Lost in Flames (Lost Series Book 2)

by Nicholson, C. T.

  Unless he went to Sophia's or his dad's, he didn't have much choice. He could sleep on the sofa at the office. It wouldn't have been the first time. The thought of the uncomfortable couch gave him a backache. He hopped into his truck and planned on going to the office anyway.

  Craig had called after the fire was taken care of, asking him to go visit. Jacob made up an excuse about work, not wanting to go into any details. Even if he tried to tell himself that he was staying because of everything going on with his brother and Tessa, his real reason for declining the invitation caused his lips to tingle and his stomach to flip. He slammed his palm against the steering wheel when he looked up and realized where he'd driven himself.

  Ryan stood outside, his keys in his hand. Shadows hid his face, so Jacob couldn't tell if he was surprised or not. He didn't wait on him and went inside, leaving the door open. His way of backing off, easing the pressure, and showing he'd only offered lodging as a friend.

  One look at his phone showed a missed call from Craig. They'd both never wanted anything serious, which was why they worked so well. It wasn't as if Craig didn't stray. This openness was an unspoken thing between them, although Jacob had no one else in his life.

  Except for Ryan…

  He took his time to get to the door, then held the doorknob tight as he shut and locked it. Nothing was going to happen, he silently told himself. The sound of water running and glasses clinking told him Ryan was in the kitchen. It would be immature to hide, so he made himself known.

  "Thanks for letting me crash here." While Ryan wasn't looking, he watched his face. Dark lashes framed beautiful blue eyes. His hair began to look a little messy. Clean and organized was more Jacob's thing, but in that moment, he found the slightly disheveled look sexy. He found every damn thing about Ryan sexy and this annoyed him.

  "Please stop staring. I'm trying to keep my word. I think I'll go to bed." Without sparing him a glance, Ryan left the room and walked down the hall.

  It took him a second to resist following. He used every bit of his will power to make his way to the extra room. He stripped down to his underwear and prepared to crawl into bed. Managing to sleep would be a longshot. His mouth felt like cotton and he figured it would help at least to use some toothpaste and his finger since he didn't have a toothbrush with him.

  He picked up his phone in case he needed the light. It had been a while since he'd been in Ryan's house and didn't want to search for light switches along the way. He saw the light on under the bathroom door, but didn't hear anything. Either way, he paused outside and debated just heading to bed until the door opened and Ryan walked into him.

  Hot skin connected with his and he fisted his hands tight, closing his eyes to keep from seeing something he couldn't back away from. Deep breaths.

  "Shit. Sorry." The struggle in Ryan's voice proved enough to show he was fighting the same issue.

  Jacob opened his eyes to stare directly into his. The little discipline he'd managed to keep around Ryan eluded him. First, he dropped his gaze to his neck and then, down his chest. A light dusting of dark hair led a trail down into his tight underwear. There was no way he could hide his arousal.

  "I told you not to stare." He reached out and rested a hand over Jacob's heart.

  "You're not supposed to touch, either."

  But it was too late. They'd both broken the rules. Jacob dropped the phone and shoved him into the wall, pressing into him. Nothing mattered; not even the millions of reasons why they shouldn't be doing what they were doing.

  He kissed him—the one thing he'd craved since Ryan had kissed him in his room. He didn't waste time and dipped his tongue between his willing lips. The groan that joined his own intoxicated him. He shuddered when Ryan caressed his stomach and moved lower.

  A familiar sound tried to distract him; he ignored it, but Ryan didn't. He pushed a little on Jacob's chest to look down at the floor. "You should get that."

  When he pushed harder, Jacob glanced down and knew why the mood had changed from a raging inferno to the inside of an igloo. He'd dropped the phone somewhere along the way of their smacking into each other and Craig's picture had popped up on the screen.

  He grabbed it and hit ignore. "I'm sorry. This was my fault."

