Page 15 of Smoldering Nights
“I think she’s hiding something.And Rayburn’s got the skills to make this look like an accident.”
Izzy folded her arms.“I knew she didn’t like me, but I never thought…”
“People don’t always do what you expect,” Mitch said.“Especially when money and resentment get involved.”
She nodded slowly, then turned her gaze back to the building.“I hate that someone did this over property.Over flowers.”
He looked at her, his voice softer now.“This isn’t just about flowers.It’s about what you built.That’s what makes you a threat.”
She swallowed hard, her eyes burning.“I just want my life back.”
He touched her arm gently.“We’re going to get it back.But I need you to be careful.Stay alert.And if you see anything, anything, you call me.Right away.”
She nodded.“I will.”
A breeze carried the faint scent of smoke still lingering in the air.It clung to the building like a scar.
They stood in silence, both watching it.
Somewhere behind them, a car door slammed.
Mitch turned instantly, hand near his hip.
But it was just a teenager cutting through the alley, earbuds in, oblivious.
Still, Izzy’s heart beat faster.
They weren’t done.
And neither was whoever had started this.
Chapter7
Mitch’s phone buzzed on the passenger seat just as he turned onto Main.He grabbed it, thumbed open the text, and read Izzy’s short message.
Back at Sadie’s.Everything’s quiet, for now.
He didn’t like that last part, ‘for now’.Hopefully it would stay quiet.He replied quickly.
Stay alert and keep me posted.
He pulled into his driveway and parked, wincing as he climbed out of the truck.His rib ached, the muscles in his back were tight, and he hadn’t eaten anything more substantial than a granola bar since breakfast.But his first stop wasn’t the kitchen.It was the small gun safe behind the bookshelf.
He unlocked it and pulled out his compact field kit, spare mags, a discreet sidearm, flashlight, and a burner phone.Just in case.He had no hard proof yet, but every bone in his body screamed that something was coming.And Izzy was smack in the middle of it.And somehow, in the blink of an eye, she became important to him.He liked her.Her spunk and her sass, and well, just her.
After running through the latest camera footage and checking in with Jayson, he finally allowed himself a short rest, just twenty minutes to let the meds kick in.He focused on shutting off his mind for a few winks, and finally, his eyelids felt heavy, and he let them close.
The blare of his phone jolted him upright.
He answered on the first ring.“What’s wrong?”
Sadie’s voice was tight.“Izzy’s okay, but someone just tried to get in the back door.She screamed.I called the police.Mitch...it wasn’t Travis.He’s not here.”
Mitch was already grabbing his keys.“I’m on my way.Don’t let Izzy out of your sight.”
He broke a handful of traffic laws getting across town.When he pulled up in front of Sadie’s house, two squad cars were already parked along the curb.He spotted Trey near the side of the house, talking to one of the neighbors.
Izzy stood on the porch, arms wrapped tightly around herself, eyes wide with barely contained fear.Sadie stood beside her, equally shaken but trying to be strong.
