"That's right."
His brow furrowed."You sure that's a good idea?"
"I told Tom I'd look out for her."
Maddox chuckled, shaking his head."I bet Reina hates that."
"She wasn't happy when I told her."
"Eve said she's fiercely independent, doesn't accept help from anyone, although she's quick to offer hers."
"She might not have a choice this time."Her summary was similar to mine.
Maddox nodded."She's going to need a lot of help to get this place open any time soon."
I moved to the wall of ovens, irritated that this hadn't been brought to my attention sooner.I'd assumed that inspections had been done when each store opened.That no corners had been cut, but I was wrong.
He leaned against the counter."I want to talk to you about something else.You shouldn't have run into her apartment last night.You aren't trained to deal with fires.You could have been hurt or worse."
I shook my head."When Belle said Reina was living upstairs, I didn't pause to think about the consequences.All I could think about was getting to her."
"But we were already on our way.You had to hear the sirens."
I nodded."I did."
"But you went inside anyway."
"I told you.I promised Tom I'd look out for her."And I had tunnel vision as soon as Belle said Reina was inside.There was no stopping me from getting to her.
"It wasn't smart."
"What if something happened to her?She inhaled too much smoke and succumbed to her injuries?What if she'd burned in that fire?"My voice was gruff with emotion.
"You could have been hurt or killed.You think Tom would want that on his conscience?"
"Not his call to make."And Tom wasn't here.I was the one he'd tasked with caring for his sister.I took my word seriously.I wouldn't let him down, even if it meant sacrificing my life for hers.
"You're stubborn."
I turned to face him."You would have done the same thing if it were Eve in a burning building."
He raised a brow."I'm a firefighter.It's my job to run into burning buildings.Besides, I'm dating Eve.You have something you want to tell me about Reina?"
I pursed my lips."Just that I promised Tom I'd take care of her, and that's what I'm doing."
He considered me for a few seconds."I hope you know what you're doing."
"I don't want Tom to find out.He can't be stressed while he's deployed, and I don't want him to worry about his sister.I'll handle Reina."
A noise came from the hallway.Then Reina stepped into the room."I'm not a problem to be managed."
I grimaced."That's not what I meant."
Her shoulders stiffened."I'll find a place to live and be out of your space."
"No—" I'd made her sound like a burden.Something I had to take care of because of her brother when that was the furthest thing from the truth.I wanted to take care of her because, on some level, I was attracted to her.I wondered if that was the reason I hadn't hesitated to go in after her.
She adjusted her duffle on her shoulder."I'll be in the truck."