  "I'm going to bed now. This can't happen again. You have a boyfriend and I can't do this anymore. Don't worry about me nagging you anymore. You can talk with Sophia or not. I really don't care. It's easier that way. I was just worried about my best friend's feelings, that's all." Ryan disappeared into his room.

  Jacob balled his fist and walked back to his room, forgetting about the reason he'd gotten up in the first place. He was the reason for the pain in Ryan's face, so he decided he definitely had to stay away from him. Not for his sake anymore, but for Ryan's.

  ****

  Ryan couldn't run to his room fast enough. As soon as the door closed on the huge mistake standing on the other side, he rested his forehead against it. The kiss had his body reacting instantly and he wouldn't have been the one to stop it if the phone never rang. Craig's face popping up on the phone was ingrained in his memory. Jacob had a boyfriend. He'd nearly become the other man.

  Pathetic.

  That's when everything changed. He was moving on from his feelings for Jacob. He was going to find someone he could actually have a future with. Or at least a carefree night. If anyone deserved that, it was him after the shit he'd put himself through.

  He picked up his phone and texted a colleague who worked only two hours away. Maybe he wasn't too late to accept the advances Harrison had made the past few times they'd met. The man wasn't hard on the eyes and Ryan really did like hanging out with him. Maybe they could try things out and if they failed, at least they didn't work very often together. So no big deal.

  He wasn't one for going to the clubs like when he was younger and even then, a social life wasn't something he would die without. That pretty much left work as his only way of meeting someone new.

  As long as it took Jacob off his mind, he'd take the chance. So much time had been wasted pining over a man who was never going to be the one. The reply came in and Ryan went ahead and booked a hotel room for the weekend online, then packed his bag, because he planned to leave out of town first thing in the morning.

  To get away from the nagging need to be with someone who'd always be out of his reach. Sophia would wonder about him leaving suddenly, since he usually knew in advance when he would be gone, but he could tell a fib. She didn't need to know how much he cared for her brother and the extent of pain he suffered for having those feelings

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tessa opened her eyes, waking from the best sleep she'd had in a long time. The feel of Mike's breath against her neck told her she hadn't been dreaming. She rolled over and studied his sleeping form. The covers were only draped across his middle, baring his chest and legs. What a shame to hide any part of him. His chest rose and fell as he slept. The scratchy feeling in her throat made her realize the last drink she'd had was hours before they went to sleep.

  She climbed out of bed and grabbed his t-shirt. The hem reached well past her butt. She didn't think his brothers had come home, but just in case, she decided to pull the jeans back on. It was for the best to have some clothes on with a cop still outside.

  She froze when Mike's arm stretched out, patting the bed. He found a pillow and pulled it close, then went back to sleep. She tip-toed out of the room and hurried down the stairs to get some water. Then, she would climb back into his arms. Her life was too risky to waste any time she had with him.

  There were no bottles in the fridge, so she found a glass and filled it from the faucet. She'd never been picky and as dry as her throat was, anything would quench her thirst. The cold water felt fantastic when she swallowed. She finished the drink, about to put the glass on the counter, when she saw him. First thing in mind, she prayed it was a nightmare.

  Too bad it wasn't.

  The glass slipped from her hands at the sigh
t of Richard standing there outside the window with a shocked expression that quickly turned into an evil grin. He tossed what looked like a gas jug onto the porch and struck a match. She screamed.

  "Tessa!" Mike's yell was followed by bare feet slapping the floor as he hurried to her. His gaze landed on her and relief scrubbed the worry when he saw she was okay. Then his curses rang out when he spotted the fire outside. "Come on!" He dragged her around the stairs to the back door, and shoved a couple of stacked boxes out of the way until they could both fit through the doors.

  She pointed to tail lights disappearing down the road. "He's gone."

  "Shit! Go find the cop that was supposed to be watching." He ran back in and she covered her mouth before hurrying across the rough ground with her bare feet until she neared the fire. The cop car still sat parked out front, with no one inside. She searched the surrounding area and let her held breath out when the officer came stumbling from the nearby woods.

