Too Much Heat (Wounded Heroes: The Redemption #4)

Chapter 5

Joe sat in his office, ready to spit nails. All the guys on his crew visited Lara during their break and had taken over care of her husband so she could have a respite each day. A couple of them took him out on a retired firetruck. He bet that had been fun for the guy.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want them to help her. It was that he didn’t provide it. He’d been trying to stay away from her, but he could have done something for her, too.

To add insult to injury, she’d brought in dinner that she’d made at home. The savory scent of lasagna baking wafted back to him. His stomach growled.

He called up next month’s schedule on the computer.

A loud noise.

The fire station shook.

His chair knocked back against the bookshelves. Something hit his head. “Ah….” He righted himself and bounded out of his office.

What the fuck? Danny laid sprawled out on the floor. Gage and Pike had slammed against the wall in the common room and seemed dazed.

When he saw fire bloom in the kitchen, he grabbed the fire extinguisher, sidestepped Danny and sprayed their stove. Once he’d doused the flames, he dropped down next to Danny, who was waking up. “W-what happened?”

“Lay still, buddy.” He checked the kid’s airways and found his breathing escalated, then ran his hands over his limbs. Nothing broken. When Danny started to get up again, Joe barked, “No, stay there for a minute. The stove exploded.”

“ What ?”

The tinny smell of burning metal combined with the sweet scent of Italian food was nauseating.

Joe looked up. “Gage, Abe, you okay?”

“Yeah.” Both moved away from the shelves. Gage shrugged his shoulders a couple of times and Abe held his side. Abe said, “Sore is all.”

“Where’s Lara?” Gage asked.

“Take care of Danny,” he told their paramedic.

Again, Joe rolled to his feet and rushed to the bunkroom. When he found her on the floor leaning against the bunk, an intense sense of relief shot through his body.

She stared up at him. “What happened?”

“The stove exploded.”

Her big blue eyes widened. “Are the guys all right?”

“Minor injuries. You?”

She touched her hair. “I hit my head.”

Kneeling over her, he checked her scalp. “You got a goose egg again. No split skin, though.”

She rubbed her temples. “I have a killer headache.”

“I’ll get you ice.”

“I want to stand up.”

“No. Not yet.”

Back in the common room, he saw Danny lying on the couch, but awake. “How is he?”

“Miraculously, all right.” Abe scowled. “Lara?”

“Just a goose egg.” He hurried to his office for ice, then back to the bunkroom. He saw she’d eased herself up onto the bed even though he told her not to. He sat next to her. Applied the ice.

“Ouch.”

He tried to internalize all that had happened.

She said, “The stove is brand new.”

“I know. No reason for this to happen. Unless…” He thought about the holes in his backyard, his smashed windshield, the anonymous report that he and Lara were sexually involved.

“Unless what?”

The others entered the bunkroom, each holding one of Danny’s arms, so Joe didn’t have to say more. Best to keep his suspicions to himself. They helped Danny stretch out on his cot.

“Sit down, guys.”

“Was it an electric fire?” Pike asked.

“I don’t know. The stove needs to be checked out by an electrician.” And for an incendiary device, but he didn’t verbalize that suspicion.

Finally, Gabe broke the tense silence. “And here I thought it was Swanson’s lasagna that caused the explosion.”

They chuckled, even her. Joe took out his phone. “We’ll stay in here.” He punched in a number. “Stella, I need to talk to the Chief right away.”

“He’s in a meeting.”

“Get him out. We got a crisis at Engine 1.”

The chief came on. “This better be good, Romano.”

“The stove in our firehouse exploded.”

“Exploded?”

“A blast came from the kitchen. I’ve heard explosions before, Chief. This didn’t feel electrical and that stove’s brand new. It was on fire. The way it was burning was odd. I put it out with the fire extinguisher but I think you should call the arson squad.”

“That’s a pretty big leap. Anybody hurt?”

“Minor stuff.”

