Page 27 of Arsonist’s Match (Blaze and Badge #1)
A thena sat behind her desk, four search windows open on her computer, and a stack of case files waiting for review. The whole team had been neck-deep in research since Agent McFadden’s briefing that morning.
The ticking of the wall clock, usually a faint background hum, now pounded in her ears like a sledgehammer on railroad ties. It was after five—she should call it, send everyone home.
What if he strikes again tonight? What if he’s already moved on to another state?
Her cell phone buzzed across the desk. Flash .
Recalling the fight, worry wormed into her gut.
Athena hated walking on thin ice, but what could she do?
Relationships were work. Maybe she wasn’t cut out for them.
Then she caught sight of the redwood sign across the room.
Keep calm and carry on. Next came the image of Flash—playful grin, sun-kissed skin, lounging in a bikini …
or nothing at all. Her finger moved before her brain caught up, pressing the green icon.
“Hey,” she answered, aiming for cool, but honey slipped into the word.
“Hey,” echoed a tired reply. “How’s your investigation going?”
“It’s going.” Her default evasive answer. “You?”
“I miss you. Do you think you’ll be free tomorrow? I’m happy with lunch, dinner, a sleepover, whatever you can spare—I’ll take it.”
Something in Flash’s tone softened Athena’s edges—sincere, not merely charming.
“I miss you too, sweetie, but honestly … I’m just not up to a lot of personal drama,” she admitted. “We promised full candor, right? So, I’m just putting that out there.”
“I know,” Flash replied. “You know I’m no drama queen.
Look, I’ve been thinking about the other night, the miscommunication, my fears, your fears, and it needs to be settled.
I don’t want to lose the most amazing woman I’ve ever met because we failed to talk about our feelings. So … what do you say?”
A flood of emotions washed over Athena, culminating in hope.
Despite the differences—age, status, income, their stress-heavy careers—she truly wanted Flash to be her One.
Her partner. The woman who could complete her in ways no one else ever had.
Hope shattered all the usual excuses. Instead of shutting down, as she had in the past, Athena leaned in.
More than once, Mr. Smith had credited his rise to director to the unwavering support of his wife. Could life really be easier—better—with the right partner? Could that partner be Flash?
Athena had always believed walking away from love made her stronger. She told herself it was necessary to protect her heart, to protect her career. But now she saw the truth: it wasn’t strength; it was fear. And it was time to stop running.
“If the JP Morgan Chase Tower isn’t under siege by terrorists, I’d love to meet you for dinner,” she answered, already feeling lighter. “Let’s have dinner and then decide where to go from there. Deal?”
“Deal!” Flash’s enthusiastic reply boomed over the phone, coaxing a smile to Athena’s lips. “Pick a restaurant.”
Remembering Flash’s money issue, Athena suggested, “How about that dumpling place near where you live?”
“Xiaolong,” Flash supplied cheerily. “It’s good. Does six-thirty work?”
“I’ll let you know when I’m wrapping up tomorrow,” Athena promised. “You’re still on shift?”
“Yeah, ‘til tomorrow morning.”
“Take care of my firefighter. Love you.” Fight or no fight, it was true.
“I love you too, baby.”
Flash’s response wasn’t flippant or rehearsed, but as pure as the air after a rain, filling Athena’s soul with joy.
Somehow, Athena had beaten Flash to the restaurant—Houston traffic roulette. Flash, wearing a crisp, short-sleeved, white and navy striped button-up, tails out over jean shorts, slid into the opposite seat. Reaching into her pocket, she rifled out a small box and pushed it across the table.
“Peace offering,” she said. “By the way, you look amazing.”
Of course, Athena was as stunning as ever, still in her designer power suit, her luscious legs sheathed in sheer hose.
Flash’s heart raced; her palms were uncharacteristically damp.
The cocky butch, rarely rattled, needed to fix things between them.
Athena lifted a brow, raking Flash with a discerning look. “You’re quite hot yourself.”
Laughing anxiously, Flash declared, “Now that we’ve established we’re the most attractive power couple in Houston—and had time to think—we should finish our conversation from the other night.
I know love isn’t always enough, but it’s a hell of a good start.
” Her gaze flicked to the box, then back to Athena, her nerves buzzing.
No sooner had Athena picked it up, a waiter appeared. “May I take your orders?”
Flash gave Athena a questioning glance. She hadn’t looked at the menu, but usually ordered the same things here.
“The Szechuan shrimp looks good, medium spice,” Athena said, handing over her menu.
