I hear the sirens above the roar of the blaze. And then I hear the captain. “Get the arson investigator on the line. This is way too coincidental directly following the super being given the list of violations he had to fix to make this place habitable again.”
“We’ll perform our own investigation.” Definitely Snyder taking charge. “Your orders are to get Swanson to safety. We’ll take care of the rest.” His tone leaves nothing up for negotiation.
“Copy that.” The captain obviously picks up on Snyder’s tone.
Sweat pours down my face, stinging my eyes as it blurs my vision. Gasping for air, I belly crawl into the corner and eye the cast iron tub. That could work. I kick it to break the feet free of the floor and flip it over, positioning myself under it. Now, I wait.
And pray. Please, God. Let this work.
Shit. That super did this somehow. I don’t know how, since the son of a bitch is behind bars, but I know he did this. Burning the building to the ground means he doesn’t have to fix any of the violations and he’ll collect the insurance. I’m pissed he’s willing to risk the lives of all my firefighting brothers, all for a payout.
Then again, if it’s the super, why’s TREX involved? Is Murphy somehow behind this? Or Olivia Blunt? How’d either of them know about this building, know I’d be here? Unless they were having me followed.
Shit. That’s it. That car. The car that almost clipped me. Those men in the park. The same car again at Ryan’s. I’m being followed. Am I the only one? Did my appearance at my partner’s put him at risk? Or was his cover already blown? A deep foreboding sinks into my brain. What if Ryan’s accident was no accident? What if Murphy somehow arranged to have that girl turn in front of the scooter?
Something I plan to have TREX track down when I get out of here. If I get out of here.
Minutes pass and it grows harder and harder to take a breath. The heat is stifling, all-consuming. “Kayla,” I whisper. She can’t hear me and I know that, but it comforts me saying her name. I conjure up her pretty smile. “Don’t forget me.”
“There’s no way.” It’s Ryan. I close my eyes as tears stream out the corners. “There’s no forgetting Jake Swanson.”
“Ryan,” I choke on a sob and cough until I gag.
“I’m right here, buddy. I’m not leaving you.”
“Tell…Kayla…” Every breath grows more shallow as the fire surrounds me, robbing the room of oxygen. I’m not afraid to die. Everyone has their time. I just didn’t think mine would be when I’m only twenty-three. For the life of me, I can’t open my eyes. The heat is like a sauna, suffocating me as it closes in. The fire growls as it prepares to consume me, celebrating taking another victim. I try to take in air but can’t. It’s too hot. I cough and let out my last breath.
“Tell her what? Jake? Jake!” Ryan continues to yell for me, but I barely hear him.
As I fade, I feel the tub lift off me, then arms around me, lifting me. Something is dripping on my face. Only when I feel something over my mouth and the fuzz clears from my brain do I open my eyes.
I’m outside on the ground, oxygen over my mouth and nose. That something dripping is Kayla’s tears. She’s above me and is the most beautiful, welcome sight in the world. I reach to her. She grabs my hand and holds it against her wet cheek.
“What the hell are you doing?” she cries. With my free hand, I tap at her necklace around my neck. Her gaze drops to it. “Is that my grandmother’s necklace?” She then slams her glare to my face. “You broke into my old apartment to find my necklace? Why would you do that?”
“Love…you.”
“What is the matter with you? You could have been killed!”
I cough and take a deep breath of the oxygen. “Yeah.”
“I refuse to be in love with a man willing to risk his life for a necklace. Promise me you’ll never ever do anything this stupid ever again. If you do, I’ll kill you. Got it?”
“Got it,” I whisper. It’s all I have the strength for. With each breath I grow stronger, but I’m still weak. “Stay…with me.”
She squeezes my hand on her cheek. “Always. I’ll always stay with you, Jake Swanson. You crazy son of a bitch. Now I know how Emma feels about Ryan. It’s exactly how I feel about you. We really could give them a run for cutest couple.”
