Hearts on Fire 3: Tasha(8)

* * * *



“Okay, say that to me again.”

“Tasha, you need to keep calm and not tell anyone about Dash and how he likes you,” Melanie told her.

“Why not?”

“Because there is some kind of police investigation going on and there are agents working undercover. One of them just stopped me from pressing charges and getting an order of protection against James.”

“Oh God, Melanie. What did this investigator say?”

“To tell you to keep quiet and to just go along with things. Someone will be contacting you. Tasha, this so serious. Anyone you tell could wind up dead. If James finds out I was even near a police station, never mind that I was talking to a cop, an agent, I would die. Promise me that you won’t tell anyone about Dash and him harassing you? Promise me, because both our lives depend on it.”

“Oh God Melanie. I can’t believe this.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Tasha disconnected the call and closed her eyes a moment as she absorbed what Melanie just told her. She turned around toward Serefina and swallowed hard. She needed to keep her best friend out of this and safe. She hoped she would let the situation and the information Tasha shared with her tonight, go. God, why didn’t Melanie call me sooner?

“We’ll figure this out together,” Serefina told Tasha when she returned to the living room. Tasha pulled back, shaking her head. “I won’t put you in danger too. Ace, Bull, and Ice would kill me for even involving you in this.”

“No, they wouldn’t. They know we’re best friends. We care about each other and I would do anything for you. In fact, I know as soon as they find out and my brothers do, never mind Jake, this guy Dash won’t know what hit him.”

“No! No, Serefina.” Tasha stood up and paced the room. “You cannot tell anyone about this. You have to promise me that you won’t.”

Serefina stood up. “I can’t do that. You’re in danger. This guy needs to be stopped.”

“I’ll take care of it. I don’t want the guys to know. Please, Serefina, let me see if I can take care of this.”

“You’ve tried and you failed. What if he breaks in here one night while you’re in bed sleeping and he rapes you, attacks you, or even kills you? Then what?”

“Please, Serefina. Just give me a little more time. Let me handle this. He’ll leave me alone. I have my mom to worry about, and I need to focus on her, not this guy.”

“You have to make me a promise. You have to swear to tell me if this guy bothers you again. If he lays a hand on you, I want to know and together, we’re going to see Jake.”

Tasha nodded her head.

Serefina’s phone was ringing and she stared at Tasha, and Tasha raised her eyebrows indicating for Serefina to go on and answer the call.

She exhaled and then picked it up.

“Serefina, it’s Ice. Don’t panic, everything is okay.”

“What happened? I know something happened, so just tell me,” Serefina said, her heart racing as she looked at Tasha’s concerned expression.

“There was a fire. Bull was injured and taken to the hospital. Tyler is there, too, being treated for smoke inhalation.”

“Oh God, are they going to be okay?”

“Yes. Just come to the hospital. Meet us there. Are you alone or is Tasha still with you?”

“Tasha is with me.”

“I’m going with you,” Tasha said, and Serefina nodded her head.

“We’re on our way.” Serefina closed the phone and grabbed her purse.



* * * *



Bull was lying on the hospital bed, his arm covered in bandages after the doctor treated him for second-degree burns. Tyler was breathing into an oxygen mask and sipping water in between to wash out his lungs and clean them from inhaling some smoke. Lance, Eddie, Ice, Ace, Hollywood, and Bear were gathered around them when Serefina and Tasha entered the room.

“They’re okay,” Ice stated as Serefina hurried toward the bed and stared at Bull.

“I’m fine, baby, just some burns,” he told her.

“Burns, oh God, Bull. I was so scared.”

He pulled her closer to kiss her. He caressed her back as Ace and Ice joined them.

“Hi, Tasha,” Eddie greeted her. Tasha said hello to everyone.

“You know I can get into a lot of trouble having all these people in your room, Bull,” Catalina stated as she entered the room in her nurse’s uniform.

Serefina smiled. “You’re his nurse?” she asked excitedly.

“Of course. You think I would let any other nurse take care of my best friend’s man? Not happening on my shift,” Catalina said as she gave Serefina a hug hello. Then Catalina walked over to check on Tyler.

