Page 82 of Love & Vendettas
I step out of the building just in time to see my SUV across the street explode. It takes only a few seconds before the adrenaline hits, my laptop crashes to the ground, and I’m racing across the lot.
I barely dodge cars going down the street as my arms and legs pump furiously, drawing me closer and closer to the nightmare.
“Ghalen!” I shout.
37 – ZAIRE – CRUSHED & BREATHLESS
“Honey, talk to me, please.”
Shaking my head, I reply, “Every time I close my eyes, the only thing that I see is my SUV going up in flames. He wasn’t even supposed to be with me that day, Bay. He was supposed to have the day off. I called him in at the last minute. That was supposed to be me in that car.”
A slight hand moves from my shoulder, and strong arms wrap themselves around me, pulling me closer.
“Don’t talk like that, honey. You’ve been saying that for the last couple of days. I’m sorry that Ghalen is no longer with us. I loved him like a big brother, but don’t talk like that.”
I drop my head into my hands.
“How the hell are Pam and the kids going to survive this? Who will take care of them?” My voice breaks.
Clearing my throat, I sit up in the chair, remove my hands from my eyes, and stare sightlessly ahead.
“You will provide for them. You have given them excellent insurance and benefits. They won’t want for anything.”
“They will want for their husband and their father! I can’t give them everything they need!”
Bayleigh jumps a little. It’s seldom that I raise my voice at her.
“I’m sorry, Bay. I’m so sorry.” I apologize. I reverse the hold and take her into my arms.
I kiss the top of her head. “It’s okay, babe. I know that you didn’t mean it.”
“I was walking out of the building, and it just happened. Right in front of my eyes.”
“I know, and I’m so sorry that you had to see that.”
We sit together silently in the seating room of our master suite. It’s been two days since my partner, my other best friend, lost his life. I haven’t left this bedroom since I arrived home around midnight after staying with the police and the fire investigators.
They didn’t suspect me of anything, but they damn sure had a lot of questions for me with everything else going on in my life.
A knock sounds at the door, and I look at Bayleigh and then clear my throat.
“Sit here. I’ve got it. It’s probably one of the boys.” She stands and presses her hands down her sides.
I watch as she walks into our bedroom, through the living area, and disappears to answer the door. I can hear soft voices at the doorway.
“Z, baby. Zech says your brother is here.”
Damn! I forgot all about Damascus wanting to meet with me. I stand up and head for the door.
“Are you okay?”
“I am. Thanks, baby.” I kiss her forehead. “Go check on your sister.”
“Okay,” she replies before she heads down the stairs.
I walk slowly behind her with Zechariah. Riley’s been feeling a bit sick lately, and Bayleigh’s been trying to keep a close eye on her. Too much stress could be harmful to both her and the baby.
“Dad, you gotta get it together, man,” Zechariah says as we walk down the steps together.