“Told you.”
“That is if I don’t kill you for doing this. Never scare me like this again, do you hear me? Never scare me again, Jake. I can’t lose you.”
I nod. “Yes, dear.”
She laughs and collapses on my chest, hugging me so tight I can’t breathe. But I don’t care. She loves me and that’s all that matters.
Out of the corner of my eye I spy a group of men and women in black heading toward the building. The largest man slows and turns to me. It’s Jackson. He nods. I nod in return. Then I read his lips. I’m still smoking you for this.
I chuckle and hug Kayla tighter. I’ll gladly take the smoking. I’m alive.
34
{Kayla}
End of summer
“And since we’ve combined the BIFD’s purchases with the diner’s, we’ve cut ten percent off the food costs.” I point at the chart I’m presenting to the Board of Directors for the Seattle Firefighter’s Association. I was nervous when I started, but now that I’m at the end of my presentation, I feel great. My confidence is through the roof, thanks to my schooling. That and Jake. I couldn’t have done this without that crazy man of mine.
“But that’s only three percent of the overhead we asked you to cut,” one of the board members points out. He’s the epitome of the crusty accountant, only worried about the bottom line. Up until a month before graduation, he’s exactly the sort of guy I thought I wanted. But then my friends stepped in and made that ridiculous deal with Jake.
And I learned to live. And to love.
I swipe to the next slide on my iPad and another chart appears on the big screen. “We already have the boot campaign approved at Bainbridge University. There’ll be a fireman’s boot positioned at every entrance into the CUB. We anticipate a two percent increase in revenue spread across the three firehouses on the island.”
“We told you to cut five percent, not find a way to increase revenue.” The accountant sounds board as he picks lint from his thousand-dollar suit. I grip my iPad and fight the urge to throw it at him. Instead, I go in for the kill. I know what I’m doing and refuse to let anyone shake my confidence. I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am to let a pompous asshat take it from me.
“If you’ll look at the screen, you’ll see where we can save significant dollars.”
The accountant, as well as his counterparts, stares at the screen, his expression slack. And then he stiffens when he spots what I wanted him to see. “You propose cutting our salary?”
“I propose you take the same cut you’re asking the departments to take,” I counter with a smile on my face. “If you cut your salaries by five percent, you save this department eight percent, which is more than you asked me to cut. Add that to the three percent I’ve already cut by combining the food purchases with the diner, and we’re looking at a total of eleven percent, or more than twice what you asked me to cut. That’s not including the revenue from the boot campaign.”
I set my iPad down and wait for their reaction. They don’t say anything else, which I expected. Captain Brantford nods as he covers his mouth to hide his grin.
“And why would we cut our salary?” the accountant asks.
“Yes,” another joins in. “That was never on the table.”
“These men put their lives on the line for complete strangers every day. Are their lives any less important than your cost of living?”
“But—”
“They don’t care what people make or what kind of car they drive. They only care about saving lives. Saving homes. Isn’t your home worth saving? Isn’t your life worth a measly five percent of your salary?”
“You’re talking five thousand dollars a ye
ar.”
I keep my smile inward. Now I know how much accountant number one makes. “That’s only a little over thirteen dollars a day. You probably spend that at lunch.”
“Miss Riggs,” another accountant-type jumps in. I honestly can’t tell the difference between any of them, they look that much alike. Tight-ass suits, every one of them. “We are not here to discuss cutting our salary.”
“Oh, I know.” I grab my iPad and swipe to the next slide. “This is what I presented to the Washington State Firefighters Association last week. They were so impressed, they’re cutting all administration’s budget by five percent. Congratulations, gentlemen. You’ve set a precedent.”
“This is not what we agreed to!” Accountant number one jumps to his feet. Even though I only come up to his chin, I’m the bigger person and we both know it. Damn does that feel good.
