Hearts on Fire 1: Serefina (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “Sure you are.”

  “You need to let go. You need to put behind what happened to Marco. It wasn’t your fault. He should have confided in one of us, or even the chief. He didn’t and he’s gone. You can’t bring him back.”

  Bull’s words hit him hard. He wasn’t trying to bring back Marco. He was protecting the last two brothers he had. They had always done everything together. They even joined the military together. Marco and he stayed on longer, but eventually they got into the fire department and wound up in the same station house. Was he really causing a wedge in their relationship? Shit.

  They drove in silence and Ace wondered how he was supposed to just stop protecting his brothers when that was his responsibility in life.

  Chapter 6

  Duggy walked into Denis’s room without knocking.

  “Hey. Do I fucking walk into your room without knocking first?” he yelled as he closed up the laptop along with a thick book Denis always had with him. Duggy stared at him.

  “Are you thinking about the job? Have any ideas about how we’re going to pull this shit off without getting caught?”

  “I’m working on something.”

  Duggy had seen the image on the computer screen before Denis closed it up. His brother was obsessed with that damn fire from nine months ago. It was like he meant for it to be worse, or was dissatisfied with the end result. He wanted to stay in North Carolina, but heading here, getting away from the scene was a smart move. Plus, Kent Frederickson paid for all expenses.

  “What are you doing now? I saw the picture on the screen.”

  “So what? I can do whatever the fuck I want to. I’m not stupid, you know?”

  His brother was becoming agitated and that wasn’t a good thing. He knew that Denis wasn’t exactly dealing with a full deck, but to most people he would appear attractive, businesslike, and intelligent. Duggy knew the other side of him.

  “Calm down. I just don’t want you surfing the net exploring the fire from Carolina. The Feds and shit have that kind of stuff monitored.”

  “Not with the programs I have installed in here. They can’t follow shit. I’m smarter than all of them. Don’t you know that by now?”

  “Whatever. Just keep working on a foolproof plan to burn down that condominium complex without getting busted. It might be our last job before we disappear from here forever.”

  “Disappear? You’re on that again? I’m not going anywhere else. I like it here,” he said, and Duggy got angry.

  “Tough shit. When this job is over, we’ll be sitting on a beach somewhere sipping tropical drinks, flirting with pretty ladies, and living large until we die. I’m going to start cooking the steaks.” He walked out of the room.

  * * * *

  Denis watched his brother leave, closing the door behind him. He stared at the closed door.

  “I’m not going anywhere. Not until it’s done.”

  That’s right. Don’t listen to your brother. Go after the target. You can make it yours and no one else can ever have it but you. Maybe take it with you. It represents everything we’ve been fighting for. It’s got power, beauty, and control. It can fight against the fires. You need it. Go after it. Make it yours.

  Denis rocked back and forth in the seat with his eyes closed. He clenched his fists, and then thought about the treasure. He could have it all. He could take it with him and Duggy, but not share it.

  The burning one will be mine. I’ll find it, capture it, and make it my possession forever.

  * * * *

  “So have you thought about any possibilities for jobs?” her mom asked as Serefina walked with her down the boardwalk. They had lunch at home then decided to take a stroll and maybe stop for coffee at Sullivan’s Café.

  “Not really. I looked into some of the part-time jobs in local offices but I’m not sure I want to do that. I still have my connection to freelance writing online, but my heart just isn’t into it yet. I guess I lost my mojo.” She looked out toward the water. She felt her mom touch her arm, and she turned to look at her.

  “You’ll get it back. Maybe if you just try to write, it will all come to you?”

  “I tried. The creativity just isn’t there.”

  “What about the job with the local theatre group you used to belong to? I heard that Mary has her hands full, especially with her little guy and another baby on the way. You would be great helping onstage.”

  “Not sure about that one.”

  “It’s only for a few hours on weekends, and then of course for shows you would have to be available. Tasha mentioned calling Mary to find out more. What do you think? I think Mary would love the help.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  They walked closer to Sullivan’s and saw that it was pretty crowded.

  “This is the place the guys were talking about least week?” she asked.

  “Sure is. Great people own the place. Your father has known them for years.”

  “It’s pretty cool. They own both the café and the restaurant next door?”

  “Yep. But it looks really busy,” her mom stated as they walked inside.

  “Hi, Angelina, how are you?” the woman at the hostess station asked, and she look frazzled.

  “Good. We’re just interested in having coffee. Is that okay?”

  The woman smiled. “Sure thing, you can take that table over there by the window. I’ll be with you soon. Two of my girls didn’t make it today. One is sick and the other a no-show. Can you believe it? Crazy.” She hurried toward a table to take an order.

  “That’s terrible. How can people just not show up to work?” her mother said as they walked over to the last open table.

  “Is it me, or do people looked annoyed?” Serefina asked her mom.

  Her mom cringed as the sound of a coffee cup crashing to the floor echoed around them. “Damn it,” one guy said as he bent down and quickly cleaned up the mess he made.

  The woman approached the table a while later.

  “I’m so sorry. What can I get you, Angelina?”

  “Oh, just two mocha lattes please.”

