Page 26 of Burn for You

“In this job, I learned a long time ago that looks don’t mean a damn thing. Motive is the deciding factor and this little lady has it in spades.”

Seth scrubbed his hand over his mouth and dropped his gaze to the floor, rocking back on his heels. He was strangely quiet and it made me nervous.

“What kind of motive are we talking about here?” I asked. “It seems like everyone else in this room knows what the hell is going on except me and I’d like some answers.”

Sheriff Beck and Seth exchanged a glance between them. When a beat of unbearable silence passed, Sheriff Beck clucked his tongue with a wave of his hand as if to say,all right, I’ll do the dirty work.

“Amy Stewart and Seth Teagan used to date. They broke up three months ago. She’s been trying to get him back ever since. When you showed up in town, she got jealous and took action.”

I blinked in surprise, struggling to comprehend what the sheriff was telling me.

“You mean…all of this was because of Seth’s ex-girlfriend?”

Sheriff Beck’s expression turned sympathetic as he pressed a button next to the one-way glass. Amy Stewart’s voice filled the room, crystal clear and unwavering while she confessed to her crimes.

“Yes, I set the fires. I saw Marlee Jenkins move in to Romeo and I knew she was bad news for Seth. She’s pretty, confident, and financially successful. Seth would gobble her right up. I couldn’t allow that.”

“So, you decided to sabotage her business,” the officer said.

Amy examined her powder-pink nails.

“I didn’t want her to get comfortable in town. She’s not welcome here.”

“And what about throwing that firework through Miss Jenkins’ office window? Or locking her inside her burning home?”

Amy shrugged.

“I would do anything to protect Seth. We’re soulmates. We belong together. I won’t let anyone come between us. He will never love Marlee Jenkins as much as he loves me.”

Seth blew out a breath and scrubbed the back of his neck.

I withdrew my hand from his grasp. Logically, I knew it wasn’t his fault. He had no control over a jealous ex-lover. But there was no denying the fact that I felt blindsided by allthis. Maybe if I hadn’t fallen for Seth, none of this would have happened.

Was I destined to pick men who would continue to ruin my life no matter where I went? Would I have to live with these walls around my heart forever?

Amy’s words echoed in my head.

He will never love Marlee Jenkins as much as he loves me.

What if that was true?

“I have to go,” I muttered.

“Marlee, wait,” Seth said with a mix of steel and desperation in his voice.

Turning on my heel, I marched out of the station without a backward glance.

Chapter 9

Seth

“Damn it,” I muttered, jogging to catch up with Marlee. She moved at a fast clip, with quick, purposeful strides that were just shy of an all-out run. “Marlee, come on. Slow down. Can we talk?”

“About what?” she called back over her shoulder. “I’ve seen everything I need to see today.”

Marlee stopped at the front desk, donning a polite smile for the receptionist.

“Excuse me. Could I use your phone to call for a ride?”

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