Deep Burn (Burned Duet 2)

“She’s doing better, then?”

“Yeah.” I winked as Elodie glanced over at me, loving the blush that appeared on her cheeks. We’d left it until the last minute possible to get dressed this morning, and I wondered if she was thinking about what we’d done in the shower, and then the bed, and finally on the kitchen counter. I was like a man possessed, not able to get enough of her.

“How about you?” Dad asked, closing the top of the barbecue. “How are things with you?”

“Good.” I didn’t tear my gaze away from Elodie. “Shop is getting back to how it was before everything. I’m booked solid up until April.”

“And after April?”

My heart sank at his words and my smile started to drop. I knew what he was asking without him having to voice the words, but I didn’t want to do this here, not in front of everyone else. I glanced at him, silently telling him to drop it, but from his raised brow and the straight line of his lips, I knew he wouldn’t. I’d been keeping everything to myself, not wanting to focus on anything but making sure Elodie was okay, but it was only six weeks until my court date. Six weeks, and still, nothing had changed. I had a plea deal on the table, and I had no choice but to sign.

“Not here,” I told Dad. I tilted my head toward the house and walked through the sliding doors into the kitchen. Everyone was outside, so I knew no one would be able to hear us, but I continued into the living room, needing even more space between us and them. “I need you to…” I trailed off and huffed out a breath. I wasn’t sure how to tell him what my options were. “I need you to promise you’ll take care of Elodie.”

“That goes without saying,” Dad replied, crossing his arms over his chest. “But you’re gonna have to explain why, son.”

I ran my hand down my face, trying to bide time to figure out how to tell him, but there was no good way to vocalize it, so I blurted out, “The DA has offered me a deal.” Dad stared at me, his expression not giving away a single thing. “Twenty years with the chance of parole after eighteen.”

“Twenty years?” Dad’s eyes widened. “Twenty fuckin’ years?” His chest moved rapidly, and he started to pace across the living room floor. “What the fuck they tryin’ to charge you with?”

“Attempted mur—”

He ground to a halt. “Your lawyer hasn’t gotten your charges lowered?” He yanked his cell out of his shorts pocket. “We’re getting you a different lawyer because this one obviously doesn’t know a fuckin’ thing.”

“Dad.” He ignored me and swiped at the screen of his cell. “Dad.” My voice was louder, finally gaining his attention. “I don’t need a new lawyer.”

“You fuckin’ do.”

“I don’t.” I leaned against the wall, needing something to hold me up. I’d tried to push everything to the back of my mind. I’d tried to live in the moment, but the closer my court date got, the harder it was to do. “He’s tried everything he can, but there’s nothing else he can do.”

“I don’t believe that for second, Asher.” Dad stepped toward me, his gaze searching for something. “What are you not telling me?” I inhaled a breath, trying to push the truth down, but it was no use because he could see I wasn’t being completely honest with him.

“He wants Elodie to give a statement. He says it’ll make the DA lower the charges.”

“Okay…” Dad tilted his head to the side. “But that means she’ll probably have to testify

if it goes to trial.”

“Exactly.” I let the back of my head press against the wall. “I can’t do that to her, Dad. She has her own court case in May, and they’ve already told her she’ll need to take the stand there. I can’t make her do it twice. She’s healing, but I’m scared this would push her right back.” I swallowed and met my dad’s stare. “I can’t do that to her.”

“Have you asked her?”

“No.” I clenched my hands by my sides. “And I’m not going to ask her either.”

“Son—”

“No.” I pushed off the wall and rolled my shoulders back. “Elodie doesn’t need to know about any of this. I’m not making her give a statement just so my charges can get lowered. I did the crime, not her. She’s already been punished enough.”

“I’m not sure she’ll see it like that.”

“Would you let Mom do it if it was you and her?” I didn’t look away from Dad as I witnessed the understanding cross his features. He’d protect Mom until his dying breath, and I’d do the same for Elodie. “Just promise you’ll take care of her, Dad.”

He placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “I promise, son.” His lips turned into a frown, telling me he wasn’t happy about any of this, but he understood. I just wasn’t sure anyone else would. “What about your house?”

“It’s all paid for—” The sound of footsteps interrupted me, and I darted into the kitchen to see who it was, but the room was empty. My heart hammered in my chest and I glanced outside, trying to see if anyone was walking back out there, but they were all sitting around the table talking. “Did you hear that, Dad?”

“Hear what?”

“The footsteps.” I looked at him, but his face was blank, as if he had no idea what I was talking about.