  “This must be Serefina? Your mom told me that you were moving back home.”

  “This is ridiculous. We’ve waited over an hour for our meals,” a man stated as he stood up and threw his napkin down on the table.

  “Excuse me.”

  The woman turned around and tried to calm down the patron, but he was pissed off. Some other people started complaining and the woman looked so upset.

  “I think they need help, Mom,” Serefina whispered.

  “Then we should help. We’re not doing anything but hanging around today anyway. What do you say? Do you remember how to serve tables?”

  Serefina smiled. “Remember? It’s what made me all that extra spending cash through college.”

  They stood up and placed hands on the woman’s shoulder.

  “Florence, hand over the aprons. We’re going to help you.”

  Florence looked like she had tears in her eyes. “Are you serious?” she asked and looked at both of them. Serefina and her mom smiled.

  “We’ve done this before and we’re friends. You need help and we’re just hanging out. So let us help you out.”

  “Oh God, this is great. Al is working on getting back up servers in here as soon as possible.”

  “No worries. We’re here for you.”

  * * * *

  Two hours later Angelina stood by the coffee bar next to Florence watching Serefina talk with a group of firefighters who just got off work. She had taken care of double the tables Angelina had with perfection and a smile. She hadn’t seen Serefina smile in a while. The sadness hit her eyes and Florence touched her arm.

  “She’s a very beautiful young woman. You and Marty have done well.”

  Angelina smiled. “I appreciate that. I’ve been so worried about Serefina. We all have.”

  Florence smiled. ‘That’s understandable. After everything she went through, it’s good she�
�s here. It’s great that she offered to help. She’s really friendly and a hard worker.”

  Angelina turned toward Florence. “Those replacements never showed up, huh?”

  “Damn girls are lazy and hate to work hard. Meanwhile the tips are great. The people are friendly. I don’t understand it. There’s no work ethic today like what we used to have.”

  “I know. We’ve been lucky with our sons and daughter.”

  “We have been, too. Ace, Ben, Ivan, and Marco are wonderful men.” Florence had her own tears in her eyes and this time Angelina comforted her.

  “Marco was a wonderful man and a great son. It’s so hard to lose a loved one. That’s why we’re trying to help Serefina get through this process. She’s very sad and depressed. It’s hard to get her excited about anything.”

  Just then they heard her laughing and then saw her point at one of the firefighters and reprimand him. As she turned to walk away, they were all checking out her daughter.

  “She’s comfortable talking to people. Do you think she’d like to work here?” Florence asked.

  “Really?”

  “Sure. I need good servers, in here and in the restaurant.”

  “Well, ask her. Maybe she’ll do it.”

  Serefina came over smiling. “You get some real characters in here, don’t you, Florence?” Serefina asked as she placed the order from the table of firefighters into the computer.

  “Sure do. But you can handle them. Coming from a family of firefighters, you’d have all those guys eating out of the palm of your hand.”

  “I think she already does,” Angelina said and then nodded behind Serefina. All four of the men were watching her, and then they waved and smiled.

  “I’ll be damned. So, I have a proposition for you.”

  “For me?” Serefina asked, turning toward Florence.

  “I am in desperate need of a good, friendly, hard-working, reliable waitress, and your mom said you’re looking for a job.”

  She looked at her mom.

  “Not my idea. You impressed Florence on your own,” Angelina stated, hoping that Serefina wouldn’t turn this down. She needed to take her mind off of everything and just live. It had been a few weeks since she came home and she hadn’t found a job she felt comfortable applying for. Angelina felt that if she just got something, even temporary, it might help to ease her mind and get her back on track.

  “Um.” Serefina thought about it a moment and then smiled. “Sure. Why not? It was fun and reminded me of my college days.”

  “Like those were so long ago,” Angelina stated and rolled her eyes.

  Florence held on to Angelina’s arm and chuckled. “Ah, to be so young again.”

  “No way. I wouldn’t want to do that all over again,” Angelina replied and they laughed.

  “Are you an early riser?” Florence asked.

  “Sure she is. She goes jogging every morning around five.”

  “Is seven to two good for you on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays?”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Excellent,” Florence said and then shook her hand. “Welcome to Sullivan’s.”

  * * * *

  The sirens were blaring as Weaver, their driver, eased through the local traffic to get to the location of the fire. It never got old. The view of the waterfront on the left as they traveled down Lucuna Drive. The windows in the truck were down, the warm air caressing their cheeks, and Eddie knew depending on the severity of the fire that his cheeks would be feeling a lot more heat than that from the sun.

  His gut had that small knot in it. The feeling that he hoped it wasn’t a bad fire. He hated when people lost their homes, their possessions, and God forbid, lives were lost. Then his brain focused on his job, and he hoped that they could get there in time. It was the same roller coaster of emotions on every call, big or small. He turned to look at the crew of men in the truck along with him. They were squeezed in tight, gear on, anticipation and adrenaline just under the edge of their skin ready to face the challenge.

  He noticed since this morning that Ace, Bull, and Ice were not really speaking to one another. Knowing that the guys were close, he was concerned. Especially since Ace was kind of bossing them around a bit and questioning them on their actions since the last call first thing this morning.

