Heartbreak (Stripped 1.50)

There are no cuffs on him. No cuffs on anyone. But I know that can change in an instant.

The fire has everyone distracted. They know that Blue and Matthew were fighting—they still had to pull Blue off Matthew’s limp body just to drag us all out of the burning building. Only that could have stopped Blue, more effectively than my cries ever could.

The cop talking to Blue nods and moves toward the house to speak to another officer.

Blue stands still for a moment, where he was no doubt told to stay, before heading straight for me. “Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yeah.” I know there will be bruises from where Matthew touched me, but at least he didn’t get to finish what he started. I’m more worried for what will happen to Blue once all the statements have been taken. As soon as they piece together what happened, as soon as Matthew points the finger at Blue and at me, we could be thrown in jail. And I’m afraid Blue wouldn’t go peacefully.

He nods, his eyes dark and unfathomable. “They’re thinking Matthew set the fire.”

“Yeah.” My throat gets tight. “He was always messing around with the lighter.”

“Is that why you did it?” he asks, his voice low, barely audible over the bustle across the street. “To frame him?”

“I don’t know,” I whisper. I’ve been in dangerous situations before. The foster homes in this town aren’t exactly milk and cookies. More like knives and fists. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, because they’ve kept me alive and relatively safe so far.

“You do know,” Blue says, looking at me intently. “Tell me.”

My hands curl into fists. “I thought he was dead. He wasn’t moving. I figured…they’d think he set the fire. And you’d look like a hero for stopping him. You are a hero for stopping him.”

Matthew wasn’t setting a fire. He was doing something much worse.

Something more personal.

“He touched you.” Blue’s expression is severe—and terrifying. “He should be dead for that. I wish I had killed him.”

I glance at the ambulance. “They’re sure he’ll live?”

“Unfortunately.”

That should be a relief, but it’s not. I understand what Blue meant before, how he could wish someone dead. I wish Matthew were dead instead of lying battered in that ambulance. Whatever story he spins won’t be the truth, but it will definitely point the finger at Blue.

One strike and I’m out.

Things would have been so much simpler if Matthew were dead.

“Will you get in trouble?”

Blue shrugs. “I doubt it. Not at first. As soon as I have another go at him, I’ll finish the job. Then they’ll really get their panties in a twist.”

My stomach drops. “What?”

“You didn’t think I’d let this go, did you?”

“How can you not?” I whisper. “It’s over.”

“It’s over when he’s in the fucking ground for putting his hands on you.”

“You have to leave him alone. Please. Let it go, for me.” I don’t know if I’d be worth that much to him. Men and their pride. I don’t know if I’m worth anything to Blue except a way to pass the time.

His expression is incredulous. “How can you ask me that? I made a promise.”

A promise?

If you touch her again, I’ll kill you.

“How can that be more important than this?” I’m not above begging. Not when his safety, his life is on the line. “Who cares what you told him?”