Page 14 of Raging Inferno

Gia gaped at her. “Yuck. You wouldn’t.”

Presley crossed her arms. “So would. Maybe with a side of liver and onions.”

Gia gagged. “Oh, gross! That’s disgusting.”

“Why did you disobey my orders?”

“You’re not my mom!”

Presley absorbed her anger and waited for her to calm down. “Didn’t say I was.”

Gia looked away. “I don’t like to be by myself, okay? I freaked out when you left.” She turned back to Presley and jutted out her chin. “That doesn’t make me a baby.”

“Didn’t say it did.” She glanced back at the fire, now mostly out. Still, Dom would be there for a while. “Come on. Let’s go.” Presley started walking, but Gia stayed put. Presley turned to her. “Are you coming?”

“I’m not eating tofu and liver, and I hate beets. I’d rather starve to death.”

“Well, you reneged on our deal, so them’s the breaks, kid.”

“What does reneged mean?”

“Broke a promise.”

“Aw, please? I swear I won’t do it again. I don’t want you to be mad at me.”

All of Presley’s anger fled as she stared into pleading amber eyes so similar to her father’s. This girl, who was still a child,had confessed her insecurities. Only a monster would hold them against her.

“Fine. I’ll let it slide this once. But do better.”

Gia skipped to Presley and grabbed her hand. “I will.”

Somehow, Presley had come home to investigate a murder and ended up a babysitter.

Chapter Three

Dom turned to see Gia bouncing along beside Presley. He was still in shock from seeing his daughter, the most important person in the world who he loved more than life, with Presley Parrish, the woman he’d known years ago.

He thought about Mrs. Maxx, who often watched Gia until Dom got off work. She’d never neglected to pick Gia up before. Something must’ve happened to her. He needed to check on her, but it would have to wait.

Knowing Gia was safe with a former cop, he refocused on the scene. A few minutes later, his crew had the flames knocked back, so he instructed Garrett McGee and Rena Robbins, two of the newest hires, to accompany Charlie Gardner, one of his lieutenants, inside to search for victims.

It wasn’t long before his walkie-talkie crackled.

“Captain, we found a body—actually, two.”

“Signs of life?”

“Negative.”

Damn. Dom had been afraid of that. They were most likely Nancy Baker Babcock and her husband Gene.

He jogged to where Teddy Cony and Garrett McGee were carrying out the bodies. As soon as they placed them on the ground, Dom instructed them to rejoin Charlie and continue to look for additional victims.

It was definitely Nancy and Gene. They hadn’t been charred by the fire like Margy, so maybe the coroner could determine why they hadn’t smelled the smoke or heard the alarm. Was it possible foul play was involved? Dom had been skeptical about Presley’s theory at first, but it seemed too circumstantial that Nancy died days after Margy, both in fires. Same as Gwen.

Dominic radioed for someone to bring a pop-up tent and drapes to cover the bodies. He didn’t want onlookers to get aglimpse of the victims or take pictures. The family needed to be notified first. When he turned, he spotted two men in suits jogging over. “Hey, Reggie.”

“How’s it going, Dom?”

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