He had a plan. They didn’t want him to help, and even when he’d been a victim last year in the shelter blaze, he’d been pushed aside and never given a second glance. Except by her. She was beautiful, angelic, sweet, and compassionate. A pure angel, who asked him if he was hurt, helped him to drink water, and even bandaged up his arm that had a cut on it.
But then a firefighter needed help, and she’d apparently known them and left him for them as one called her over. He died because of that. His whole plan evolved into something even greater that day. He thought of her again. He vowed that she would be his prize, his reward for making them all suffer for not believing in him, for not letting him into their circle. He had what it took. He understood the minds of people who started fires. He’d done so much research, too.
That dick she was with, Parker, he deserved to die. Parker got the position and was starting as rookie firefighter. It wasn’t fair. That should have been my name on that list, and instead they said I’m crazy? I don’t pass their tests? Had they even watched me perform? Had they even taken into account my last, the pain, the experience of being a victim of a fire and not seen it as a power and incentive to save lives? Stupid fucking control freaks. All of them should burn in hell. A hell he brought onto them.
He calmed his breathing. He couldn’t draw attention to himself. There were cameras everywhere. He had to be more careful. He lowered his head and then wiped his hand along his face and then the back of his neck. He watched the firefighters in their gear, and he thought of her.
She was impressed with the profession, with her boyfriend’s big muscles and military background. He could show her that he was way better than that muscle-head dick. It had been months since he had seen her and searched for her. But he knew where she was. She had to be working at the Red Cross or perhaps on a trip doing some other volunteer work. She was an angel. His angel. He wouldn’t let another man near her. She needed to stay pure for him. New goals were set. Just a few more people to kill, and then he could find his prize and end it all once and for all. He’d find out where she’d gone. Nothing would stand in the way of having her and fulfilling his fantasy and completing his revenge. Nothing.
* * * *
C.C. was a bit nervous. When Burt told her about the house for rent and how cheap it was, she couldn’t believe her ears. It was definitely something she could afford. But then he said the landlords were Kyle and his brothers, who lived right next door. Her heart was racing as she rode her bike down the last block before the house. Kyle and Mercury were such attractive men. Although Kyle hadn’t been as friendly as he’d been when she first met him that day her car broke down, he was still polite. She heard a few women talk about the men, four brothers who had attitudes and were stuck up. She didn’t think Mercury or Kyle were like that, though she hadn’t met the other two.
As she pedaled along, she found the house and gasped. It was so pretty. It was small, beautifully landscaped, and even had a white picket fence surrounding the whole thing. There was patio from what she could see and even a front porch with room for two rocking chairs. It was adorable. Excitement filled her belly. She hated the crappy apartment she was staying in, and the landlord there was a fat pervert. Just this morning he’d creeped her out when she heard her door knob jiggling after she had just gotten out of the shower.
She’d put on her clothes as the door opened, but she had put a deadbolt on the top. “What are you doing?” she had asked him.
“Checking on you. I thought I heard a noise. Hey, what is with the deadbolt? That’s not allowed,” he reprimanded her.
“Thank God I put it on. You can’t just barge in here. What do you want?” she asked through the small gap in the door.
He looked her over, and she wished she’d had time to put on a bra, but she’d thought someone was breaking into her apartment. If she had wasted the extra time, the pervert could have gotten in by then.
“Just wanted to see if you needed to work out another deal for paying. You’re due tomorrow morning for the rent, but maybe we could work out a deal?”
“What?”
“Open the door and we’ll talk about it, sweetheart. Listen to daddy, and it will work out just fine.”
“Not happening, asshole, and if you try to come in here, I’ll call the police and have you arrested.”
She slammed the door closed, and he banged on it, calling her a fucking whore and telling her that she better have the rent by end of today or he would get it from her another way.
She was so scared she didn’t know what to do and called Burt. He and Jerome, along with the sheriff, Jake McCurran, who was also Burt’s son, came to the apartment. They moved all her stuff out, and Jake did something to the landlord because the man gave her the two months of payments for the rent she’d already paid.
Then Burt and even Jerome offered for her to stay at their place in the spare bedroom, but she didn’t feel comfortable. They understood, and Burt told her about this house for rent. They’d even been going to bring her here, but she didn’t want to keep owing them favors, plus she was so upset and fired up about the landlord that she needed to ride the bike to get rid of the nervous, angry energy she had.
Before she’d even parked her bike, she heard a screen door open and close. Turning toward the right, she saw Kyle coming out of the big house that was right next to the small white one. She swallowed hard. He lived that close? Oh God. He gave a wave, and she waved back.
As soon as he got close to her, she reached out her hand.
“Thank you for meeting me on such short notice,” she said, and when they shook hands, she hadn’t expected the zap of attraction to hit her. Apparently it hit Kyle, too, because he held her gaze and didn’t let go of her hand for a moment. She pulled back and wiped her hands on her shorts.
“You rode your bike here from over the bridge?” he asked, sounding concerned.
“No, from Burt’s house. I thought he told you what happened.”
