Page 138 of Cruel Steps

“What is it?” she asked, rubbing her temple.

“There was a device placed under Holden’s truck. It had a note attached to it.” He cleared his throat.

“Well, out with it. What did it say?”

“Stay away from what’s mine or you’re next.”

The color drained from my face, and spots appeared in my vision. It was my fault. Colter was hurt because of me.

“Forensics is still going through the debris, but they were able to find this.” He turned his phone around to us. On the screen was a picture of a doll in a dance uniform, her face partially burned and the pom-poms singed. He moved to the next photo, showing what had been scrawled on her uniform: HC Dance. The next photo showed the back with the name Norton on it.

“Why Norton?” I asked.

Detective Jennings looked at me, her brows dipping. “You don’t know?” I shook my head. “That’s Owen’s last name.”

“Oh.” Dread swirled in my belly, and I felt faint. Why was he so obsessed with me?

“There’s a theory that since he fixated on you before he went in, he got stuck on you.” Shit, had I said that out loud? “His fixation has increased over the years since he hasn’t been able to fulfill his desire, ultimately making him more dangerous. He can’t be reasoned with. He’s operating off a perceived belief that whatever bond you had with him at seventeen is stronger than it was. You mustn’t approach him at all. Do you understand?”

“Why would I go near him?”

“Some people have a hero complex and want to sacrifice themselves once people they care about have been targeted.”

“Not me. I’m fully aware of my limitations.”

“That goes for you, too, Mr. Football Player.”

Holden didn’t answer, just gripped the chair harder.

“So, what do we do?” Rose asked.

“I’ll assign a cruiser to watch you. Do you have somewhere different to stay?”

“They can come home,” Rose said.

“Home?” the detective asked, glancing between the four of us.

“Holden is my son, and Emerson is Milton’s daughter.” Rose lifted her head, daring the Detective to say something. Holden had been wrapped around me the whole time, so there was no way she’d believe we had a ‘sibling’ relationship.

“Very well. I’ll be in touch when I have more information.”

I sank into the chair, exhausted. I just needed to see Colter. I needed to know he was safe.

CHAPTER

FORTY-TWO

EMERSON

“Family of Colter Donovan?”

“We are,” I said, standing up.

The doctor nodded and approached us. “He’s doing well. There are first-degree burns on one side of his body. He sustained a concussion and two broken ribs. Your friend is lucky. If he’d been any closer to the vehicle, he might not be waking up. We’re going to keep him overnight for observation, but he’ll be able to go home tomorrow if everything goes well.”

I sagged in relief. I hated that Colter was hurt, but this we could manage. “He’s been asking for Mer.” I raised my hand, and the doctor nodded. “Two of you can visit for a short period before we move him to a room.”

“We’ll wait here,” Rose said.