Mating Inferno

by Lynn Hagen

  A noise from down the hallway grabbed Sal’s attention. He made sure the front door was locked and doused the living room light before heading to his bedroom.

  Renny stood by the window, looking out, his hands tucked into the front pockets of his jeans. He turned when Sal entered, a pinched and tired look on his handsome face. “You don’t have to lecture me. I know how stupid I was for going alone. It was irresponsible, dangerous, and you don’t have to worry about me ever mounting a rescue again.”

  “Why’s that?” Sal closed the door. “You don’t like running into danger, playing the hero to your brother, and saving him from a horde of demons?”

  Renny scowled. “Let’s just say my priorities have shifted drastically since you and I last saw each other.”

  What could have changed so drastically that Renny wouldn’t try another rescue attempt if Roberto was dumb enough to get caught again? What exactly had happened in that warehouse? When Renny and Roberto had first approached Sal in the fire station driveway, the two seemed close. What had changed their loyalty toward one another?

  As if reading Sal’s mind, Renny said, “Don’t ask, because I really don’t want to talk about this right now. I just want to lie down and get some sleep.”

  It had to have been an exhausting experience being held by demons. Renny had bags under his eyes, and he looked pale.

  “I’ll make you a cup of tea.” That was the only thing Sal could think to do. It was obvious by Renny’s posture that he didn’t want to be touched. It killed Sal to walk away instead of pulling Renny into his arms and giving him much-needed comfort.

  But putting space between them also gave Sal the time he needed to think. The two had been rescued, but Molimo was still out there. His machismo wouldn’t allow him to let things go. He’d already proven that by kidnapping Roberto. Shifters had come in, guns blazing, and stolen Molimo’s prize.

  The demon would be seething for revenge, and if Renny hadn’t been on the demon’s radar before, he was now.

  Sal set the teapot on the stove and grabbed two cups from the cupboard. He noticed some looseness in the cupboard door and told himself he needed to tighten the hinge before it became worse.

  “Okay, maybe I do want to talk about it.”

  Sal looked over his shoulder to acknowledge that he’d heard Renny. “Which part?”

  Renny slid his hand over the smooth countertop. “Stealing your truck. Being an idiot and thinking I could handle things alone. My terror at being taken inside that warehouse and facing all those demons, knowing I just might die. My brother telling me I’ve been nothing but a burden to him.” Renny sucked in a deep breath and peeked from under his thick lashes at Sal. “Take your pick. Today was one bad thing after another. The only highlight was when you pulled me into your arms. I never thanked you for making me feel safe again.”

  Sal crossed the kitchen and curled an arm around Renny. “You never have to thank me for making you feel that way. It’s automatic between mates. Confession. I pulled you into my arms, sure, to let you know you were safe. But I also needed the contact so I wouldn’t lose my shit. My bear wanted to charge in there and kill every last person inside that warehouse. I’ll never be able to erase from my mind the terrified look on your face as you raced down that fire escape.”

  Sal pressed his hand against the side of Renny’s head, cradling his mate close. He closed his eyes as he thought about hearing the gunfire and wondering if Renny had caught a bullet. Sal’s heart raced, and his stomach twisted. That kind of fear clung to a person, even hours after the threat was gone.

  “I’m sorry,” Renny whispered. “I’ll never do that again. I promise.”

  Sal cupped Renny’s jaw, ready to kiss those inviting lips, when his cell phone rang. It was Scott, telling him there had been another fire, and this time, it had claimed a life.

  * * * *

  Renny looked at the scene in horror. The swirling lights from the police car made the houses look as though they were pulsing. The fire truck was still there, its hose lying on the ground as if it had given up the fight, deflated, spanning out like a resting snake.

  The firemen milled around, talking, while the neighbors looked on with craned necks from behind a wooden barricade that had separated them from the tragedy. As if a hunk of wood could keep them safe from the arsonist.

  Renny looked at the ambulance. The paramedics were wheeling a stretcher out, the body covered in a white sheet. Renny looked away as tears stung his eyes. He didn’t know the person, but that was a horrible way to go.

