Page 36 of Damsel in Defense
“What is it?”
“I have to leave.There’s been a fire at my condo building, and my girlfriend’s apartment is on the affected floor.I don’t know any other details, I’m sorry.But I have to go be with her.”
Coach doesn’t miss a beat, nodding before I finish my sentence.
“Do you need a car?”
“No, I drove here with Max and Sid.”
“Good.Go.Keep us updated, and then get your butt back here as soon as you’re able in the morning.”
“Thanks, Coach,” I say, walking backward to the elevator.“I’ll text and let you know what’s happening.”The elevator doors ding open blissfully quickly.Then I’m enclosed and frantically pressing the Down button.
The Toronto Nighthawks training camp is held in a city only an hour away from Toronto, so I’m able to make it back to the condo in record time.This time of night, the streets are still busy, but I don’t experience any major delays.I don’t think my heart or patience could take that, honestly.
When I turn down the street our condo is on, the road is blocked by other cars and fire trucks.Knowing this is as far as I’ll get, I park my car by the curb and speed walk the remaining distance.
The crowd is dense as I try and make my way through.I can hear people crying, complaining, and gossiping as I scan the scene and try to find Victoria.The building fire alarm is still going off, but it doesn’t look like an emergency is ongoing.No one is running into the building, and the fire hose is just lying empty on the sidewalk.
I see a person in uniform right in front of me and am about to ask them how I can find Victoria when I hear her voice.Twisting my head in that direction, I instantly see her.She’s standing off to the side of the crowd, a hand covering her mouth as she listens to the firemen standing with her.
Even from this distance, I can tell she’s been crying, and whatever the firemen are telling her is not good news.
“Victoria!”I yell over the noise of the crowd.Her head turns my way, but it takes her a second to find me.She doesn’t say anything, but her eyes grow wide.They start filling again with tears.
I can’t stand the sight.With a little more force than I mean to, I push my way through the crowd and straight to her.My arms open, and she doesn’t hesitate to crash into them.
“It’s okay, honey.I’m here.I’m here,” I whisper into her hairline.Her arms wrap around my waist, squeezing me.I squeeze her back.Tipping my head up to the fireman and the other with a police badge on his suit belt, I give them a nod, appreciating that they’re giving us a moment.
When Victoria pulls back, her face is flushed with emotion, her eyes red-rimmed.
“T-the fire.They say it started in my apartment.”
“What?How?”I put my attention back on the men in uniform.“She wasn’t home all day.Was it electrical?”
The men exchange glances—a move that has my shoulders tensing even more.Either something bad has happened, or they don’t believe that she wasn’t home.
“Sorry, sir, but what’s your relation to Miss.Westwyld?”
“I’m her boyfriend.Why does that matter?”
“And were you with her today?When she was out of the apartment?”
I press my lips together, having a feeling this isn’t going to end well.“No, I’ve been out of town for the last week.Again, why does this matter?”
“Can I get your name, sir?”
My patience is wearing thin.I want answers, not to be asked inane questions.“Mason Warren.I live in this building as well, but not currently with Victoria.”
At my name, I see recognition hit both men, and they fumble for a second.
“The, um, reason we’re asking you this, Mr.Warren, is because, as your girlfriend stated, the fire did start in her apartment due to an ignitable liquid being poured on her floor.We have reason to believe that liquid was vodka, and a nearby candle was knocked over and caused the escalation.”
“That’s not possible.”My forehead crinkles with confusion.“Victoria doesn’t drink.There’s no way any type of alcohol was in her apartment.”
“It’s possible she may have had a relapse and—”
“I’m right fucking here,” Victoria interjects.“And I’m not a recovering addict, not that it’s any of your business.I just don’t drink.I don’t like it.”I pull her back into my chest, wrapping my arms around her in continued support.
