Page 41 of Her Silver Fox Firefighters

“What the hell areyoudoing here?” Jocelyn asks Beck, then looks at Carlos.

Darkness shadows Beck’s face. To me, he’s soft underneath those hard features, the beard, and the tattoos. To Jocelyn, however, Beck looks like he’s close to tearing her head off.

“She’s innocent,” he declares.

“How stupid can you be? This fat bitch was going to swindle you all!” Jocelyn retorts.

“Keep taking those cheap shots at her, and I will give Carlos a reason to arrestme,” he tells Jocelyn, and he means every damn word.

“Excuse me?”

“You’ve gone too far, Jocelyn. What the fuck is this about? Because it’s not about you doing your job. You can’t hold her here, she’s not in your jurisdiction,” Beck replies. “She’s committed no crime in Ember Ridge.”

“You’re questioning the way I do my job? That’s rich!”

“No, I’m questioning your motives and your behavior, and if I hear one more jab about Olivia’s figure, I will forget that I am a gentleman and you’ll regret ever walking into this building.”

It’s a promise, not a threat. The air shifts in the entire room, and even Jocelyn can feel it. This mean girl shtick has finally met a wall, and that wall is as big and as fierce as Beck. Carlos sits quietly on the edge of the interview table, watching the exchange.

“I’d appreciate it if you focused more on those arson investigations. We lost our fucking captain yesterday.”

Jocelyn lowers her gaze, speechless and ashamed. I’m guessing she imagined a different scene unfolding. She came in, guns blazing, likely thinking that I had no support, that I was here on my own. But for some reason, Beck came through for me, and I have to wonder… will Dax and Leo come through as well?

Carlos scoffs lightly. “Even now, you’re still trying to win them over, huh?”

“Stay out of it,” Jocelyn warns him.

“Would if I could, but I’m the one you cheated with.” Carlos laughs with sheer bitterness, then gives Beck a slight nod. “Tell you what, brother, take Olivia home and make sure shestays in town, alright? I’ll be by as soon as you’re all ready to talk to me.”

“We could’ve done things this way from the get-go,” Beck sighs.

“I had to do my job, first and foremost,” Carlos reminds him.

Jocelyn remains quiet, shame burning in her eyes. She averts her gaze when I try to look at her. I can’t say I take pleasure in her discomfort, but I already know more about her relationship with my guys than I did five minutes ago, and her motives seem less and less pure.

“We’ll be going now,” Beck tells Jocelyn, “unless you really want me to follow through on everything I just said.”

I look up at him, wondering if the hope I feel blossoming in my chest is real or just another mirage.

13

BECK

“Carlos, I need your help,” I tell my friend.

The pained look on his face speaks volumes. I never wanted to have to use this “nuclear option” on him, not after all the talks we’ve had over the past couple of years. But the situation demands it, and I’m not sure I’ve got Dax and Leo backing me up for this just yet.

“What can I do?” Carlos asks, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

He knows what I want him to do.

Jocelyn, however, is going to be harder to convince. “You can’t be serious,” she gasps in genuine outrage.

“Just hold off on calling Devon PD, that’s all I’m asking,” I say. “Let me get Olivia home, let us talk to her. You owe us that much.”

“This is a dirty game you’re playing,” Carlos warns.

“You know I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t believe there’s something more to the whole story behind her arrest warrant.”