  Sal didn’t tell Renny to stay in the truck. His mate looked somber as he parked and got out, joining the firemen. Renny sat there, anyway. He didn’t want to be a part of the action. He didn’t want to hear about the dead person or how the fire had been contained.

  What Renny really wanted was some sort of button he could push to restart his day. Mainly so he couldn’t hear Roberto’s true feelings. So he wouldn’t see the disappointment in Sal’s eyes. So he wouldn’t ask to come along and see the sheet or the gurney being loaded into the back of the ambulance.

  One of the firemen was holding a yapping dog in his arms. Renny assumed the dog belonged to the person hidden under the white sheet. The small dog was white with a brown patch around one eye. It kept looking toward the ambulance, barking its little head off.

  Sal said something to one of his men before coming back to the truck. He opened the driver’s door and leaned in. “I have to go inside and inspect the house. Are you okay to sit here?”

  Renny didn’t think Molimo would come after him with so many people around. “I’ll be fine.” He looked as the ambulance pulled away. No lights were on, and the siren was silent. “Who was he?”

  “Thomas Pearl,” Sal said. “A longtime resident.”

  “Do you think it was the work of the arsonist or an accident?”

  “That’s why I need to go inside,” Sal said. He was also watching the ambulance silently drive down the street. “I need to go sniff things out.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Renny looked at the dog. “What’ll happen to the dog?”

  Sal shook his head. “She’ll be taken to the vet, checked over, then put up for adoption.”

  “Can we adopt her?” Renny asked. She was probably scared out of her mind, and he just wanted to comfort her. “Do you know her name?”

  A wry smile touched Sal’s lips. “Marilyn Monroe.”

  Renny grinned. “Really?”

  Sal nodded. “Let me go do my job. I’ll have Scott bring you the dog. We can take her to the vet in the morning.”

  But Sal never answered Renny’s question of adoption. Could Sal still be angry with him? Renny didn’t think so. The smile Sal had given him had reached his blue eyes.

  Sal stopped and said something to the fireman who was holding the dog. His mate pointed toward the truck, and Scott nodded. Seconds later Renny threw the truck door open, his arms held out.

  “She’s shaking like crazy.” Scott rubbed the dog’s head before he handed her over. “Damn shame what happened to her owner.”

  Renny agreed, though he hadn’t known Mr. Pearl. “I’ll try to comfort her,” he said.

  Scott placed her on Renny’s lap and then closed the door. He walked back over to the group standing on the sidewalk just outside Mr. Pearl’s home. The right side of the house had been reduced to charred remains. The glass in the windows was gone, and the frame was black. The roof had a huge hole in it, and Renny wondered if the firemen had created it or the fire.

  He looked down at Marilyn, who had buried her face between his arm and side. He figured that if she could, she’d crawl right inside of him. The small white dog with the brown patch around her eye shook as if she were standing in a blizzard.

  Renny rubbed her fur, cooing to her and telling her that everything would be all right. “I know this is frightening, but I’ll try my best to make you feel safe.”

  Just like Roberto had made Renny feel safe his entire life. Just like Sal
had tried to do the same. Two men who cared about his well-being. Renny caressed her fur as he looked past the windshield. Most of the crowd had disbanded, but there were still a few stragglers sticking around for some reason.

  The show was over. There was nothing more to see, yet they stood there with their arms wrapped around their midsections, right behind the wooden barrier.

  Past the onlookers, Renny saw the red sedan with the dented trunk. It was parked in a driveway on the left side of the street, about four houses down. He stared at it for a long time, wondering who owned the piece of crap.

  His thoughts were pulled in a different direction when Sal opened the driver’s door and got in.

  “Well?” Renny absently rubbed Marilyn’s spine.

  “It’s the arsonist,” Sal said with bitterness in his voice. “I smelled the gasoline as soon as I stepped through the door.”

  Renny hoped they caught the person soon before one body turned into more.