“I’ll be right there. Stay out of the kitchen.”

When Joe disconnected, he said, “Fuck it,” and called the police. Asked for the chief and was connected right away. Explained the situation.

The cops arrived before the fire chief. Chief Thomas and two officers entered the bunkroom. “You guys all right?”

“Yeah, shaken up.”

“Okay. We’ll take a look.”

Joe reiterated, “It sounded like an explosion.”

“So you said on the phone. Sit tight.”

After Thomas went out to the kitchen, they all waited in the bunkroom.

Lara set the ice pack on the bed and stood. “That’s enough ice. I need ibuprofen.” She left the room and he heard water running in the bathroom.

“I don’t get it,” Danny said propping himself up on pillows now. “Why would the stove explode?”

“Malfunction,” Pike suggested.

“Obviously something was wrong with it or with the installation.”

They were relieved. But Joe wasn’t. He strongly suspected sabotage.

* * *

After Lara took the medicine, she was walking out of the bathroom when she saw people in the kitchen. She went to the doorway but moved out of sight.

Chief Thomas, another man and Joe were talking. The other guy said, “I’m sorry to say, Captain Romano, but we found this. It’s an incendiary device. A small one, not meant to burn the place down.”

“Damn it.”

A phone rang. Someone answered it. “Hello. Yeah, I’ll be right there.” Then, “Chief, there’s another call for the bomb squad. I should take this to the lab anyway. See if we can get more information from it.”

“Go ahead. Thanks, Bill.”

She heard the back door close.

“Chief, I have to tell you something.” Joe sounded annoyed. “Odd things have happened to me.”

“Like what?”

“First, one morning I found holes all over my backyard.”

“Could have been a kid’s prank.”

“My neighbors are great. But I did think it was a prank. Then I was summoned to the chief’s office. Someone called him and said me and the female firefighter on my group were having an affair.”

“Shit Joe. You know better than that.”

“It’s not true, Chief.”

Lara was glad he didn’t tell the chief that they hugged. And it got sexual.

“One more thing. My windshield was smashed outside of Pathways.”

“Shit!” Then, “Do you think one of the boys at the school did it?”

“They were in class with me. And now, somebody blows up the stove with an incendiary device?”

“What are you saying, Joe?”

Lara knew before he answered. Joe had a stalker.

* * *

When the fire chief arrived, he spoke with Thomas then said, “Fuck. An incendiary device? You got crap luck, Romano.”

“Maybe.”

“Where is it?”

“Chief Thomas’ guy took it to the bomb squad.”

Hansen swore again. “You should have waited for me before calling the police.”

“But you didn’t bring along the arson guys. Mick had a bomb specialist with him.” Joe raised his chin. “I think I made the right decision.”

The chief glared at Joe. “Watch what you say, Romano.”

He didn’t respond. Just then everybody came out to the common room and Lara moved near them.

“What’s going on?” Abe asked.

“Let’s all go sit. We have to talk.”

When they were situated, the chief leaned against the fireplace. Crossed his arms. “The stove blew because there was an incendiary device in the oven.”

“What?”

“Holy hell.”

“Fuck.”

Lara didn’t react.

“When I got the call, the mayor was in my office. He said your group should go home today.” Hansen angled his head to the kitchen. “And take a couple days off while work is done out there. Forensics need to check the whole house and then the kitchen needs to be cleaned, painted, and of course we have to get a new stove. Your ability to reach the bay is compromised.”

“Not to mention we could be in danger.” Gabe was the first to deduce the notion.

“I was about to say that Connors. I’ll have the arson squad investigate.” He continued. “If the repairs aren’t done in two days, I’ll assign each of you to another fire station until it is.”

Joe watched Lara. Her face reddened. He knew she wouldn’t want that. She’d have to go through the hazing of a rookie again.

But looming over all his emotions was fear. If this incident was aimed at him, he could be endangering these four people.