“Your brother, on the other hand, is a pain in the ass. Keep that mask in place. Ten more minutes and then you can drink a bunch and we’ll make sure you’re good to go,” she reprimanded. Everyone chuckled.

“Where were you two when I called?” Ice asked Serefina as Catalina exited the room.

“We were hanging out at Tasha’s,” Serefina told him.

Bull looked at Serefina. Something was up, he could tell. Was she just concerned over him or was something going on.

“You came to check on me, huh, Tasha?” Tyler said, moving the mask off his mouth.

Tasha smiled softly. “I know how resistant you are to authority, Tyler.”

“It depends on whose giving the orders.” He looked her body over. Tasha shook her head and walked closer to the bed near Bull. Bull chuckled. He wondered when Serefina’s brothers were going to make a move with Tasha. She was perfect for them, and they were perfect for her. Who cared about the age difference?

“So, did you get dizzy to from inhaling smoke, is that why they have you lying down, Bull?” Serefina asked as she caressed his hair.

“Well, not really,” he replied.

“Why don’t you tell her how you removed your turnout coat, causing you to get the burns,” Ice interrupted.

“What? Why would you do that?” she asked.

“I had to try and save the kid. He could have caught completely on fire.”

“You recued someone?” Serefina asked, and then the guys all explained the story.

“Although it’s not protocol for you to remove your jacked the way you did in such a situation, I think I would have done the same thing. That poor kid was scared out of his mind,” Tyler stated.

Bull nodded his head. “I thought Tyler was done for in the one bedroom, and we were done for in the other.”

“Not the way Tyler leaped from that room onto the ladder and bucket, then nearly hung off the bucket to reach that kid and you before the room engulfed in flames. That was intense,” Lance stated.

“My God, at least you’re okay and it isn’t too bad. How is the little boy?” Serefina asked.

“Doing okay. He’ll need to stay in the hospital for a bit. Catalina said Nate Hawkins’s cousin, a burn specialist thinks the boy’s injuries will heal fine,” Ice added.

“Nate’s the probie with the blonde hair, right?” Tasha asked.

“And adorable dimple in his left cheek,” Serefina added and then yelped. “Hey!” she exclaimed, rubbing her hand over her backside.

Ice pointed his finger at her and gave a stern expression. “Watch it.”

She blushed and Bull pulled her closer to him. “They’re going to release me soon. I can’t wait to get you home.”

“That’s my line, considering I’m the one who’s going to be taking care of you during recovery.”

“Recovery? Shit, I’ll be back to work in a day,” Bull replied.

“That’s not happening, bro. You have to go through a whole process now that you’ve been injured during a fire,” Ice told him.

“What? Come on. This will heal in no time,” Bull said, lifting his bandage-covered forearm and cringing from the pain. The painkillers Catalina gave him were definitely wearing off.

“You were burned, Bull. That’s serious. You’re going to need the treatment, and I’m going to make sure that my father doesn’t approve your return until you’re a hundred percent.”

“Don’t argue with her, Bull. Our sister will talk to the chief,” Eddie added and chuckled.

“Whatever,” Bull said.



* * * *



Tasha stood beside Tyler’s chair and listened to her friends all talking. She couldn’t help but be envious of Serefina, and wished that she had never gone to the club to meet Melanie. Would Dash continue to harass her? Would he break into her apartment, try to hurt her? She swallowed hard and moved the bracelets on her wrist. It was too late when she felt Tyler gently place his hand over her wrist and the bracelets. She yelped and pulled away.

“What’s wrong?” Tyler asked.

Tasha could see the concerned expression on his face as well as on Eddie and Lance’s. They were such good-looking, authoritative men with chiseled faces, as well as well defined, muscular bodies.

“Nothing,” she replied, looking at Serefina.

“It probably pinched her wrists with all those bracelets she has on,” Serefina said, trying to help Tasha.

Tasha chuckled. “You’re right. Sorry, Tyler. You’d better finish that bottle of water before Catalina returns. She can be strict and demanding,” Tasha said, forcing a smile.