Page 50 of My Off-limits Firefighter Next Door
His gaze met mine. “Do you want to be?”
I couldn’t hide my grin. “More than anything.”
I felt like I was walking on air as he opened the passenger side door for me. Sliding into his car, I couldn't help but notice the effortless way he made even the simplest gestures feel significant.
This was starting to feel like a real relationship—something warm, promising, and undeniable—even though we hadn’t officially defined it yet.
But I couldn’t let my emotions run too far ahead. Not while I was living under his roof. Boundaries mattered, and I needed to tread carefully, not just for my own sense of integrity but for Alana’s sake too.
She was always watching, always learning. The example I set for her now would shape how she viewed love and relationships in the future.
As we pulled into the restaurant parking lot, my phone buzzed. The caller ID flashedDetective Detwiler.My heart thudded as I answered.
“Miss Gilson, it’s Detective Detwiler.”
“Yes, sir. Do you have news?” I asked, my voice tight with anticipation.
“We do. The DNA results came back—it's a match for Roger. His thumbprint was on the gas can we found near your house, and the traces of accelerant match what was found at the scene.”
Relief surged through me like a wave. “That’s... that’s incredible news, Detective. Thank you.”
“I’ll be honest, Miss Gilson—I’m surprised he did something so reckless. Do you think he wanted to get caught? Was he acting erratically the last time you saw him?”
I thought back to Roger’s visit. “He seemed angry, like he felt wronged. But I honestly believed he wanted to see his daughter. Now... I don’t know. Maybe he wanted to punish me, or make sure no one else could love his daughter, if he couldn’t have her.”
The words left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I couldn’t ignore the dark possibilities.
The detective sighed on the other end. “From his file, I’d guess he wanted control. If he couldn’t have what he wanted, he’d destroy it. It’s a good thing you’ve kept your distance. He’s dangerous, Miss Gilson.”
I glanced at Jackson, who had stepped out of the car and was talking to Marcus. They both turned to look at me, concern evident on their faces.
“What happens now?” I asked, my grip tightening on the phone.
“We’re on our way to arrest him. We know where he’s staying. Once we have him in custody, I’ll call you to confirm. Stay put for now, and keep yourself and your daughter safe.”
“Understood. Thank you, Detective.”
I ended the call and stepped out of the car, relaying the news to Jackson and Marcus as we walked into the restaurant.
“That’s one step closer to peace of mind,” Jackson said, his hand briefly brushing mine in reassurance.
Marcus, on the other hand, was less subdued. “Good riddance,” he muttered. “What a scumbag.”
We were seated quickly, and the conversation turned lighter as Marcus finally got some food in front of him. The relief in my chest was tempered by the gnawing worry that the arrest hadn’t happened yet. My phone sat next to my plate, the constant reminder of the unresolved tension.
Halfway through dinner, it buzzed again, skittering a few inches across the table. I grabbed it instantly.
“Hello?”
“Miss Gilson,” Detective Detwiler began, “we’ve got Roger in custody. He’s already confessed.”
A stunned silence fell over me. “He... confessed?”
“Yes. He said he wanted your attention. It’s clear he’s not in a good place mentally. Frankly, I don’t think prison helped him at all. He’s being evaluated for transfer to a psychiatric facility. But for now, he’s in jail where he can’t hurt anyone.”
I let out a shaky breath. “I can’t believe this... He used to seem so normal. How did it get this bad?”
“People change, Miss Gilson. And not always for the better.” His tone softened. “You did the right thing by keeping your daughter away. This man should not have access to her. You’re protecting her.”
