MIKE The Firefighters of Station 8 Page 25

  “Congratulations, man,” Mike added.

  “No. I did not. I’m staying in uniform and working—I guess you could say—undercover.”

  “Undercover? Holy shit!”

  “I’m working the street, watching traffic, looking for anything unusual. Keeping an eye out for strangers. Hooley showed me the film.”

  “You saw the film?” Mike shot a glance to Shep then turned in his seat toward Chuck.

  “He wanted another assessment from a cop’s view. We size people up and look for details a normal citizen might overlook.”

  “That sounds reasonable,” Shep said with a nod. “So, tell me, Chuck. You have any idea who that guy is?”

  Mike held his breath waiting for Chuck to answer. If anyone could figure out who the prick was, it would be Chuck.

  “I couldn’t get a good look. Most of his face was hidden by the protective mask. He knew where the camera was and kept his head turned.”

  “That fucker was right there in plain sight of everyone.” Angry and frustrated, Mike stood to pace the room. Son-of-a-bitch. The guy was a cocky bastard.

  “That tells us something.”

  Mike spun around on his heel.

  “Tells you what?” Shep asked in a calm voice. At least the Captain was keeping his shit together.

  “We think this guy is a pro.”

  The bottom fell out of Mike’s stomach. “You think he’s a firefighter?”

  “Not necessarily. He’s cool. Composed. Unruffled.” Chuck turned his head and met Mike’s gaze. “Like you said, he was right in the middle of the action. Walking around like he belonged there. Wearing Station Nine’s gear.”

  “Bold mother—”

  Chuck kept talking as if Mike hadn’t spoken. “The guy has balls. At some point, he walked right into Station Nine and stole their gear. A smooth operator. And if he can do that, there’s no limit to what this guy might do.”

  “So that you will know, I’ve talked to my men and instructed them to be alert. Mike has the idea, if this character got away with sneaking around one fire station, what’s to keep him from hitting the others?”

  “That man has a brass set. But if he comes in Station Eight, he’s going to get his ass kicked.” Mike flexed his arms.

  “Like I said,” Chuck stated, “this guy could be capable of anything. I think you need to be prepared for that.”

  For what? What the hell did Chuck mean?

  He faced Mike. “Did you see anything, anything at all? The way he walked. Did he talk with anyone?”

  “No. Nothing.” Wilson had been running the show and all he remembered was the number nine on the asshole’s helmet. Nothing looked out of place.

  “This guy doesn’t belong to Station Nine and he certainly doesn’t hail from here. No one remembers anything suspicious. He doesn’t have to be a firefighter, or an EMT. But he could be in the prison system.”

  “Prison, huh?”

  “Like I said. He could be a professional. A criminal.”

  “Why are you here, Chuck?” Shep’s graveled tone made the hair on Mike’s arms stand.

  “For whatever reason, this guy has targeted the fire department. He’s already proved he’s dangerous. There were five teams on sight that day. He could be pursuing any of them.”

  “You think we have a target on our backs?”

  “It’s possible. That’s why Hooley brought me in. I cover every scenario, every possibility. The Wimer house exploded. Firefighters were hurt. It was no coincidence. Hooley found evidence of gas, propane, and explosives. Those items do serious damage. This guy isn’t playing games. He’s out for blood.”

  “You said is.”

  “The Wimer property is isolated. Our perp did his research and more than likely made several visits to the site. From what I understand, the timing was precise. He had to enter the property and set things in motion for the explosion to go off at the exact moment. That takes detailed planning. And accuracy.”

  Mike’s eyes locked onto Shep’s. Without any outward sign, dread came through loud and clear in his troubled gaze. After a lengthy silent communication, Shep turned back to Chuck.

  “What aren’t you telling us?”

  Chuck scraped a hand over his jaw. “I don’t like this, but I feel you need to be prepared. Especially after the incident downtown. The bullet to Mike’s helmet may not have been an accident. I hope to God I’m wrong, but this perp could be a killer. One of you could be his next victim.”

  ***

  “Hello.”