  “He’s slick.” Sal rubbed his hand across his jaw. “Those men who rescued you are here to catch the culprit setting the fires. The guy has to be damned good to outwit them.”

  “Or just very careful,” Renny replied. “I’m willing to bet plenty of people have seen him around town. He’s probably nondescript, not drawing any attention to himself.”

  Renny looked back toward the driveway with the red sedan.

  “I’m also willing to bet he was a face in the crowd.” Sal reversed, pulled into someone’s driveway, then pointed the truck in the opposite direction of Mr. Pearl’s house and the scene outside of it.

  “You think so?” Renny tucked Marilyn closer to him when she whimpered. He hated to hear those pitiful sounds and swore to himself that he would give her all the love and affection she needed because what happened to her owner was tragic.

  Sal nodded. “Most fire starters have some deep-seated need to watch their work. I’m willing to bet that he couldn’t stay away even if he risked getting caught.”

  “Did you see the red sedan?” Renny asked.

  “The one that almost hit us the other morning?”

  Renny nodded. “It was parked in a driveway a few houses down.”

  “I’ll let the sheriff know to keep an eye on the owner of that car. Maybe his reckless driving was a one time thing, though.”

  “You never answered me.” Renny stroked her fur, dropping the subject of the red sedan. Sal was right. It had been one incident and no one had gotten hurt.

  “About?”

  “Keeping Marilyn.”

  Sal looked down at the dog who had tried to climb so far between Renny’s arm and his side that she would’ve ended up behind him if he hadn’t stopped her from crawling back there.

  “A dog is a big responsibility.” Sal reached over and scratched her head. “Are you up for that? I can make sure the vet gives her to a good family. I bet she would love to be around kids.”

  “Can I think about it?” Renny wanted to be selfish, to keep her for himself, but he also needed to consider what would be best for her. Kids might be the key to getting past her emotional trauma. After all, kids loved unconditionally.

  “You have time.” Sal cupped Renny’s face for a brief second before he put his hand back on the wheel. “Right now we should stop at the gas station and see if they have any dog food.”

  Renny settled back, watching the houses slip by as he weighed the pros and cons of owning a dog.

  Chapter Nine

  The dog was rolled in a small blanket, the only thing that seemed to stop her from shaking. She was tucked on the couch with Roberto, and Renny was in the kitchen.

  When Sal entered, he found his mate staring out the window over the sink. He was no longer angry about Renny’s stunt. Mr. Pearl’s passing had shaken Sal, reminding him that tomorrow wasn’t promised, and why waste time being upset with someone?

  Renny’s heart had been in the right place, although Sal prayed his mate never took off like that again.

  He walked to the sink and placed an arm on either side of Renny, resting his chin on his mate’s head. “What’re you thinking about?”

  “You,” Renny said without hesitation.

  Sal circled his arms around his mate. “Yeah? About what?”

  “I could’ve died in that warehouse,” Renny whispered. “I’m thinking how completely unfair that would’ve been to you, to my parents, as well. I was so stupid.”

  It was finally sinking into Renny’s brain about the ramifications of his actions, of how badly earlier could’ve turned out. Sal could’ve lost his mate before he’d even gotten to know him. That thought froze his insides and made him take a stuttering breath.

  “It’s over, and you’re safe.” He turned Renny until they were facing each other. He was so much shorter than Sal, with lustrous dark hair and sparkling green eyes, the kind of green that reminded Sal of lush grass in the summer. The kind kids liked to roll around in and where picnics were held.

  He still recalled the night Renny and Roberto had approached him. Sal hadn’t been afraid of the strangers. They’d been human. There had been nothing to fear. He’d seen right through Roberto’s bullshit, but it had been the soft pleading on Renny’s face that had convinced Sal to help them.

  It was that same look that Sal had kept in his mind when he realized his mate had stolen his truck. That same pleading for help that had spurred Renny to try and rescue his brother.

  But now here Renny stood, safe, with a mixture of regret and need in his eyes. The kind of look that made a man’s heart thunder like wild animals were stampeding on an open plain.

