Page 55 of Raging Inferno

Major barked in tune to their guffaws, but Dom’s senses sharpened. It felt as if he’d entered a tunnel with narrow vision and muted hearing.

Everything fell into place. His beaming daughter, his goofy dog, and the woman he was falling in love with, all together. Was it a premonition? Or wishful thinking.

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While Dominic and Gia gathered Major’s supplies to take to her friend’s house, Presley snuck out to the garage and activated an app on her phone, running it along the perimeter of hisSUV. An indicator light confirmed her suspicions. Someone had planted a bug in the rear passenger-side wheel well. It had been a hunch to check for one. Now she was glad she’d followed through. Crouching down, she used the latex glove she’d brought to pry it loose and study it. Nothing fancy. It looked like a generic tracking device. That meant whoever was after her knew where she was staying. That wasn’t ideal, despite the security. They might not be able to get inside, but it made coming and going iffy, especially with only one way in or out.

Presley scanned the rest of the vehicle, but there were no others. She checked her Escalade and it was clean. She called BeBe Davis, the office administrator who practically ran COBRA Securities, and asked if she could find alternate accommodations. Even a hotel room would work if it wasn’t booked in her or Dominic’s names.

Presley returned inside to help carry Major and Gia’s supplies. She offered to drive, and when it looked as if Dominic might argue, she gave him a pointed look. He got the message.

Dominic transferred Gia’s booster seat to her vehicle, and once Major was inside and everyone was buckled in, Presley backed out of the garage. She prayed that whoever was after her wasn’t perched in a tree with a sniper rifle. COBRA Securities vehicles were equipped with bulletproof glass, but she’d rather not put it to the test, especially with Gia in the backseat. Thankfully, the exit was uneventful.

Morning rush-hour traffic was heavy, made more so when they got stuck behind a bus that stopped several times before turning into a subdivision. Presley pulled up in front of Gia’s school. After the girl climbed out with her backpack, Presley hugged her.

“You promise I can come visit you?” Gia asked.

“Absolutely. I can’t wait to show you around.”

Dominic looked as if he didn’t want to let his daughter go when he hugged her. Presley felt guilty that they would be separated because of her. She’d tried again before they left the house to convince him to let her go to a hotel so Gia didn’t have to leave, but he wouldn’t hear it and snapped that he wouldn’t be discussing it again. That was before she’d found the tracking device. Now, no one was safe staying there until the perp was caught.

Gia’s friend Tracey came running over, and together, they entered the building. Gia stopped, turned, and waved before disappearing inside.

“Hey, Dominic.”

“Elaine, it’s good to see you.” He hugged the woman. “This is my friend Presley Parrish.”

Elaine’s eyes narrowed. “That name sounds familiar—oh, wait, I remember you. You used to do back handsprings down the length of the basketball court. Your tumbling was the highlight of the games back then.”

Presley shook her hand. “Thanks, and it’s nice to meet you.”

“You sure it’s no problem to watch Gia for a few days?” Dominic asked.

Elaine waved a hand. “Absolutely not. Tracey was so excited when I told her she actually cleaned her room.” They all laughed.

“I appreciate it,” Dominic said.

“This has something to do with all the recent fires, doesn’t it?”

“It does,” Dominic admitted. “I’ll be working long hours.”

“Well, Gia and Major will be fine with us. Call anytime.”

“Thank you, Elaine.”

Dominic loaded Major and his supplies inside her minivan, along with Gia’s suitcase.

Once she drove away, Presley said, “I’m sorry.”

Dominic pulled her into her arms. “Stop. This isn’t your fault.”

“But it is. Someone is targeting me, and that puts anyone around me in danger.”

“Tell me who you think it is. I know you have a suspect.”

Presley’s cell buzzed with a text. It was Tyler, instructing her to call him when she could. He’d already identified the man with a scar earlier that morning. Bill Fitzgerald. The name didn’t ring any bells.

“Let’s head to the SUV. I need to call my office.”

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