Secret Admirer

Chapter 25

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Chapter 25

Mia

All we could do was hold onto each other and watch as the building lit up in flames. Quinn and Brynn were held back by Georgia and Paige. The two mothers held onto their girls and kept them sane while they waited for word on the others. One by one the others came out of the building. Innocent victims in this attack, injured, in pain, scared, all of them not knowing who did this or why. But we know.

As more people are brought out, the more we are needed. Staying busy, staying helpful, Quinn and Brynn found their strength and began helping others. We helped bandage up wounds, cleaned up blood and dirt, we brought others water, and blankets, and we waited for the men we love to come out.

Cole is still in there. Determined to get everyone else out before himself. He's such a good man. The man that I'm definitely falling for. How could I forget him? I'm beginning to remember other things, other people. Georgia, Aubrey and Brynn. Even the Tucker brothers. But Cole seems to be this distant shadow.

Could Lindsey have done something so it was only him I would forget? How could she do that? How could I forget him that easily?

Whatever she did to me, she didn't succeed. With or without my memory she couldn't keep Cole from me. She couldn't keep me from falling for him again. She failed and if she took Cole from me, really took him with this attack, she will regret it.

This is because of Lindsey and her sick vendetta against this family. This secret admirer I have gotten, who is sick in the head to think that doing this kind of thing is sane. This is their fault!

I have to find Todd and end this. The police are there, the fire department, ambulances from other hospitals that are taking patients to safety. Everyone is busy. Everyone is helping someone. Everyone is being a hero... except for one. And I see him, standing in the distance watching his work go up in flames.

He can't get away with this. He can't just disappear the way Lindsey had done for far too long and not be punished for his actions. I won't let him, especially if Cole.... I won't think about that yet. As far as I know all three of them are alive and still helping the others. There's so many stuck in the building. It's just taking too long.

Walking by the police, I listen to their conversation about who could have done this.

"Crazy Lindsey and her band of followers are up to no good again. You would think that jail would stop her. Or the looney bin."

"How many times does she have to hurt people before she gets what she deserves?"

"The long arm of Markham and his deep pockets are hard at work."

"Markham is dead. The sister is dead. And she still is killing people in Moss Bluff."

I hear the suspicions and I know they are wrong. They don't even suspect Todd as being a part of this. They think Charlie and Lindsey planned this, They don't think about someone else being involved. He won't get away with this.

There's a sudden loud crash, and a side of the building gives way. The side opposite where they are pulling out the patients. But the side where the fire was going in the stairwell. Just like Cole said, the building is coming down. He was right and he's going to die in there.

Women scream in terror, a new group of people come running out of the building. Smoke and flames are pouring out and people are coughing and crying all around us. It's complete madness and for a moment I let that fear engulf me.

What if I'm too late and I've lost Cole before I actually get a chance with him? What if Quinn and Brynn lose the love of their lives because of this? Our lives, our world will never be the same again. Two children will never know their father. All because of Lindsey's greed.

Losing my mind, worried about this and Cole, I decide to take matters into my own hands. Waiting for the authorities to do something has only cost all of us. I'm done standing on the sidelines waiting for someone else to save the day.

In the chaos of the collapse, I spotted a gun on the seat of the police car. My thoughts run for a minute - what if I was the one who saved the day?

Without being noticed, I grab the gun and tuck it in the back of my pants. Pulling the sweatshirt over the gun, no one will ever know I have it. It's not like anyone is paying attention to me.

There's craziness all around me. People are crying, scared, hurt. All because of one person. If I lose Cole, I'll make sure his death wasn't for nothing. I'll make sure the person responsible is accountable for his actions. I'll make sure he pays for what he's done.  Quietly I slipped away from the chaos and went looking to end this once and for all.

Heading back into town, I'm betting Todd thinks he got away with murdering all those people. I'm betting he thinks he isn't a suspect of doing anything but delivering flowers to his boss. I'm betting he's real relaxed and satisfied with himself for what he's done.

I'll make sure he pays.

Seeing movement out of the corner of my eye as I walk along the sidewalk, I see movement in the flower shop on the opposite side of the street. Stopping where I was, I look over and watch, spotting Todd in there, setting out a new display as if nothing has happened.

He won't get away with this.

Carefully I backtrack and go to the back of the building. I know my building. I know where everything is. I know how to get in and out without being noticed. I can get in without making a sound and I can surprise him. Knowing my way around, I slip into the alley, and hurry in the shadows down to my  building. Pressed against the side of the building, I sneak past a door, around a window and stay out of sight.

Todd is whistling inside, happy as a clam. He must be so proud of himself. Son of a bitch!

Pulling the gun from the back of my pants, I cock the gun and aim as I step around the corner. "It's over Todd!"

"What? Mia?" He looks confused. I guess he thought he killed me. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." He seemed a little nervous but too at home in my shop for comfort. It hit me then that he was at home here. He had made this his place. "This is my shop. And you came looking for a job right when things were getting tough for the Bradford's. You just happened to need a job when Georgia asked me to come work for her. But that wasn't a coincidence, was it?"

A slow devious smile came to Todd's face. As if he was getting the chance he had been waiting for. "I love this place as much as you do, Mia."

"I doubt that."

He smiled, and began walking, circling me as if he was the threat and not me. Not willing to be a victim again, I followed him with the gun aimed at his chest. He won't get the best of me.

"Mia, I would never have hurt you if you had just stayed where you belonged." Oh. My. God. "I wouldn't have let Lindsey do anything to you but you just had to get involved with the Bradford's. You had to step out of your line. I tried to warn you... but you just didn't listen."

"Warn me? You never warned me about anything!" I argued. He won't be turning this around on me.

"Didn't you get stung by the bees? Didn't you get hurt? I left you messages. Telling you to get home safe. I told you to be careful. I said that you should stay away from them, from Cole. But just kept going to him, every time something happened you ran to him." Todd, waved his arms as he talked. Frustration was turning into anger, anger into rage.

"You never said anything about staying away from them. Why would you want to hurt them? The Bradfords have only helped the people in Moss Bluff." Everyone but the Markham family.

"They killed my dad! They killed my mother! My aunt is in jail and crazy because of them! And you don't understand why I want them dead!?" Todd raged and I stepped back, the gun shook in my hand.

"Who are your parents, Todd?" I have a suspicion, I already know the answer.

"The Mayor! Mayor Markham and Lena Markham! They killed them and they're going to pay!"

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