“I’m urgent costs,” Summer time says as her mom begins to yell on the opposite finish of the road. “Have her arrested.”

Summer time passes the telephone to me, then rage covers her face, and she or he shoves ahead and decks Evan proper within the jaw. I can’t maintain again the proud grin that spreads over my face. “You son of a bitch, you vandalized my residence. You scared me to the purpose the place I didn’t really feel secure in my own residence. And also you conspired with my mom!”

“I might have protected you,” Evan cries.

“Towards you! Are you aware how absurd you sound correct now? For fuck’s sake, you’re loopy!”

“I’m not.” Evan lurches ahead and pushes his face into Summer time’s. “I’m not loopy. We are able to nonetheless make it work. I gained’t inform your dad about this. Your mother didn’t contain him, so he by no means has to know, and he’ll nonetheless assist me in my marketing campaign. You and I can nonetheless be collectively.”

“You’re delusional,” Summer time says. “And also you’re going to jail. You possibly can marketing campaign for head yard employee or one thing in jail, however you gained’t be a senator.”

Evan howls with rage and reaches for Summer time, his palms in claws, however I get to him first and push him towards the wall.

“Say another phrase,” I murmur into his ear, “make another transfer towards her, and I’ll fucking kill you proper right here. Suppose I gained’t?”

I maintain his eyes with mine and snarl.

“Attempt me, you bastard.”

“I feel he simply peed his pants,” Bridger says from behind me as Evan begins to cry.

“Take him in,” I say, passing Evan off to the opposite officers, and Summer time walks proper into my arms, holding on tightly. “Hey, it’s okay, child. It’s okay.”

“It was Evan,” she says, shaking her head. “This entire time, I assumed he was my pal. A nuisance, however my pal, and he had this bizarre fantasy that he might make me need to be with him if he scared me. I can’t even take into consideration my mom.”

“That’s the Cliff’s Notes model,” I agree and kiss the highest of her head. She smells like smoke and just a little like gasoline after being close to that asshole. “When all of that is over, we actually must have a dialog about you letting different males put their palms on you.”

“I used to be in shock, and he was there,” she says with a frown. “And I didn’t query it as a result of his workplace is correct subsequent door. It didn’t really feel misplaced. God, I’m silly.”

“Hey.” I tip her chin up with my fingers and shake my head. “You’re not silly. I didn’t suspect him both, and I can’t stand the fool. I ought to have. It’s over now, babe. You don’t should be scared.”

“Thank God.” She sighs after which pulls her telephone out of her pocket in a frenzy. “I haven’t referred to as Aunt Paula.”

“Summer time! The place’s my woman? Summer time!”

“There she is,” I inform Summer time, pointing to our proper.

“Aunt Paula!” She runs to the older lady and is swept up in a fierce hug.

“Oh, my child,” Paula cries. “Are you damage?”

“No, I’m not damage. I’m so sorry, Aunt Paula. Your lovely store.”

Paula holds Summer time by the shoulders. “It’s your store, my love, and it is going to be rebuilt. You could have insurance coverage. However I can’t substitute you, so so long as you’re okay, that’s all that issues.”

“I’m okay,” Summer time assures her. “Is Lily at your own home?”

“Sure, darling, she’s secure at my home. Don’t fear about her.”

It’s been a protracted fucking evening. The very first thing I did was contact Helena PD to have Summer time’s mother arrested, and so far as I do know, she’s in custody and denying all the things.

Summer time refused to go away. She wished to be right here, for her store, till it was finished. Phrase unfold by city nearly as shortly as the fireplace did by that constructing, and my household—minus Ryan, who’s residence with Jake—got here to assist us. I couldn’t consider it when Rem arrived, together with my dad and mom and Brady. Erin stayed again with the children, however she promised to return verify on issues at present.

Millie’s right here, and she or he opened her espresso store early so everybody might have some caffeine and just a little consolation {that a} heat drink supplies.

It’s six within the morning when the final of the fireplace is out. The firemen did an excellent job of conserving the fireplace contained to only the flower store and Evan’s legislation workplace subsequent door. Not one of the different companies on the road had been impacted in any respect.

“The hearth’s out,” Bridger says as he approaches us. “There’s going to be smoke for a short while but, however there aren’t any extra sizzling spots that would flare up. I’m sorry, Summer time, however it’s a complete loss.”

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