Falling into the Horror Boss's Lap novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: Burns

I picked up the carnation by its stem.

It was fresh, the same kind he had worn at the masquerade.

It was cold from the harbor air.

"He came after the fire," Noreen said behind me. "While the trucks were on the wrong dock."

"He wanted us to know he'd sat in your father's chair."

"He wanted us to know he can," I said.

I dropped the flower in Noreen's evidence bag, and I left the chair where it stood.

Donovan sat on the edge of his bed with his hands in Lacey's lap.

She had cut his shirt away and swabbed both forearms with something that smelled like a hospital hallway.

His palms were blistered red.

"Second degree," Lacey said, winding gauze. "No gripping for two weeks. No pulling. No lifting anything heavier than a coffee mug."

"Understood."

"I mean anything, Mr. Stroud."

"Understood."

"That includes any sexual activity that involves your hands."

"Lacey," I said.

"I'm a licensed professional."

She tied off the dressing and gave me a long look over his shoulder.

"I'm going to go watch an old man sleep. When I come back I want to hear nothing."

She shut the door behind her.

Donovan sat and looked at his bandaged hands.

Every lamp in the room was lit, and I could see the white of his knuckles around nothing.

"You froze in there," I said.

"Yes."

"Tell me why."

He was quiet for a long time.

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