“If you’re going to demand cuts from the firehouses, be ready to reciprocate. It’s time to work together. In today’s economy, we can’t afford to think one person’s job is more important than another’s. If we don’t find a way to make this work, we’re all out a job.”
“You can’t do this.”
“Oh, believe me. I can. And if you go after any of the other firehouses on Bainbridge Island, I’ll be representing them as well. Thank you for your time, gentlemen. I’ll show myself out.” I grab my iPad and march out of the conference room, my head held high. I love my job.
The captain catches up to me. “Holy shit, Kayla. You’ve got some serious lady balls. Pardon the language.”
I laugh at how much he worries about his language around me. If he could only hear me when I stub my toe. I cuss for ten minutes straight and never repeat a word. “I think that went well.”
“I don’t think they knew what was coming. You hit them like a ton of bricks.” The admiration shines in his voice, as well as in his expression.
“I know the feeling,” a warm, masculine voice sounds behind me.
I whip around and spot Jake standing by the elevator. I run into his arms and kiss him. God, how I love this man. I would be well on my way to marrying one of those accountant types and working on settling into the rest of my boring life if it weren’t for Jake Swanson. I thank God for him every day.
“It went well,” the captain points out since I haven’t removed my lips from Jake’s. “Kayla scared them straight.”
“I can be pretty scary,” I finally say after pulling away.
“Don’t I know it.” Jake laughs when I elbow him in the ribs. I stare into his eyes, holding his gaze, never wanting to look away. “While you were in there, two more houses called needing your help.”
“What’d you tell them?”
“Yes.”
I smile and sigh. It’s amazing how things work out. I would have never figured I’d love a job like this. A consultant, fighting for the underdog. I have no idea if I’m going to have a job a year from now, but that doesn’t matter. I love what I do and get up excited to face the day. Of course, the daily orgasms help with that. They’re better than coffee at waking me up.
“Ready to go home?” Jake asks me and stretches. “I’m exhausted trying to keep up with you.”
“Don’t forget, Swanson.” The captain presses the button to call the elevator. “We have a new group of cadets starting in a few weeks. I expect you and Jordan to keep them in line.”
“Yes, sir.” Jake grins wide. And he was so worried he wouldn’t get hired on permanently after the fire at our old apartment building. Between the BIFD and TREX working together, they nailed the super for the fire. If Jake hadn’t been there, forcing them to save the building instead of letting it burn since it was on the hot sheet, the super would have gotten away with arson. Although neither of us are convinced the super acted alone, Jake assures me TREX is already on the case. I have no doubt they’ll find whoever really set that fire.
I shove my iPad under my arm. “Do you want to pick up a pizza on the way home?”
“I’d rather make pasta.”
I lean into him as we walk onto the elevator. “I do love your pasta seduction technique.”
“I knew it.” He kisses me. “You never fooled me for a minute. I knew I had you that first night when I made you dinner. No one can resist my pasta.”
He had me before that. “Is that a challenge?”
“I’m right here,” the captain says and clears his throat.
“Sorry.” I pull my arms back.
“It’s your fault we’re together, you know.” Jake grins at his captain.
“I’m one hell of a Cupid.”
“That you are,” I say and wink at Jake. He winks back. We keep stealing little flirty looks at each other.
“Still right here.” The captain stares at the numbers above the elevator doors. We laugh as the captain sighs. “Remind me to take the stairs next time.”
Epilogue
TREX HQ
Bailey fidgeted with the tablet in her hands as she anxiously awaited the arrival of their guest. She’d never met Vic Greene in person. He didn’t make personal appearances too often now that he’d retired to the Board of Trustees, promoting Dan Weber to the Senior Special Director role of TREX—he now oversaw the entire agency.
She wondered if she were still allowed to call him by his first name. He’d started out as Director Weber but soon grew into simply Dan, one half of the Webers, his wife JT making up the other half. Their kids Hunter, Stephanie, and now newborn Charlene joined the McKoys on most of their family outings. Would he still find time to do normal things now that he had to have regular meetings with the president?
