Page 75 of Betrayed by Your Love

Tessa agreed. “Most likely, and that it would be easier to get Avalon to trust her and confide in her if she was your girlfriend rather than your assistant.”

Dad covered his mouth, then slowly faced me. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know how I missed this. I never would have let that woman into our lives.”

“I know, Dad. She fooled us all.”

“I failed you.” He crumbled, resting his head on our connected hands. “I failed you again. I promised you I’d be around more, and I let Juliet pull me away. I let her take up my time.”

Tessa and I glanced at each other. Maybe that was really why she started dating my dad. She could have more control over him and his time, not only leaving me alone and vulnerable but giving me the ability to be with the guys more.

“I have a feeling that was part of her plan,” Tessa said finally. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“The fire department is investigating. The last update we heard was that they can confirm accelerants were used. That alone leads them to believe it was arson.” Dad’s voice cracked with the last word like he couldn’t believe it either.

“The fire wasn’t an accident?” I wasn’t sure why I assumed it was.

“We’ll know more soon,” Tessa soothed. “Right now, you need to focus on resting.”

I nodded. “How long was I asleep?”

“Ten hours,” she replied.

That didn’t seem too bad, but memories of the boys talking came back. For them, it must have been an eternity.

“Do the guys know I’m awake?”

Tessa shook her head. “I wanted to give you a chance to talk to your dad first.”

“I’ll let them in. I saw them sleeping in the waiting room,” Dad stood. “And I’ll check in with the police and fire.”

Both of them left the room, and a minute later, my guys walked in.

It was overwhelming as they all surrounded me, each reaching for my hand, shoulder, leg, or free body part to hold. They spoke at once, and I settled into the pillows and let their voices wash over me.

“I’m so sorry.” Gavin was the first to break through the chatter. “I should have gotten to you, somehow.”

I remembered seeing him in the driveway, screaming and crying. “I know you would have done anything you could, but I wouldn’t have wanted you to risk your life for me.”

“I should have called sooner.” Noah’s fingers dug into my thigh. “I woke up from a dream, and it took me too long to realize it had been a vision. Then, it took even longer to piece it together. I called nine-one-one and then Gavin, but those minutes could have made such a difference. The firefighters would have gotten there sooner, and you would have been able to keep your shield up.”

I heard this before, and I wanted them to stop blaming themselves. “Noah, you saved my life. That’s all that matters.” I looked to each of them. “I know you all would have done anything and everything to get to me, but I’m okay. I survived.”

They didn’t seem convinced, but I wanted to move on. “My dad said they think it was arson.”

Luca’s jaw tightened. “Yeah, we heard while we were out there waiting that they found accelerants and a timing device that set the fire off in the middle of the night. They checked your windows too. They were sealed shut with screws. They planned on trapping you inside.”

“They?” I asked.

“It was Juliet,” Noah answered softly. “They have her on your cameras going in through the front door with her key. Emily’s house had cameras that face the side of your house, and it showed Mr. Peters waiting next to the garage. Juliet let him in, and they set everything up in the area under your room.”

“They were both there?” I gasped.

“Last night,” Sky said, his eyes telling me more than his words.

“It was them? In the garage?”

“I don’t know how I missed them. I should have looked harder. I should have stayed with you.” I reached for him and he let me take his hand.

---