“I’ll have the sesame chicken,” Flash added. “And bring us the green onion pancakes and shrimp dumplings for starters. Athena, do you prefer white or fried rice?”
“With a flavorful entrée, white rice is fine.”
“And to drink?” the waiter asked.
“Water’s good with me,” Flash said.
“Water, thank you.”
The young man departed, and Athena opened the box. Flash soaked in every nuance of her reaction as she silently read the note, then lifted the delicate necklace, Athena spelled in script between gold chains. Her reaction—eyes wide, smile soft, fingers quivering—told Flash everything.
“Flash, you didn’t have to get me a make-up gift,” she murmured. But, without hesitation, she fastened it around her neck, her name settling into the hollow of her throat.
“The argument was my fault and just saying ‘I’m sorry’ wasn’t enough,” Flash explained. “I’m glad you like it. I’m not good at girly stuff.”
“May I say you’re good at a host of things you don’t give yourself credit for, without you taking it the wrong way?” A smirk played on Athena’s lips, her eyes lit with affection.
Relieved, Flash smiled. “You may.”
She leaned forward, elbows on the table, hands clasped.
A quiet gravity settled over her. “Look, sweetie, being the protector, the provider, the solid rock for you to lean on is hard-wired into my nature. If danger’s coming, I’ll always step in front of you.
That said, I promise to work on the money thing.
I don’t want you to give away your millions to stroke my ego—it’s the size of Montana already,” she added with a laugh.
“Funny, then, how it was my insecurity that set me off in the first place. Forgive me?”
She slid one hand closer to Athena, who took it, eyes glistening. “Only if you forgive me. I might come across as an elitist—part of my ice bitch persona.”
“I know there’s a heart of gold under that Kevlar.”
“Well.” Athena gave a crooked smile, fondling Flash’s fingers. “I’m not so sure about gold, but I am sure of my motives for nudging you toward taking the lieutenant’s test—only when you’re ready,” she added seriously.
A weight lifted from Flash. She hadn’t even realized she carried it until that instant. The world felt right again. “We’re good?”
Athena’s smile warmed. “We are very good.”
“It’s such a relief to hear you say it.” Flash wanted to kiss her—right then, right there. It seemed she suffered from that desire more and more often. Withdrawing her hand, she sipped her water the waiter had covertly placed there when her attention had been glued to her date.
“Look, we’re going to fight sometimes,” Athena said. “It’s normal. Let’s just make sure it’s over something actionable, not because we’re misreading each other.”
“I’m all for that,” Flash agreed.
“Now.” Athena leaned back in the booth, sipped her water, and eyed Flash intuitively. “What happened on shift yesterday before you called?”
Damn, she’s good, Flash thought. Could’ve been a profiler.
With a sigh, she relayed the entire story. Midway through, the waiter brought the appetizers.
“Honey, I’m so sorry.” Athena reached for her hand. Flash took it with gratitude.
“And we were just talking about how we can’t save everybody,” Flash said quietly. She shook her head and nibbled a bite of dim sum.
“But because you didn’t hesitate, didn’t wait for orders, you rescued one of them,” Athena reminded her. “And, my God, Flash, the stairwell fell out from under you? Thank heavens you weren’t hurt.”
“Oh, that kind of thing happens often,” she replied, brushing it off. “It isn’t often I have to watch a kid’s body recovered afterward—again, thank God.” Gritting her teeth, she added, “I just can’t get over that jerk videoing it.”
Flash detected a fleeting look in Athena’s eyes, as if she’d suddenly thought of something important. Then it was gone.
Cocking her head, Athena posed a question. “What would you have done differently if you had been in charge?”
“Hey, that’s not fair,” Flash said. “Hindsight is 20/20. I’m not blaming Edwards. He couldn’t have known what room the children were in.”
“I’m not casting blame, Flash.” Athena slowly reiterated her question. “What would you have done?”
Flash rolled her eyes. She had already replayed every step. Even amid the fire, her brain had ticked off ideas of how she thought it should have been handled.
“I woul d have split squad, sent half of them upstairs and the other half down,” she confessed, “but Edwards’ logic wasn’t faulty. If they had found the kids downstairs, there would have been no need to send firefighters up, where the fire was fully blown and conditions more hazardous.”
“Then, upon what do you base your plan?”
“Instinct. Kids’ rooms are usually upstairs, and, if they had been downstairs, why not just run out the front or back doors? They were kids, but not itty-bitties. The mom had the baby. Neither option was wrong.”
“It’s just that your strategy might have saved both children.”