Burnin' Love [Men for Hire: Firemen 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (21 page)

“No. If John comes here, then he’ll get the fight of his life. We’d better hang up now, Melissa. Please take care of yourself. And, as much as I hate to say this, please don’t call me again.” She punched the
Off
button then dropped the phone back onto the table. Bowing her head, she tried to not let the news overwhelm her.

When will this awful mess be over?

She sniffed. Then sniffed again.

Smoke.

Getting to her feet, she whirled toward the kitchen. Had one of the men left something on? Barefoot, she dashed down the hall and burst through the kitchen door. Fire was leaping up the curtains over the window that looked out into the backyard.

Just as she opened her mouth to shout out a warning, duct tape closed around her mouth and an arm wrapped around her, pushing against her breasts.

“Gotcha, bitch.”

She tried to scream against the tape and John’s hand, but the sound was too muffled to do any good. Struggling, she used every ounce of strength she had, but she couldn’t break free. He dragged her, kicking and clawing at him out the back door and into the yard.

Wrenching her arms behind her, he tied her up then thrust her to her knees on the ground. He took hold of her hair and jerked her head up. Flames had gone wild across the back of the kitchen and dark smoke rolled outward.

Wade! Paul! Troy!

When she’d left them, they’d been soundly sleeping. She squirmed, trying again to break free, heedless of what John might do to her. But she was helpless.

“Watch, bitch. I want you to see your life go up in flames. And along with it, the bastards that helped you kill my sister.”

She wanted to tell him that his sister had brought about her own death by threatening Melissa, then shooting Wade. Instead, all she could do was rage against the duct tape and let the fury of her tone burn in her throat.

Her gaze went to the bedroom window. If the men were still asleep, they wouldn’t know about the danger until the smoke alarms went off. By then, it might be too late.

She jerked her body to the right, pulling out of his grasp and rolling. He grabbed her again when she was only halfway up on one leg.

“You’re not going anywhere.” He pointed the gun at the window. “Is that where they are? Good. I hope they wake up just in time to know how they’re going to die.”

If she lost her men, she’d never forgive herself for bringing the horror into their lives. They were brave, true heroes and she’d been their downfall. She sobbed against the cover over her mouth.

The flames licked the side of the house, their fingers touching the roof. Fire consumed the left side of the house and raced toward the bedroom window.

Pain gripped her chest and tore at her throat as she screamed again. Yet her next scream changed into a cry of relief when the back door flung open and Wade and Paul stumbled out of the house. Their bodies shook with racking coughs. Wade lost his footing and fell to the ground, landing on his wounded leg. Paul went down with him to help him.

“Stay right there!” shouted John.

Their ash-covered faces lifted toward him, recognition morphing to anger. Hatred flared in their eyes, but they remained where they were.

John clutched her thin robe and hauled her closer to them. He threw her to the ground in front of him and pointed the gun at her. “No one goes anywhere until the house burns to the ground. Don’t try anything or I’ll blow her head off.”

They were helpless against the crazy man holding them hostage. The fire raged on as she watched her livelihood and all the memories of Miss Daisy’s B&B disappear in fire and smoke. Tears streamed down her face and dripped from her chin. Without the B&B, who was she?

Paul caught her attention, his dark eyes narrowing at her. She couldn’t think, couldn’t understand, but instinctively knew that he was trying to tell her something.

His gaze shifted from her face to a place behind her. It took everything she had not to turn around and look.

Troy. Where was he?

Then she knew. She blinked in rapid succession, using the trick she’d used when she’d been submissive during sex.

I understand.

He narrowed his eyes again, sending her another message.

She blinked again, hoping that she’d guessed his meaning.

Then, just as Paul nodded, she fell forward. The momentum of the move surprised John so that he lifted the gun away from her.

“What the fuck?”

On her back now, she kicked out and up, landing her foot directly in his crotch. John howled, dropped his gun and covered himself.

“Batter up.”

John spun around just as Troy swung Daisy’s bat. She heard the crack of his skull as clearly as she’d heard so many baseballs hit the bat. John fell backward, knocked out.

Paul was by her side in the next moment while Troy knelt over the prone John. He pulled her to a sitting position, untied her, then took hold of the duct tape. “I’m sorry, baby, but the best way is the fast way.”

She blinked again. Then yelled as he ripped the tape off her mouth. “Damn! That’s hurts!”

She was still complaining when Wade tugged her onto her feet with Paul helping. Troy joined them as they stood and watched the home she loved go up in flames. Before long, the roof collapsed, signaling the end.

“Baby, shh, it’ll be okay.”

She hadn’t realized that she was still crying until Wade brought his arm around her. Her heart died a little until she felt the warmth of his body seep into hers. Taking her three handsome men into a group hug, she was surprise to feel joy replace some of the sorrow.

