Page 22 of The Firefighter's Angel
“I don’t trust them to keep you safe,” he mutters. “Not after yesterday. You think I’m just gonna drop you off and drive away?”
“No,” I say, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I’m not asking you to do that. Just…take me back. Stay nearby. I’ll text you. I promise. If anything feels off, I’ll leave.”
He wraps his arms around me, pulling me tightly against his body. “You don’t have to go,” he whispers into my hair. “You could stay here. Let them figure things out on their own.”
“I know,” I whisper back. “But I need closure. I need to know what I’m going back to, or walking away from.”
He doesn’t speak for a long moment. Then he nods, jaw tight. “Alright. But I’m getting you out of there at any sign of trouble.”
A lump rises in my throat. “Okay.”
He kisses my forehead like it’s a vow.
And somehow, that promise steadies the storm brewing in my chest.
Chapter Eight
Daniel
I fucking hate this.
I hate every second of driving her back to the people who let that bastard near her in the first place. Who didn’t protect her. Who, by the sound of that phone call, don’t even believe her. But she asked me to. Said she needs closure, whatever that means.
So even though it’s killing me, I get it.
She wants to face them on her own terms. Stand her ground.
But I swear to God, if that creep so much as breathes in her direction today, I won’t hesitate. I’ll snap his jaw so hard he won’t be able to lie his way out of anything else for the rest of his miserable life.
We’re not even parked yet and the tension is rolling off her like smoke off a fire line. Her shoulders are up near her ears, her hands fidgeting in her lap. The closer we get, the tighter she coils.
The Airbnb is a small cabin-style rental, looks like a vacation brochure someone forgot to wrinkle. And standing outside waiting, like we’re a damn Uber delivery, are two people.
Cindy’s mom is a redhead too, older and more worn but still holding on to some of that effortless beauty. And I’m guessingthe man is her stepfather, Lenny. Broad shoulders, square jaw, maybe ex-military, maybe just likes to look the part. His arms are folded, legs braced like he’s ready for a standoff.
I turn the engine off and reach over to take her hand. She flinches a little, like she forgot I was here, then grips my fingers tightly.
“You don’t have to get out yet,” I say softly. “Take your time. We’re not in a rush.”
She nods, letting out a shaky breath. She keeps scanning the front of the house like she’s waiting for someone else to appear.
“I don’t see him anywhere,” I say quietly. “You won’t have to deal with the bastard on my watch.”
She gives me a tight, grateful smile, letting out another nervous breath. “Okay. I’m ready.”
I hop out and circle around the truck to open her door. Her mom starts to walk toward us, her eyes locked on Cindy with barely concealed relief. Lenny follows at a slower pace, hanging back a step, hands tucked in his pockets like he wants to seem casual. I don’t buy it.
As Cindy steps down, her mom reaches for her. “Oh, sweetheart, thank God. I was so worried.”
Her voice is soft, motherly, but something about the too-sweet tone makes my skin prickle. Like she’s trying to reset everything back to normal without actually acknowledging how far off course things went.
“Hi, Mom,” Cindy says with a tight smile.
I move to stand behind her, close enough that she can feel me there. Her spine stays straight, but I can see the nerves in the twitch of her fingers.
“Where’s Lyle?” she asks, eyes darting around.
Her mom waves a hand. “He’s gone. You don’t have to worry about anything. He left early this morning.”
