Chapter 10
Mercy
There has to be something here. Something to get that bastard. If Reed’s right that guy wants to hurt Reed and I cannot let that happen.
My chest tightens and I fight to keep from losing my mind.
I need to find something and make this stick because if something happens to Reed Franklin I’ll definitely lose what’s left of my heart.
Something catches my eye and I squint at eye, squatting down to touch the little piece of metal at the very edge of the clearing. It looks familiar somehow.
I reach into my pocket and pull out a pair of tweezers that I keep there and gently catch the small piece of metal, lifting it to eye level. My breath hisses out and I smile slightly.
It’s one of the firefighter’s pins. I’ve seen them on some of the guys although I’ve yet to see Reed’s. Who knows where he keeps his though.
I pick it up and almost put it in my hand instead of in a baggie but some sense of caution hits me and I pull one out and drop it into it, closing it up tight.
A whistle sounds in the bushes and I turn to it, curious. I’ve never heard a bird make that noise.
Before I can move there, a huge, black SUV pulls up and slams into park, dust flying over the hood and tires.
Reed leaps from the driver’s side door. My brows lift when he runs over to me and grabs me by the arms, shaking me slightly and then pulling me in for a tight hug. I can barely breathe and yet my belly clenches because I can smell him. All manly and beautiful and everything I’ve ever wanted.
Lifting my head, I grin at him. “What the hell? Did you miss me that much, Reed? I was coming back soon. After all, your mom has poker tonight. She told me about it. That means we’ll be all alone again.
” My brows waggle and I wait breathlessly for that smile that I’m finding I love break over his stoic, lean features.
But it doesn’t.
“What the hell were you thinking, coming out here by yourself, wildfire? You could have gotten hurt and there’s nobody here to help you!”
He pulls me in tight again and I can feel his heart racing under my palm where it’s squashed tight into his chest.
“What are you talking about? I’ve got a damn phone, Reed!” I huff, struggling to get out of his arms. It’s like fighting a piece of steel wrapped around me.
“What is going on? I’m totally fine. You’re acting crazy!”
He shoves me away from him so fast that I throw out a hand to catch myself. He points at me, his jaw clenched so tight it looks like it’s about to crack his teeth. I can hear it and I wince. “You cannot run around alone right now…it’s too dangerous.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Never mind. I can’t do this!” He turns away, running both of his hands through his hair and tugging at it frantically.
“What are you doing right now? I’m just doing my job and you’re acting like some kind of neanderthal caveman! And now you want to…what? Break it off!” My voice breaks. My throat closes up and tears well in my eyes.
Brushing them away, I push the gas pedal even harder, not sure whether I’m desperate to get back to the place I’m staying or outrun the horrible ache in my chest.
Doesn’t really matter. All that matters is I’m alone again. And once again, I trusted the wrong man.
Love isn’t for me. I need to face the facts and suck it up. Maybe I’ll get a few cats.
Or a bird.
Anything’s better than a man.
I don’t understand what’s going on. I left a gorgeous man in bed and came out to do my job and he races over here to tell me that he’s done?!
Choking back a sob, I glare at him, forcing my hands to stay by my sides.
I will not cry in front of this idiot. Whatever’s wrong.
“It’s not going to work out, Mercy Lee. You’re not from around here and it’s soon to feel like this. It’s just lust.”
My chest aches, my whole body going numb and the little baggie dropping to the ground.
“What’s that?”
“One of the guys must have lost their pins. I found it over there by the woods.”
He picks it up and his face goes pale and set. “Yeah. Must have.”
I reach out a hand for it and he stills. For just a second I think he’s not going to give it back to me. But then his shaking hand reaches out and I take it, nodding.
“I’ll check with the guys and see which one of them lost it.” He doesn’t say a thing. Just stands there and stares and then his eyes go to the woods, narrowing.
“Yeah. Why don’t you head back to the firehouse?”
“I think I’m going to head back to the house actually. I want to run through my notes and see if I’m missing anything.”
“I already told you who this is.”
“Yeah. But maybe I can find a pattern of his fires. Something to show us where he’s going to strike next.”
He nods. “Yeah. Maybe.”
I wait to see if he’s going to say anything at all to me beyond this impersonal bullshit.
But he doesn’t. Just watches the woods. Like he can’t stand looking at me.
Closing my eyes, I nod. “Okay. I-I guess I’ll see you around. The house or something.”
“I’m on again tonight. One of the guys is sick.”
Drawing in a deep breath, I jerk my head and nod like a puppet. “Okay. Well…good-bye.”
“Good-bye, wildfire,” he whispers.
Turning away, I rush back to the car and jerk it into drive, peeling out of there so damn fast that dust billows out behind me.
Tears pour down my cheeks and I choke back the sobs strangling me.