Her phone buzzed. “Special Agent Bailey McKoy.”
“We’re five minutes out.” Even her BIL was on good behavior. No snide comments, no jabs at his best friend riding in the car with him.
“Copy that.” She ended the call and drew in a breath, wishing Jason were here. He’d find a way to calm her nerves. He always had that power over her. She needed his strength now. But alas, Jason was already onto his next assignment. Their time together grew shorter and shorter as the calls to duty seemed to happen more frequently.
As Jason said, “Too many assholes, not enough time.”
A black sedan pulled up in front in TREX’s HQ in Seattle and out stepped the new director of the entire agency, followed by the former director. Bailey’s mouth fell open at the sight. Vic Greene had to be seven feet tall. Huge shoulders, bald, with a scar taking up most of his left cheek.
David led both directors over to Bailey. “This is Bailey McKoy.”
“It’s an honor, sir.” She held out her hand.
Greene shook it firmly. Good Lord. This man’s hand was as big as her arm. “I’ve heard very good things about you, McKoy.” Wow. Even his voice was bigger-than-life, deep, intimidating.
“Thank you, sir.”
“McKoy’s new program is a success,” Weber explained. She’d always admired that about him. He never took credit for someone else’s triumph. He gave credit where credit due. “Her two recruits partnered up and got us our first solid lead on the Order in years.”
“Must be in the blood. Wasn’t it another McKoy who got us the lead before that?”
“Chris,” David pointed out.
He nodded, acknowledging the comment, but continued to regard Bailey. “Do you have more recruits lined up?”
“I’m working on that, sir.” How she was working on that. Now that the school year had ended, finding students willing to take on a paid internship were few and far between.
“I want names.”
“Isn’t that my call now?” Weber laughed, although Bailey caught that sideways look. She knew the director. He expected names on his desk by morning.
Greene laughed. “That it is, Dan. I need to hit the head before we dig more into Olivia Blunt.” He shakes his head. “I never thought she’d be one to betray me. D. Mara. Who would have thought her capable at masterminding something at this level? This one is gonna cut deep,
I can already feel it. Meet you all inside.”
Weber waited for Greene to disappear before regarding Bailey with those piercing blue eyes. “Tell me you have names.”
“I will by morning.”
He muttered a few select curses as he shook his head. “I brought him here to show off your new program, McKoy. Do not make me regret that decision.”
“No, sir.” She swallowed hard. Shit. She was so going to make him regret that decision.
“Lighten up, Dan.” David slapped him on the shoulder. “Our first two rookies were a success. Can’t we celebrate the win?”
“We didn’t get Murphy.”
“We got the super for the fire.”
Weber looked at him. “We both know the super was a pawn in this. It was Murphy. He paid the super’s bail all to have the guy set the fire. I’ve got Jeremy Bowman tracing the payout. We’ll get him.”
“You’re taking this even more personal than usual.”
“When he tried to take out one of our own, he declared war on TREX.”
Instead of David losing his jovial nature over the news, he simply chucked. “We’ve been at war with the Order since they actually did take out one of our own. Lighten up, my friend. Life is too short to be so serious all the time.”
“I’m always serious.”
“I know.” David rolled his eyes. When Weber punched him in the arm, he laughed harder. “We’ll get them, Dan. And their little dog, too.”
“You’re a pain in my ass, Snyder.”
David snuck up and planted a kiss over Weber’s ear. “Yep.”
“You asshole!” Weber raced after him as they both headed toward the building.
Bailey waited for them to disappear inside before glancing at the burner phone in her hand. Should she make the call? She was told to only use it in case of emergency. Did not having any new names for her program warrant an emergency? Considering the clout of the men now inside TREX HQ, that would be a solid yes. She dialed the number and waited.
The Heat Is On (TREX Rookies Book 2) Page 31
