Burning Hearts

by Marci Bolden

  “I’m okay,” Josh insisted, his voice sounding cartoonishly high-pitched from the inflammation pinching off his nostrils.

  Holly lowered her hands from his puffy cheeks. “I agree with Eva. It’s definitely broken. You should get it set by a physician.”

  “I am a physician.”

  “For corpses,” Eva snapped.

  Instead of acknowledging her comment, he touched his nose but instantly flinched and jerked away from his own contact. She rolled her eyes, shoved herself from where she’d been leaning against the counter, and opened the freezer. He’d used the only ice pack she’d put in there when they moved in. It had thawed too much to be useful, but there were several bags of frozen vegetables.

  “Tells us one more time,” Holly pushed. “What happened?”

  “I was in the gym. Price and Tremant were acting odd. I clearly interrupted a conversation. I hit record on my phone and—”

  “In the locker room, Joshua,” Eva barked, selecting a bag of peas. “What happened in the locker room?”

  “I’d just gotten to the door when someone shoved it open and hit my face. I thought it was an accident, but then he hit me again. I fell to my knees, holding my face, and he came in. He patted me down and then stole my bag with my keys and phone inside. I was too dazed to follow him.”

  “Did you get a look at him?” Holly asked. “Even a glimpse to give you an idea of how tall he was or how much he weighed?”

  He accepted the frozen veggies Eva held out to him. “No, I guess I didn’t.”

  “I want your locks changed tonight,” Holly told Eva.

  She gnawed at her lip, rolling Wendi’s interview through her mind. “Wendi had lost her keys. Only temporarily, but long enough for someone to make an impression to get a copy made. That took planning. This attack on Josh doesn’t seem well planned. I’m guessing he took Josh’s keys to gain access to our condo and put in cameras. Once he does, we have him. Busted.”

  “If this really is Tremant, as you suspect, and Price is working with him, they know better than to put cameras in your condo,” Holly said.

  “Do they? Or are they so cocky they’d try it anyway?”

  Holly pushed herself up from the table and yanked off the latex gloves she’d been wearing to examine Josh’s face. “Josh was attacked, Eva. Violently.”

  “I bet you anything that’s what Tremant and Price were plotting in the gym. How to get keys to this condo and install cameras to find out what I know. As soon as they saw Josh in the gym, they saw their chance and went for it.”

  Holly started shaking her head before Eva finished. “Why would Price have to attack Josh to get the keys? He likely kept a set when he moved you in.”

  Eva frowned, hating Holly’s logic. Before she could come up with a likely reason, Alexa opened the condo door and eased it closed behind her.

  Eva was certain she knew the answer to her question from the look on her teammate’s face, but she had to ask anyway. “Find anything?”

  “Nope. A custodian wiped down the scene before we got there.”

  “And once again I say, how fucking convenient.” Eva’s hard tone matched the set of her jaw. She focused on Holly and listed her circumstantial evidence, ticking the points off on her fingers. “Price lost the cameras, hired shitty security, and now his staff is cleaning up the scene of an assault before we can get a look?”

  Alexa winced as she looked at Josh’s rapidly blackening eyes. “But he hired us.”

  “Because he doesn’t think we can catch him.”

  Holly tossed the used gloves into the trash can and pumped soap into her palm. “Wouldn’t be the first time a man naturally assumed we were incompetent because of our genitalia.”

  Eva cocked her brows. “And it won’t be the first time we’ve proved a man wrong.”

  “Or the last,” Alexa added.

  “What are you going to do?” Holly asked.

  Eva tapped her fingers on the counter. “How many spycams do we have in the office?”

  “About six,” Alexa told her as Holly washed her hands.

  “That’s more than enough to catch a liar in a lie,” Eva said, already determining the best place to put her own hidden cameras.

  Josh hissed in pain as he put the peas to his face.

  “I’ll grab them tomorrow after our morning meeting.” Snatching up her car keys, Eva helped Josh stand. “Come on, Boy Wonder. Let’s go get your pretty little face fixed.”