  “A lot of people do careless things for the people they care about.” It had been Renny and Roberto’s parents’ hardship that had driven them to make the first bad decision in a long line of them. But honestly, most of those bad decisions were made by Roberto, and Renny had felt compelled to bail his brother out of the last one.

  “Tell me what made you leave the house in the first place, what made you take my truck.”

  Renny did. He stood there and told Sal about Roberto’s good-bye phone call. But he’d also told Renny that he was close, in a warehouse. If Roberto hadn’t wanted Renny to look for him, why would he give his brother that information? He would’ve known that Renny would throw caution to the wind and raced to find him.

  No, Roberto wasn’t the knight Renny had seen him as. That had been a manipulative move to save Roberto’s ass. Sal was starting to see Roberto through new eyes. Hadn’t the guy confessed to leading a shady life? Not in those exact words, but close.

  Then Renny told him about the argument he and his brother had had while in that dingy room at the warehouse.

  “A burden?” Sal mulled those words over.

  “He’s never said those things to me before,” Renny confessed. “And I haven’t been a burden. He’s gotten me out of a few scuffles when I was a kid, and helped me get out of a bad relationship, but I swear I’m not a professional screw-up. He acted like I’d made a career out of getting into trouble and looking to him to rescue me. I haven’t.”

  “I believe you.” Sal didn’t think Renny was the kind who got into trouble. Then again, he was biased because Renny was his mate, so yeah, he wanted to think the best of him, but in truth, they hadn’t been together long enough for Sal to be certain.

  “He apologized.” Renny said the words low and looked down at Sal’s chest. “But does an apology make up for hurtful words? Does an apology make them go away? Am I petty for still being angry even after he said he was sorry?”

  The guilt and anguish on Renny’s face was all Sal needed to tell him Renny truly was a good guy. If he hadn’t been, he wouldn’t be suffering over what to do.

  “It’s late.” Sal took a step back and slid his hand around Renny’s smaller one. “Let’s get some sleep, and hopefully we’ll feel better come morning.”

  Sal was definitely going to keep an eye on Roberto, make sure he didn’t put any more subliminal, manipulative messages in Renny’s
head. Regardless of how angry Renny was with his brother, he still loved Roberto and would do anything for him. Sal just knew that in the pit of his gut.

  “We still have to go to the bank.” Renny blushed, seeming embarrassed to bring up the subject.

  “We’ll go first thing in the morning. I promise, unless another fire breaks out.” Sal hoped not. Although he’d never held any love for Mr. Pearl—the guy had been a pain in the ass, let Marilyn poo on people’s lawns and never cleaned it up, and had been haughty—that didn’t mean he deserved to die.

  And in such a horrendous way.

  Sal prayed Elliot and his group caught the culprit before more lives were taken. The guy, like most people obsessed with fires, wouldn’t stop until he was caught. His sickness wouldn’t allow him to walk away, wouldn’t allow him to stop setting fires just to see them burn brightly against the sky.

  He wondered what had set the guy on his fiery path. Had the person been in a fire himself? Had he seen his own house burn to the ground? Had he lost a loved one in a blaze, or had he been born a psychopath who’d started out burning bugs under a magnifying glass?

  Whatever the case, Sal was determined to put the arsonist behind bars and, hopefully, in some small measure, give the families who had lost the people they love to this guy some closure.

  * * * *

  Renny woke in the middle of the night feeling cold and afraid. He’d had a nightmare about Molimo, about not being rescued in time, about the demon torturing him by setting Renny’s parents on fire. He swiped a shaky hand over his hair, knowing his problem with the demon, the rash of fires, and his parents’ financial troubles had blended in his sleep to create a very vivid nightmare.

  And parked beside the warehouse where Renny was being tortured in his nightmare had been the red sedan with the dented trunk. No driver behind the wheel. Just the sedan sitting there as if watching Renny’s pain with glee since it had nearly plowed into Renny in real life.