once we reach the top of the stairs, Tate begins leading us down and a wave of heat smacks into me as I cough as we wade through the smoke. My heart races as my mind runs through all of the ways this could go wrong, all of the ways we could die in this house tonight and tears sting my eyes.

Travis.

Where are you?

The thought of never getting to see him again makes me want to scream and I push the thought from my mind as we reach the bottom of the stairs and turn in the direction of the kitchen. Tate’s hand is firm in mine, guiding me toward safety but I can’t help looking back to where I think the study is as I entertain the idea of going in search of Travis. The only problem is Tate would, without a doubt, follow me and I can’t do that to my brother. As we round the corner, I suck in a breath and stop, staring at the entire front wall of the house which is engulfed in flames, the roar of the fire louder than before as I watch it consume everything in its path.

“Rowan, keep moving,” Tate snaps, tugging on my hand as she coughs. The smoke is so thick down here that it’s impossible to take a breath and I cover my mouth with the sleeve of my sweater as we start moving again. Just when I think I’m going to pass out if I don’t take a breath, we step outside into fresh air and I stop, releasing Tate’s hand to bend over and brace my hands on my knees as I cough and try to catch my breath.

“You all right?” Tate asks and I nod, peeking up at her as my chest aches.

“Yeah, you?”

She nods and points to the rest of the group under the large oak tree in the middle of the yard. “I’m going to go check on everyone else.”

“You see the guys yet?” I ask and she shakes her head, scanning the yard.

“No, but Emma said that the study has its own door so they should have gotten out safely,” she answers and I nod, straightening and taking a full breath to try and clear my lungs as Storm walks around the side of the house and she points to him. “Look, there they are.”