Second Chances (Eternal Flames Maddox Book 8)

by Maggie Walsh

  Dolly returned to her seat. “That would be real nice, Kingy.”

  “Why don’t we eat and then we can tell my mates we are going to give each other a chance to really get to know each other, and that you are going to be staying?” Destrain asked with a smile.

  Dolly returned the smile then picked up her fork. “I’d like that, Kingy.”

  Destrain had just taken a bite of his chicken, then asked, “Why did Clove not get the same treatment as I did?”

  Dolly snorted, “Because you are the king, Kingy. Clove is just my son’s mate. Besides, he has this calming effect that you should probably learn.”

  Leaning into the table, Dolly patted Destrain’s hand saying, “But it’s okay, Kingy. We’ll have that stick pulled out of your rump in no time at all.”

  CHAPTER 12

  “Why are you so fidgety, mate?” Clove asked as they sat at Twixie’s II waiting to order their lunch.

  Tobias looked over at his handsome mate and instantly some of his jitters disappeared. It was funny how one look from either Clove or Dezzy could ease his mind and relax him. “My meeting with Chief Wyndingo is in two hours and I know he’s just going to let me go. He said as much the last time we talked. My mom was right. I’ll never be a fireman,” Tobias said defeated.

  “Ouch! What the heck was that for, Mama?” Tobias asked as he rubbed the side of his head with his hand, trying to take the sting away from her slap.

  “Don’t you go putting no words in my mouth, young man. I have never said that you couldn’t be a fireman. Not ever. All I ever asked was if you were sure that’s what you wanted to do, seeing as our kind is so small, but not once, ever, have I doubted your ability to go after what you wanted or your ability to achieve it. Now stop the pity party and hold your head up high. Who is this Wingdigy person to say you can’t do anything anyhow?” Dolly asked as she stared at him, one hand on her hip, the other holding an order pad.

  “His name is Wyndingo and he’s the Fire Chief for the whole region, Mama. He’s the one who decides whether I cut the mustard, or not. My life is in his hands,” Tobias replied sadly, then dropped his head down onto his hands which were folded together on the table.

  Dolly smacked the side of his head again as she hissed, “Horse hockey. That man may be able to tell you he won’t hire you as a firefighter in this area, but he by no means holds your life in his hands. Stop talking so stupid. You have two wonderful mates now and a bright future with them. Even if you can’t be a fireman, you’ll find your place in this world. I just know it,” she said with conviction.

  Clove looked at her with a smirk as Tobias rubbed his head again. “Two wonderful mates? Aww, you’re a gem, Dolly.”

  She ran her hand down the front of her shirt to brush away some imaginary creases or crumbs as she too smirked. “Yeah, well, the jury is still in deliberation about Kingy,” she replied, then hurried to finish as Tobias tried to interrupt her. “But, after our talk the other day, I’ll be the first to admit he ain’t as high-falutin as I first thought he was and maybe the stick that’s rammed up his butt ain’t as big as I first imagined it to be.”

  “Thanks, Dolly, I like you too,” Destrain said as he joined them. Destrain kissed his mama on the temple, then took his seat on Tobias’s other side.

  His mama gave Destrain a genuine smile, which pleased Tobias immensely. Knowing that two people he loved so much were trying to work on whatever their issues were with one another, just for him, to make him happy, filled his heart with joy.

  “Okay, enough with the sappy stuff, what can I get you gentlemen to eat?” Dolly asked as she brought up her hand with the pad, then pulled a pencil out of her hair with the other and placed the tip to the paper.

  “Toby, sweetie, what would you like?” Clove asked.

  He placed his hand on his stomach and shook his head. “I don’t want anything. I’m so nervous, I don’t think I can eat right now.”

  “So, he’ll have the chicken fingers with mashed potatoes and coleslaw, and you, Clove?” Dolly asked.

  “Mama,” Tobias chastised in exasperation.

  “What? You need to eat. I know you’re a grown man now and have your mates, but I will still always be your Mama and I know that even though you’re stressing over this meeting for nothing, you’ll feel better and calmer once you have a full tummy. So, Clove sugar, what can I get you?”

