Page 91 of Tackle

“The first time he approached me about setting the fire, I adamantly refused. But then he told me that he’d recorded all of our meetings and if I didn’t do what he wanted, he’d show them to my mom.” She bowed her head, looking contrite for the first time since she started her confession. “I couldn’t let that happen. She’d know she was the reason I did those things. She’s so delicate. I was worried about what she’d do. I didn’t want her… blaming herself.” She finally broke down, opening her water and taking a long pull, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand before saying, “Seeing no way out, I finally relented.But no one was supposed to get hurt,” she stressed.

Though Emerson was sorry about her mom’s situation, she was having a hard time feeling any compassion for Britney at the moment.

“I was supposed to set the device in the bathroom. Keith assured me the small fire would quickly burn itself out and only cause some smoke damage, closing you down for a few days. I had to change the plan when you stayed to help me clean up. I couldn’t take the chance you’d see it in there so I set it up in the supply closet when I put the cleaning stuff away.” She shook her head. “I’m not sure how the fire got so out of control.”

Emerson actually felt Oz’s whole body stiffen and then he growled, “It got out of control because there are combustible chemicals in that closet. The damn thing blew up.”

Britney’s eyes widened. “I didn’t think about the chemicals and that they might explode.” Her eyes flew to the cop before landing back on Emerson and Oz again. Her cool exterior seemed to crack, panic seeping through, and her next words confirmed Emerson’s assessment. “Pleaseyou need to believe me, when Matt called and said you’d gotten hurt, I rushed right over here. I thought you had left! I swear I would have warned you had I known you’d stayed.”

Emerson saw the police officer, who had been silent through the whole of Britney’s confession, make a move. Taking her by the arm, he said, “Ma’am, you need to stand up.”

She tried to pull her arm out of his grip. “What? Why?”

“I’m placing you under arrest.”

“But I just explained, I was blackmailed,” she cried. “This wasn’t my idea.”

“I understand, but what you did was still a felony.”

The officer pulled her from the booth and she turned panicked eyes Oz and Emerson’s way. “Please, you have to help me. Tell him I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt!”

She struggled against the officer’s hold and screamed over her shoulder. “This is bullshit. I was blackmailed. It’s Keith you should be arresting.”

“You have the right to remain silent.”

Her eyes found Emerson’s as the officer put her in cuffs. “Help me, please!”

Emerson had to look away and buried her face in Oz’s chest.

His hand came up, shielding her from the sight of Britney being dragged from the pub, but he couldn’t shield her from the significant meaning behind the rest of the officer’s words or the woman’s cries nearly drowning them out.

“Sir, ma’am?”

Emerson raised her head to see an officer standing next to the table.

“The building is clear. If you’d like, you’re free to lock up.” He placed a business card on the table. “A report will be available within forty-eight hours for insurance purposes. If you have any questions, you can contact us at this number.”

Emerson was too tired to even think about the chore of dealing with the insurance company. Oz picked up the card and Emerson said, “Thank you.”

The officer nodded and left.

“Time to get you home.”

She tipped her head back, looking up at Oz. “You’ve got to be exhausted too.” She tried for a small smile but worried it came off flat.

Oz must’ve appreciated her effort because he returned her small smile then kissed her forehead.

Emerson had never been so happy to walk through the door to their apartment. Or should she saywalkedthrough. She did feel a little silly being carried everywhere when she could manage to hobble with her brace, but it made Oz happy and that’s all that mattered. Besides, she’d already turned in her membership card for the sisterhood as far as Oz was concerned, so she was free to secretly admit, she kind of liked it too. Being carried around by a big, strong, handsome man was no hardship.

He walked them to the bedroom, setting her down on the edge of the bed, kneeling before her and tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Shower and then bed.”

“Doctor’s orders?” She smirked.

“Oz’s orders.”

Washing the smoky smell out of her hair did sound like heaven. So when he picked her up, after removing her shoes and socks, to carry her into the bathroom, she didn’t argue.

Chapter Twenty-nine

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