When the chief finally finished and left, the group started to rise. Joe said, “Wait a second. I want to say something. The days off are a good thing. You all got injuries that could be worse tomorrow. Then there’s the shock of the blast that might cause some delayed reaction. Finally, you got time off. Try to enjoy it.”

“Will do,” Gage said. The others agreed.

“Is that all?” Danny asked. “I need to lie down.”

“I’ll drive you home,” Abe put in. “You shouldn’t be behind the wheel.”

“Get your things, everybody, and go. I’ll lock up.”

When they left the fire house, he locked the front door, closed the blinds and went back to the kitchen doorway. What a mess. The stink of burning metal stung his senses.

“Joe, can we talk?”

Lara. Damn it. He hadn’t seen her leave but assumed she’d gone with the others. He circled around. “Yeah, sure.”

“Let’s sit in the common room again.”

After Joe sat on the couch, Lara dropped down close to him. She angled her body to face him and put her arm up on the couch’s back. He could see the little lines that marred her forehead. She pulled the tie out of her hair. The lilac scent of it…affected him. Just her nearness did. Shit, not again.

“What is it, Swanson?” His voice came out husky.

“I overheard you and Chief Thomas talking.”

He tried not to react. Not to give clues if she was fishing.

“Somebody’s stalking you?”

He blew out a heavy breath. “I think so.”

She grasped his hand. “I’m sorry. What are you going to do about it?”

“The police will investigate, but I already filled in the holes and seeded them with grass and the broken glass from my window was cleaned up. Whoever told the fire chief about us is a suspect, I guess, but how do we ask him about that?”

She shook her head and her hair swirled around her shoulders. “You were being kind when you learned about Sammy and now you’re paying for it!”

“I wouldn’t change anything,” he whispered, squeezing her hand.

She leaned in close. “Me either. But you know we can’t have a relationship. Even if we wanted one.”

He stared at her for a few seconds. Then he said quietly, “I know. But for the record, I want one.”

She swallowed hard. “I do, too.”

He couldn’t let her go after that. He took her hand and linked their fingers. Damn it. Seeing her every day was excruciating. Somewhere along the line he’d begun to care about her. A lot.

The hell with it! He drew her to him, right there on the couch in the firehouse. She came to him easily, naturally. Her breasts crushed against him. He lowered his head and took her mouth. Teased open her lips. Explored her with his tongue. She tasted like peppermint.

She cupped his neck. Explored him back. Even bit his lip. He didn’t know how long they claimed each other. At one point, his hand went to her breast and kneaded her. She moaned.

Heat flared between them. Too much. Finally he broke the kiss. She opened her eyes. They were filled with desire. His probably were, too.

He threaded his fingers through her hair—it was thick and heavy—and met his forehead with hers.

Neither spoke. There was nothing more to say.

* * *

Well, well, well! That sure was effective. They had to shut down the whole fucking fire station. All three shifts. No one was here so a walkaround’s in order. Maybe they even left a door open and I could see my handiwork up close. Technically, it was the handiwork of a man I paid to do this and other things like those stupid holes in his yard, but I’m responsible.

No door or window is open. Shit. The blinds are all drawn so I can’t even peek inside. Maybe I can make up an excuse to visit here while it’s still charred. That’d be fun.

* * *

On the way home, Lara was reliving Joe’s kiss when she was distracted by the screeching sound of sirens. After glancing in the mirror, she pulled off to the side of the road so the ambulance could pass.

When she reached her house, the ambo was her driveway. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. She bounded out of the car and jogged to the front door. Inside she found two paramedics leaning over a gurney. Putting someone on it. Hurrying closer, she took in the scene.

Her mother-in-law lay on the floor.

Sammy was seated on the couch, a third medic standing next to it. He asked, “Are you the owner here?"

“Yes. What happened?”

The second medic looked up from the gurney. “This woman says she’s your mother-in-law. She called us.”

Lara crossed to Helen after they raised the gurney. “Ma, what’s going on?”

“Sammy shoved me. I fell back and hit my head on the edge of the table by the chair.”

