Page 64 of Blackstone's Heart
Debbie hugged her back. "You're welcome, but for the record, I'm doing this under extreme prejudice."
Krista couldn't help but laugh. "Duly noted."
Krista moved back to her seat while her mom called Jax. Just as she was about to pick up her laptop, her phone rang. She dug it out of her computer bag and saw that it was Cain. "Cain? What's up?"
"Krista, there's, hell."
Krista gut clenched and her head jerked up and her eyes locked with Ethan's. "What's wrong Cain? Tell me."
"You want the easy way in or for me to just spit it out?"
"I swear Cain Harker, if you don't tell me right now I'm gonna kick your ass when I land in Austin." Krista growled as Ethan knelt beside her.
"Okay, okay. This guy broke into your house. Before Austin PD or Blackout's guys could get there, he set the place on fire."Cain told her quickly.
Krista was frozen for about ten seconds. Then she surged to her feet. "The asshole did what! He fucking torched my house!"
"Yeah. When I got there the whole front half of the house was in flames. One of Ethan's guys, um, Morton, was on sight and was working with the fire department to put it out. The rest of Morton's team were working with PD to get statements and look for what evidence they could. I’m afraid the front half of your house is a total loss. Hell, they wouldn’t let us upstairs because they said something about structure stability."Cain explained.
Before Krista could speak, Ethan snatched the phone. "Harker, it's Ethan. What do you know?"
"Not a hell of a lot at the moment. Your guy Morton said Blackout got the signal about the break-in. As they were en route, the fire alarm went off and he called in the fire department. He got there before PD and AFD. He said Krista's neighbor said she heard a car speed away but nothing else."
"Fuck. Okay, we'll be landing in about two hours. I want you and Jimmy at Blackout in three. I'll call Wilson. Who is in charge at AFD?"
"That would be Captain Perry."
"Get him there too."
"Copy that. Oh, and since I know Krista will be there, warn her that Perry is a chauvinistic ass hat toward women."
“I’ll warn her. Thanks Harker.”
Ethan hung up the phone and found Krista sitting between Debbie and Nick. The three looked pissed. He moved to them and knelt in front of Krista. He laid his hands atop hers, which were clenched tightly in her lap. When her eyes moved to his, he saw the rage burning in those blue orbs.
"Krista, baby talk to me." He said.
"What the plan?" She demanded.
"Cain and Jimmy will meet us at Blackout an hour after we land. I'm going to call Wilson and get him to meet us there as well as the Fire Captain in charge from last night."
"I'm going."
"You sure? Wilson and the others don’t know that you’re Kris James."
"To hell with that Ethan!" She yelled jumping to her feet. "This guy is getting personal and I'm sick of it. I made a decision yesterday at Jerry's grave, I'm going to reveal my identity. It was something me, him, and dad talked about. We all think that maybe now would be a good time."
Ethan stood and ran his hands up and down her arms. "Okay, okay Krista."
"I also want to go public."
This time it was Grant that spoke up. "Baby girl, you sure you want to do that?"
"Grant, I'm done hiding. He's walking around like a god dammed ghost. First the bomb, then Jerry's murder and now this. We need help. I can't think of a better way. Can you?" Krista countered.
Ethan didn't like it, but the set of her jaw and the fire in her eyes told him not to argue with her on this or that he'd lose. Cursing he locked both his hands behind his head. "Dammit. Dammit woman, I don't like you putting yourself out there like this."
"You don't have to like it Ethan Blackstone. I don't need you to shield me right now. What I DO need is you and your four badass Marine buddies to stand at my side. To support me even if you don't like it." She stated, her arms crossing over her chest.
