42. Epilogue
SETH
We all climbed out of the truck and went through the routine of stepping out of our turnout gear and getting it set back up for the next call. Today had been one stressful call after another, including a fire and two vehicle collisions.
As the guys made their way up the stairs, I froze, catching sight of Violet walking up to the open bay doors. Happiness spread through my body, just like it did every time I saw her.
I jogged the few feet toward her. “Hey, baby.”
“Hi.” She smiled up at me as I pulled her into me.
“What are you doing here?”
“Just wanted to stop by and see you.” Her hands laced around my neck.
I loved when she stopped by unexpectedly, and whenever I was off during the week and she was at work, I did the same thing.
“Surprised you’re not still at the station working on the arson case.” Like clockwork, we’d had another fire. This one at the beginning of October.
She shrugged. “Not much we can do. Lyla didn’t get a good look at the guy. I’ve gone through the footage we collected from around the scene and no sign of the green hoodie guy either.”
I could tell she was feeling discouraged. Maybe she needed me to take her mind off everything for a moment. I glanced up the stairs, making sure none of the guys were still hanging around, then grabbed her by the hand, pulling her further back into the bay, behind the rig.
Bracing my hands on either side of her, I leaned down and claimed her mouth.
Her fingers dug into my sides as I deepened the kiss, slipping my tongue inside.
The kiss quickly accelerated from a lit match to a blazing fire.
It was always the way it was for us. Passionate and desperate, like we could never get enough of each other.
I got lost in her. In her lips. Her touch. I almost didn’t hear the radio until the familiar voice broke through the haze I was in.
I broke the kiss, pulling back as I heard the distress call coming through one of the radios sitting on the table at the bottom of the stairs.
Fuck . I moved closer that way and my stomach bottomed out as I listened to Kyle Williams reporting that their ambulance was just involved in a wreck. Lyla was injured and unconscious. He was requesting a transport for their patient and another unit for Lyla.
I looked up as Adam barreled down the stairs, the rest of the guys following behind.
I turned back to Violet. “I have to go.”
She nodded and I gave her a chaste kiss before heading toward my gear. It wasn’t only that Lyla was one of us, but she was important to Adam—even if he still hadn’t admitted it, we all knew.
If Violet were hurt, I’d be there, and so would the rest of my team. There was no way we weren’t heading out. Because I’d bet money on the fact that Adam was in love with the woman he insisted on calling just a friend.