  Tobias gave Dolly a small smile. “Thanks, Mama.”

  She smiled back and winked at him, then turned to Clove.

  “I think I’ll try today’s special. The Rocky Mountain Oysters sound interesting.”

  He and Destrain chuckled and his mama smirked big, her eyes sparkling as she wrote what Clove said on her order pad. Destrain cleared his throat then said, “Um, Clove honey, you do know what Rocky Mountain Oysters are, correct?”

  Clove closed his menu and placed it on the table, then gave Destrain a sweet smile. “Yes, Desi. I am perfectly aware of what oysters are. Don’t you remember how much I love seafood?”

  Tobias opened his mouth to correct Clove when his Mama placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a little squeeze. He looked up and met her gaze. Seeing the mischievous glint in her eye, he narrowed his eyes at her until Destrain said, “Yes, my love, I remember it well. So, he’ll have those, Dolly and I’ll take the Twixie’s original roast beef sub with a side of steamed broccoli and a sweet tea, please.”

  Tobias was shocked that Destrain wasn’t going to explain to Clove what Rocky Mountain Oysters really were and when he looked to his mate, he saw Destrain smirking at Dolly. Tobias looked back and forth between the two and saw something pass between them. They were having a bonding moment, at Clove’s expense of course, but a bonding moment all the same. He wasn’t going to be the one to crap on that, so Tobias kept his mouth shut and picked up his water glass to hide his own smile.

  “Perfect. Coming right up,” Dolly announced, then turned.

  “So, baby, you were saying about your meeting with―” Clove started, but was cut off when Edge, one of the Griffions who sat at the next table said, “But I ordered fries, Dolly.”

  “Eat a vegetable once in a while, it won’t kill you. Plus, broccoli is good for you. Eat it, you’ll like it.”

  “But it’s green,” Edge argued.

  “And your behind will be red if you talk to me like that again, young man. And just for that, I’m bringing you a salad too and I expect to see you eat the whole thing.”

  Tobias watched as Pelt shook his head and sighed. “Don’t fight it, dude, she’ll always win.”

  As Dolly walked past them, Tobias asked, “Mama, why don’t you give Edge what he ordered?”

  Dolly stopped, then looked over at the table of Griffions before turning back to meet his gaze. “I’ve been working here for four days now and not one of them boys ever orders a damn vegetable or a salad. Someone needs to look out for them.”

  “But, Mama, they’re all grown men and can make their own decisions,” Tobias protested.

  Dolly moved closer and bent down so their faces were level and only inches from each other. “None of them boys have a mama, Tobias.”

  “I know, Mama. They were created just as they are by Destrain’s brother, Dain.”

  Dolly straightened and put her hands on her hips. “Yes, I am fully aware of how Mr. Dain and the Pixies created the shifters, but no one should have to go through life without a mama. So, meet your new brothers, Tobias,” Dolly announced happily and waved her hand toward the Griffion table.

  Aracas, who sat with the Griffions, burst out laughing along with a few of the others, but some of them had eyes the size of saucers and filled with fear. Tobias shifted his gaze to Pelt and was surprised to find the man with a little smile on his lips, as he remained quiet and looked down at his plate.

  “Now, let me go get that order for ya’ll.” And with that, Dolly turned and headed into the kitchen.

  “That woman is a force of nature,” Destrain said as he chuckled. “Just the f
act that she completely changed my ballroom into a mancave in only a few hours proved that.”

  “Um, love,” Clove hedged and grasped Tobias’s hand.

  Tobias met Clove’s encouraging gaze and knew he had to fess up. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then turned to look at Destrain. “Dezzy, Mama didn’t do anything to the ballroom. It was all me. Well, I had some help from Twix and Rhys.”

  Destrain raised one brow and narrowed his eyes at Tobias. “You did all of that?”

