Page 135 of Cruel Steps

Had it only been yesterday? The last day felt a lifetime ago, before I knew Holden loved me and after. Maybe it could finally replace my previous before and after. Because being loved by Holden Adler was life-altering. Knowing I had Colter, as well, seemed too good to be true. It felt like an appropriate way to redefine my future.

“What are you smiling at?”

“I’m smiling?” I touched my face, not believing his words. Holden snorted and pulled a shirt over his head, taking away my view of his body. He bent down and kissed me.

“I like knowing I make you so happy you’re not even aware, Wildcat.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You do, Jockstrap.” I giggled, and Holden rolled his eyes, but smiled. He couldn’t hide his happiness, either.

“You’re making me want to skip class and study your body all day. I’m confident I can get an A in all things Emerson, if I study more.” Holden sucked on my neck, his hands roaming over my body and lighting me up. Tilting my head back, I gave him more access and spread my legs for him.

“Fuck,” he groaned, nipping the skin.

Boom!

The apartment rumbled, and Holden and I jerked, bumping our heads together in the process.

“What the hell was that?” Holden shouted, spinning around in the room like the cause was in here with us.

“I don’t know. But damn. You have a hard head. Owie.” I rubbed my forehead, my vision returning to me. Holden grabbed my face and tilted it up. He searched my eyes, and that was when I realized how frantic he was. “I’m okay. Just stunned me.” He took a deep breath and kissed my temple.

“Was it something outside?” I asked, rubbing his hand.

“Colter.” Holden ran to the window, moving the blinds to peek out. I climbed off the bed and followed.

“Holy fuck.” He took off before I could see what it was. “Call 911. Stay here,” he ordered, pointing at me before running out the door.

I fumbled with my phone, bringing it to my ear. I pulled up the blinds, the cord going lopsided and leaving them at an angle. It gave me enough of a view to see out the window. Smoke billowed high into the air. I followed it, gasping, when I realized where it came from.

My car.

“911, what’s the emergency?”

My heart picked up speed, and I searched for Colter. A body lay on the ground a few feet away, another person standing over them. My entire body shook, and my breathing became more erratic at the implications. Was it him? Was he safe? The person walked off, leaving the body on the ground.

“No! Come back!” I screamed, hitting my hand on the window. The person stopped, their head tilting up to the window. They had a hood covering their head, shielding their face, but I knew.

Monsieur Owen.

He pressed his fingers to his lips and kissed them, lifting them to me before walking off. No. No. No. This couldn’t be happening.

“Hello? Can I help?”

The words registered, and I remembered what Holden had said. “Help. There’s a fire, and my boyfriend’s unconscious. There’s a man. He’s to blame!” I blurted out. I watched Holden run around the building and rush to Colter’s side.

“First, what’s your name?’

“Em..mer..son.”

“Emerson, are you safe?”

“Yes. I’m inside. My car’s on fire. He did it. I know it,” I wailed, tears pouring down my face. I wasn’t even sure if she could understand me.

“Good. Now, take a deep breath. You can’t be any help to your boyfriend if you’re not calm.” I nodded, forgetting they couldn’t see me. I took a deep breath. “Good. Now, take another. Then tell me the address.”

“Um. I don’t know. I don’t live here. It’s the University Park apartments.”

“Okay, I have a fire unit, police cruiser, and ambulance en route. You’re doing great, Emerson. Keep taking deep breaths for me.”

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