Page 54 of Raging Inferno

Presley was here for funerals and now to hunt a killer that might have her in his sights. Despite how her heart thumped like hummingbird wings whenever Dominic was around, she didn’t have time for an affair. It was a physical attraction, nothing more.

Okay, if she was being truthful, she genuinely liked him as a person. He was honorable, strong, and a great father. She wasn’t sure she could resist him for long. Didn’t even know if she wanted to. Life was short. Why not embrace the good when she could?

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Dominic woke early after another evening spent tossing and turning. More erotic dreams plagued his sleep, leaving him turned on and frustrated. He would deal with that later. His daughter was leaving soon, and he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.

After showering and shaving, he dressed and headed to the kitchen, where the coffee was already brewing, thanks to a timer. He planned on making Gia’s favorite breakfast: waffles. He’dhave to wake her up earlier than usual to get her to school in time.

He poured a cup of java and gathered the ingredients. The waffle maker was in the pantry, so he grabbed it. Dom was mixing the batter when he felt the air around him shift. He knew without turning around that Presley was nearby.

“Good morning.”

He glanced over his shoulder to greet her, but the words died in his throat. There was absolutely nothing provocative about her outfit. A floral top and blue jeans. But her blonde hair was down around her shoulders, and her blue eyes sparkled. His nocturnal dreams came rushing back at him, where he was running his tongue down her very naked body.

“Can I help?”

Get a grip, Bianchi. You’re a grown man. A father, for crying out loud.“Uh, yeah, you can chop the strawberries again. They’re in the fridge.”

Footsteps sounded, and then small arms clamped around his waist. “I don’t want to leave you, Daddy.”

Dom sat the bowl and spoon down and turned to his daughter. “I know, honey.” He hugged her. “I hate to be away from you too.”

“Then why do I have to go?”

He wasn’t about to tell her about the danger. Instead, he said, “I have things I need to do for work and won’t be able to be home. You can’t be here by yourself.”

“Can’t Presley stay with me?”

“Honey, she’ll be busy.”

“But I want to spend time with her.”

“I know the timing sucks.”

Her bottom lip trembled, and Dom was about to call Elaine Chang and tell her the deal was off. He didn’t want his baby upset. Then he remembered the car that had almost run them offthe road. “You’ll have so much fun with Tracey. You’ll be back here before you know it.”

“At least I get to take Major. He can comfort me when I get homesick.”

Shoot him now. This was torture.

“Gia, can you help me pick the leaves off the strawberries?” asked Presley.

“Sure.”

Dom nodded at Presley and mouthed, “Thanks.” She smiled in return.

He fixed the waffles while Presley and Gia prepared the berries. They sat down to eat like a family. There was laughter and conversation, dominated mainly by Gia. He noticed Presley didn’t talk down to her, which some adults tended to do with children. Another point in her favor.

A feeling of rightness washed over him. Gia’s happiness made him ecstatic. That was all he wanted for her. After a few rough years, her giggles were a balm to his soul.

“Tell me another Kai Costa joke,” Gia urged.

“Oh, gosh, okay. Let me think . . . okay, I’ve got one. Why do eyeshadow, mascara, and lipstick never stay mad at each other?”

Gia was bouncing in her chair. “I don’t know. Why?”

“Because they always make up.”

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