  She hurried to him and recognized the younger officer who'd kept watch the first day she'd came there. Only three days ago—Mike had called him Chris. "What happened?"

  "I saw someone and went after them. He must've snuck up behind me and hit me with something." He saw the fire and ran towards it as fast as he could. "Where's Mike?"

  "He went back inside. I don't know why." She followed the officer. He searched the side of the house and she caught on when she spotted the hose. They both worked together; she turned it on as he pulled it to the front porch. Soon, the fire began to dwindle and quit spreading.

  The front door opened at the porch and Mike tossed a bucket of water over it, then he was gone again.

  It wasn't long before they had the fire out. Mike came to her, dragging her shaking body into his arms. "Are you okay?"

  Tonight, she could've died. Only this time, Mike could've been there with her and she'd be the one responsible for his life being cut short. "I was getting water and he was outside. He looked shocked at first. If I didn't get up when I did, he could've killed us. You."

  "You saved us. If you hadn't seen him, he'd have surrounded the whole house with gas. He was shocked because you interrupted him." He brushed her hair back and kissed her lips. "I'm sorry I left you outside, but I had to make sure my brothers were not home in case we couldn't stop it."

  "I didn't save us. This wouldn't have happened if I didn't come here." Nothing but the truth, and the reason she had to leave. She refused to run any longer. The weight on her shoulders became too much to bear and she caused havoc on everyone else's lives. On the lives of people she cared for. She regretted how her actions and life would hurt Mike and never wanted him to hate her, but she'd never regret what they had together. Nothing and no one could take away the love she felt for him.

  If someone asked her before meeting him if she believed you could fall for someone instantly, she'd have laughed. She never felt a quarter for her ex as she did for Mike in the short time they'd shared.

  Marcus pulled in, lights flashing. When he approached them and asked what happened, she answered. Only not to say what everyone expected to hear.

  A lie, and she hoped she could pull it off. "I did it."

  "What?" She was sure all three men had responded with the same one word question. Their eyes fixed on her, waiting for an explanation.

  Before she answered, an ambulance pulled in, too. They were quick in the little town. She waited until Chris walked over to it, leaving her to confess to only Mike and Marcus.

  "Everything. In New York, the fire. The house fire, Mike's truck, and this." It was crazy, but they had to take her in at least. Then, Mike would be safe. "I did it all."

  ****

  Tessa could've been hurt. The rapid beat of his heart and the shaking of his body was proof enough of how much she already meant to him. He'd rather die than release her, although he did jerk back a little when the nonsense flew from her mouth. Yet, he knew better and tried to figure out what would make her say the words she'd said. "Quit lying. I know you're scared, but don't do this."

  She shook her head and closed her eyes for a second before speaking. "I'm telling the truth. My husband cheated on me and when he wanted a divorce, I lost it. Then, I blamed him and ran. I was using you and I'm just tired of running and lying to everyone."

  Mike took his eyes off her, unable to listen to the bullshit. Marcus' doubtful expression told him he hadn't just lost his mind. Marcus had suspected her before and now he didn't seem like he felt the same way, making him believe he still had his sanity and Tessa was lying.

  But why? Then it hit him. "She's lying."

  He shrugged his shoulders. "She's admitting to arson. I'm required to at least take her in, especially since a man died in the fire in New York. I'm sorry, but you know I'm right."

  Mike's eyes widened and he looked back at her. If she kept admitting to the fires, she'd be convicted of murder. He tightened his hold. "Tessa, please don't do this. I know you're doing this to protect everyone else. It's bull shit! I saw the car leaving when we came out of the house. You did, too."

  The rise in his tone made her jump, but he refused to let her make him feel regret when he said the truth.

  Tears filled her eyes and spilled over onto her cheeks. "I have to go. No one's safe around me. I tried to tell you this. Just don't fight them. Promise me you won't fight them when they take me in. I'm willing. This is my choice."

