Page 1 of The Flame of Carson (Blackout Security Inc. #3)

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“Hey Stacey.” A voice called out.

Stacey turned and spotted one of the instructors. “Hey Jessie.”

“Wow, you look ready to kill something. Or someone.” Jessie remarked.

“No kidding. Figured I'd come here and try to burn it off.” Stacey said, moving to her locker.

“Well, if you're in that kind of mood, Carlos is here. I could see if he's up for a good sparring match.”

“That would be great. Carlos can take the punishment I'm looking to get out of my system.”

Jessie gave her a nod and hurried off. Stacey grabbed a water bottle and towel from her bag before heading out to the main room.

‘Maybe I should call Kris when I get home and give her a heads up. She may know of some houses up for sale.’ she thought, walking toward the center mat where Carlos was waiting.

“Jess said you're in a killing mood Chica.” Carlos winked.

“Oh yeah. Think you can handle that papi?” Stacey countered.

“Let's go.” Carlos grinned.

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S tacey and Carlos dropped onto the mats panting as the crowd, which had surrounded the mat to watch, dispersed. “Thanks... Carlos. Feel much better now.”

“Anytime,” Carlos chuckled then groaned. “ ? Maldita sea! Hijo de puta! My ribs hurt. I think you were trying to break them Chica.”

“Sorry 'bout that. I was picturing someone else.” Stacey apologized, sitting up slowly.

“That bastardo that's been harassing you?” he asked, sitting up as well. When she nodded, he spit out a colorful stream of Spanish that would make a seasoned sailor blush. “What are you going to do?”

“I've already done it. A few weeks ago, Walt offered me the position of Editorial Head at the branch in Austin again. I'm taking it. Plus, one of my best friends and my first client is there. Krista Jamison Blackstone.” Stacey answered.

Carlos stood gingerly before offering her a hand and pulling her up. “We'll miss you around here, but you need to do what makes you feel safe. Just promise to stay in touch.”

Stacey smiled brightly and hugged him. “I will, I promise.”

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S tacey walked into her apartment feeling much better than she had nearly four hours ago after seeing those roses on her desk.

She dropped her bags just inside the living room on her way to her office.

A good strong workout with Carlos, a mani/pedi, lunch and a few hours of retail therapy was just what she needed.

Entering her home office, a soft smile graced her face.

The room had once been a second bedroom but was now a haven.

One wall was nothing but bookshelves. Three to be exact.

They had belonged to her great-grandmother and now they were Stacey's, and nearly overflowing with books, magazines and other knick knacks.

The two large French windows that looked out onto a small park rested behind her desk.

A sleek Mac sat in the center of the steel and wood desk her parents had bought for her as a graduation present.

Stacey dropped into her chair, fired up her Mac then reached for the phone. “Hey lady.”

“Hey Stace. How's it going?” Krista's voice bubbled through the other end.

“I'm doing okay. So, the reason for my call is this. Do you or that delicious husband of yours know of any houses for sale in Austin?”

Krista was silent. For all five seconds. “Seriously? You mean you're moving here!”

Stacey laughed. “Yep. Walt offered me the Romance Fiction Editor position at the branch office there and I figured I'd take it. Besides, New York just isn't the same since Jerry... died. All I do now is work and hit the gym. I need a change.”

“Oh honey, why didn't you tell me?” Krista asked.

“Kris, I'm fine really. It's just lately I've been feeling, I don't know, lonely. Mom and dad retired last year and are now living in Tarrytown. Guess it’s time I leave the nest too, you know.

Walt had offered me the job last year after all that mess with Ingram and Jerry's death, but I put it off.

Then a few weeks ago he brought it up again.

I told him I'd think about it. I accepted it just this morning.” Stacey explained.

“Well, all I can say is, you're going to love Austin!

There's music, shopping, food. It's fast paced, yet not at the same time, but you already knew that from your past visits. They also just opened a Krav Maga gym not far from Blackout. Plus, I think Gage would be thrilled to have you here.” Krista said, and Stacey could all but hear the grin in her voice.

“Speaking of Gage. don't tell him. I want it to be a surprise. Besides, it will be at least a month or so before I get out there.” Stacey smiled, thinking of Gage.

“You got it. In fact, I won't even tell Ethan, because I know that man will slip. I'll call Tina. She runs one of the best real estate offices in the city. She'll find you something great. Just shoot me an email about what you're looking for and I'll pass it on to her.”

