Page 25 of Raging Inferno

Jessie’s words snapped Presley from her memories. “I do,” she murmured.

“Jessie? Whose SUV is that—”

All heads turned toward the entry as a man came storming inside. Presley wasn’t sure she would’ve recognized Sam King if she didn’t know Jessie was married to him. He’d been handsome in high school, popular and athletic. He’d always come in second to Dominic in everything from prom king to male athlete of the year.

The years had caught up with him. His once thick black hair was thinning and receding. Padding around the middle suggested he wasn’t as physically fit as he’d been back then. He still oozed money, though.

“Oh, hey, Dom. I didn’t recognize your vehicle, though I should have since I sold it to you.” They shook hands. Then Sam’s gaze moved to her and took a leisurely stroll down her body. “Who is this?”

Jessie, in the process of refilling her glass, tossed over her shoulder, “Sam, you remember Gwenie’s cousin Presley, don’t you?”

Sam’s eyes widened. “You’re Gwen’s little mini-me?”

“I am her cousin, yes.”

“Wow, you were an adorable kid. Nice job growing up.”

A clatter sounded from the bar. “Oops, sorry,” Jessie muttered, not sounding the least bit remorseful as she picked up the ice tongs. Presley thought that maybe this happened often with Sam. Judging from his lecherous look, he was still a hound dog.

“What are you two doing here?”

“Margy Binder and Nancy Baker.”

“Oh yeah, that was bad about Margy . . . wait, did you say Nancy? Why?”

“She and her husband perished in a fire last night,” Dominic told him.

Sam rubbed a hand over his forehead. “Wow, I hadn’t heard. That’s terrible. I dated her back in the day.”

“When was the last time you spoke with her?” asked Presley.

“A few months ago.”

“What?”Jessie screeched. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Why would I?”

“Uh, maybe because I’m your wife.”

Sam merely shrugged.

To diffuse the tension, Presley questioned, “Did she say anything that would raise flags, like she was being followed or anything?”

“Nah, it was friendly chit-chat. That’s all. Nothing earth-shattering or life-altering.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you spoke with one of my friends,” Jessie spat.

“Some friend. You haven’t talked to her in years. Besides, she was my friend too.”

The tension in the room was palpable. They might’ve been close once, but there was no love lost between Jessie and Sam.

Obviously feeling the same negative vibes, Dominic turned to Sam. “Are your fire alarms up to date?”

“Hell if I know,” Sam confessed. “You’d have to ask Celia. I know that if Jessie so much as lights up a cigarette, they notify the fire department.”

“Bastard,” Jessie muttered. “I don’t smoke.”

Sam either didn’t hear or chose to ignore his wife.

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