“No, what happened?” he asked her, and she didn’t want to explain.
It was embarrassing enough, and she was still angry. Plus, Jake had been furious and had explained to her that she was protected around here and that she should definitely consider looking at the house Kyle and his brothers were renting. She felt he was being very sincere and caring. She liked that about Jake and about this town, so she had Burt set things up.
“Oh, just that I had to leave my other apartment and find something immediately. It was a surprise this morning. I have my stuff at Burt’s for now.”
“That’s crazy. The landlord didn’t give you notice?” he asked, sounding angry.
She figured she’d better lie to him because if he got angry over something as little as that then he might really flip out like Jake, Burt and Jerome had at what really transpired at her old apartment.
“He said he put a notice under my door a few days ago, but I never got it. Anyway, tell me about this place. It’s so pretty.”
“Let me show you around.”
She followed him up the small driveway and to the front door. He pulled a key from his camo shorts, and she stared at his back. A dark black T-shirt stretched across bulging muscles. His blonde hair was cut super short, and even his face had definition and appeared carved and firm. He smelled really good too, and she had to turn away when he glanced at her as he opened the door so he wouldn’t see her staring. Well, drooling.
He stepped aside and motioned for her to enter first.
“I’m sorry if it smells a little stale. I come over once a week or so to open the windows if we’re not too busy at the shop or have plans. But I did have it cleaned professionally a few months ago.”
She looked around, shocked at how open and nice it was.
“It’s not bad in here at all. You should have seen the apartment I just left.” She walked over toward the front window and opened the curtains. The sun came shining through and made the place look even brighter.
“There’s only one bedroom, but t
“Get out. Really?” she asked, sounding all excited to her own ears. She walked down the hallway and found the bathroom. She was shocked. It was new and gorgeous.
“And what did you want for rent a month?” she asked.
“Five hundred, and that includes utilities. Plus one of us maintains the lawn.”
“Oh, I could probably do that, too.”
He crossed his arms in front of his massive, muscular chest as he took up the doorway with his body.
“I don’t remember seeing a lawnmower in the back of that Caddy of yours,” he said to her, and she felt her cheeks warm.
“You’re right. Okay, you take care of the landscaping.”
He smirked. “It will be me or one of my other brothers.”
“How many brothers?” she asked.
“Four of us. You met Mercury before, Frank was at the shop. and then there’s Jenks, who is around the least. How about you, any siblings?”
“A sister.” She then sealed her lips and walked out of the bathroom and toward the bedroom. It was a nice size, too.
“Will it do?” he asked her.
She pressed her hand on the bed. It was a nice, firm queen-sized mattress.
“Want to see the backyard off the kitchen?” he asked her, and she nodded.
He let her go first, and she couldn’t help but feel self-conscious that he was checking her out. The last couple of months riding her bike had definitely firmed up her body and even made her drop a few inches. But she was still not tiny, especially up top. It was hot in the house without the AC on or any windows open.
As she went to open the sliding glass doors to the backyard after checking out the kitchen, she couldn’t open it. As she tried again and fumbled with the small silver lock, she felt the hands go over hers.
It was a shock to feel Kyle so close, his arms on either side of her, and then he lifted the little silver lever and pulled back. It opened smoothly.
“That was tricky.”
“You’ll figure it out,” he whispered as she looked up at him over her shoulder.
“I’ll have to. I can’t be calling the landlord every time I want to go in the backyard,” she said jokingly.
“I’d come over, no problem.”
She swallowed hard and moved out the door before she did something stupid like kiss her landlord. But holy shit, she was completely attracted to the man. He was hot, and he was quiet, and that intensity showed in his eyes and facial expression. As the patio came into view, along with a nice little backyard, some flower planter boxes, and even lounge chairs to sunbathe in, she knew she was going to love this place. She saw the neighbors had a pool next door and that Kyle and his brothers had a fenced-in yard with another fence that had some slats in it, but she could see what appeared like a large in-ground pool, cabana, and patio.
She turned to look at him. “I’m definitely interested. When can I move in?”
“Whenever you’re ready. It’s vacant. I just need to call the utility companies and set things up for you. The TV is old so you may want to get a new one.”
“I don’t watch TV. So that’s fine. When do you need the first payment for rent?”
“When you move in.”
“Is today okay?” she asked him.
He squinted at her. “Seriously?”
“Well, I don’t want to impose on Burt and stay at his place, plus I’ve only known him for a couple of months. I would prefer to just get in here and spend the day cleaning and moving in. I don’t have much anyway. It’s all in Burt’s truck.”
“Then I’ll get the paperwork, and here’s the key.” He took her hand, lifted it palm upward, and placed the key in it.
“Welcome to my neighborhood, C.C.”
He held her gaze, and her entire body erupted in excitement and arousal. He was one landlord she wouldn’t mind coming over, knocking on her door, and asking for some sugar. She cleared her head, felt her cheeks warm from her thoughts, and smiled.
“Thank you, Kyle, and thank your brothers, too. I’m going to call Burt. Then I’ll ride out and buy some cleaning stuff.”
