Page 1 of The Flame of Carson
Chapter 1
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Gage reached for thecoffee mug on his desk as he read over the final evaluations for Bravo team.Satisfied with the report, he saved it before forwarding it on to Ethan.He took a swallow of his coffee and leaned back in his chair, his mind replaying the email he had received the day before from Stacey.Stacey Carlin.The brown-haired, green-eyed beauty that was Krista Blackstone's editor and friend.
On top of that, she and Gage had spent a remarkable weekend together in her hotel room after the mess with Ingram at Krista's book reveal almost two years ago.A weekend that had quickly turned into a long-distance relationship without either really noticing.Well, he wasn't sure if he'd call what they had a relationship, seeing as how neither of them had put labels as to what they were.Lovers?That would be hell yes.Boyfriend/Girlfriend?Hell, if he knew.All he did know for sure was that they enjoyed their time together when they did see each other.Both in and out of bed.A ghost of a smile appeared on Gage's face when he quickly brought up Stacey's email on his computer for the hundredth time.
Hey Gage,
Hope you're doing good.Things are crazy here in New York, but what else is new right?So, Kris tells me that Blackout is doing great and that you all are keeping busy.Guess that's why you had to cancel your trip out here last month.
Is it just me or does this long-distance shit bite?Well, I hope we can see each other again soon.I have a blast with you, even when we're not trying to rip each other's clothes off.:)
I got to run, just thought I'd shoot this off to you before I get tied up with meetings and manuscripts for the next six or so hours.Talk to you soon big boy.
Stace
Gage had immediately fired off a reply of his own after he had received her email but had yet to hear back from her.Not surprising given how much the woman worked.She was driven and he loved it.Smart as hell, quick as a whip and a blast to be with.Needing to clear his mind, Gage rose from his chair and turned to his window.He needed to stop acting like some horny teenager and focus on work.He had three interviews for the new spot open in Delta team and he couldn't afford to split his mind.Turning from the window, he gathered the files he needed and left his office.
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Stacey Carlin walkedinto her office and froze.What had started out as a pretty good Wednesday morning had just turned to hell in the time it took her to open her office door.Biting back a curse, she gripped the strap on her bag, spun on her heel and stormed from her office toward her boss's.Without knocking, Stacey pushed open the door and walked into the plush corner office.
“I got another one.”Stacey stated.
“Damn it.”Walter Farris cursed, hitting the switch on his intercom.“Susan, call down to Eric at security and tell him Ms.Carlin and I am on our way.After that, call Detective Sherman at the NYPD and tell him to get over here asap.”
“Right away Mr.Farris.”
Walter rose from his desk and moved to Stacey, “Was there a card or anything?”
“I didn't look.I opened my door and there the damned things were.A vase of black roses sitting in the middle of my desk.I turned and came straight here.”Stacey growled.
“All right, let's go down to see Eric and then wait for Sherman.”he nodded, slipping his arm around her shoulders.
“Walt, I can't do this anymore.This guy is now sending stuff to my office, and I have to spend half my morning talking to security and the detective.I have clients waiting, nearly three dozen manuscripts waiting for me to review and double that in query letters.”she sighed, stepping into the elevator with Walter.
“I'm sorry this is happening to you Stacey.I feel just as frustrated as you do because we're doing all we can,” he said hitting the button for the security floor.“Sherman said he had reached out the FBI's cyber division on this because most of the contacts to you were through emails.Initially anyway.He also told me that so far, the feds have come up goose eggs on trying to trace the emails.”
Stacey closed her eyes as she leaned her head against the back wall of the elevator car.“Walt, is that offer you made me a few weeks ago still on the table?”
Walter glanced over at her.“You think it's a good idea?”
Stacey opened her eyes and studied her boss and friend.“Kinda hard for him to contact me if I'm not here, isn't it?”
Walter sighed heavily but saw her logic.It was the same logic he had used when he made her the offer again three weeks ago.“Yeah.Okay, once we finish this mess up, I want you to work from home for the day.I'll get started on the paperwork.Everything should be in order for you to leave in about a month or so.”
“If it's all the same to you boss, I'd like to take a personal day today.After seeing those damned flowers, my mind isn't on work.I think I'll just hit the gym, take my anger out on a sparring partner, then start house hunting.”Stacey replied, the corner of her mouth quirking up in a half smile.
“Done.I will distribute your waiting manuscripts and query letters to the other editors, and I'll explain things.”he agreed.
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Stacey stalked throughthe double doors of her Krav Maga studio ready to rip someone to pieces.She had picked up the art from her cousin, who had been a SEAL, when she was fourteen.Now at thirty-four, she still practiced it and was currently a Black belt 9th degree Dan and twice a month instructed beginner level classes.
“Hey Stacey.”A voice called out.