  “Oh my God. Cassie, I had to call. I’m so excited.”

  “I can’t tell.” Cassie rolled over, trying to read the numbers on the clock. Seven AM. On a Saturday? What the heck had Tammy so wired she had to call and get her out of bed this early on the weekend?

  “Wake up!” Tammy shouted. Or maybe it seemed that she did since Cassie was still half asleep. “I couldn’t wait.”

  “All right, I’m awake,” she grumbled and punched her pillow, then dragged herself up to lean against the Cannonball headboard.

  “You’ll never guess.”

  “Tammy, I’m in no mood to play guessing games at seven in the morning,” she huffed.

  “Don’t get your panties in a bind. Uh-oh. Is Mike there? Oh, Good Lord. I’m sorry. I should have known.”

  “Tammy. Tammy!” When Tammy kept talking, Cassie shouted again to get her attention. “Mike isn’t here. He’s at the station.”

  “Then what’s your problem?”

  My problem? Should she count to ten before she bit Tammy’s head off?

  “My problem is being woken up from a sound sleep on a weekend when I can sleep late.”

  “Get over it.”

  “My, my. What’s got you so freakin’ cheery?”

  “I saw Shep yesterday.”

  So that’s it.

  “And I’m just now hearing about it?”

  “Complain, complain. We went to see his brother, the lawyer.”

  She had Cassie’s full attention, now.

  “Right. How did it go?”

  “Great, Cassie. Great. Shep is such a gentleman. And I thought chivalry was dead. I think he is out of his time. He must be from the sixteenth century. I’ve never seen a man with such manners. And Eddie is so nice.”

  “Eddie?”

  “Yes. Shep’s brother’s name is Eddie. He was so easy to talk to. He looks a lot like Shep. He’s got that sexy silver at his temples. And he told me to call him Eddie.”

  It sounded like Tammy had a crush on Eddie.

  “I’m glad you like him. Can he help?”

  “Oh, Cassie. We talked for hours. Well, it seemed like hours anyway. Shep said his brother would listen and he did. Gosh, they’re both so nice.”

  “Okay, we’ve got the nice covered. Will he knock Steve on his ass?”

  “I think so. Shep says he can. Not in the same words you used, but he did say Eddie was a good lawyer and he would not be intimidated by anyone. Eddie said he wouldn’t let Steve take my boys away from me. I’m so relieved.”

  “Tammy, that’s wonderful.”

  “I had to call. I had to let you know my good news. Now do you forgive me?”

  “Absolutely. I’m happy for you. I hope Shep’s brother grinds Steve a new A-hole.”

  “I know you’re a grizzly before your coffee, so I’ll let you go. Bye.” The line went dead.

  In like a tornado and out like a light switch. Her friend was a hoot. Cassie couldn’t remember the last time Tammy sounded so happy.

  Why had she waited until this morning to give the good news? Why hadn’t she called last night? She hadn’t even given Cassie a chance to tell her about Mike.

  She’d taken a chance.

  She’d told him she loved him.

  She’d finally found someone who loved her, someone she could trust. Someone who made her believe in herself, restore her confidence as a woman.

  Placing her feet on the floor, Cassie stretched her arms over her head, cr
acking her back, feeling like a new woman.

  ***

  “Hey, babe.” Mike grabbed Cassie and poured his heart out in a kiss he’d been aching for all day. “God, you feel good.”

  The best thing in his life filled his arms. How could he be so damn lucky to have the most amazing woman in the world? Cassie kissed him like a starving wolf seizing a piece of meat. Good God, the woman could drive him insane.

  He inhaled her sweet fragrance. Not too sweet. More like fresh rain water and a hint of something alluring that was hers alone. His chest swelled with pride. She belonged to him. Every enchanting inch of her. He shoved one hand through her hair and cradled the back of her neck, holding her while he pillaged her mouth. He tangled his tongue with hers and reveled in her moan of delight. Each sensual caress was meant to entice her further, make her ache in the very place she rubbed against him.