  "Hell no. If you let them take you, I'm going with you. I'll fight anyone who tries to take you away from me." It was the honest truth and he hoped she didn't force him to follow through with it.

  She didn't say anything when she turned her head away, and he knew he was losing the battle.

  "I want to turn myself in. There was no car and I don't know what he's talking about. He's just upset and trying to protect me. Please get him away from me." The last part came out choked on a sob, and she ripped herself away, and tried to put distance between them.

  The pitying look Marcus gave him just pissed him off. With everything happening, he didn't realize his brothers were there, along with Cooper, when they all pulled him away from her. He fought just like he said he would until the tail lights were up the drive.

  "I'm going to the precinct. She's lying and I can't let her go to jail for no reason." He looked around and realized that the ambulance was gone too, except… "Did they take Chris? He could prove that she's lying if he saw who caused the fire. I never got to speak with him with worrying about Tessa."

  Jacob was on the phone and hanging up with the answers he needed. "He's gone to the hospital. They're checking for a concussion. He was knocked out."

  It sucked that happened, but Mike refused to wait around. "That proves she's lying. She couldn't have snuck out without him seeing and then knock him out. I'm driving to the hospital and then to the precinct."

  "He won't be there long before you, so maybe you should let them check him out first." Jacob held his hands up when Mike gave him a pointed look.

  "No! I'm going now," he barked out.

  "At least get some clothes on." Nick suggested. Usually it would've came out as a tease or joke, but for once he was just being serious.

  Mike didn't say anything. At least he had awoken to Tessa missing from the bed and as he was putting on his underwear to go search for her, she screamed. If they thought he'd wait around, they were mistaken. He stomped around to the side door since the porch needed to be inspected and fixed. First, he hurried up the steps and entered his room. He stared at the sheets crumpled up at the end of the bed and the comforter half-ass on it. When Tessa had been cuddled next to him, he didn't worry too much about the covers. Now it was just a reminder of the best night of his life and how it went to hell quickly.

  Once he could manage to forget about the bed and what they'd shared in it, he dressed in some pants and his firefighter shirt. His brothers and Cooper were talking near the porch, checking out the damage, but no doubt talking about him since they shut up as soon as he came around the side. />
  "I'm going to the hospital and then I'm getting Tessa out of jail." He never expected to be bailing anyone out of jail, especially the woman he'd fallen in love with…

  Love?

  That's when he knew. Maybe he'd known it subconsciously the first time he saw her. Today was the first time he'd admitted to himself how he felt and how serious their relationship had become in just a few days. Considering she was letting herself get arrested just to protect him had him thinking she just might feel the same. Or, she was that good of a person and took too much responsibility for everyone.

  Yet, there was no time to dwell on all this until he got her out of the mess her ex had started.

  Chapter Fifteen

  He got into Jacob's truck, and never felt happier that they lived in the country and could leave their keys in the vehicles. The passenger door opened and he didn't speak when Jacob hopped in and Nick got into the back. He waited for Cooper.

  Jacob buckled up. "He's gone home to check on Sophia and let her know what's going on."

  The Ford started up with a low rumble and he put it in gear. He thought about what happened. Some things didn't make sense. "He couldn't have gotten away that fast. Marcus was here in good time. How did none of you pass him?"

  "I never saw anyone. Cooper called me when he spotted some smoke and I called Nick. There wasn't a soul on the road from Ryan's house to here." Jacob twisted to look in the back.

  "No one. I was right behind you, though."

  Marcus and Jacob should've been coming from two different directions on the road at the end of the driveway. Even if Marcus had been home, he'd still have come from the same way. He lived near the precinct. "The guy had to have hauled ass to make it off this road without anyone seeing him. Call Marcus and find out if he saw anyone. If he was going a certain way, we maybe can find out where he went. He's obviously not going to stop torturing Tessa, so I doubt he'd go too far until he's finished with whatever he wants to accomplish."