  Though he was several inches taller, Josh rested his arm on her shoulder and accepted her support as they headed for the elevator. She kept her eyes out, scanning the area, more to avoid answering neighbors’ questions than out of any fear they were in danger.

  Word spread like wildfire around here, and she wanted to maintain positive control over whatever the story was that they’d give for Josh’s condition. That would be easier if they could get out of the building without being spotted.

  Relief washed over her when they made it all the way to her sedan and she was able to ease him into the passenger seat without being forced to come up with a lie. Once she was behind the steering wheel and backing out of her assigned parking spot, though, she glanced over. “We need a cover story.”

  “Basketball,” he said. “I got elbowed playing basketball.”

  She shrugged. “Good enough. Have you ever played basketball?”

  “Once. Jack invited me because someone on his team was sick.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “I sucked so bad they never invited me back.”

  She chuckled. “Not everyone can be an athlete, Josh.”

  He dropped his head back and moaned. “I’m sorry.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re right. I’m not cut out for this. I was trying to help.”

  Her heart tripped and broke a little at the defeat in his voice. Yeah, sure, she had said that. And, yeah, she was right, but she didn’t like hearing him sound so down on himself. “You did good.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “You tried good.” She glanced over at him and smiled when he turned his face to her. Chuckling, she put her hand on his, squeezing tight. “I’m sorry I was snappy. I don’t like seeing you hurt.”

  “I know.”

  Sighing, she focused on the drive to the hospital. She’d get his face fixed first. Then she’d work on making sure this never happened to him again.

  Josh eased onto the sofa with Eva’s help. His injury hadn’t been serious enough for the ER staff to rush, which meant they’d spent over two hours at the hospital. But his nose was set, and he had some extra-strength aspirin to help with the pain. Rolling his head back, he closed his eyes against the exhaustion and throbbing that pounded his face with each beat of his heart.

  “I should put you to bed,” Eva said gently.

  Thankfully she was aware of how much his head was aching and had taken pity on him. She’d kept her voice soft and driven with more care than he’d ever known her to. Nurture wasn’t a word he’d attribute to Eva most days, but she’d been hyperaware of his condition since arriving at the ER. At first she’d been angry, as if he had asked to get hurt, but then she’d calmed down and started showing some sympathy.

  His dad used to act that way, too. Once when he was about eight, Josh decided to build a lab in the backyard. His dad called it a “treehouse,” but it wasn’t; it was a scientific laboratory. Josh had barely gotten through cutting his first board when he dropped a handsaw. The sharp teeth caught and sliced his calf open. He’d fallen, holding his bleeding leg and screaming for his mom to help him. His dad had been so angry, Josh thought he surely must have ruined the tool he’d been using.

  Later, though, his mother explained that his dad didn’t handle worrying well. Instead of panicking, he got angry. Not angry at the person who was hurt—Josh, in that case—but angry at the world for allowing someone he loved to be injured. Once the apprehension eased, he wasn’t angry anymore.

  Just like Eva.
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  She’d been worried when she’d realized he’d been attacked. She’d been terrified when she saw his face bloodied. She’d been angry at the world for hurting him. If she hadn’t been, she wouldn’t have stood by the ER bed, checking her watch, wondering what was taking the doctor so long. Wondering if anyone understood that Josh was in pain. Chastising him, more than once, for getting hurt in the first place.

  She’d been scared. That made his chest blossom with warmth. Even if she didn’t express herself well.

  “Why are you smiling?” Eva asked, pulling him back to the living room. “You look like my Krav Maga class used you for practice.”

  His smile widened as he patted the sofa. “Come here.”

  She hesitated before sitting next to him. Once she did, he covered her clutched hands with one of his.

  “I’m okay, Eva.”

  “I know. The doctor said—”

  “Eva,” he said with gentle authority, something he rarely asserted with her. “I’m okay.”

  She closed her eyes and let out a slow breath. “I’m glad.”