  His cock thickened. He kissed her possessively, greedily, like he’d never kissed her before. They broke apart, gasping.

  “Do you have any idea how you make me feel?” he said in a heaving sigh. “You kiss me and squeeze me like I’m the only man on earth. Like you can’t get enough of me. God, Cassie. I love it when you do that. I love you.”

  He hadn’t meant to pounce on her so quickly. But her touch, her taste, and he suddenly became a man driven. She returned his advances with equal measure and he couldn’t help himself.

  He tongued the curve of her ear, while he pulled her shirt down, exposing her glorious breasts. She squirmed against him and he knew what she needed. He thumbed her nipple, then seized it in his mouth, sucking greedily. He loved the way she moaned and tugged his hair, urging him on. He explored further, his hand drifting over her ribs and belly, stroking, caressing, seeking.

  He found her wet and ready for him.

  “God, Cassie. You’re so wet. For me. Only for me,” he growled.

  “Yes, Mike. Only for you,” she gasped.

  His fingers teased her honey spot and suddenly her hand was on him, massaging his erection through his jeans. He was near to bursting. Things had never been so hot, so fast, so demanding between them. He growled and pressed into her hand.

  Her fingers tugged at the waistband. He pulled back, flipped the snap and jerked the zipper allowing his bulge to breathe. When she dove into his briefs and pulled, he thought he’d go mad from sheer pleasure.

  He tore at her clothes. She tore at his. When they were completely naked, he hoisted her up against the wall. There was no thought, no time to go anywhere else. He needed her now. She wrapped her legs around his waist, letting him know it was okay with her. Holding her just so, he slid between her folds and drove deep inside her.

  Dazed with sensation, he froze in awe at the emotions rolling through him. Each intimate moment was like their first. Every precious touch was a phenomenon he ached to experience again and again.

  “Cassie. God, Cassie. Mine. Only mine.”

  He tried going slow, but it was useless. His need fierce, he pounded her against the wall. She clung to him as if the world would end tomorrow. His mind reeled, sensations flooded his nerve endings. He claimed her, mated his soul with hers, and then … a low growl formed in his chest as Cassie shattered, her cry ringing in his ears, his pounding release hammering through his body.

  Cassie’s short breaths keened in his ear. Indescribable emotions flooded him. A sense of home and belonging invaded his soul. This woman was his entire world. He’d never let her go.

  Her heart battered his chest. When her head fell to his shoulder, he smiled, feeling all the love in his heart, and just held her.

  Moments passed and he realized he had to move.

  “One of these days we might make it to the bedroom first,” he murmured.

  “I’m not complaining.”

  No, she never objected. She accepted him at any moment, every time he touched her. Such trust … what a privilege she’d given him. Fortune had surely blessed him with an angel.

  “Hold on.”

  “I don’t know if I can.”

  He shifted. She drooped like a wet noodle, causing a snigger to escape his lips. He scooped her into his arms and carried her down the hall to her bedroom, then gently laid her upon the comforter. He feasted his eyes on her golden hair in disarray on the pillow, the languorous expression in her eyes, the satisfied smile on her face. He quickly shed his clothes and stretched out beside her and gathered her next to him, throwing his thigh over hers.

  Peace. Contentment. Happiness. All the things he’d feared he would never have.

  He thought she’d fallen asleep. She surprised him when she spoke.

  “Mike?”

  “Hmmm?” He rubbed his chin over the top of her head.

  “I love you.”

  He smiled, his heart swelling. “I know. And I love you.”

  Chapter 27

  Kathy’s restaurant was a favorite for breakfast. With a cozy atmosphere and fantastic food, the place was usually packed. Today was no different. Cassie stared out the window over the rim of her coffee mug. A silver streak zoomed into the parking lot making her catch her breath.

  She could do this.

  Cassie and Mike had talked for hours. She told him about her mom, her dad, her sister, who had gotten her all worked up into a stew. Mike talked her through her grief regarding her dad and said he wanted to meet her mom. He’d even convinced her to make amends with her sister. God, how she loved that man.

