Page 92 of Raging Inferno

Dom’s phone buzzed. It was Ric Berg, the local fire inspector. He excused himself and answered.

“I wanted to give you a heads-up on the house fire yesterday. The deceased has been identified as Nora Hinton. She was already dead when the blaze started in her bedroom. Gasoline was the accelerant.”

That was what Dominic had deduced as the cause. “Murder?”

“Yes. The investigators broke the husband relatively easily. He admitted to killing his wife and setting the house ablaze as a cover. Apparently, he’d read about the other fires. He’d wanted to get rid of his wife for a while and figured it was the best wayto eliminate her while pocketing the life and house insurance money and blaming a murderer.”

“Idiot,” Dominic muttered.

“Oh, he was. A novice could’ve followed the clues. Every one led to him.”

“Did they have children?”

“Thankfully, no.”

One bright spot. “Thanks for letting me know.”

He disconnected and glanced at his watch. It was time to get ready for the gala. He had no desire to go, but it was for a good cause, and Gia had been excited when he’d told her about it. They’d shopped online for a local dress and had it delivered. When it had arrived, she’d screamed with happiness. It was precisely what she’d wanted.

Dom climbed the stairs and entered his bedroom. It was empty, but the door across the hall was closed. He figured Gia and Presley were getting ready together.

After a shower and shave, Dominic checked his reflection in the mirror, adjusting the bow tie on his tux. The last thing he wanted to do was socialize with the movers and shakers of Serenity Shores and the surrounding cities when Presley was about to waltz out of his life. How was he supposed to say goodbye to her?

Once he was satisfied with his look, he headed down the steps. Presley’s door was still closed. Guilt assailed him that she was caring for his daughter when he was available to do the job.

Kayne was already dressed when Dominic entered the living room.

“I hate black-tie events,” Kayne muttered.

“Same,” Dominic agreed. Even though part of his job was to schmooze the affluent population of Serenity Shores, he didn’t enjoy it.

“I thought you’d head home,” Dom told Kayne.

“I had the tux, so I might as well use it.”

“The food is always delicious at these events, and there’s an open bar.”

“That’ll help,” Kayne agreed.

“Daddy, look at me.”

Gia skipped into the room, looking like a younger version of her beauty queen mother. Her black hair was styled in fat curls that waved around her shoulders. Her poofy pink dress was adorable. He had trouble aligning this version of Gia to his tomboy daughter. She’d never wanted to wear a dress before.

He crouched down. “You look so beautiful, honey.”

“Thanks, Daddy.” She twirled. “Presley helped me.”

Presley walked in, and time stood still. Dom slowly rose to his feet. Gia said something, but he’d gone deaf. The only sound that penetrated was his pounding heartbeat.

Presley didn’t need cosmetics or fancy clothes to look amazing, but with her blonde hair curling around her shoulders like Gia’s, makeup highlighting her perfect features, and a dress that showed off her toned figure, she was exquisite.

“Did you hear me, Dad?”

He blinked down at his daughter. “What did you say?”

“That Presley fixed my hair. Do you like it?”

He picked up a curl and let it fall back into place. “I love it.”

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