Page 131 of Steel

“I don’t know, honey.” My heart couldn’t take much more. I followed the EMT toward an awaiting ambulance far enough away from the chaos that I could take a deep breath. As I eased him down onto the gurney, I studied his face in the stream of constant spinning lights. There were red ones, blue ones. The beams from flashlights were everywhere.

An officer arrived, one nodding to the other then toward where we were positioned. They’d want to talk to Damon and find out about the box of accelerants.

I moved beside my son, uncertain how to broach the subject. “Baby. I gotta ask you a question.”

“I’m not a baby. Remember?” He was kicking his legs, staring at the fire as if still fascinated. Did he even have any idea how close he’d come to dying?

“No, you are not. You’re right. You are a young man. Just about to turn eight and that means you can no longer tell fibs.”

Where was Steel? I needed him as much as my son needed me. Or maybe I just also needed my son. My kid was growing up so fast. He was getting bigger every day. I stroked his hair, brushingmy fingertips down his face. What if I’d lost him? What if I couldn’t see my son’s sweet face again?

Steel was a hero. Where was he?

The way he looked at me was as if his mother had just gone off her rocker. “Mom. I don’t lie. You did say that was a mortal sin.”

“Yes, I did.” The EMT was eying me like I was nuts. “Did you start the fire? I know you’re upset, honey, about what you overheard, but I love you and if you weren’t in my life, I would be so sad I couldn’t go on. And we’ll get another puppy. One that will be your best friend for years and years. Okay? Just don’t go running off again. But I won’t be angry with you as long as you tell the truth.”

Hot tears ran down my face. Damn it. Why was my vision so cloudy?

His little face scrunched up. “No, Mom. I’m sorry I ran away. I just thought… I thought you’d be better off without me. I thought Dad hated you because of me.”

Damn that man. Damn him for not caring about the sweetest little boy in the entire world. “I couldn’t care less. All that matters is you. You’re my entire world. Don’t you know that? Just tell me the truth.”

More people arrived. Water and steam were everywhere.

“I didn’t start the fire, Mom. But I saw the people who did. They ran when they saw me and knocked over something that smelled icky. I found stuff in my room. Bad stuff. The smell was terrible. Then poof. A big fire started.”

“Like gasoline. Was the smell like when you go to the gas station and sometimes there are drips?”

A crackle of electricity chilled the air while warming my blood while I slowly lifted my head, fearful what I was seeing was an apparition.

Steel.

“Aaahhh. Yes!” Damon jumped up, clapping his little hands.

“Damon didn’t start that fire. In fact, I think he stopped it from being much worse.”

Steel stood barely two feet away, wearing a grin and soot, his hair as disheveled as when we enjoyed our moments of passion. His shirt was torn, his pants were filthy, but he was alive.

And he looked so handsome, so incredible.

Without thinking, I lunged forward, flinging my arms around Steel’s neck. “You’re here. You’re safe. I thought…”

“I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere, Violet.”

He wrapped his huge arms around me, pressing me tightly against his heated body. The intense, deep, and insane vibrations of having him in my arms was everything I needed, everything I’d worried I would never feel again.

He was right here. And he was safe.

After nuzzling into his neck, I pushed him away, brushing my hand across his stubbled cheek. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me.” With Damon giggling behind us, Steel lowered his head. “I’ll always keep you both safe.” As he captured my mouth, I no longer cared if anyone witnessed our passion.

With the chaos continuing, I was able to block out all sounds but the little chuckles offered by my son and the rapid beating of my own heart.

CHAPTER 29

Violet