Free Burn For Him by Kristan Belle Page B

standing solemnly off to one side. The moment that he saw the pain in my eyes, he crouched down next to me and put his strong arms around my shoulders. I buried my face into the curve of his neck. What the hell had happened here? It was too much for me to think about. I couldn’t seem to keep my thoughts straight. What had happened to Destiny?
    “Carrie? Do you know her?” Milligan asked me gently.
    I pulled my head back to look at him. It was strange to think that I didn’t even know this guy, but he was giving me untold comfort. Having him at my side was giving me strength.
    “She’s called Destiny. She’s my best friend.” I looked over at Harper, who was watching us with a strange expression on his face. “She’s our best friend.” I added as I reached over to take Harper’s hand.
    I didn’t find it strange that Milligan didn’t remember her. After all, he had only had eyes for me when we were introduced. Plus, even I found it hard to recognise her like that. She looked bloody and broken.
    “Harper? What the hell happened to her?” My voice broke.
    Who would have ever thought that the night would have ended up like this? I heard Milligan move away slightly to talk to some of his staff who were trying to thin out the crowd of people that were gawking at us, making sure that the medics had room to get through. All the while, he kept his hand at the small of my back, reassuring me that he was still there and not leaving.
    “She fell.” Harper replied simply, not taking his eyes off of Destiny’s still form and grasping tightly to my hand.
    “Will she be okay?”
    “I’m no doctor, Carrie. But, she’s alive. And as they say, where there’s life, there’s hope.” I sagged against Harper when he said that. She looked so still, but I didn’t want to think the worst.
    I looked up the staircase. Perhaps she had caught her foot on the carpet? Like I had? Glancing up, I saw Michelle standing at the top of the stairs, her hand over her mouth and tears streaming down her face. I glanced at Harper, the question in my eyes clear. He shook his head slightly. I knew what that meant. He couldn’t go and comfort Michelle. He had only just met the girl. He couldn’t leave Destiny lying alone on the floor to go and see to a complete stranger. Our friendship was stronger than that.
    Milligan returned to my side, holding my other hand that was free and squeezing it reassuringly. I knew that he wouldn’t be going anywhere. This was his club and the accident would have to be investigated. But, even if he was still only there for his business interests, then I was glad about it. His touch gave me warmth.
    I wished that Michelle would come and put an arm around Harper. He needed something like that, just as much as I did.
    “The paramedics are here.” Milligan said softly as soon as he received word of their arrival. I looked behind us to see the uniformed men rushing towards us.
    “Do you want me to give you a ride to the hospital? We could set off now and meet them when they get there.”
    I turned to look at Milligan. His face was a mask of concern, but I knew that it wasn’t just concern for his business. He was genuinely concerned for Dee, and for me. I turned to glance at Harper, not knowing what to do for the best.
    “You are in no state to drive. Neither of you are. Let me help you. I’ll drive you both there.” I nodded dumbly as Milligan turned to speak quietly to Harper and within seconds, we were getting hustled out of the club via a rear exit.
    “I shouldn’t be leaving her.”
    “It makes more sense for us to meet her there. It gives the medics room to help her without us cluttering up their space. There’s nothing more we could have done for her there.” Harper insisted, taking my hand again.
    “But, she’s all alone.” My voice was threatening to crack.
    “Not for long she isn’t.” Milligan put an arm around my waist to help me down the remaining stairs. “She’ll have both of you