  As they pulled up to the residence, they saw the smoke, half the neighborhood on the law and a group of men trying to put out a large gas grill that was on fire. The smoke filled the air and flames were shooting out from the grill, nearly reaching the roof.

  “Let’s get those people out of there pronto,” Ace stated as he jumped out of the truck, threw his helmet on his head, and headed around to the back of the truck.

  The others, including Eddie, evaluated the situation and grabbed a few fire extinguishers first.

  “Hey, we tried that. This is a custom-made grill. The gas line leads to my house,” some guy they assumed was the homeowner told them, as he showed them a small fire extinguisher.

  Guaranteed the thing was expired.

  “These are a bit more powerful, sir. Could you please stand back,” Eddie told the man.

  “Lance, can you find out where the main shutoff button is on the gas line, before this thing goes underground?” Ace asked with an attitude. He eyed the heavyset guy who was now complaining about destruction of property and whether or not the county would pay for a new grill.

  “Are you kidding me?” Bull began to say when Lance pulled him away before things got out of control.

  Granted, the guy was a complete jerk, but Ace, Bull, and Ice seemed confrontational and they didn’t need some unnecessary confrontation with a civilian.

  In a matter of minutes they had the fire under control.

  “I’ll handle this. The sheriff is here,” Eddie said just as Jake McCurran, the sheriff, showed up by their truck.

  “I was in the area, heard about the fire, but I see you guys have it under control,” the sheriff stated.

  “Sure do,” Eddie said as he shook his hand and the others did the same.

  “I want to know who’s going to clean up this mess and get me a new grill,” the homeowner yelled to them as a deputy tried to calm him down.

  “What’s up with this guy? Is he serious?” Lance asked.

  “I know this bonehead. Don’t worry about it. My deputies can handle him. We’ve been out here before on some other calls. Last summer he turned the cul-de-sac into a race track for mini dirt bikes. Seven of them crashed into one another and then he carried on about suing the city for having a slightly raised manhole in the center of the cul-de-sac. Asshole,” Jake stated.

  “Sounds like it. How is your cousin’s girlfriend Marissa doing? The baby is due any day isn’t it?” Eddie asked him.

  “Oh yeah, I’m waiting on that call. Mickey, Clyde, and Tanner are so protective of her and their baby. I hope it’s a girl. The three of them deserve a girl for their wild ways.

  Eddie smiled while the others chuckled. Jake’s cousins were in a ménage relationship and expecting their first baby. It made him wonder if he would ever settle down. He’d spoken with his brothers about it many times, but none of them had found the right woman for all of them. It was a common thing around the area and most of their friends were interested in that type of relationship.

  The sheriff said good-bye and then walked over to help his deputy handle the homeowner while they prepared their stuff to leave.

  They all got into the fire truck and headed out of the development waving at the kids who watched them with excitement.

  “Okay, what’s up with you guys today?” Eddie asked Ace. Ace didn’t even look at him, he just stared out the window. “Nothing,” he replied.

  “Bullshit. Something is going on. You guys haven’t said a word to one another except to complain or to snap.”

  “Leave it alone, junior. Just leave it alone,” Ace said.

  Eddie looked at Lance, who shrugged his shoulders as they remained silent for the rest of the
ride back.

  Chapter 7

  It was early morning and the regulars were coming into Sullivan’s for coffee and breakfast. A team of firefighters entered and they looked exhausted. Serefina greeted them and immediately brought over their coffees.

  “So how were your first couple of days, Serefina?” one guy asked her.

  She took out her pen and pad and smiled.

  “Not bad. Thanks for asking.”

  “Well, I have to say, I’m going to look forward to seeing you every morning after a hellish night shift,” he stated, and the other guys chuckled.

  “You have an addictive smile, baby. And you were the one subject we never got tired of talking about while working,” the other said, and she felt her cheeks warm. But then came that funny feeling. She placed her hands on her hips and gave them a sideways glance. “Now, gentleman, don’t tell me that those lines have helped you hook up before?”

  They laughed.

  “They worked for him,” the other fireman said as he slapped the young one on his shoulder.

  “Well, what can I get you this morning?” she asked, and they gave their orders and even teased about her being on the menu. She shook her head as she walked to the computer to place their order.

  It was a bit quiet after that, so she sat at the end of the coffee bar and spoke with Lester. They were discussing the local theatre club and the series of summer plays on schedule when another customer arrived. She swallowed hard the moment she saw the man. He was very tall, and built just like the guy from the beach the other day. Except this one had a really hard expression and looked like he was capable of just about anything. She immediately noticed the tattoo peeking from the sleeve of his shirt which stretched across bulging muscles. She swallowed hard. The man looked fierce, older, and she hoped he wasn’t a jerk, as she waited to see where he would sit. He looked up at her and she smiled. He gave her a dirty look and shook his head before taking a seat by the corner table.

  She felt embarrassed and kind of offended. What was his problem? She took a deep breath, released it, and then checked on the other firefighters before going over to the new guy’s table. The men smiled and whispered and then she walked over to the other table.