  Even though her sister agreed to meet, Cassie’s stomach churned with nausea. They’d talked, apologized, then Jennifer had suggested breakfast. So, it shouldn’t be but so bad. Still, Cassie couldn’t calm her nerves.

  Jennifer entered the restaurant, spotted Cassie and headed straight for their table.

  “I’m starved,” she said plopping down into the booth. “I had to take Ranger out for a walk, then I took a shower and my stomach growled all the way here.”

  Just like Jennifer to take charge and act like nothing was out of sorts. Cassie welcomed it. This was better than being at each other’s throats.

  “That’s because you were looking forward to blueberry pancakes.”

  “Is there any other kind?” Jennifer asked with a roll of her eyes.

  The waitress came to their table carrying a pot of fresh coffee. She poured a cup for Jennifer then refilled Cassie’s and took their orders.

  “I’m glad you called yesterday. I knew you wouldn’t stay mad long.”

  Here we go.

  “We both said some pretty heavy things,” Jennifer continued. “I’m sorry, too.”

  The air escaped Cassie’s lungs and she stared at her sister in amazement.

  “Oh, don’t look at me like that,” Jennifer said with a wave of her hand. “I can shoot my mouth off with the best of them. A lot of what I spew is just me venting. I’ve always done that.”

  “You do it with style.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Your words, most of the time, are precise. Like you’re dictating. You don’t sound like me when I vent.”

  “You did a fabulous job of it at the hospital.”

  “I was pissed.”

  “No shit.”

  The waitress brought coffee for Jennifer and then took their order. Jennifer lifted her mug and blew across the surface before putting it to her lips. She set the cup down and met Cassie’s eyes. “We’re sisters. That will never change. What you said really hit me.”

  At the time, Cassie had meant every word. But Jennifer was right. She couldn’t stay mad. Especially if her sister was being sensible. Which was not like her at all.

  “You looked like you could kill me.”

  “I was pretty mad.”

  “I didn’t mean half of what I said.”

  Cassie knew better than to point out Jennifer had said half. Some of the things they’d shouted were true.

  “I know.”

  “Especially the part about my ex. That was just stupid.”

  “I’m gl
ad to hear you didn’t believe that. I had no interest in—”

  “You don’t need to say it. All men stare at you. Your chest, anyway.”

  Heat crawled up Cassie’s neck, but she managed to keep her mouth shut on that subject.

  “Look,” Jennifer said with a shrug, “what’s done is done. “Besides. That’s history. He’s gone, I remarried, end of story.”

  The waitress appeared with their food. “Scrambled eggs for you,” she said, placing a plate before Cassie, “and blueberries for you.” The waitress set a plate of pancakes piled with blueberries and whipped cream in front of Jennifer, then pasted a big grin on her face. “You make me want to get an order for myself.”

  “Blueberry pancakes and whipped cream are my favorite.”

  “They’re my favorite, too. Can I get you ladies anything else?”

  “Thank you. I’m good,” Jennifer said, reaching for the syrup.

  “Thank you.” Cassie picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite.

  “I could hardly wait to get here and get my pancakes.”

  “Kathy’s serves the best.”

  “Mmm, she has great breakfast food.” Jennifer tried to chew and talk at the same time. Cassie laughed.

  Jennifer froze. “That’s better than the last time I saw you.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. I want to talk about Mom.”

  “We both care for her.”

  “She’s doing well and getting around really good, now.”

  “Yeah, she’s completely recovered from the surgery and happy to be back in her own house. Thank you for taking care of her during her recovery.”

  “No thanks necessary. I know you would have brought her to your home if you didn’t work.”

  A few minutes of silence ensued while they both devoured their food. Cassie lifted her mug just as Jennifer spoke.

  “You think it’s true that a person can wither away pining for their spouse or is it just crap?”

  Where did that come from?

  “I guess … if you really love your husband or your wife … I’ve known some who couldn’t live without their mate.”

  “You mean soul mate?”

  Cassie shrugged. “I guess. If you really love—”

  “So, you believe in that?”