Fire (Beautiful Ashes Series, Book 2)(49)

Lisa huffed and jerked out of his reach. Bastard! She schooled her features. “My heart and body belong to my husband, Mr. Rolston.”

There was no holding back his, “bullshit.” Her surprised look said it all: he was onto her and her schemes. Mitch took the advantage he had. “I will find Chase, and I’ll uncover every hidden secret there is to do so. Have no doubts about that,” he declared.

She stood facing away from him. “That’s good.” Turning toward him, “I want the SOB’s responsible to pay dearly for this,” she said with steel in her voice.

Mitch fought the urge to clap at such a performance. Bravo! Instead he simply nodded before taking his leave. On the way down the hall he vowed to himself, I will put her ass in jail for her role in this debacle.





The green house with white trim sat on a beautiful tree-lined street. Each yard was well-manicured. A scene that screamed families as Tar took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of flowers. He had to hand it to those who put the team together, they knew how to hide them in plain sight. Walking inside, he noticed the home was clean and tidy with a fully stocked kitchen. Wonder who all was assigned here. Tar was in no hurry to go back to where Lisa was staying and brewed himself some coffee. What the ever-loving hell was he going to do about his brother’s wife?

He leaned his head back and let his mind wander. So much was at stake. When Chase was rescued, he’d have to destroy him with the knowledge that Lisa attempted to seduce Tar. And if they didn’t get to his brother in time, he’d die in a horrendous way. Although, killing a public figure would bring attention the cartel wouldn’t want. A saving grace? Possibly, but still leaving their captive alive could put them all in prison. Hard to know which way they would go. The longer they held him, the more likely he wouldn’t survive.

A lone tear slipped down Tar’s cheek. He’d just gotten his brother back. They’d finally worked through their crap. He forgave him for taking Lisa away. Again, thoughts drifted back to her. Was she trying to seduce him? Were those her tactics when he was gone and Chase was with her? If so, why would she want Tar back? Then an awful thought traveled through his mind, what if she wanted both of them? God, he was going to be sick! Tar had not lived a sheltered life. He’d seen things up close and personal that were downright disgusting. Acts others did to one another for sexual pleasure and those performed for torture. He bolted up off the couch and barely made it to the toilet.

After washing his face and brushing his teeth, Tar went to lie down on the California King in the master bedroom. He kept telling himself he was wrong about Lisa, but that undeniable niggle in his gut told him something completely different. Question was, why now? He yawned and turned over as recent memories took over.

Keeley’s head thrown back in utter pleasure filled his mind as he recalled their last rendezvous. They still had a lot to work through. Incredible sex wouldn’t fix all that was broken. And despite everything, he loved her with all his heart. Wanted to marry her, knowing they could have happily-ever-after if they were willing to work for it. He moaned out her name while dreams invaded.





A lot of self-encouraging on the drive to her mom’s house was met with disappointment when she found her mother wasn’t home. Keeley ended up in the last place she ever expected. An odd comfort covered her like a warm familiar blanket as she slowly walked through the cemetery. Death never frightened her. Hell, most of the time she courted it. She found herself not far from her father’s grave, noticing a woman kneeling in front of his head stone. On closer inspection, she realized it was her mother. She’d lost weight, too much, which concerned Keeley. “Hi, Mom.”

She stood but not with ease. Again, Keeley noted how frail she looked and held out her hand to assist. Her mother took it with a smile then pulled her in for a hug. “My angel.”

“Mama, we’ve had this talk. I’m no angel.”

“You are. I saw you!”

Okay, what was Mom talking about? “Where did you see me?”

“On the television. You helped that little boy,” she gasped, “and oh the light that was around you!”

Keeley stood speechless. She convinced herself that the bright light she’d encountered was the result of an adrenaline rush. Now her mom was saying she saw it on TV?

“Your guardian angel was right there helping you help that child. You precious girl,” she said in awe and hugged her again.

She held her mom close, thinking once more she was too thin and changed the subject. “How are you?”

Her mother laughed. “Anytime you don’t want to talk about something you ask questions.” She shook her head. “I suppose some things never change. And I’m fine.”