Page 69 of Raging Inferno

Dominic scrambled eggs and fried bacon as he listened to Presley explain what had been happening to her coworker, Kayne Serruto. The man was too handsome for his own good and he knew it. When you added that he’d been a Navy SEAL, the baddest, most elite group of soldiers in the world, and he had that Louisiana accent, Dom did not doubt that he had a legion of women falling at his feet. Thankfully, it didn’t appear that Presley was one of them.

Planning ahead for dinner, he whipped up his famous meatballs and sauce and set them to simmer all day in the Crock Pot. He had breakfast on the table when Presley’s phone rang. She disconnected and said, “Reggie needs to see us.”

“We’ve got time to eat,” Kayne insisted, sliding into a seat and digging in. “Um, this is delicious.”

Presley followed suit, and Dom sat across from her. They devoured the food. When they finished, they headed to the garage. “I’ll drive,” Kayne offered.

“Did you bring the supplies?” Presley asked him.

“Sure did.” Kayne opened the back hatch.

Presley dug around inside and produced a vest, handing it to Dom. “I’m going to need you to wear this.”

He took it from her hands. “Is this bulletproof?”

“It is.”

She lifted her shirt to show him the one she was wearing. It was so sleek, he couldn’t tell she had one on. He yanked his T-shirt over his head, reveling in Presley’s avid interest. Taking his sweet time, he fastened the Kevlar around his chest.

She made sure the binds were tight, her gaze seeking his. If they didn’t have a rapt audience, he’d capture her lips in a bone-melting kiss.

Kayne cleared his throat, and Presley jumped as if shocked. She patted Dom’s stomach and stepped back. “Ready?”

For you? Always. Instead of voicing his thoughts, he nodded in agreement.

Presley claimed shotgun while Dom climbed into the backseat. He wasn’t used to the view since he always rode in the front of the fire trucks. Presley guided Kayne to the police station, and he found a spot to park.

Denea Sipes greeted them when they entered the building. “Hey, Dominic. Presley. Good to see you again. And who are you?” Her eyes ate Kayne up.

“Kayne Serruto.” He held out his hand. “Nice to meet you,cher.”

“Oh, my,” Denea twittered, fanning her face. “Aren’t you the handsome devil.”

“We’re here to see Detective Reggie Branch,” Presley interjected, shoving Kayne out of the way with a hip bump, much to his chuckling delight. “Can you let him know we’re here?”

“What? Oh, sure.”

Before she could page him, Reggie appeared. “Hey, guys, follow me.”

He led them to a conference room and closed the door. Presley introduced her coworker, and they shook hands.

Reggie smoothed his tie and sat in a chair. “I noticed something at the church last night. A substance on the ground.”

He took out a photo and slid it across the table. Presley gasped. “It’s Cheerios.”

“Correct. I reviewed the photos from Margy and Nancy’s fires and found these.”

He pushed two more pictures showing blown-up shots of the same cereal.

Presley surged to her feet. “This proves it. I was right all along.”

Chapter Seventeen

Presley had known from the beginning that the fires were connected. This was definitive proof. “Do you believe me now?” she demanded of Reggie.

“I didn’t disbelieve you before.”

“Oh, cut the crap, Reggie. You thought I was bonkers.”

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