Page 100 of Rockstar's Accidental Marriage

“It’s him! He’s running!” someone shouts.

My head snaps up just in time to see Jeb bolting toward the gate. Several of the crew give chase, tackling him to the ground before he can make it far.

“What’s going on?” Emily whispers, her voice trembling.

I don’t answer, my eyes fixed on Jeb as the crew hauls him to his feet. His shirt is smeared with soot, his face pale.

Cass storms over, his expression thunderous. “Why the hell are you doing this?” he demands, his voice cold with fury.

“No one was supposed to get hurt.” Jeb stammers, his gaze darting around wildly. “She shouldn’t have been on the bus.” Then he whines. “I wasn’t trying to hurt anybody. I was only trying to damage the equipment.”

“You set the fire,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. It’s not a question. Rage courses through me.

Emily’s fingers tighten on my arm. Her face is still pale, but her eyes are clear and steady. “Don’t,” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the crackling of the still-smoldering bus.

I grit my teeth, my hands curling into fists at my sides. Every muscle in my body screams to act, to lash out, but I force myself to take a deep breath. She’s right. This isn’t the time.

The fire trucks arrive, and the firefighters quickly take over, dousing the flames with powerful streams of water.

Cass steps closer to Jeb, his towering presence almost menacing. “Who put you up to this?” he demands. “Give us the name.”

Jeb hesitates, his gaze shifting nervously to the gathering crowd. “It doesn’t matter now,” he mutters.

Cass’s jaw tightens, but before he can press further, the sound of sirens fills the air. The police arrive, their cars screeching to a halt near the curb. Officers step out, their presence immediately commanding attention.

Jeb pales, his bravado evaporating as two Officers approach.

“You’re under arrest,” one of them says firmly, grabbing Jeb’s arm and snapping on a pair of handcuffs.

“It was Derrick!” Jeb blurts out, panic clear in his voice. “He hired me. He said it was just supposed to be minor stuff—messing with the equipment, causing delays–sabotage. I swear I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt!”

Cass and I exchange a look. We already knew. We just needed Jeb’s confession to confirm it.

As the Officers lead Jeb away, Emily leans heavily against me. I turn my focus back to her, gently cupping her face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She nods, her expression weary but resolute. “I’m fine. So, is the baby.”

The mention of the baby sends another wave of relief crashing over me.

The paramedics approach, one of them gesturing for Emily to sit in the back of their ambulance. “We need to check you out,” the woman says kindly, her gaze flicking to me. “You too, just in case.”

I help Emily to the ambulance, staying close as they run through their checks. Her vitals are good, and the baby’s heartbeat is steady and strong. The reassurance does little to ease the lingering knot in my chest.

My hands still shaking from fear and adrenaline, I realize how close I came to losing everything that matters. The need to tell her how I feel becomes almost overwhelming.

“You’re lucky,” the paramedic says, addressing Emily with a soft smile. “That wet towel was smart. It kept you from inhaling too much smoke.”

Emily nods, but her gaze is distant, her hands resting protectively on her stomach.

When they’re done, I wrap an arm around her shoulders, guiding her back toward the house. The police are still here, taking statements and assessing the damage. The bus is a charred wreck, and the sight of it sends a fresh surge of anger through me.

As we step onto the porch, Emily turns to me, her expression troubled. “Derrick,” she says quietly, her voice tinged with disbelief. “He hates us that much?”

I shake my head, my jaw clenching. “Derrick’s holding a grudge because Cass fired him. You’re just an easy target because you’re doing such an incredible job.”

Her lips press into a thin line, but she doesn’t argue. I can see the doubt in her eyes, though, the way she’s questioning everything.

“I won’t let him get away with this,” I say firmly, my voice low.

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