  “Yes,” Tobias was quick to answer as he sat forward, more toward Destrain as his words hurriedly ran out in a flurry. “I just wanted to make somewhere the Griffions and guards could have where they would be able to just relax and let loose. They all work so hard and hardly ever come into town to let their hair down. They’re almost always on duty and when they do get time off, they just kind of walk around the palace grounds. That’s no fun at all, mate. I just wanted them to have somewhere they could call their own. Somewher―”

  Tobias was cut off when Destrain placed a finger over his lips. A smile tugged at the corners of Destrain’s mouth until it grew wide and his eyes filled with happiness. “It’s okay, love. I think it’s a wonderful idea and one I can see came right from your heart. I confess, I wasn’t happy with the change when I thought Dolly had just showed up in our home and appeared to be changing things and taking over, but now, knowing the reason behind the change, I approve. You’re right, love, the men do need a place they can just go to relax and have some fun. Thank you for thinking of them.”

  Tobias moved Destrain’s finger from his lips and said, “So you’re not mad at me?”

  Destrain reached out and wrapped his arms around Tobias, then dragged him onto his lap and kissed him tenderly. “No, mate, I am not mad at you. I love what you did too, if that helps. I was just upset because I thought it was Dolly taking over and trying to push me out of your life, but I’m not upset with you, and I haven’t been upset with her since our talk and meal together.”

  Tobias blew out a breath in relief as he sagged against Destrain’s chest. “Oh good.”

  Clove cleared his throat, grabbing the attention of them both. “So now you and Dolly are partners in crime, huh?”

  Destrain chuckled. “I wouldn’t go that far, my love.”

  Clove leaned over the table and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Then why did you both join forces to mess with me? Not that I’m complaining, because I actually like this new relationship you two have going. As I said, I know exactly what Rocky Mountain Oysters are.” Clove smirked and gave them a pointed look, causing Tobias and Destrain to both tense and gasp.

  Clove grabbed his glass of sweet tea and brought it to his lips as he shrugged. “You do know how much I like balls in my mouth.” And with that, he sipped from his glass as the three of them began laughing.

  * * * *

  Tobias and his mates walked down Main Street in Maddox, heading toward the far side of town so he could meet with Wyndingo and learn his fate. Tobias wasn’t sure what he was going to do once the Chief let him go, and he knew the man would, so he was starting to think of other things he might be good at.

  He had been so lost in thought that he hadn’t even realized that they had stopped walking until he heard Clove say, “Fire.”

  Tobias blinked his eyes and focused on what his mate was saying, then looked to where Clove was pointing.

  A block up the road, Tobias could see firemen from both Maddox firehouses, trying to put out a fire in one of the taller Maddox apartment complexes. It wasn’t that big, only a five-story structure, but it was long and wide with about twenty units inside. He immediately went in that direction and quickened his pace as they got closer.

  Once beside the fire truck, Tobias saw Devonte and ran to him. “Do you need an extra set of hands, Captain?”

  Devonte turned to look at him and shook his head. “No, but thanks, Tobias. We’ve got it just about under control.”

  “Is everyone out, Devonte?” Destrain asked.

  “Yes, Destrain. We were able to clear the building. Pauly has a few guys checking to see if everyone is accounted for.”

  “They’re not,” Tobias announced, pulling everyone attention to him.

  “What’s that, baby?” Destrain asked.

  “The people. Not everyone is out. There are still a few people in there.”

  Devonte shook his head as he insisted, “No way. We checked everywhere and found no one.”

  “I don’t care what you checked, Captain, there are people still trapped in that building. I can sense them,” Tobias said with conviction and an impressive growl for a ferret.

  He turned and immediately shifted, then scurried out of his pile of clothes and ran toward the building as everyone yelled from behind him to stay back. But Tobias couldn’t. He knew there were three people in the burning structure and if they didn’t get to them soon, those people would die.

  CHAPTER 13

  He could smell them and hear their heartbeats even with all the noise around him. The crackling of wood and hissing of fibers, along with the banging from the firemen and the whoosh of the water from the hoses were making so much noise, that Tobias was not surprised the others couldn’t hear the three trapped people. Even though shifters had advanced hearing, this racket around them was too much for even them. Ferrets were nearsighted but had a keen sense of hearing and smell.