“It’s okay. As long as you three are still with me, I’m good to go.”

Troy hefted the bat into the air. “I’ve got to say. You’re right. Who needs a gun when you’ve got a bat?”

“A girl could get used to this way of living.” Daisy stretched out her legs and watched the traffic go by. “Although I still think watching the trees and the wildlife is a lot better than watching cars go by.”

Rebuilding Miss Daisy’s B&B would take time. Her friends and neighbors had chipped in, pooling enough money to pay her bills until the new place could open. The people of Destiny were like that. They’d help out any way they could. She’d thanked them and had taken their generous offering. To have refused them would’ve been ungracious, even disrespectful. Still, she had no intention of using more of the money than was necessary.

“So how’d the job hunting go today?” Paul sauntered out of the house that they’d rented together. They men had already given up their old places so that they could all be together in one house.

“Not so great. As soon as I tell them that I’m going to go back to Destiny, the interview dies a quick death.”

Wade bumped against the screen door, opening it as he carried two mugs outside. He handed one to Daisy and kept the other for himself. Paul shot him an irritated look. “What? I only have two hands.”

She took a sip to keep from giggling. Since moving in with them, she’d taught them how to make hot toddies. Wade was the one who liked it the best, and never passed up the opportunity to bug Paul or Troy by making only two drinks.

“I figured he’d do that.” Troy came out and handed one of the mugs he carried to Paul. “So no luck today, huh? But I can see why they don’t want to hire you.”

She made a hurt face. “Hey!”

Paul ignored her play for sympathy. “I don’t know why you don’t just kick back and take it easy. From what I heard about Destiny, you’ve done more than your fair share for folks. That’s why they wanted to help you out.”

“I know. It’s just hard for me to take handouts.”

“Paul’s right.” Wade took a drink and let out a satisfied sigh. “Damn, but that’s good. It could be a hundred and ten outside and I’d still want this hot drink.”

“I hate to agree with him, but Paul is right, baby.” Troy sat on the railing. “Like your friends say, ‘Just accept the help and pass it on.’”

They were right. She’d told enough people the same thing many times. “I guess I’m just anxious to get back to Destiny.”

“Yeah, about that.”

Paul set his drink down, a sure sign that he had something serious to talk about. But then again, Paul took everything seriously.

They’d discussed their choices several times, but had never told her outright what they wanted to do. She hoped that they’d want to come back to Destiny with her, but she wouldn’t force them. If they wanted to stay in Tulsa, she’d understand. She’d give up her home in Destiny and live in Tulsa. She’d give up anything to be with them. After all, no house would ever be a real home without the men she loved.

“Have you made a decision?” She was surprised at how strong her voice was. Her body felt weak just thinking about having to leave Destiny.

“We have.” Paul glanced at Wade and Troy, who gave him a quick nod. “We were talking to Gabriel last night.”

“Gabriel? My Gabriel with the Cowboys for Hire teams?”

“Well, I’m not thrilled that you’re calling him
your
Gabriel, but yeah, that’s the one.”

“Sorry. You know how I meant that.”

“I do. Anyway, we’re going to help out with them as much as they can use us. In the meantime, we’re going to see what can be done about getting Destiny a fire department of its own.”

Joy made butterflies dance in her stomach. “Does that mean what I think it means? Are you saying you’re going to move to Destiny? All of you?”

“It does. Providing you still want us.”

She almost spilled her drink in her excitement. “Of course I do. This is the best news ever.”

“Cool.” Wade lifted his mug. “Then how about we toast to it?”

Paul, Troy and Daisy lifted their drinks into the air.

Wade stood up and cleared his voice and raised his mug. “Here’s to moving to Destiny.”

Troy raised his drink a little higher. “Here’s to living with Daisy.”

Everyone turned to Paul. He made a face, but gave in to their silent urging. “Fine. Here’s to drinking Daisy’s hot toddies every day for the rest of our lives.”

It was the first joke she’d ever heard Paul make, and one of the sweetest things he could’ve said. She tipped her mug to her lips and smiled as she took a sip.

THE END

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Jane Jamison has always liked “weird stuff” as her mother called it. From an early age she was fascinated with stories about werewolves, vampires, space, aliens, and whatever was hiding in her bedroom closet. (To this day, she still swears she can hear growls and moans whenever the lights are out.)

Being born under the sign of Scorpio meant Jane was destined to be very sensual. Some would say she was (and remains) downright sexual. Then one day she put her two favorite things together on paper and found her life’s true ambition: to be an erotic paranormal romance author.

Jane spends at least six days a week locked in her office surrounded by the characters she loves. Every day a new character will knock on the door of her imagination. Her plans include taking care of her loving husband, traveling, and writing at least twelve books a year.

For all titles by Jane Jamison, please visit

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