“Most likely, she has a concussion. And she’s dizzy. We’re taking her to Westwood Memorial.” He glanced at Sammy. “Should I call the police?”

“No,” Helen said.

He looked to Lara. “No, please. But I can’t go to the hospital until I get somebody over here to watch Sammy.”

Her mother-in-law said, “That’s okay, Lara.”

They wheeled Helen out.

Sammy sat on the couch with his head down. She went to the other side of the room, called Sara and told her sister-in-law what happened. “You have to go to the hospital. Ma shouldn’t be alone.”

“I’ve got the kids. I can’t bring them to the hospital. I’ll come over there and you go.”

“Um…I’m not sure it’s safe here. Especially for the kids.”

A tense silence. “Okay, I’ll ask the neighbor to watch them and go to Memorial.”

“Thanks.”

“Lara, are you going to be all right?”

“Of course. Thanks for asking.”

When she disconnected, she could hear the sound of Sammy’s heavy breathing. She approached the couch and sat down. When she tried to take his hand, he batted it off.

“Sammy. You hurt your mother. You love her. You like having her here.” Which probably wouldn’t happen again. The reason they moved to Westwood was to get family help. And now… “Why did you shove her?”

“Because she was trying to make me change my shirt.” Which was stained. And smelled. He needed a shower, which he’d refused last night. Apparently he insisted on wearing yesterday’s clothes today. “I’m hungry.”

“All right. But you can’t be shoving people away. Now, how about pizza?”

“Okay.” He frowned, looking helpless. “My mother all right, honey?”

“I think so. But we’ll have to wait and see.”

Lara called for a pizza, changed her clothes and came back downstairs. First the explosion at the firehouse, then kissing Joe and now this!

* * *

A gentle knock on her front door came at eight the next day. Still wearing her pink summer pajamas and robe, she opened it. Joe stood before her.

Her eyes teared.

“What’s wrong?”

“Come on in.”

Once inside, she took him to the kitchen so as not to wake Sammy. He said, “Are you crying because I came? I’m sorry but I couldn’t stay away. I had to see you.”

“It isn’t that.” She turned to the coffee pot and poured two cups and brought them over. A bittersweet scent filled the room. “It’s Sammy. And for the record, there’s nobody else in the world I want to see more than you.”

He relaxed. She noticed he wore yellow shorts, sandals and a navy shirt with a yellow stripe. His chestnut-colored hair was still damp. “God, you look good.”

A half smile. “I like hearing that.”

She set the coffee down on the table then leaned over and brushed his lips with hers. He smelled like the outdoors. She drew back. “Hmm.”

He grinned. “I could get used to that every morning. I know you told me we couldn’t do this again, but—”

“I have to put all that on hold. My mother-in-law’s in the hospital. Sammy put her there.”

He pulled her down onto his lap. His hand went around her. “Oh sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah, me too. I know this is selfish, but she can’t watch him anymore. And I don’t think his sisters should either.” She bit her lip. “Which was why we moved to Westwood.” Her voice broke on the last word.

His hand tightened around her waist. His other one stroked her arm. “I’m so sorry. What will you do?”

“Hire more aides. Big ones, that he can’t push around.”

He drew her head to his shoulder. “I told you this before. I don’t think that’s enough anymore.”

“No?” she mumbled against him.

“No. It seems as though he’s getting worse. And violent. He should be in a skilled nursing facility.”

She yanked herself back. “No, no, Joe, don’t say that. I can’t do that to him.”

He grasped her arms. “You have no choice, Lara.”

“Of course I do. He can stay here with me. I can handle him most of the time.”

Joe’s gaze narrowed. “Most of the time? Has he hurt you?” His voice was full of horror.

She just watched him. She’d been hiding the bruises. Some of them intentional. Some she got by just maneuvering him.

Joe watched her. “You’re not telling me something.”

To distract him, she leaned over and kissed his mouth.

It worked.