  “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

  Lifting her brows as she pinned him with her gaze, she said, “This is why I didn’t want you here, Josh. It could be dangerous. You aren’t used to that.”

  He nodded. “I know. I get it now. But I’m not leaving you here alone.”

  “You’re starting self-defense classes as soon as I can get you in. Not just for this case but because you should know how to take care of yourself.”

  The role reversal here wasn’t lost on Josh. He, as the man, should be having this conversation with her, but Eva—as she tended to be—was ahead of him in that area. Her brown belt in the same martial arts the military used would have prevented this from happening to her. She had been right all along, not that he should be surprised. She could take care of herself. He couldn’t. And that needed to change. “I agree.”

  “Also, I’m teaching you how to shoot. No argument,” she demanded before he could challenge her. “I’ll take you to the range, and we’ll find a handgun you are comfortable with.”

  Instead of repeating his dislike for guns—as a coroner, he was far too familiar with the damage they could do—he squeezed her hands. “Did you look to see if any cameras had been placed since we left?” he whispered.

  “Not yet.”

  “Go ahead. I’m fine.”

  She held his gaze for several breaths before heading into the bedroom. He sat on the sofa while she went through her routine of scanning for heat signatures and then using an infrared camera, making certain they weren’t being recorded. When she put her camera down, she held her hand out to him.

  “Come on, Joshie.” She said the nickname with affection instead of her usual acrimony.

  He accepted her extended hand and stood slowly so as not to unsettle his head. He brushed his hand over her hair. “Thanks, Eva…ie.”

  She snickered. “That doesn’t even sound right.”

  “Neither does Joshie, but I don’t correct you.”

  “Anymore,” they said in unison. The moment made him smile while she let out a little laugh.

  “Let’s get you to bed,” she whispered.

  Something in the air shifted around them, something sparked, something felt too familiar. He used to stand this close to her all the time. He used to dip his head down the few inches that parted them and kiss her. She used to respond.

  However, when he pulled her to close the distance between them, she turned her face at the last moment and his lips brushed her cheek. His heart shattered under the weight of crushing disappointment. Resting his head to hers, he considered apologizing, but he didn’t want to. Because he wasn’t sorry. He was sad that she didn’t reciprocate his desire, but he wasn’t sorry that he’d tried.

  Eva audibly exhaled in what he was certain was frustration. He couldn’t blame her, really. Just the night before, as they’d sat naked in the bathtub, she’d told him it would be a mistake to have sex. How could he think kissing her would somehow not be an error in her mind?

  But then she surprised him.

  Fisting his T-shirt, she held him in place as she turned enough to claim his mouth. Not in the soft and seductive way he had intended, but in a possessive kiss that reminded him that she would never give an inch unless she wanted to. Her lips crushed against his before parting enough for her tongue to dart across his bottom lip. A moment after bringing the flesh to life with her touch, she sank her teeth into it with a teasing bite that had always led to so much more.

  Sliding one hand up his chest, over his shoulder, and into his hair, she tugged him closer so she could deepen the kiss on her terms. He didn’t complain. He put his hands to her hips, brought her body against his, and let her have control of their mouths. She could dominate him as she wanted. She could set whatever pace she wanted. He didn’t mind at all.

  Other than sliding his arms around her and pressing his erection into her stomach, he didn’t exert an ounce of power. After another thorough brushing of her tongue against his, she pushed him back and stared into his eyes. The kiss was brief but intense, just as the intimate stage of their relationship had been. She panted, licked her lip, and released her hold on his head as she stepped back.

  For a moment he thought the fire in her eyes was going to lead to something more than a hot kiss. Maybe she was going to toss him down and tear his clothes off. He was certain the idea played across her mind. But she didn’t act on it. She took another step back, putting more space between them.

  “Go to bed, Joshua,” she insisted. “You need your rest.”

  Though he was disappointed that she wouldn’t take advantage of his weakened state, he couldn’t deny how happy he was at this little turn of events. His lip twitched, but he managed to suppress his excited smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

  He walked into the bathroom and stopped in front of the mirror, not even seeing his wound. When he’d offered to stay with Eva, he’d never imagined they’d somehow find themselves on the path to getting back together. He had hoped on some level but never allowed himself to believe it. They were this close now. He could sense it.

