Page 59 of Ink and Ashes
It’s Canada Day. It could’ve just been some kids pulling a prank. But it’d be a hell of a sick one if that’s the case, because fire or not, a cut fuel line could’ve gotten her killed. Plus, I don’t buy that it’s a coincidence that only Holland’s car was tampered with.
Her voice pulls my attention back to her. “Have you guys had any other calls for fires today?”
I look at her confused. “No, we haven’t. Why?”
She swallows, keeping her eyes trained on the ground. “It’s day fifteen, Colson.”
My eyes narrow before understanding dawns on me. This definitely wasn’t some kids playing a prank.
I can’t believe I didn’t realize it before now.
I glance back down at the file before meeting her dark-brown eyes. “We’re not going to get called to another fire today,” I state. It’s not a question. “Your car was fire number ten.”
She nods, her eyes growing glassy, and that’s a punch directly to my gut.
I’ve been so determined to prove her wrong because the press has never been on my side before. So determined that I’ve spent five weeks ignoring what’s been in front of me all along.
Whether I want to believe it or not, this town has an arsonist. And Holland is the only one who’s been brave enough to do something about it.
Ever since she rolled into town, she’s left a trail of destruction in her wake. I still don’t know what exactly happened back home,but I’m sure part of her is running from it. It’s clear from her determination and resilience that her business here is an attempt to prove herself to those she left behind, and I’ve been so resentful toward her, knowing she’s using our town and circumstances to fix whatever’s wrong in her life.
But I see now that even if that is the case, she’s also the only one who’s seen these fires for what they are. She truly just wants to help us.
It’s time I start letting her.
I take a step closer to her and the look on her face grows wary. When she doesn’t back away, I take another step forward and wrap my arms around her. It takes her a moment to relax, but once she does, I feel her shoulders begin to shake.
“You’re okay.” I brush my mouth against the top of her head, her scent invading me. “I believe you, Rhodes.”
She pulls back to look up at me, her face tear streaked. “What?”
“I believe you.” I hand the file about her car back to her and start walking backward toward my truck. “Come on.”
She follows me hesitantly. “Where are we going?”
“First, to the police station so they can take that statement they thought they didn’t need. After that, we’re getting food to take our minds off everything, then I’ll take you home.”
She pulls her lower lip between her teeth, nodding softly, before she makes her way over. I hold the passenger door open for her as she pulls herself up, buckling her seatbelt, then shut the door and make my way around to the driver’s side.
Once I’m comfortable, I take a moment to look over at her. Despite the obvious fear in her eyes, I swear she’s never looked better than she does right now. The image of her sitting in my passenger seat in her tight clothes is going to be burned into my mind for weeks to come.
I’ve spent so long forcing myself to ignore how attracted I am to her simply because I hate what she stands for. Now that I’ve given myself permission to trust her, I can’t tear my gaze away.
Holland Rhodes doesn’t just light up a room when she entersit. She sets it onfire. And fuck if I don’t find myself wondering what it would be like to be burned by her.
“Eyes on the road, Lieutenant,” Holland says, and I shake out of it.
My lips quirk up. “So much better without the Killjoy,” I tell her as I put the truck in reverse, backing out of the parking lot.
Holland’s laugh is gentle before she turns her attention back toward the file. The drive to the police station is short and silent, and when we get there, I turn to her again.
“You ready?” I ask.
She nods, but just as she moves to get out, her phone dings. She glances down at the notification, her brows pulled together.
“What is it?”
She turns her phone toward me, and the screen shows a new email from the same email address that sent the first one. Like that one, this one has no body matter—simply a subject that reads:Consider this your last warning. Next time, it’ll be you that burns.