  Stopping momentarily, Tobias closed his eyes and concentrated. He listened to everyone around him and was able to pick up the heartbeats of all his firefighter friends, but he was right, there were three extras. Now he just needed to locate them.

  Tobias scurried down a smoky hallway, but it didn’t affect him with him being so close to the floor. As he went, the heartbeats grew louder, and he knew he was on the right track. As he turned right at the corner, Tobias had to jump back and press tight against the wall or get stepped on and squished as one of the men in full gear came from the direction he wanted to go.

  He looked up and saw that it was Brax who had walked by with an ax in hand. His friend walked down the hall about ten feet then began to pound on the wall with the ax, breaking through the sheetrock. A small whimper came from the other direction and Tobias turned, then continued down the hall.

  Once at the end, he noticed there were no doors, only a set of stairs that led up. He quickly grabbed the first step and lifted himself onto it, then continued until he was exhausted. He had managed to climb two stories and made it to the third floor. Here he heard a soft cough and knew he was on the right floor. He made it to the heavy metal fire door, then shifted to human form.

  Tobias carefully placed his hand against the metal and was relieved to find the surface warm. Looking through the small window of glass he didn’t see any flames, and not too much smoke. He grabbed the handle, twisted, then pushed. Once inside, he allowed the door to close behind him with a bang and headed toward the far end of the hallway. There were a few turns and Tobias found himself at a set of elevator doors.

  “Shit!” he hissed then placed his ear to the metal and closed his eyes so he could concentrate.

  He heard the heartbeats and after about twenty seconds, Tobias heard the cough again, and knew it was coming from inside. Sniffing around the door, he could smell the three scents he had back when he stood outside. He needed to find a way in.

  “Holy fuck, Tobias is that you?” Onyx asked as he approached. “What the hell are you doing in here? And with no clothes.”

  “There are people in this elevator, Onyx,” he replied, ignoring his friends question.

  “We already checked the building, little man. It’s all clear.”

  Tobias shook his head frantically as he said, “No. There are three people in this elevator. I can hear and smell them.”

  “Nick’s guys have already been through this part of the building and gave the all clear.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you, Onyx, except that I know they are in here and will die if we don�
�t get them out,” Tobias insisted.

  Onyx stared at him for a moment, then gave a hard nod. “Okay, Tobias, let’s get them out. All the power has been cut to this building, so we need to get above it. Do you know where it’s stopped?”

  “It’s right above us. I can hear that they’re close, maybe a floor.”

  “Let’s head up and see if we can get those doors open before we have to attempt going into the shaft,” Onyx said, then grabbed his mic at his shoulder. “Captain, we have three souls trapped in an elevator between floors three and four at the north side of the building. I need back up. Tobias and I are on three heading up to four.”

  “Ten-four, Onyx, help is on the way. Tell Tobias to get his ass out of there,” Devonte ordered.

  Onyx looked at Tobias and crossed his arms over his chest, giving his friend a stern look, and then shook his head in protest.

  “Um…that’s a big no, Captain, Tobias is already on the move up to four.” Onyx released the mic and narrowed his eyes at Tobias as he pointed at him. “If I get any shit over this, I promise you will be stuck on toilet duty at the station for the next two damn years.”

  Tobias smiled as he nodded, then turned and took off down the hall and back to the stairs with Onyx on his heels.

  Once they reached the elevator on the fourth floor, Onyx began to feel around the edges of the door at the top to make sure there was no heat behind it. Tobias moved close and pressed his ear to the door as he called out, “Hello, can anyone hear me?”

  When they received no answer, Onyx looked at him and Tobias could see the disbelief and frustration in his friend’s eyes. “I swear they’re there, Onyx.”

  A small cough sounded from inside the elevator and Tobias smiled triumphantly. “Shit, there really is someone in there,” Onyx said.

  “Hello, can you hear me?” Tobias tried again, then sighed in relief when he received an answer.