Page 45 of Set My Soul Ablaze

He tried to fucking kill me.

“Miss Flowers?”

“Hmm.”

“I’ve submitted your request to press charges. An officer will contact you in the following days. We also have a final estimate of the money you’re owed by the insurance. We can negotiate if you feel the number doesn’t satisfy your losses, but that process may take even longer.”

I nodded.

He slid a piece of paper over to me. On the high end of five figures. It was less than I wanted, but I had more than enough money saved in my accounts to get the home I wanted. This would help furnish and replace what I lost, though.

“This is fine.”

“Perfect. I’ll approve the request. Please fill out the reimbursement form where you’ll select your method of payment and things like that.”

Everything moved in a blur as I signed papers and listened to Steven talk. I moved on autopilot all the way back to the parking garage, where I finally let the tears fall.

With blurry vision and an aching heart, I contemplated who to call. On one hand, Joylei deserved to know she was right about her assumption that Juda was involved. I wanted to let her know she had him all figured out, while I was delusional. But I knew my best friend, and I honestly didn’t have the capacity for her energy right now.

I needed my person.

I needed my safe space.

Without a second thought, I called Flame. He answered on the second ring.

“Hey, my love.”

“Hi.” My voice sounded foreign to me, so it did not surprise me at his next statement.

“What’s wrong? The insurance folks were on bullshit?”

I sniffled. “I watched footage from so many angles. It was clear as day who set the fire, and I . . . I feel so stupid, Flame.”

Once again, my voice cracked as the sobs came deep from my belly. I was sick of letting Juda influence my emotions like this. I was sick of being the damsel in distress. I was sick of being inconsolable about the things happening in my life.

“Baby.” Flame’s soothing voice pierced through the sobs.

“I could have died, Flame. I could have lost my life and-and—” The sobs returned.

“Do you need me to come get you?” Flame inquired.

I nodded, then remembered he couldn’t see me. “Y-yes, please.”

“I’m on my way. I’ll catch a ride from one of the guys at the station so your car isn’t stuck there.”

“Thank you so much.”

“Do you want to stay on the phone?” he asked. I could hear shuffling on his end.

“Yes, please.”

“Cool. I got you.” He spoke with his captain first, then Connor. I listened to his movements through the phone, picturing what it looked like on his end.

As I listened to the custom white noise, I put the call on the car’s Bluetooth and opened my thread with Joylei. The last conversation we had was about the new episode of our favorite show. We got deep into the fictional worlds on the television screen.

My thumb hovered over my keyboard for what felt like an eternity, trying to figure out what to say and how to say it.

ME: