Burned by Desire (Highland County Heroes Book 2)

by Lily LaVae

  Her phone buzzed and she didn’t want to look at it. Gage had said he would come get her and she had left anyway. He was probably pissed that she hadn’t listened, but she didn’t need to listen to him. It wasn’t like he was her protector. Especially now, he was just using her to bring in their bomber.

  It was an unknown number and she held the phone away from her, the worry from the morning’s events seeping back around her, especially since no one knew where that freak was.

  Unknown: I spoke to Melva at the paper and she said to talk to you. I would like to talk about an opinion piece. Health in Santinas. We need a local gym to keep people healthy, not so fat. Lots of options, but something has to be done. Can you meet?

  Gage had told her to stay where she was around people and she would need a story for the next week. Unless they suddenly found all the answers, she wouldn’t be doing another piece about the fires. People would need to forget about them a little bit or they would cease to be news.

  Melody: What’s your angle? Why not just write a letter to the editor? What can I do that would make your idea better?

  It wasn’t much of a story, a guy ranting about getting a gym. The last gym had so few members it had gone into foreclosure. Livy told her about it, that it had been a great place, but over time people just lost interest or were driven out by some guy who acted like he ran the place.

  Unknown: Health is always a popular topic. This community is full of families all year long, and that more than triples when the snowbirds come. A gym is great for families and promoting wellness.

  Wellness was a popular buzzword at the moment, using that in the title alone would sell papers.

  Melody: Fine. Where would you like to meet?

  Unknown: Lets meet at The Boot in an hour. That will give you time to write before next week.

  She sent him off an affirmative and did a quick search of articles about how the last gym closed. It looked on paper like a simple case of mismanagement. She gripped her bag with her notebook inside and slung it over her shoulder. She grabbed her keys off the coffee table and headed out.

  So she could prepare and be comfortable, she always made sure she got to an interview first. She hated to have to look for people. This way, they looked for her. It was also customary that she leave first, preferably before they paid for their meal or drink, so she could drive away before they could leave. After Professor Leiken stalked her every move, she’d just gotten into the habit.

  After about twenty minutes of waiting at The Boot, a man appeared that she’d seen around Santinas a few times, but had never spoken to. He wasn’t from Santinas, but she recognized him from seeing him on the street. It wasn’t like he could be ignored. He was by all accounts frightening, no matter how handsome he was. His arms were thicker than her waist and he was a full head taller than she was, even in her heels. He was also known as a playboy who liked his eye-candy with a side of kink, and she’d never been attracted to that. But living in a small town meant she knew everyone’s business, even if she didn’t even know his real name.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Redding. Thank you for meeting with me.” He sat down across from her at the table. “I don’t know if you know my name?”

  She shook her head and was glad he didn’t offer his hand to shake. “I don’t, I’m sorry.” Though she knew of him, she didn’t know him, people had always just made up nicknames for him. It didn’t take much of a description for people to gossip and know who they were talking about. There wasn’t really anyone else like him.

  “Well, perhaps we should hold off on introductions. If my name is put in the paper, some people won’t even read the article. I’ve been smeared a little by those who just don’t think health matters. They are dead wrong.” He smiled slightly, his cold eyes inside his huge, block head chilling the usually warm action.

  Melody opened to a fresh sheet of paper. “I can keep back your name, but don’t you think you should tell me who you are?”

  He looked away from her, off toward the bar and a curvy waitress. He shuddered and his lip curled in disgust. “I’d rather just stay anonymous, if you don’t mind. I gave my name to Melva if you’re curious.”

  Fine. Whatever, she kept from rolling her eyes. This was fitness, not espionage, but if that’s what he needed to tell his story… “Why don’t you tell me what you want people to know. A clear, concise picture?” Sitting next to him made her nervous. He was at least twice her size.

  “Health is infinitely important. More important than our phones, or our televisions, or anything else. Without healthy eating and fitness, we’re all going to die, costing the country billions in medical bills.”

  She tapped her paper, already bored with his speech. “And just how do you plan to bring a gym back? The last one just closed, no one was interested in buying it or the equipment. This community is small. Snowbirds make up the biggest population for most of the year and they aren’t really known for going to the gym.”

  “You’d be surprised. The elderly who go to the gym avoid the nursing home. I think people need to consider letting the resort come to Santinas, and with it, the promised gym and pool. While it might seem like big business is winning, they offer so many things for families. A gym, pools, a spa, these are all things the whole community could benefit from.”

  She froze and stared at him. On the surface, everything he said sounded good…until he brought up the resort. Everyone was sure it would kill all the little mom and pop businesses in Santinas. “Are you some shill for DemaCrane? You know the people of Santinas don’t want the resort. They will fight until it’s put on the other side of the lake, where it won’t hurt anyone here.”

  He laughed and shook his head, finally meeting her eyes and she squirmed slightly. Damn, he made her uncomfortable.

  “If everyone focused on what they put in their bodies and how they used them as much as they focus on the status quo, then we wouldn’t even need to have this conversation. The resort will happen, but people need to start looking at the benefits and looking forward to them, instead of fearing them, or they will never reap those benefits. They will die horrible deaths from things like diabetes and heart disease.”

  She mentally rolled her eyes again. How generous of him to think of others. It was time to make her get-away. She never had to actually write opinion pieces; they only went in the paper when there was nothing else that could be written. This guy didn’t have a new angle, nor anything compelling that would make her change her stance on DemaCrane. Not to mention her boss would never agree.

  “I think I’ve heard enough. Thank you.” She shoved her notebook into her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “I’m not out to offend everyone in town.”

  He grabbed her arm tightly and tugged her until she was just a few inches from his face. She sucked in her breath, trying to yank her arm away.

  “I’ll be watching for my story.” His dark eyes bored into her and she shivered. He let her go but she could feel his eyes follow her as she turned to leave.

  Melody rushed out to her car and slid in, still shaking. She whipped out her phone and called Melva.

  “Hey, what’s the deal setting me up with Crazy McMuscles? That was terrifying.”

  Melva was silent for a moment. “Is this about a story? I don’t understand what you mean.”

  She breathed, trying to get a grip on her trembles. “I mean the health nut who wanted to talk to me about getting a gym back in town.” The one who’d just manhandled her. She rubbed the sore area to get the feeling of his hands off of her. She’d file a complaint if Melva had done that on purpose to get her back for the arson story.

  “Melody, you have a story already. I didn’t send you anything else. I’m not even sure I’m going to send you anything else after last week.”

  Her stomach plummeted to her feet. McMuscles strode out of The Boot and headed for his car. It was a larger sedan and, though he seemed to just be looking up and down the street for traffic, she had the distinct feeling he was sea
rching for her.

  Melody squealed and slid down in her seat to avoid him. “I’ve got to go.” She ended the call and did a frantic search for Gage’s number.

  When she found it, she hit the button. It rang and rang, then went right to voicemail. Shit, he really did think she was either in on it, or didn’t care about her safety enough to answer. She hung up the phone and waited for McMuscles to drive away.

  He didn’t. He just sat in his car, staring forward. She had to get home, get behind closed doors where he couldn’t get to her. She whipped her car into drive and raced as fast as she dared toward home.

  The sedan pulled out right behind her.

  Chapter 20

  Melody parked her car right outside her complex, even though she was supposed to save those spots for guests. She could go out later and move it. Maybe. If creepy stalker left. She slammed the front door shut and slid over away from the door. Miniblinds covered the front windows and she gingerly peeked as the sedan slowed to an almost stop in front of her building.

  McMuscles stopped in the street, just behind where her car was parked. He pulled out his phone and held it up then hit a button as if he were taking a picture, then he tossed his phone on the seat next to him and drove off.

  Her skin tingled with the stress and her hands shook violently as she tried to pull her key from her pocket. The guy had been annoying with his secret name and weird requests, but when Melva had said she hadn’t sent him, that turned him into a menace and she was already watching for one of those, she didn’t need two.

  A text from Gage came through asking her to meet him later to talk. She didn’t want to, because he’d pissed her off, taken her lightly. His case had been more important than her safety and she’d thought they were past that.

  She responded quickly.

  Melody: I’m not going anywhere. I’ve just had a crazy day and I’m not leaving.

  She went to her bedroom and collapsed on the bed. Maybe she wasn’t cut out to be a reporter. Was her professor right? Maybe he hadn’t singled her out because she had promise, but because she could be easily manipulated? Melva certainly didn’t see much potential in her anymore. If she didn’t deliver with this story, she’d have to leave Santinas and find somewhere with a bigger paper. If they would hire her.

  Melody’s phone buzzed again.

  Gage: Don’t worry about it. I’ll bring over pizza.

  She wanted to both slap him and kiss him. If he brought food, she wouldn’t have to leave, and she didn’t want to leave now that Muscle-man knew where she lived and might be watching her.

  She agonized over every sound as the hours passed until someone knocked on her door. If it had been Livy, she would’ve just walked in, but she hadn’t seen her since Melody had gotten drunk.

  “Who is it?” She didn’t want to go to the door and it was still locked from earlier.

  “Gage. Let me in.”

  She strode over and opened the door. “I don’t even want you in here except you brought food.”

  “Hey, it’s not just the way to a guy’s heart.” He hit her with one of his smiles.

  “No. You are not forgiven yet. What the hell were you thinking this morning?”

  He set the pizza down on her table and she went for paper plates.

  “Early this morning, Alexander got a call from a burner phone asking him where he got his information for the arson case. It might have even been the same number that sent you those texts. But, when we went to talk to him, he wasn’t home and his maid said he skipped town. He’s some health nut, and even though I didn’t find out he’s the Hulk on steroids until after I talked to you, I was worried.”

  “The Hulk on steroids?” She sighed, thinking about the guy who’d followed her home. While he was creepy, he was no arsonist. While he’d grabbed her and roughed up her arm, he didn’t seem the type to potentially kill people to get his gym. He’d been interested in health, not killing people. He was just a freak who took himself much too seriously, enough to trick her about Melva just to get into the paper. Probably had himself convinced he was doing the world a favor by being a jerk.

  “I’ve had about enough of health nuts today. I met one of my own. Pushy, and he lied to me to get me to meet him. He followed me home after threatening me to write his story.”

  “What’s his name?” Gage got that intense stare again, like he did when he wanted her to tell him everything, right then.

  “I don’t know his name. He didn’t want it in the paper. Why do you ask?” Most likely because his suspect had to be connected to DemaCrane to want them to build and they didn’t want her to know anything about the suspect. Since Gage never wanted to hear about DemaCrane, he wouldn’t see it as a lead, he’d think she was trying to push her agenda. It just wasn’t worth fighting over anymore.

  “You gave him an interview and you don’t know his name? He sounds a little like the arson guy I’ve been chasing all day, so forgive me for being curious.” He flopped a slice of pizza on her plate and pushed it at her.

  “Look, the guy was creepy, but probably not criminal. The only thing that made him a little scary was his size.”

  He shook his head and got a slice for himself. “Are we ever going to not fight?”

  She hung her head slightly, because she didn’t really want to argue with him either and the guy had been scary, but she’d had to fight her way away from the professor and then fight her way into her current job. She wasn’t just going to accept anything Gage had to say just because she liked him. He had to earn it.

  “If I can come through on this arson story, Melva will give me a job. I’ve had to work hard for this and I’m not going to lose it. If I get it, I can start chasing my own stories instead of waiting for her to hand them to me.”

  He nodded. “I understand your drive. I just don’t want to argue with you. I didn’t mean to put you in danger with this story and I don’t want you to lose your shot, but this guy is a first-class jerk and possibly our arsonist. I do not want to see you hurt. Even though I’m not supposed to tell you this, our guy works for DemaCrane, so the link you pointed out is there.” He stood and dug in his back pocket, then flung a folded sheet of paper on the table.

  She wouldn’t look at it. Not until after she’d eaten and maybe not even then. If the arsonist knew where she lived, and wasn’t happy with her… She chewed her pizza, even though she could no longer taste it, the mass turning to a solid lump in her mouth.

  “What’s your plan, Gage. How do I fit into all of this?” Because she didn’t know anymore and wasn’t so sure she wanted to stay on for the ride.

  He gave a brief smile. “I plan to stop being a thorn in your side…eventually.”

  She finished her slice and could stomach no more. The paper sat just a few inches away and she pulled it to her, then flattened it on the table. There was McMuscles in all his jail glory.

  Her stomach plunged and she gripped the counter. “It can’t be…” She didn’t want to believe it. She’d been sitting with the very guy who’d scared the hell out of her that morning. The very guy accused of setting bombs.

  “It is. We don’t know if he’s the one that set the fires, but he is the one who called and possibly the one who sent you the texts.”

  “He had a different number when he texted me before I met with him, so he may have two numbers.”

  He reached for her arm. “Send those texts to Alexander, and the number if your phone recorded it.”

  She nodded. “What do I do if he contacts me again?” She didn’t want to be bait, but she also couldn’t let Gage or her town down. Santinas needed to see this guy put away. That also meant keeping her distance from Gage. It was probably better that way. A reporter and a firefighter wouldn’t make good bedfellows, no matter that they already had.

  “If he calls, let me know and answer as if you have no idea who he is. That’s how he wanted it, let’s play his game.”

  Gage wiped his mouth and stood. “I need to go. Are we good?” His e
yebrows rose in question.

  “Yeah, for now.” She stood and slid into his arms. After tonight, he was off-limits, but she needed just a hint of peace after the day she’d had. He pressed his lips to hers and all the feelings from before flooded back. She felt the safest with him, and especially in his arms with his lips on her. He stopped far too soon.

  “Get a good night’s sleep. I have a feeling the next few days will be big.”

  Chapter 21

  The television didn’t interest him much unless a football game was on. Even then, Gage had to stay tuned to his phone, waiting for a call to come in. Axe, or whoever had been setting the fires, was overdue for something. Contacting Alexander and Melody only proved he was unstable. Gage sat with his friends on the ratty old couch at the fire station, watching a sports channel, clutching his phone when it rang. He didn’t even look at the number.

  “Hello.”

  “You’ve got two minutes to solve a mathematical equation Lewison. The stupid reporter lives on Fourth, in an apartment building with eighteen other people. Darrin and Patty Livingston live ten miles west of town not accessible by interstate. I’m about ready to blow both places. You know I can. Which do you choose? The innocents or the girl?” He laughed as he hung up.

  Gage didn’t have time to swear or think, just react. He grabbed his phone and punched the call button over Alexander’s name.

  “What.” Alexander was in a rare mood.

  Gage didn’t have time. “We need those trucks outside of town. Livingston place, they were the owners of the gym that went out of business. This is our connection. I’ll text you the address, just get them on the way. It will blow before they get there.”