Absolute Trust - Jeana E. Mann Page 0,57

beginning to peek over the horizon. A wash of pale pink reflects on the water. Cash holds Lucy in his lap, absently stroking her tiny head. Whenever his fingers slow, she nips him gently as a reminder to get busy.

“I can’t believe it’s all gone.” I’m numb inside. Although Cash and Gage had saved the money from the safe and a few items from the gallery, the old building blazed to the foundations in a matter of minutes. To compound the tragedy, Mr. Mercer’s apartment was lost in the inferno. On the brighter side, the neighboring buildings were spared from damage and no one was injured.

“Who would do something like that?” Em keeps repeating the same question over and over.

“I have an idea,” Gage replies, keeping his back to us. Smears of soot and dirt stain his T-shirt. “Let’s call Psycho Bitch and see if she has an alibi.”

“Athena wouldn’t do something like that, but if it makes you feel better, I’ll get her over here for questioning.” Cash hands Lucy to Em and makes his way to me. He grabs my biceps to halt my pacing. “You’re going to wear a hole in my floor. Come here.” His arms wrap around my shoulders. I nestle my nose into the crook of his neck. “At least you’re both safe.”

“Mr. Mercer is going to be devastated.” The thought of telling him adds to my dismay. In the blink of an eye, he’s lost the last remaining thread of his former life.

“It’s a fucking tragedy, but it could be worse. I mean, he’s got insurance on the store and you’ve got coverage on the building.” Gage turns to cock an eyebrow at me. “Right?”

“Yes. Everything’s covered.” Em answers the question from behind the hands covering her face.

“It’s not the money. Mr. Mercer put his entire life into that business, and his home was upstairs.” I get tearful thinking about it. All of his memories, the photos of Hattie, his clothing and furniture—all of it gone in a matter of minutes.

“Em should stay here until things are sorted out.” Cash rubs my back in soothing circles. “Until we know how the fire started, it’s best to be cautious.”

“I don’t want to intrude.” Em tries to protest, but I can tell by her sigh, she’s relieved at the offer.

Cash holds up a hand. “I insist. Until we know what happened, I’ll feel better knowing you’re here and safe. I’m sure Jagger agrees.” I nod, feeling the slow spread of warmth through my chest over his generosity. He smiles at me. Our gazes lock, and I feel the tug deep in my belly. “Gage, why don’t you show Emeline upstairs so she can clean up?”

“Sure.” At Gage’s easy smile, the tension eases from Em’s posture. He holds out a hand to help her up from the couch. “You can have the room next to mine. It’s got a balcony and a lake view.”

“Grab some clothes out of my closet, Em. Help yourself to whatever you need,” I call out to her as Gage guides her down the hallway with a hand on the small of her back. Once they’re out of earshot, Cash buries his head in my shoulder, clutching me to him. I grunt in protest. “Cash. You’re squashing me.”

“I could’ve lost you tonight.” His voice breaks. “What if you had been at the store? If anything happened to you, I don’t know what I’d do.”

“I’m here. I’m okay.” We hold each other close until Gage returns. Even then, Cash doesn’t release me. “Now you know how I feel about you.”

“I get it.” Using his little finger, he brushes the hair away from my face. There is so much tenderness in his gesture. “We’ll figure this out, baby girl. I promise.” We fall into a kiss that curls my toes and heats the space between my legs.

Gage clears his throat. Embarrassment stings the tips of my ears. Cash smiles. I love the dimples in his cheeks, the sexy tattoos, his strong arms and the way they hold me. I’ll never find this feeling with anyone else. A wave of determination straightens my spine. I want to work this out. We have to find a way to move forward.

“Got Em situated,” Gage says. “I’ll check on her later.”

“Thanks.” I smile at him over the top of Cash’s shoulder.

“My pleasure.” His answering wink is almost as reassuring as Cash’s hug.

“Whoever did this is going to pay.” Cash’s vow is a quiet murmur in my ear. Although