No One But You (Silver Springs #2)(50)

“Please, let me go with him,” she said to Sly. “I wouldn’t come back to you even without Dawson in my life. I was unhappy. Don’t you understand that? So unhappy that I could barely get up in the mornings. I don’t love you anymore. The only thing I want is for you to let me go!”

His hand whipped out and grabbed her arm, fingers digging deep into her flesh, like they had so many times before—deep enough that she’d have bruises. But the pain wasn’t what alarmed her. Almost as fast, Dawson gripped Sly’s arm in the same “I’m in charge” manner.

“Let her go. Now,” he gritted out.

Sadie watched Sly’s eyes flare in surprise. He was so used to doing what he wanted—and getting away with it almost uncontested in this town—that he hadn’t expected Dawson to go so far in her defense. His top lip curled under and his other hand went for his gun with such determination that Sadie felt sure he’d shoot Dawson. She opened her mouth to scream, but, in that moment, someone besides the three of them called out to Sly.

“What’s going on, Harris?”

The chief of police had pulled up while they were arguing and was getting out of his car. He obviously thought Sly was about to apprehend Dawson, but the sound of his boss’s voice caused Sly to let go of Sadie, back away—and leave his gun holstered. “Nothing,” he muttered.

“Then what’re you doing out here when everyone else is in back?” Thomas demanded.

Sly’s chest was rising and falling fast, but he managed to modulate his voice so that he sounded somewhat normal. “I was—I was checking on my wife and son to...to make sure they’re okay.”

Chief Thomas strode toward them. “And?”

“I’m fine,” Sadie said, but her heart was pounding so fast she thought she might faint.

The police chief turned his attention to Dawson—and grimaced when he recognized him. “What’re you doing here?”

“He’s my boss,” Sadie cut in. “I called him when I heard someone outside my house, and he was kind enough to come.”

Shouting from around back drew the chief’s attention. Sadie supposed the noise had been going on all along. The firefighters were still battling the blaze back there. She’d seen the frenetic activity before Sly had shown up, but, somehow, she’d been so caught up in what was happening right here over the past several minutes, she hadn’t noticed the noise since.

“Are they getting the blaze under control?” Thomas asked.

“I haven’t been around back to see,” Sly grudgingly admitted.

“I’m in good hands,” Sadie told Sly. “You can... You can go ahead and do your job now.”

She was sort of surprised that the chief didn’t raise a fuss about Dawson, given what he believed Dawson to be. Obviously, he was more concerned about the fire than trying to control the company she was keeping, as Sly should’ve been. That her ex had focused so quickly on her, despite the fact that her house was burning, served as yet more proof that he’d known about the fire all along—and didn’t care. He was only concerned about the fact that she was fleeing in the wrong direction.

As Sly stalked off with his chief, Sadie covered her mouth and breathed slowly through her fingers, trying to calm down. She thought he might turn and glare at them both, but he didn’t. Maybe he was as shocked as she was that he’d almost done something even more reckless than setting fire to her house.

“I can’t believe that happened,” she murmured as she dropped her hand. “And what could’ve happened if Chief Thomas hadn’t arrived when he did.”

Dawson was the one glaring—at Sly’s back. “He almost drew his weapon,” he said, his voice filled with the same shock and anger she felt.

She checked to make sure Jayden was still in the truck and saw him standing up in the seat, hands on the dashboard, nose almost pressed to the glass. “Sly’s not right in the head,” she whispered. “He’s obsessed with...with making sure I don’t get away.”

Dawson shook out his hand, which had been curled into a fist. “He’s the one who set the fire.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “He wasn’t the least bit surprised that there was a major blaze going on. Did you notice?”

“He thought you’d have to move in with him.”

Where would she go? The full extent of where she’d be without her small cottage hit her in that moment. Although she’d been worried all along, she’d been holding out hope that her house and most of the things inside it could be saved. She was still hopeful. But even if they could save her belongings, the fire had to have done enough damage by now that she’d probably have to live elsewhere while the cottage was being repaired or rebuilt. Where would she go? She didn’t have any family she could stay with. And Petra didn’t have room for her. She couldn’t see herself moving in with Petra and her family, anyway. She couldn’t see herself trying to stay with Maude and Vern, either. They were nice, but she doubted they’d even make the offer.

She’d have to hit up one of the waitresses she worked with to see if she could move in and pay half the rent, but she hated how awkward that would be, especially because she wouldn’t be able to afford a great deal. She’d have to spend what money she was making on replacing clothes and other basic necessities.