  Jealousy. Hot baths. Cuddling as they fell asleep. A hot kiss.

  None of those things would have happened if they weren’t leading to something bigger. He wasn’t going to push Eva, that never worked with her, but he’d be persistent. He’d stay the course. And, if push came to shove, he’d make it a point to run into Courtney.

  11

  The morning meeting started just as Sam sashayed into the conference room. Nobody could possibly walk on those heels. Sashaying was the only option. Which was completely unprofessional for a staff member of a private investigation agency. Why the hell did Holly allow that?

  Eva tried to tamp down the irritation she felt. Sam wasn’t to blame for her foul mood. Eva had done that all on her own. She’d kissed Josh. Why had she done that? That was stupid. So stupid. She’d had to stay up late to ensure he was asleep before she slipped into the bed they were sharing. Then she’d woken up early, tiptoed her way through getting ready, and said good-bye to him as if she hadn’t intentionally timed her departure to coincide with the alarm on his phone.

  She’d spent the rest of the morning fighting the urge to text and ask how he was doing. He was a grown man. He could take care of himself. He didn’t need her.

  But he kind of did. He had obviously appreciated her taking care of him the other night when he’d come home from work so upset. And then he’d said that he loved her, and she’d pretended she hadn’t heard him.

  She still didn’t understand why she had done that. Why hadn’t she just acknowledged his words? That would have been easier. She should have turned and asked if he’d meant it or if he was simply upset and was seeking comfort. But putting him on the spot like that wouldn’t have gotten her an honest answer. He would have felt bad for being caught in an emotional lie and stuttered his way around answering her. She would have blown up and sto
rmed off, and things would be even messier than they were post-passionate kiss.

  God, she hated how everything always got so messy. This should be cut and dry. Black and white. Or easy-peasy, lemon squeezy, as Josh would say with his ridiculously chipper outlook on life.

  A smile threatened to twitch at the corner of her mouth, but Eva forced it away. She should text him. Check on him. Make sure he’d gotten off to work okay. Like she should have done instead of rushing out of the condo like a chickenshit.

  She blinked when an elbow dug into her side. Looking at Sam, she glared, demanding an explanation for the assault with her hard stare.

  “Eva, are you okay?” Holly asked.

  Shit. Everyone was staring at her.

  Because she was at the morning meeting and was supposed to be listening to case reports and offering feedback and suggestions to her teammates. She’d been too caught up in her personal problems to even hear what her team was working on. Swallowing, she nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

  They didn’t believe her. None of them believed her. And none of them tried to hide their concern. Licking her lip, she looked at her notes. “Uh. The Jupiter Heights case. Well, you all know Josh was hurt last night after someone hit him in the face with a door and stole his bag. We haven’t found the bag yet, and his phone was turned off shortly after the incident, so there is no way to trace it. There were no signs that anyone broke into our condo last night. Um, Sam. Any luck finding out who the owner of the security company is?”

  “TNT Security. The owner is Shane Tremant.”

  Eva frowned. “Of course it is. That son of a bitch has his fingers in every pot in that building.”

  “I hope pot isn’t code for something.” Alexa snickered, and Eva actually grinned. “Oh, look, ladies. She does still have a sense of humor.”

  Eva sighed. “I’m sorry. This case is making me crazy.”

  Sam nudged her again. “And here we thought it was being stuck with Joshua.”

  She flicked her gaze to the woman on her right. Of all the women at HEARTS, Sam was the least likely to understand. She had a carefree attitude toward life and love and everything else. She had sobered up briefly after Holly’s last case had gone bad without warning, but for the most part, she’d bounced back from the incident unscathed. No. That wasn’t accurate. Sam hadn’t lost her carefree attitude, but she wasn’t quite as unaware as she used to be. A few months ago, she really didn’t understand why other members of the team took things so seriously.