CHAPTER 13 - GRIZZ
The fire chief leans forward, gently lifting some charred debris with the end of his pen.
“The damage looks to be contained to this side of the loading dock. You boys were smart to smother the fire with snow. Not a lot of people would have done that.” We've all moved our bikes, shining the headlights where the fire started.
The ceiling lights must have blown in that part of the dock when the fire took hold.
“I’m not saying this will be in the official report, but it's clear the fire was started here,” he says, pointing to a charred section of drywall.
“If this was an accident, I would expect to see this sort of damage in or around the fuse box here, but there's nothing.”
I rub my hand over the wall, black soot staining my palm. Opening the fuse box only shows it in perfect condition.
“You’re saying this was intentional?” I growl.
“I’m saying this looks intentional. We will contain the site tonight, and tomorrow the team will conduct an official investigation.
You’ll need it for insurance anyway. I suspect most of the damage will be from the smoke, but we should be able to clear the kitchen and bar area for you to keep operating, but this half of the loading dock will be cordoned off until we're done.”
“Thank you, chief. We’ll check the cameras and let you know if we find anything.” Hades says, shaking his hand.
Pushing open the staff door, I leave the guys to sort out the loading dock, breathing a sigh of relief when I see Brynn and Jovie getting checked over by the doctor. Sarah sobbing next to them.
“Grizz,” she cries. “I’m so sorry, I didn't know Jovie was upstairs.”
“What do you mean you didn't know she was upstairs?” I snap.
“Brynn, I'm so sorry,” she whispers, wide eyed. Shaking from fear or adrenaline, I'm not sure.
“Sarah… Sarah, did you start the fire?”
“No! I swear I didn't. I wouldn't do that. You guys are like my family. I promise I didn't start it. “
Her shoulders shake as she cries into her hands.
I believe her when she says she didn't start it. In all the time I’ve known her she's been nothing but honest and truthful, but as I look over at the doctor listening to Jovie's lungs, my willingness to blindly support someone I would have called a friend disappears.
“Sarah,” I bark, shocking even myself at the conviction in my voice. “Until we look at the footage and see what the fire investigation says, I think it's best you take a few days to collect yourself.”
What I want to say is if I find out you had anything to do with what happened, the only way you will stay alive is if you leave town.
Change your name and start over because there was a second in time that's now ingrained in my memory.
A second where thick black smoke covered everything I could see.
I couldn't find Jovie, and I had left Brynn to search the bathroom.
That second was all it took to be suffocated by such a fear, such a loss, my imagination could never conjure it on its own.
For that one second, I had lost them both, and my heart screamed alongside my lungs.
I have only just found them, and now, a cruel twist of fate will take them away, reinforcing that I'm destined to walk this life alone.
“Grizz, you don't really think Sarah would start the fire,” Brynn says, standing and limping toward me. Her voice raw from smoke inhalation.
“Right now, I don't know what to think. What I know…” I grit out, “Is my best employee seemed agitated and went out back for a break, where only a few minutes later a fire started that could have burnt down the building.”
“Sarah, tell him. Tell him it wasn't you.” Brynn’s voice rises as she looks at the friend she trusted with her daughter only a day earlier. “Sarah!” Brynn yells.
“I… I—”
“Oh my god! My baby, are you alright?” Victoria's shrill voice rings out. We all turn to watch her push her way past a fireman, throwing the back of her hand to her forehead in such a dramatic fashion, I swear I was watching some low budget, Broadway show. “I heard about the fire. You’re all so brave putting it out like that.”
She moves to Sarah, pulling a tissue from her purse and wiping her tears. Despite everything unfolding, it’s nice to see her dote on her daughter for a change.
Clearing my throat, “Victoria, I was just saying Sarah should take some time to recuperate. We’ll let her know when it's safe to return to work.”
“Of course, Grizz. I’ll make sure she is taken care of.” Her gaze doesn't waver as she stalks toward me, determined in her approach. “Thank you for saving my only child. You’re a true hero.”
Before I can refuse, her arms are wrapped tightly around my waist. My skin irritated from the unwanted contact.
She nuzzles her head into my chest, sobbing loudly for everyone to hear, repeating, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” My arms hover over her back, selfishly not touching her.
Brynn can see I don't like this sort of attention and attempts to comfort her, patting her back but that only causes her to cry harder, gripping my top and pulling me closer.
