“His father and uncles,” I added.
“His grandfather and great-grandfather. The Rogers family has a long bloodline in the fire department.”
“But he doesn’t live up to the legacy of his family.”
Don snorted. “Hardly.”
“Maybe that’s what his bitterness is about? This arsonist has a vendetta against the department.”
“Not just the department. Rescue Four. Why would Rogers have something against our squad specifically?”
I pursed my lips, thinking that over. None of the background information I found on Rogers suggested he had anything against Rescue Four, specifically.
“Maybe his wife shacking up with another guy was the catalyst for all of this?” I suggested.
“Possibly, but the timing seems a little off,” Don replied. “She left after the fires started, I think. I need to get up and close with him. Catch him somewhere when he’s off-guard.”
“The club he frequents?”
“That might work.”
“I could accidentally bump into him at said club.”
Don’s eyes narrowed, and his face grew stern.
I sucked my teeth. “Don’t even say there’s no ‘we’ in this.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked. My body grew warm at the tenseness in his face and anger beginning to burn in his eyes.
Damn, that’s sexy.
I had to tell my body to calm down so I could focus.
“Absolutely not. You stay in the background, remember?” His tone was hard as steel. “I’m going to crack his fucking jaw if it’s him behind these fires and what happened to Corey. And if…”
“If what?”
He clamped his mouth shut. “If this is him, he’ll wish his mother had swallowed him before she ever conceived his ass.”
It would’ve been funny if it weren’t for the hard look in Don’s eyes as he said that. He surprised me by leaning forward and wrapping a hand around the back of my head, bringing us closer.
He stared into my eyes for a long, breathless moment before he brought his forehead to mine. He didn’t say anything, but the look in his eyes was dark. So much so, it appeared as if the hazel color turned nearly brown.
“I’m going to catch this son of a bitch and make him regret ever fucking with my squad and you.”
I wrinkled my nose, wondering how the arsonist had ever messed with me, but then I realized he was likely referring to Corey. The fact that this maniac’s actions hurt my brother impacted me personally.
I didn’t get the chance to ask because Don’s lips found mine again.
“I’m going to start charging you for those,” I teased, wanting to lighten the mood a little.
“I’ll pay whatever the asking price is.”
Those words were like a chisel, carving away at the wall erected around my heart.
“Let’s go so I can kick your ass in NBA 2K,” I said.
“Ha.” He stood, bringing me with him. “I’d rather kiss your ass, but if you insist.”