“Thanks Krista. After talking to you I feel... excited. I haven't felt like this since we did your first author event all those years ago.”

“Hey, that's what I do. I cheer up my friends. Well, I have to run. I'm meeting mom and dad for dinner since Ethan's out of town tonight. Shoot me that email and I'll hook you up.”

“Will do. Tell your folks hi for me. Love you hon.” Stacey said, before hanging up.

Feeling suddenly energized, she quickly opened her email and fired off what she was looking for in a house.

Maybe this move was just what she needed.

After Jerry's death she had felt off her game.

They had been best friends since they were in diapers, and he had always been a sounding board when she felt her life was too hectic.

When he had followed Krista to Austin, he had told her repeatedly that the city was amazing.

Stacey had visited Austin many times over the years since Krista signed with the publishing house and she too had felt a connection with the East Texas city.

Now it would be her home. Finishing her email to Krista, Stacey shut down the Mac, and rose to her feet.

Her arms reached up over her head as she stretched out the last of the worries of the day.

Tonight, she was going to curl up on the couch and veg out on the two weeks’ worth of Forged in Fire on her DVR then call it a night.

Or that had been the plan till her phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hello yourself babe.”

Stacey smiled, “Hey there big boy. How has your day been?”

“Better now. Just got home about two hours ago.” Gage replied.

“Long day for you then.”

“A little, had some interviews today for an opening on Delta team. Course, now it seems that the whole team is shaping up to be mostly Army guys.” Gage replied, a teasing note in his voice.

“Hey, don’t knock the Army buddy. My dad and grandpa were in the Army thank you very much.” Stacey shot back.

Gage laughed, “I know, I know. Hell, my mom’s dad was in the Army and so were a few of my uncles. You know it’s all in good fun. We tease them, they tease us, but at the end of the day we all wore the same uniform as defenders of our country.”

That was one of the many things that Stacey loved about Gage.

His patriotism and love of his country. Like Gage Carson, Stacey’s family was very patriotic and staunch supporters of the U.S.

military. Her parents had even started a charity in New York for not only wounded veterans, current and past, but the charity also offered support for the families in various ways.

The charity worked together with the different branches and was extraordinarily successful.

Just last year they included First Responders since a lot of veterans joined the police, fire, and E.M.S.

“Hey, I just remembered. my mom asked me to mention to you.”

“What’s that babe?”

“You know she and dad started that military/first responders’ charity a few years ago.

Anyway, this year they brought up the idea of next spring or summer hosting a bike rally.

Since a lot of you guys at Blackout are motorcycle riders and veterans, she was wondering if you or any of the guys might have some ideas.

I know she and dad are wanting to hold it in New York or just outside of it, but she asked me to throw it out there to you. ” Stacey explained.

Gage hummed thoughtfully, “Well, I’ll run it by the guys at Blackout tomorrow. I think that’s a cool idea and I’m sure some of the guys on our teams will have ideas. E-mail me your mom’s number and information. After I talk to the teams, I’ll call her if I get anything.”

“Thanks Gage. That would mean so much to her and dad.” Stacey smiled. “So, other than interviewing for Delta team, how are things going at Blackout these days?”

For the next hour she and Gage talked. He told her about the changes that Ethan had been thinking of implementing at Blackout, how Danny was adjusting to the Alpha team and about a book festival that Krista had drug him and Ethan to a few weeks ago.

Stacey laughed at that, since she knew Krista had been one of the authors attending the event.

While Gage tried to hide it, the man enjoyed reading when he had the time.

While he wasn’t a romance fan, he enjoyed suspense, action, and horror books.

Stacey would often shoot him recommendations when she came across one or heard of one.

“I take it, you and Ethan ended up having fun at the festival after all?” she asked knowingly.

“Yeah, we did surprisingly. I even bought a few books, just haven’t started them yet.” He answered.

“Good.” Stacey said, then glanced at the clock. “As much as I hate to do this, I must go. I have an early appointment in the morning in Jersey.”

“Yeah, I should turn in myself. Just shoot me your mom’s number so that I can start getting ideas for her and if you talk to her and your dad before I do, tell them hi for me babe.” Gage replied.

“Will do. Good night, Gage.”

“Night Stace. Sleep tight.”