Chapter 103 Unwanted Visitor
Dakota's P.O.V.
"I didn't know you were into computers," I say, stroking Ari's head.
"It's not something I brag about. My dad has always been more into the family business, but I'm a bit of a computer geek. It drove him nuts when I was a teenager. I would rather be at home messing with my computer than bashing someone's head in." I would have never pegged him as a computer guy like Noah.
"I think that's great. Noah won't stop talking about you, and that means a lot. He's not comfortable around many people." Ari smiles.
"He's a great guy. It was nice talking to someone about what I'm into rather than hiding it. Now, back to business. Have you thought about who could have planted that bomb in your garage?" I shake my head.
"No, but they had to have help from inside the compound. Your dad offered to let us stay at your place until we figured this out. I haven't told the others yet, but I think that's the best option right now. I don't want to stay with my parents. They want to help, but there may be some things I have to do that it's probably better if they don't know about. What do you think?" I run my fingers through his hair.
"I like that idea. Having you in my house and bed is a dream come true." I chuckle and shake my head.
"Slow down, Romeo. I think you'll be in the hospital for a while so your burns can heal. I made Xavier the head of my security. He has some injuries, too, but I want him in charge once he's better. He's the only one I can say for certain didn't plant the bomb. I don't think he would blow himself up." Ari looks over his shoulder at his bandaged back and sighs.
"Will you come every day to see me?" I shake my head.
"No, I can't do that because I'm not leaving. I'm staying right here until you go home. I'll be setting up camp while others investigate. I know we have cameras around the compound, but everyone who works there knows, too. It's somewhere to start, though." We both look up when there's a knock on the door. It's the police.
"Do you want to talk to them right now? I can get rid of them." I tell Ari.
"We don't know anything, so let's cooperate and get it over with." I wave for them to come in.
"Hi, Dakota, I don't know if you remember me." I look at the man who walks in, and my eyes widen.
"Officer Klein? What are you doing here?" I remember him because he was there when Harrison showed up at our house with a gun and when my mom got shot.
"I'm a detective now. When I heard what happened, I told my sergeant I wanted your case." I don't know how to react to that. This is another person who will see me as the little girl he remembers.
"I don't mean to be rude, but Ari was badly burned, so I'd like to get this over with as quickly as possible so he can rest," I tell Detective Klein and the officer with him.
"Sure. Can you start with what happened today?" Ari and I each tell them about going to lunch and the explosion right after we got out. They ask lots of questions about whose idea it was to take the SUV. When I said it was mine, they asked if anyone had been acting suspiciously around me. We answered all their questions, and 30 minutes later, they left with both our phone numbers.
"He didn't seem as bad as some detectives I've spoken to," Ari says.
"He came when my biological father held my mom and dad at gunpoint. My mom knocked the gun out of his hand, and Dad restrained him while I called the police. Detective Klein also came when my mom was shot by a man trying to kidnap her. He always treated us well." When I think about everything we went through when I was a kid, I can't believe we all survived.
"I remember Grandpa talking about your mom being shot. I think he met you guys right after that happened. It's no wonder you're so strong. You've always had strong people around you." I lean down to kiss him, but we're interrupted. I stand up when I see who it is.
"Oh, Ari, I came as soon as I heard. See, this is why you should be with me." Aubrey steps into the room, and I walk toward her.
"You came at the wrong time, bitch. All I can say is you're lucky we're in a hospital." She smirks and crosses her arms.
"Why, because you can't do what you want with so many witnesses?" she asks as she walks further into the room. I close the door behind her and close the shades on the little window of the door.
"No, because when I get done with you, they're going to need to put you back together again."