Page 69 of Hot Zone

“I don’t know. I think we should add some cameras to his shop just to be safe.”

“Cameras didn’t seem to help much here at the school,” I pointed out.

“I know, but I’m not sure what else we can do unless you want to station someone at his place of business twenty-four-seven.”

“I know that shop matters to him, but he matters to me, so protecting him is what I’m most worried about. So what would you do if he was yours?”

“I would put a man on him until this guy is caught.”

“Okay, then do it.”

“I’ll see who we have available and send them to his shop in the morning.”

“Thanks, man.”

Chapter 21

Mars

I pulled into the driveway at Samuel’s house, parked next to his truck, and glanced in my backseat. I’d bought way too much stuff at the Christmas in November sale, which was silly because I didn’t even have a house to put it in.

Of course the kitchen stuff might have matched Samuel’s kitchen, and the stuff I bought for the bathroom would go perfectly with the new tiles he was installing in the spare bathroom, but that was just because I liked his house and washoping my new one would have the same feel. At least, that was what I told myself while I was buying it all.

I pushed open the car door, but before I got out, the garage door opened, and Samuel was there. Shit, he was so sexy today. I chuckled at myself. He was sexy every day. The question was, how did I get lucky enough to have him there waiting for me when I got home?

He walked out and looked in the backseat. He shook his head, but he was smiling. “Goodness, Kitten, did you buy out the whole craft show?”

“Not the whole show, just half of it.”

“Well then, let’s get that stuff inside, then we need to talk. I need to warn you about something.”

“You’re sounding all ominous again, Daddy.” I grabbed half the bags and headed for the garage, and he grabbed the rest and followed me. We put them with the rest of the stuff I’d bought since I’d been staying here and went inside.

“Okay, let’s have a seat.” He motioned to the couch.

“Sounds serious.” I plopped down on the couch and watched him adjust the pillows nervously before he sat down. Things between us were going well, so I refused to freak out, no matter how much a part of me wanted to.

“There was another arson today. It happened while I was having lunch with my friend, Hawk.”

“Well, shit. Was anyone hurt?”

“No, thank goodness.” He looked so tired and stressed, and I knew he was worried about all the people he worked with.

“Where was this one at?”

“It was out at the local fire academy.”

“The one where you taught that class last week?” It felt like this guy was purposefully trying to make Samuel’s life more difficult, and I didn’t like that at all.

“Yeah, that’s the only one in this area. I talked this over with Fox and with Hawk. I don’t think you’ve met him, but he’s one of the owners of Three Bears Tactical Services.”

“He’s the one who installed your security system?”

“Not him personally, but he arranged to have it done. We’re worried that this guy might actually be targeting me since the fires started in our service area right after I took over as chief.”

“But for what reason?” I couldn’t imagine why anyone would be out to get Samuel.

“We don’t know that yet, but I’m afraid that if he’s after me, you might become a target.”

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