Page 71 of Raging Inferno

Presley almost jerked when a hand settled against the small of her back. Dominic was feeling possessive. Kayne was in front of them, so he didn’t see it.

Once they loaded into the SUV, Presley asked, “Kayne, did you bring a suit?”

“Uh, no.”

“You’ll need one for a funeral today and a tux for a black-tie event in two days. I need to find outfits too. Dominic, where’s the best place to shop around here?”

He guided them to an upscale outlet mall near Duluth. Presley found dresses and shoes to wear to both events, along with a purse that paired with both outfits. She accompanied the men while they chose their clothes. After packing their findings in the SUV, they stopped at a Mexican restaurant for lunch.

Dominic and Kayne hit it off instantly and chatted away like old friends over chips and salsa. Presley tried to join in, but all she wanted to do was relive yesterday in Dominic’s arms. She’d never known sex could be so . . . spectacular. That seemed like such a tame word for what they’d shared. She didn’t know if she felt this way because she’d crushed on him for a significant portion of her life or if he was just that good. She suspected it was the latter.

Sleeping with him had complicated things tremendously. When she’d left the COBRA Securities compound a few days ago, she thought she would attend Margy’s funeral and return home. Now, she didn’t know how she would leave Dominic and his daughter behind.

There was nothing for Presley in Serenity Shores. Like Gia, the city held terrible memories. It hurt to pass the ice cream shop where Gwen used to take her for malts or the park where they’d practiced gymnastics. Time hadn’t healed her wounds.

Though she was still relatively new to her job, Presley loved her work. Couldn’t imagine doing anything else. It truly felt as if it was what she’d been born to do. She couldn’t stay.

Saying goodbye would gut her.

#

Nancy and Gene’s joint funeral was just as painful as Margy Binder’s had been. Gene’s two daughters from a previous marriage had bawled throughout the service. His ex-wife hadplayed the victim, crying to anyone who would listen that Nancy had stolen the love of her life from her.

Nancy’s only sister, Nina, had been distraught. Presley didn’t remember her since Nina had been much older than Nancy. Presley had offered condolences and was glad to learn Nina had her husband and two children to comfort her.

Nancy’s parents hadn’t been in attendance. Presley asked Dominic about them. She remembered them being friendly.

“They passed away in a car accident years ago.”

“Oh, that’s a shame.”

The burial was held at the same cemetery as Gwen’s and Margy’s, one of two in Serenity Shores. They passed Margy’s grave, which had a fresh mound of dirt covered with dying flowers, on the way to Nancy and Gene’s final resting place.

Instead of attending the gravesite service, Kayne stayed in the SUV to work on his laptop. Presley didn’t blame him. He’d just sat through the wake of people he’d never met. They wore comm devices to keep in touch.

Presley studied the mourners. She recognized some of the same people who had attended Margy’s service. She didn’t see Jessie or Tamera. Presley thought they might’ve made the effort for their old friend. Apparently not.

Her eyes scanned the area and snapped back. “Dominic, look over there.”

It was the same woman in black with sunglasses and a hat who had appeared at Margy’s funeral. Presley took off after her, but she was too far away and already gone before Presley could catch up to her. The mystery woman had been nowhere near where they had parked, or she would’ve sent Kayne after her.

It had to be someone who knew both women. If it were Jessie or Tamera, why would they hide?

Dominic caught up with her. “She disappeared again?”

“Yeah.” Presley glanced back at the service. “It’s almost over. We might as well leave.”

As they were making their way back to the SUV, Presley stepped into a hole and stumbled just as something whizzed by her ear. She knew that sound. Shoving Dominic toward an oak tree, she yelled, “Take cover! Someone is shooting at us.”

#

Kayne Serruto surveyed the cemetery as Presley and Dominic attended the service for Nancy Babcock and her husband, Gene. There were some intricately carved headstones featuring angels, benches, and hearts. Most were decorated with flowers, wind chimes, and religious figurines. Trees were peppered around, providing shade and landscaping. Located on several hills, the graveyard wasn’t a bad place to spend eternity.

Kayne decided to wait in the SUV to get work done. He’d seen too much death during his military days and again in his personal life. He tried to avoid the whole scene as much as possible. His parents had passed away when he was young. Hismawmaw,Adelaide, had raised him, and she was one tough Cajun broad. Tears were a no-no. Kayne had learned to internalize his feelings at a young age.

He’d only been in Serenity Shores for a few hours, but it had been enough to realize he was the proverbial third wheel. Some serious pheromones sparked between Presley and Dominic.Bon Dieu, he’d almost been singed. They tried to act like nothing was happening between them, but Kayne had become somewhat of an expert on these things. He’d had a front-row seat to the Luca Russo and Liliana Lima love story and another for the Christian Zamora and Aja Blue LaLonde affair. From his experience, those involved tried to hide their feelings, deny them, or whatever, but he’d been trained to read people, and he was good at it.

Presley’s case was different because a child was involved. He’d seen her around the kids at the complex, and she wasgood with them. They adored her. Would she want to become an instant mother? He had no idea.

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