Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“Any chance it was an accident?” I ask, hoping beyond hope that’s all this was and then I can reassure her and leave.
She shakes her head, a fall of that glorious red hair covering her face. “I saw the driver get out. He checked Erik’s pulse.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “He almost saw me. I’m pretty sure he knew I was there, but then other people entered the garage, and I think it scared him off.”
A flash of heat surges through me—anger, sharp and violent—followed by a flash of fear. Tessa isn’t one for hysterics or exaggeration. If she feels like she was in danger, it’s real.
I take a step toward her. “Jesus, Tessa. You should have called the cops immediately.”
She laughs bitterly. “And say what? That a multibillion-dollar company is orchestrating arson to buy cheap land? And they ran down the whistleblower? They’d crucify me for accusing anyone without proof.”
“You have proof.” I tap the flash drive. “I’m guessing this is a hell of a lot more than speculation. Publish and expose it.”
“It’s not enough. It’s still speculation.”
I nab the flash drive, move around the counter, and hold it in front of her face. “This is the proof, and we’re going to the cops now.”
She snatches the little silver unit from my hand, her face lit with anger. “I’m not going to the cops, Cole. The minute I expose myself as a witness, they’ll come after me.”
“They’ll protect you—”
Tessa barks a laugh that cuts off my words. “Tell me you are not that naive. Jesus, Cole… you work for a security agency that specializes in this shit. This amount of money at stake? I guarantee RainVest has cops on the take.”
I can’t argue with that. While almost the entirety of the Seattle Police Department is filled with the best of the best, I happen to know there’s one or two bad eggs as evidenced by Brady investigating them undercover.
“Then just drop it,” I say, tucking my hands in my pockets. “Drop the investigation and you stay safe.”
Her chin lifts, that old defiance sparking. “There it is. Same argument. Same damn fight as before.”
My jaw tightens. “That’s not what this is.”
“Really?” she fires back. “Because it sounds exactly like you telling me my job is too dangerous and I need to back off.”
I look away hard, fighting my temper. When I lock eyes with her again, I say through gritted teeth, “No. It’s me saying someone might want to kill you and maybe you ought to take a fucking clue that it’s time to back off.”
We stare at each other, in the same exact position we were in countless times before. I brace for all the arguments I’ve heard dozens of times.
“This is my passion.”
“If I don’t expose the truth, then who will?”
“I’d never ask you to give up your career.”
Tessa sighs and drops the flash drive back onto the island counter before stepping into the living room. She takes a seat on the edge of the couch and rubs her forehead. “Look, Cole… I’m not asking for your lectures or your approval. I’m asking for your expertise. I need help and I don’t have anyone else who understands fire the way you do.”
Fire?
The word curls inside me like smoke, wrapping around all my old wounds.
She meets my eyes, voice tight. “Can you help me? Or tell me who can? I’ve got a little bit in savings I could pay you—”
“I don’t want your damn money,” I growl as I start pacing the tiny area between her kitchen and living room.
I consider my dilemma. Tessa and I had no animosity when we broke up. It was a mutual agreement and while yes, it was painful, I never held hard feelings. Not even when she refused to give up the dangerous work to save our relationship. I only ever wanted her to be happy.
And alive. I want her to remain alive.
For a moment, all I can do is look at her—the woman I loved, the woman I lost, the woman in front of me bruised with fear she refuses to acknowledge, and I know I can’t let her go it alone.
I’m involved now.
I move to the couch and sit next to her, the cushion dipping between us. “I’ll help you.” Relief slams across her features, but she hides it quickly. “But you’re doing it on my terms.”
Tessa cocks an eyebrow, skepticism in her tone. “What are your terms?”
“I’ll help with the fire evidence, but you’re going to need protection. You’ve clearly kept tabs on me because you referenced my current employer.” Tessa’s face flames red. “Well, that’s what Jameson does. We protect.”
“I can’t afford—”
“I don’t give a fuck about the money, Tessa,” I growl and stand from the couch. “You’ve involved me now so you’re going to do things my way. That starts with you packing your shit. You’re coming home with me so I can keep an eye on you.”