Flash Burned (Burned 2)

But I said to Kyle, “Thank you. Like so, so, so much. Perfect timing and—” Tears suddenly flowed down my cheeks. The ones I’d held in check so my mother couldn’t see them.

“Ari, just … don’t think about it. Forget her. That is absolute bullshit and, holy crap, were you right about her.”

“I know.” I started to cry. Violently. Kyle sank carefully onto the edge of the mattress and very gingerly comforted me. “Hey, it’s okay. Don’t sweat it, Ari. We all have family drama. Or in your case, trauma. I’ll keep her away from you. I promise.”

If only he knew how persistent Maleficent could be. And she wasn’t the only reason for the painful wails.

I didn’t have the heart or energy to say more. Just gave in to my sobfest, so grateful my tears didn’t run Kyle off.

* * *

Ethan visited the next day, with Qadir Hakim and Nikolai Vasil.

Dane’s legitimate society and business partners came bearing an enormous bouquet to accompany the others that had been delivered—note, my mother hadn’t even bothered with flowers. This one took up the most space in my private room. My dad and Kyle stepped out.

Ethan gave me a compassionate smile. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Ari.”

My eyes burned with more tears. Would this never end? “For yours, too. I know how close the two of you were—how long you knew each other.”

“Yes. It’s all a bit shocking.”

I cut right to the chase, because I couldn’t dwell on Dane’s death. “How are the police or FBI going to figure out who’s behind the bomb? Did you tell them?”

With a slight shake of his head, Ethan said, “It’s complicated at the moment, Ari. As it stands…” He blew out a long breath. Tension oozed from him, as it did the others. “We’re even. It’s over. There’s no more 10,000 Lux to want to be a part of, and—”

“No more Dane.” A fresh batch of fat drops spilled down my cheeks.

“Miss DeMille,” Qadir said in his rich Arabic accent—his use of my maiden name made me question whether he knew I’d married Dane or if Ethan had kept the secret. Qadir and Nikolai knew me from the Lux and Dane’s house. But did they know the full extent of our association? “You have my deepest condolences. If there is anything I can do, I would be more than honored to assist in any way.”

I resisted the urge to ask for another search and rescue team. But it’d been days since the explosion. If Ethan had given up hope that Dane was alive, I’d simply—foolishly—be postponing the inevitable reality. One I needed to accept, despite it being near impossible. I just couldn’t give up the notion that I’d never see Dane again.

“Thank you, Sultan Hakim.” I mustered a little strength. “That’s very kind.”

“I share his sentiment,” Nikolai said. “If I can do anything at all … Do not hesitate to contact me. Dane was very special. A vital part of our work.”

“Your visit is much appreciated,” I assured him. They’d made a hell of a trek to see me, the sultan coming from the Persian Gulf and Nikolai flying in from Russia. They had demonstrated a thousand times more effort in sharing their condolences and concern for me than my own mother had. An extremely painful reality.

“Well,” Ethan said. “I’m sure you need your rest. Take care of yourself, Ari.”

“I will. Thank you for visiting.”

They headed to the door.

I impulsively called out, “Ethan.”

He turned back toward the bed. “Yes?”

I opened my mouth, about to tell him I was pregnant. But I’d kept so much of my life with Dane a secret, instinct told me to hold this news close to the chest as well. For now. I smiled as best as I could and said, “The flowers are beautiful.”

“Be well, Ari.”

Right.

I sighed.

They left and I stared at the ceiling, wondering how in hell I’d ever be well again.