Page 46 of Raging Inferno

“Do me a favor,” Presley said to Dominic as they walked up a hill to where Margy would be laid to rest. “Try to take pictures of the crowd. I will too, so hopefully, we won’t miss anyone. Sometimes killers like to view their handiwork.”

“Arsonists as well,” Dominic remarked. “We do the same with people who gather to watch fires.”

All the people from the service were in attendance, so it was crowded. They stood in the back where they could monitor people coming and going.

The service in front of the gravesite was quick. The minister said a few words, a man with a saxophone played a haunting tune, and then the casket was lowered into the ground.

Presley surreptitiously snapped photos of everyone in the vicinity. Most of the attendees looked like family or friends. No one seemed out of place. There was no sign of Jessie, Charmaine, or Tamera. She’d hoped they would change their minds about attending, but obviously not.

“Presley, look over there.”

She followed Dominic’s gaze to see a woman standing away from the crowd, peeking around a large oak tree. She was outfitted in all black, with a hat and sunglasses. It was impossible to tell her hair color, and she was too far away to determine features.

The woman noticed their interest and stiffened.

“I’m going to talk to her,” Presley stated.

As Presley started her way, the woman turned and hurried down the hill. Presley kicked off her heels and took off after her, but before she could reach her, she was gone. Presley glanced around the area, but she didn’t see her anywhere. She picked up her shoes and returned to Dominic.

“Did you see who it was?”

“No.” She could rule out Charmaine. The woman hadn’t been big enough. Had it been Jessie? Tamera? Why would they run from her?

By the time she left town, Presley intended to get to the bottom of the Cheerios rift.

Chapter Eleven

Dominic glanced at Presley in the passenger seat. He’d been worried about her at the service and the following burial. He could feel the tremors in her body and knew she was remembering Gwen’s funeral, not to mention that her cousin’s grave was located in the same cemetery. It had to have been hard on her since she was so young when it had happened.

Despite her sadness, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. She’d dressed up for the service but was just as pretty with no makeup. Her skin was as smooth and flawless as the finest porcelain. Her blue eyes sparkled. She was, in a word, stunning.

“An Italian restaurant opened on North Highway 61 that’s received rave reviews. Are you hungry?”

“Yes, but I was thinking we could pick up Gia and go to the Fun Palace she told me about instead.”

Dom fell a little more in love with her at that moment—wait—more? Did that mean he was falling for her?

Hell. He was.

“She’d love that,” he said gruffly. He’d offered Presley a nice dinner with candlelight and wine. Instead, she’d requested a chaotic atmosphere filled with loud music, junk food, and, most importantly, his daughter. How could he not love her?

Gia was over the moon excited when they arrived home. She and Amber had finished the puzzle, and Presley made a big deal of taking pictures and ensuring Gia was in the shots. After Presley changed clothes and exchanged heels for sneakers, Gia grabbed her hand and danced to the SUV.

Dom listened to the interaction between Presley and his daughter as he drove to the restaurant. Gia usually wasn’t so animated around anyone but him. She tended to be reserved and sometimes standoffish. She answered questions with thebarest minimum of words and never spoke first. It was Lainey’s fault for criticizing everything she’d done, but it was his too. He should’ve noticed the signs sooner.

With Presley, however, Gia chattered away like a magpie, the way young girls should. He was finding it very hard to resist Presley Parrish. She’d blown into their world like a spring wind and altered their way of life.

Dinner was a noisy, lively affair. Gosh, the place was loud. And packed. There were games and play areas, and Presley rolled with everything. Dom couldn’t quit watching her. A light shone around her—or maybe that was his imagination. Her interaction with Gia was effortless. She fit into his family like the piece that had been missing.

They had only kissed once, and it had been a quick peck. She’d tasted like ambrosia, and he needed another hit. Kissing her again had become his mission in life.Now a soft kiss – Aye, by that kiss, I vow an endless bliss.

Dom mentally rolled his eyes. He was spouting John Keats in his head. When had he become a romantic?

Laughter interrupted his thoughts, and he saw his daughter doubled over with tears pouring down her cheeks. Presley chuckled with her, and she glanced at him.

Time seemed to stand still as he lost himself in her ocean eyes.

Presley’s grin faded as she stared back. If he wasn’t mistaken—and he wasn’t—she felt the same way about him. The air practically cackled with awareness. Sparks flew. His brain registered his daughter’s guffaws, but he couldn’t tear his gaze from the beautiful woman across from him.

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