“Alright, folks,” the doctor interrupts.
“Everyone is free to go, however, no serious activity for at least forty-eight hours. The only things that are permitted are movie marathons and bed rest.” I unpeel Victoria's arms, stepping away from her so she doesn't resume her cryfest once the doctors finished.
“Turn the shower on hot and stand in the humidity if you can, otherwise drink lots of water, and if you feel off or can't stop coughing, call me and I'll come straight away.” He turns to the table he was working from, packing his equipment in his bag.
“Grizz, you have my number. Victoria, just call the office and it will transfer the call.”
Hades, Mac, and Axel push through the staff door, Hades putting a hand on my shoulder.
We don't often show each other affection.
Well, I don't. All of my brothers in the club know I don't like being touched as a general rule.
The exception to that appears to be the woman and her daughter standing next to me.
When the touch is unwanted or unexpected, I can react, sometimes violently.
My skin burning underneath the contact. But when Brynn touches me, it's like a cooling sensation.
One of comfort and relief. The same goes for Jovie.
Reaching for her hand, I hold onto Brynn to both anchor and soothe me, staring down at her as she listens to whatever else the doctor is saying.
Both of my girls are safe. The ache in my chest easing from the intensity of the past couple of hours.
“Oh, and Grizz.” The doctor calls out, walking toward the front entrance. “No serious activities also include the adulting kind. No relations for at least forty-eight hours.”
I can feel the heat rising up my neck, matching the blush now covering Brynn's cheeks as we watch the doctor leave, wiggling his eyebrows as he said the word relations.
“Well, that was completely inappropriate.” Victoria huffs. Sarah looking all void of emotion now. Her face expressionless as she stares past us, eyes red and swollen.
“I think you all better head out,” Hades says, gesturing Victoria and Sarah to the front door. “Will you be able to make it home safely, or would you like one of the guys to take you?”
“We’ll be okay, and let me know if you need anything too. The town will rally if we need to.”
Ignoring her offer, “Take care, and Sarah, let me know how you're feeling tomorrow.” Standing at the threshold, he watches until we hear car doors slam.
“That woman must have her ear to the ground with the town gossip. How the fuck did she get here so soon?” Axel says, walking behind the bar and cracking a beer open, holding it to the room, “Anyone else?”
“Water,” Brynn croaks, Jovie nodding and rubbing her throat. Axel throws two bottles of cold water, and I easily catch them. Opening the bottle, I crouch down as I pass it to Jovie. She's covered in soot, with dried tear marks running down her cheeks.
“Grizz?” She asks, eyes wide as Brynn hobbles over, taking a seat next to her and wrapping her arm over her shoulder.
“Yeah, Jon Bon.”
“What's relations?”
Fucking hell. My jaw drops at the same time as Brynn spills her water all over. Squeezing the open bottle so abruptly, it overflows over the three of us.
“Um,” I sputter. What the fuck do I say to that?
Axel and Mac are laughing behind the bar, Hades even has a smirk on his face, which is unheard of. The man is so serious he barely ever laughs.
“Well…” rubbing the back of my neck, deciding if I start with, when two people love each other very much, or is it better to talk about the birds and the bees.
What the fuck are birds doing with the bees anyway?
Wouldn't they just eat them? Do birds eat bees?
I'd like to eat out, Brynn but I can’t lead with that.
“How about I tell you when you're thirty. It will give me enough time to figure out what to say.”
“Yes, when you're thirty.” Brynn's voice is so high, and she is so flush as she avoids eye contact with me, I'm tempted to push her with how much I want her.
“Is this weird old people talk?” Jovie asks. “You're all uncomfortable. Actually, don't worry. I'll just Google it.”
A collective “No,” is shouted out from all of the people in the bar, including the couple of firemen walking around.
“Kid, you're going to give me a heart attack over here. This is a question for your mom to talk to you about later, but right now, we need to go and see if any of your things have been damaged and pack a bag to come back to the clubhouse.”
“Wait, you want us to come and stay at your place?” Brynn pulls her bottom lip into her mouth, awkwardly nibbling on it.
“There is no way you're staying upstairs, Brynn. We either pack a bag, or I'll buy you new clothes tomorrow. We stay together.”
And if I have it my way, they won't be returning to the apartment, ever.