Page 61 of Built of Flames

He swallowed hard, and Bella battled back her own emotions.

His voice was thick when he spoke again. “Smoke was pouring out of the garage when we got there and we could see some flames. I’ve never been so scared. He had you in there. I just knew.”

Mitch bowed his head and squeezed her hand. She heard him draw in a ragged breath. When he looked up, tears glimmered in his eyes. “I was so damn scared. We raced up the stairs and had to break it in. Kent flew at us. Christo took him on and I went in to find you. I scooped you up and carried you out.”

He cracked a smile. “Christo was coming back up the stairs. He’d got the upper hand with Kent, and then your dad met them on the steps and apparently levelled Kent with one punch. Then the police and medics showed up and got you here.”

He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips, so gently it brought tears to her eyes.

The door banged open again, and Christo and her father moved to her bedside.

Christo swatted Mitch on the top of the head. “Back up, Robinson. My sister. My turn.”

Mitch laughed and relinquished his chair for her brother. Christo’s eyes were bright as well.

She started to speak, but he shook his head. “No talking, Izzy. Doctor’s orders or we get kicked out.”

He leaned down and hugged her gently, then kissed her hair. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’m glad I listened to Mitch’s instincts. We’ve got him and he’s going away for a very long time. Thanks to you. You did good, kiddo.”

Tears filled her eyes, but she tried to blink them back.

Then her father stood on the other side of the bed. He ran his hand over her hair. A memory of him doing that as he’d read her a bedtime story filled her.

She’d forgotten how he’d done that when he hadn’t been working. Another good memory of her childhood back in its rightful place.

“Isabella.” His voice was gruff and his eyes shone as well. He leaned down and kissed her hair, then her cheek. “I’m so glad you’re going to be okay. I’m so sorry you were in danger in the first place. Damn it, I’m sorry for so many things, especially that horrible day two years ago.”

She smiled at him through the tears running down her cheeks. “It’s okay, Dad.”

His smile was lopsided. “No speaking, Izzy. We’ll talk again later, but I wanted you to know that we’re here for you this time. All of us. With our respect and our thanks for catching an arsonist. You’ve had our backs, even when we didn’t deserve it. So, thank you. I love you, Isabella.”

More tears poured out of her, and her father leaned down and hugged her gently. Then he wiped his own eyes and walked out of the room.

Mitch took her father’s place and handed her a box of tissues with a smile.

Christo patted her leg. “Wow. You turned him into a real boy.”

The Pinocchio reference had them all laughing, although hers turned into a cough.

Christo kissed her cheek again. “Better check on the old man. I’ll talk to you later.”

As they left the room, Bella felt the adrenaline drain from her body. She felt heavy and her head ached, but her heart was lighter.

She hadn’t been sure she’d see anyone again, but the three people she loved best in the world were here. They’d all come to see her.

Her dad had even said he loved her.

The last time she’d been in the hospital, no one had even checked on her. No one had come.

She’d thought no one had cared.

Now she knew better. And the relief was enormous.

Bella yawned again and the action trigger another cough. How long until her throat was better?

Mitch sat and took her hand. “Tired?”

She nodded, despite wanting to talk with Mitch and analyze everything she’d just heard. But another yawn gave her away.