Page 19 of Raging Inferno

“They didn’t have surveillance. Reggie Branch will canvas the area to see if any surrounding homes have monitoring devices.”

Presley glanced at her watch. “Wow, look at the time. I should get going.”

“Do you have a hotel room?”

“Not yet. I meant to stop at one when I arrived, but I ended up detouring to the police station.”

“It’s late . . . or early, depending on if you’re a glass half full or empty person. You can stay here tonight.”

Dom was shocked at the words that came from his mouth. He hadn’t planned on issuing the invitation. It was an impulse, but it felt right.

“I couldn’t impose.”

“You mean like what I did when I fobbed my daughter off on you?”

“You didn’t. I offered.”

“Thanks again for that. It’s not a problem for you to stay. We have a guest suite. Since tomorrow is Saturday, I’ll call a sitter for Gia, and we can visit the three women in the morning.”

“If you’re sure . . . “

“I am.”

“Okay, then. I’ll grab my bag.”

Chapter Four

What was Presley thinking, spending the night or morning, such as it was, at Dominic Bianchi’s house? She was already becoming very fond of his adorable daughter. Gia was sweet and caring, with a sensitive side and a stubborn streak. She reminded Presley of herself after Gwen’s death. Presley had been woefully naïve before the incident had changed her.

She climbed into her vehicle and waited as Dominic pressed a button to lift the garage door. She motored inside and cut the engine before grabbing her bag and sliding out. Packing had been done hastily, so she didn’t have a wide selection of clothes to choose from. She’d brought a stylish, wrinkle-free dress to wear to Margy’s funeral. It looked as though it would have to do double-duty for Nancy’s service, or she’d have to go shopping.

Dominic ushered her inside the house and led her down a hallway. He pointed out his and Gia’s rooms before turning down another corridor to the guest suite.

“The sheets are clean, and towels are in the bathroom cabinet. It’s stocked with necessities. Sleep in. We can’t visit too early on a Saturday. Text me if you need anything.”

“I do . . . your phone number.”

Dominic recited it to her, and she texted him so he’d have hers. He bid her goodnight and left. She felt oddly bereft. Ridiculous.

Presley washed her face, brushed her teeth, and fell into bed.

After driving all night and day to get to Minnesota and then staying up late, she slept past her usual rising time. When she woke, she jumped into the shower and prepared for the day.

Usually, she worked out in the morning, but there was no time. Three women’s lives might be in danger. Presley hadn’t kept in touch with any of the Cheerios. After Gwen died, it wastoo painful for her to be around them. They had all graduated that summer anyway, so she hadn’t run into them at school.

Presley wondered how they would handle her news. Would they believe her? Reggie certainly didn’t. Dominic had been skeptical at first too.

She was right. She felt it in her bones.

Dominic sat at the breakfast bar sipping from a coffee cup and looking at his phone when she emerged from her room. He glanced up.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning. Sorry I slept so late.”

“Seven o’clock is hardly late, especially since you went to bed around two.”

“It is for me.”

---