Page 75 of Provoking Camden
I know Colton didn’t immediately recognize Simone because he only has eyes for Eve.
Simone looks toward the front doors we just exited, fidgeting before turning to look at me again. “Do you think he has attacked more women than the two of us?”
“It’s possible. He wasn’t in the database, so he’s never been caught. In addition, his DNA was not recorded, which means he’s never been arrested for anything.”
“That’s promising, right?”
“Yes, Baby girl.” Just because the man has not been arrested before doesn’t mean he hasn’t gotten away with other crimes. The only reason we even know he’s the same man who attacked Simone is the DNA evidence.
I can’t help but remind myself what Simone pointed out the night I came to pick her up at the hospital. She was smart enough to realize that survivors of rape, in particular, often do not report the crime. Nothing is in their favor. That fact alone gives me pause. I won’t promise Simone there haven’t been other victims. If there are, it’s likely they suffered worse.
As I wrap my arm around my girl, the door opens, and Blade steps out with June.
Blade’s brows are furrowed, but they smooth out when he sees us. “You’re still here.”
Simone gives June a gentle hug. “Are you okay?”
June nods. “Yeah. I guess. I’m just tired and stressed.”
Blade grunts. “When was the last time you took some pain relievers, June?”
June shrugs. “It’s been a while.”
Blade’s frown returns. He’s in full Daddy mode. I’m sure he’s barely keeping that side of him in check. “Let’s get you home. It’s probably hot in the car. I’ll cool it off for a minute.” He pulls his key fob out of his pocket, angles it toward the SUV in the parking lot, and pushes a button.
What happens in the next second feels like it’s in slow motion. I’m staring at the SUV as it explodes. The sound is deafening, and flames and smoke rise into the air. Metal flies in every direction.
We’re all thrown backward toward the building, and I manage to wrap my body around Simone’s to keep her from hitting her head as I take her down to the ground.
When I lift my gaze, I notice that Blade has done the same with June. She’s on her back a few feet away. Blade has his hand under her head.
Colton is shouting orders at officers who are running out of the precinct as he rushes toward the flames.
Blade rises and helps June to her feet.
I do the same with Simone.
Blade looks at me. “Stay with the women.” He turns in a hurry to join Colton. There are about two dozen officers surrounding the exploded SUV now.
“What was that?” Simone asks.
I reach for June’s good forearm to guide her next to Simone. “Looks like a bomb.”
“In Blade’s car?” Simone asks, eyes wide. She swallows hard. “What if we had…” Her voice trails off. There’s no need to speak the words out loud. If Blade hadn’t started the SUV remotely, any of us could have been inside when the bomb went off.
“Are you folks okay?” an officer asks.
I nod. “Yes. We’re fine.” I’m not entirely certain that’s true yet. I haven’t checked either woman for bumps or scrapes. I’m still counting our blessings that we weren’t in the car.
The officer turns away from us. It’s total bedlam out here. This is a police station. I don’t suppose they get many bombs in the parking lot.
I turn Simone around to make sure she hasn’t injured herself. Elbows, palms, the back of her head…
When I shift my attention to June, she’s pale, but she somehow manages to chuckle as she lifts her one good elbow. “Who would know if I was injured from that,” she jokes. “My elbow was already scraped and bloody.” She reaches up to touch the back of her head with the same good hand. “I don’t think I hit my head, but again, I already did last night.”
There are sirens everywhere. Three fire trucks pull up. It now seems there are more police in the vicinity than humanly possible. Civilians too. A lot of citizens were inside the station. They’ve filed outside to get a look at the commotion. Plus, dozens of people from surrounding businesses.
The three of us are stuck in the corner, pressed against the building. We don’t have anywhere to go, anyway, but I hope Simone and June can handle the additional trauma.