“No need. There’s things inside to use, and I have a bunch of stuff at our house.”
“That’s very kind of you, but I don’t want to be that kind of renter.”
“What kind would that be?”
“The one who is always hounding the landlord for things. I’ll figure it out.” She then pulled out her cell phone. She watched Kyle walk across the grass and then toward his house to get the paperwork. Then she called Burt.
Things were definitely getting better.
* * * *
Frank was closing up the shop when Jake McCurran stopped by. Frank walked over and shook his hand, as Jake remained in the sheriff’s patrol truck.
“How’s it going?”
“Long day.”
“Well, those are the good ones. It’s the short days that make us worry.” Frank nodded.
“How’s everything with you? How is Michaela?”
“Things are good and keeping busy. Getting ready for fall festivals to start up. Michaela is doing well. She’s been helping out Nina at the bakery a bunch.”
“I haven’t been there in a while. I was addicted to those mini apple pies she makes and then started feeling it in my jeans and had to slow down.” Jake chuckled.
“She’s an amazing baker. She was having a little testing this morning, but I got a call I needed to go on and missed out. Hoping Serefina grabbed some samples for me at home.”
“Hope the call was worth missing out on that.”
“You didn’t hear?”
“Hear what?”
“Did your brother Kyle tell you that C.C. from The Station is renting your place now? She just moved in.”
“Oh yeah, he gave a call earlier and said she was interested. But what does that have to do with the call you went on?”
“Shit, I thought she would have mentioned it to Kyle, or maybe even Burt or Jerome would have said something. Her landlord tried to break into her apartment when she was in the shower.”
“What?” Frank asked, feeling the instant anger hit his gut.
“Yeah, that jerk had the nerve to ask her to pay for the rent in other ways, if you know what I mean.”
“Shit, is she okay? Did he hurt her?” Frank asked. Jake looked at him, surprised.
“She shut the door in his face. Apparently she’d added a deadbolt to the door as security without informing the landlord. If she hadn’t things could have turned out differently. The guy is a real loser. She did the right thing and called Burt. He called me, and we headed right over there.
“Is she going to press charges?”
“No. He really didn’t force his way in or touch her, plus I had a talk with him, so things were clarified. It was perfect that you guys still have that house for rent. She’ll be a lot safer with you guys nearby.”
“Yeah, well, I’m sure Kyle can keep an eye on her.”
“You saying you’re not interested?” Jake asked.
Frank raised one of his eyebrows at Jake. “I don’t even know the woman. Met her once months ago.”
“Just saying that things have a way of working themselves out. She’s a sweet young woman. She used to live in New York.”
“That’s all you know about her?”
“Well, my plan is to ask more questions, but we’ll see. Anyway, I’ll let you go so you can get home.”
“Thanks. Take care.” He watched Jake leave.
As Frank got into his truck, he couldn’t help but to think about C.C. He was so pissed off that some guy had tried to force his way into her apartment and then ask her to pay with sexual favors instead of cash. He’d like to meet that landlord and knock his fucking teeth out. Then he wondered why Kyle hadn’t mentioned it this morning when he had to leave work to show her the apartment. Was his brother thinking about making a move on C.C.? Why did the thought instantly make Frank feel a little jealous? He was shocked. He hardly knew the woman. But she was very pretty and had a knock-out body. Maybe Kyle was just looking to fool around with her? Shit, why would I think that? Why did that feeling of jealousy, even interest, grow? Oh hell. He’d have to ask Kyle when he got home.
As Frank headed down the side street to the cul-de-sac where they lived, he saw the lights on in the small cottage next to his house. Through the open curtains, he could see C.C. cleaning up the kitchen. As he pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine, he glanced back that way.
That was when he saw the front door open. C.C. came outside and sat down on the front step. She ran her hand through her hair and re-did the pony tail in her hair. He got out of his truck and closed the door. He reached into the back of the truck to grab the duffel bag he kept in there, and as he turned back, he caught sight of her. Their gazes locked, and she waved.
“Hi, Frank!” she exclaimed.
He gave a half wave, not really knowing how to react to her. People said hello all the time in the neighborhood, and he just nodded, but for some reason, he instantly reacted to her with more enthusiasm.
He turned around and headed toward his front door but not before noticing she was still watching him. Had she expected him to converse more? That wasn’t him. Never had been. He kept to himself, and he was fine with that. He hoped she wasn’t going to be one of those annoying needy tenants.
He walked inside to find Kyle hanging out in the living room.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Not much. What’s going on with you? Where are Jenks and Mercury?” Frank asked as he dropped the duffel bag by the stairs and headed toward the kitchen. Kyle followed.
“Both working, but they’re off Sunday. Mom and the Dads are coming over for a barbecue.”
Frank looked at him. He loved their parents, but their mom always worried about them, especially him and his lack of being social.
“I brought some cold cuts for sandwiches. Wasn’t sure who would be around for dinner, other than you and me,” Kyle said as he sat down at the table.
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