Page 40 of Judgments of Fire and Desire

“Now isn’t the time to be a self-absorbed, insecure jackass. Let me help you, Judge Patrick.”

Judge Patrick.Less than three months ago, she was screaming my name for the entire neighborhood to hear. By the time we were done, everyone on the block knew my first name was Kyrie.

I grabbed her hand as I coughed. Just that action hurt like hell. Whoever this was didn’t play fair. The element of surprise couldn’t keep working on me this way. I knew they were after me, but they still managed to catch me off guard, striking at the most inopportune times. I knew they were coming for me, but I didn’t expect it to happen this soon.

“God, you’re heavy. How many carbs have you been eating for the past few weeks?”

I huffed as she pulled me from the burning car. She picked a great time to joke around. “Genesis, please…”

I couldn’t get the full sentence from my lips because she turned me on my back, hooked her arms underneath mine, and started dragging me at a much faster pace. She was backpedaling just as fast as I could power walk. That was impressive, especially with her full uniform on and pulling my 240-pound frame. Just as we got to what I thought was a safe distance, the SUV exploded, knocking Genesis off her feet. She immediately laid her body on top of mine, shielding me from debris that could possibly threaten my safety.

I found myself staring into her eyes, reminiscing about the last time I was with her. When all seemed to settle down, she slid off my body. “Are you okay?” she asked.

“Yeah. Thank you for saving me once again. I could have been killed.”

She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why you won’t admit you need me. Stop being so insecure about a woman rescuing you. Would you have preferred a man slide his body on top of yours?”

I gave her a slight smile and pulled her to me, not worrying about who was watching, and hugged her tightly, despite the pain. When she tried to pull away, I kissed her lips, allowing her to see that I would try to put my reservations about us to the side and just go with what I knew I felt for her.

“Now isn’t the time for public displays of affection, Judge Patrick. However, you can call me later to invite me to a thank you dinner. Remember, I like seafood,” she said as the paramedics approached.

I wanted to laugh, but my chest was killing me. When I coughed, it felt like something popped loose. I groaned as she grabbed my hand. The worried expression on her face didn’t do a thing for my nerves.

“I was only joking. Despite how you ghosted me because of your pitiful feelings, I still care about you. I don’t want to see you die from this, Kyrie. Until they find out who is after you, let me be here. It doesn’t make you any less masculine. I’m a firefighter first when it comes to trauma of this nature. Let me exercise the training they put me through to save you.”

I closed my eyes and nodded. “You’re right, Firefighter Farris.”

She released my hand with a smirk on her gorgeous lips and moved out of the way so the paramedics could do their jobs. I couldn’t keep fighting against her and my innermost feelings. Deep down, I wanted her in my life, and I was blessed that after what I put her through that she still wanted to be in it too.

I paced backand forth at the hospital, waiting to get news on how Kyrie was doing. When we got the call, a horrible feeling hit my gut. I wasn’t sure where he was going or why, but whoever was watching him had known he was at Grandma’s house for them to catch up with him so soon after leaving.

He told me he’d just left her house and was heading to his mother’s house. I didn’t know what was going on, but hopefully, he would enlighten me. The doctor approached me and said, “He had a couple of broken ribs that we had to reset and repair. The man is strong. That vehicle flipped several times. He also has some lacerations from the glass cutting him, along with a concussion. We’re going to keep him here for a couple of days for observation.”

I released the breath I was holding. Just because he seemed okay and only a little banged up, that didn’t mean that all was okay internally. I was worried about him. “When can I see him?”

“In another hour or so.”

“Thanks, Doctor Clark.”

Finally, I sat in a chair in the waiting room. I had been pacing for nearly three hours. Kyrie had said not to let his mom come to the hospital but for her to get out of town as soon as possible. That made me nervous for my mama and grandma. If things weren’t safe, maybe they should leave, too, since Kyrie’s last known location was at my grandmother’s house.

I grabbed my phone and called Ms. Carolyn. She answered on the first ring, sounding completely panicked. “Genesis, is he okay?”

“Yes, ma’am. He’ll be fine. He has a couple of broken ribs, a few lacerations from all the glass, and a concussion. They are going to keep him here for a couple of days to monitor him.”

As I talked to her, listening to her try to keep it together, I noticed a detective approaching me. “Miss Carolyn, let me call you back. I need to speak with a detective.”

“Okay. Please, call me right back, Genesis.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I ended the call and stood, staring at the lady as she approached. “Hello, I’m Detective Johnson. Is he gonna be okay?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I wasn’t sure what to reveal to her, because at this point, I didn’t know who could be trusted. Someone in the system was dirty, and for all I knew, it could be her.

“Can we sit?”

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