Page 23 of Her Silver Fox Firefighters

“It was a bad one,” Luke mutters, a frown deepening between his brows.

“How can you tell?”

“Uncle Beck looks really bummed out.”

I follow his gaze and see Beck exiting the ambulance, a sour look on his face. There are dark spots on his uniform.

“They probably lost someone,” Luke adds. “Uncle Beck hates that.”

“I’m guessing Beck would save the entire world if he could,” I mutter softly.

It’s one of the things I like most about him—his determination to get everyone home safely.

“He’s a hero. So’s my dad and Uncle Dax,” Luke declares.

We sit together at the counter and watch the men as they get out of their heavy gear, leaving the candidate to stock everything back up for their next call.

As soon as they enter the diner, I smell the fire on them.

“That bad, huh?” Luke asks.

“It was arson,” Dax replies. “The whole factory reeked of accelerant.”

“From the actual factory, maybe?” I inquire.

Dax shakes his head. “No, it’s a glass factory. They don’t use anything that would justify its presence, not in those quantities, anyway. How are you two getting along?”

“Great. Luke and I have a lot in common, it seems.”

“Olivia’s cool. She’s a coder, like me,” Luke declares.

I blush as Leo gives me a long warm look.

“Well, you’re really cool, too, Luke. Like I said, Python isn’t exactly kids’ stuff,” I say, then shift my focus to Beck. He’s seated next to us, quiet and sullen. “Are you okay?”

“Three people dead. Two were already gone by the time we got to them. I couldn’t save the third,” he says quietly.

I can see the pain in his eyes, the quiet anger of a man who wishes he could set it right. It’s honorable and worthy of admiration and respect, but I also understand the emotionaltoll. Beck has seen plenty of death and suffering over the years. Under his tattooed bad-boy façade is a kind spirit, a good and decent man. And right now, that man is hurting.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “I’m sure you did everything you could.”

“He did,” Dax confirms with a slight nod.

“It still sucks,” Beck mutters.

Leo shakes his head slowly. “Whoever started the fire knew there were people in there. It was deliberate. I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that the deflagration was timed.”

“Timed?” I ask.

“With some kind of fuse or delay mechanism,” he replies. “The captain will probably assign Dax and me to go back there and assist the arson investigation team with the crime scene. I’ll be able to confirm it then.”

“The temperature needs to go down first,” Dax adds. “It’ll take a few hours.”

“Anyway, back to you kiddo.” Leo tousles Luke’s hair. “What were you up to while we were gone?”

I laugh lightly. “He’s been helping me. Luke is a special young man. I’ll give him that. I’m telling you, he’s going to make some woman a wonderful partner when he gets older.”

Leo is about to say something when the bell hanging above the door suddenly opens, causing the chimes to rattle exessively. A woman comes in. She’s tall, slim, and wearing a pencil skirt and cropped designer jacket, both in pistachio green. Her strawberry-blonde hair is pulled into a tight, sleek bun. Her eyes are catlike, sharp and curious, and just a little mean.