Page 17 of First Surrender
“Yeah, I had to wipe the soot off the top but it was safe enough on the floor of the closet.”
She pulls the lid off, inspecting the contents to confirm what I observed. Her hands hover over everything but touch nothing as if not to disturb it.
“I have it meticulously organized for Dec’s sake.” She laughs sadly. “A few of the special items he kept of my moms are tucked away at the bottom for when he’s older.”
I don’t know why she’s voluntarily giving me this information but I don’t mind. It’s nice to see the sister side of her, the human side.
“I can keep it at my office if you want. Until you’re settled somewhere permanently,” I offer. “I have a safe and it’s fire-resistant.”
“It’s not as if I plan to live through more fires,” she argues, unleashing her usual side.
“Let’s hope not.” Max pipes in from over Natalie’s shoulder. He’s a firefighter and one of the volunteer fire marshals. He’s the one who let me into the apartment.
I jerk my head in a quick “shut it” motion so he doesn’t keep talking. I haven’t told her about the arson yet because I don’t want to add to her worry. His eyes widen in understanding and he changes the subject. “You guys all set in there?”
“I haven’t even gone inside,” Natalie responds, cutting him a cross look.
“There isn’t anything else,” I assure her, wanting to save her from seeing the extent of the damage. I meant what I said, there isn’t anything else to be salvaged and I don’t want the image of it to haunt her.
She ignores me, directing her full annoyance at Max as he speaks again. I try not to be amused by it.
“I pulled you out of the fire, ma’am.” He tips his head, smugly. I think he intended for that to be a pickup line.
“Wow. Thanks. So brave.” I almost miss it as she turns back to me, but there was definitely an eye roll attached to that bland response. Max is dumbfounded behind her as if he’s not used to his firefighter shtick not working.
“Fine, take it to your office but if I need it at any point you have to give it back. Even if it’s the middle of the night.” She secures the lid over the box and gives it a small shove toward my chest.
“I wouldn’t dare keep it from you, fireball.”
“Don’t call me that,” she snaps.
“Okay, Nat.”
“Don’t call me that either. It’s Natalie.”
“Whatever you say, Nat.”
Chapter Ten
Natalie
Jackson: Where are you going?
Me: Excuse me?
Jackson: My deputy said you just left in a random car.
Me: Why is your deputy watching me?
Jackson: They do extra patrol at the hotels.
Me: I don’t believe you.
Jackson: Where’s Dec?
Me: None of your business.
Jackson: Nat…