Page 14 of 202 Cherry Popper Way (Cherry Poppers)

“They’re just tiny little things. So helpless. It pisses me off that this happened in the first place.”

“Family and home is everything to you isn’t it, Miles.”

What do I say to that? I never had a real home, just like these kids. Not until The Malone’s adopted me, so I understand how important it is to them to feel safe in a house theydothink of as home.

I keep my gaze locked over the crowd as my crew works to put out the last of the flames. “Something is off here.”

“What do you mean?”

“How the flames started. Someone wasn’t watching over the kids. In a place this big, they break the kids up into age groups. The older ones have chores before and after school. Someone left kids unattended.”

The head of the orphanage is on a gurney and being treated near an ambulance with a woman fawning all over him. She’s missing a bra, and he’s missing his shoes. Two plus fucking two.

Bingo. I don't know what I am looking for until my eyes land on it. Or rather him. “Some-of-a-bitch. And I just found out why.”

“Miles?”

“Wait here.”

I need a breather from all the talk of family and kids. Bela makes me want things a dark soul like me should never be blessed with. She looks at me like I would be the world’s greatest dad. But she’s wrong. I'm too messed up for her future shining bright in her eyes. She practically paints a picture for me with her words and insinuations. It’s not going to happen.

Ten years working undercover witnessing really bad shit left me scarred, cynical, and jaded. But I’m a really good judge of character, too. I can read between lines most people can’t see. Like the fact the director of this place is fucking one of the caregivers when they should both be watching their charges.

I point my anger across the spacious front lawn full of kids with no beds because of this fucker.

“You,” I bellow out, startling everyone within earshot. “You let your guard down and because of you, these kids could have been seriously harmed. Or worse.”

“Miles, what are you doing?”

I feel a warm, calming touch to my back, and I nearly lose the wind in my sails. But if I don’t stand up for these kids, who will?

“Finding the man responsible and calling him out.” I stare down the man on the bed and I don’t give a shit if he is suffering from a few burns. So are the kids.

“Look, I made a mistake.” He tries to pull a lame-ass contrite expression to help pull off his remorse. I don’t care how sorry he wants to come off, the fact is, he has a job to do and failed.

“How can you be so sure?” Bela is beside me, her hand still on my back. I’m not one for drama, but this shit is unacceptable.

“I know people.”

I turn back to the director. “Look at you. You thought a quick screw in the back room was all fun, right? You, a man who cares for tens of kids, should know better. Now you get to live with almost costing these kids their lives.”

I feel like an asshole but that doesn't make my words any less true.

A tiny gasp comes from Bella. “Miles, he’s hurt and you're yelling at him.”

“He’s an adult and can take it.”

Her pretty eyes narrow and I know I’m about to catch hell.

“You’re being a dick, Miles Malone.” She folds her arms and I can see a fight coming.

“He’s not an underdog you need to fight for. You haven't seen what I’ve seen. He might look like a nice guy but nice guys commit crimes too, and reckless endangerment is a big one.” I shift my weight toward her. “I bet the last dollar to my name, I could find something bad about you if I were to dig deep enough.”

“And good guys can be assholes too. Sorry you think so little of me. At least I know where I stand. Goodbye, Miles.”

I watch Bela turn and walk away, the sting of her words burning deep. And it is not yet noon on a Monday. Exactly how a shit week starts. Brilliant.

It’s better this way.

---