Saxon's Savior (Protect and Serve #3) - Pandora Pine Page 0,5

heels and grinned like a fool at the fire trucks.

“Yeah, they are. I’m-”

“I know what you are. I’m Dallas Haynes, your new boss. I thought it would be best to meet you out here, away from the rest of the gang.” Dallas kept his eyes on the firehouse.

Dallas had the brightest set of green eyes I had ever seen, and his hair was flaming red. He was several inches shorter than I was but had a hard look about him, as if he wouldn’t hesitate to put me in my place at the first wrong word. What the hell did he mean when he said he knew what I was?

I held out my hand to shake, but Dallas wasn’t biting. “Why is it you wanted to meet me out here away from everyone else?” I had a very bad feeling about this situation.

Fisting his hands on his hips, Dallas turned away from the fire trucks and looked me straight in the eye. “This is your last chance, Saxon. I’m trying to come into this situation with an open mind. Don’t make me regret it.”

My mouth hung open. I knew exactly what I wanted to tell Dallas but swallowed my words. If I said what I wanted to say, my first day on the job here in Gloucester would also be my last. “I’m not quite sure where this impromptu employee meeting is headed, or what information you think you know about me or my work ethic, but maybe we should see how the day goes before you make any kind of life-altering decisions about me and my career?”

Dallas seemed taken aback by my little speech. He opened his mouth, looking poised to say exactly what was on his mind, but abruptly shut it. His gaze wandered back to the ambulances. “Follow me.”

I obeyed. We walked into the firehouse, past rows of turnout gear with names on the back of the jackets. I found my own name at the end of the row, in the rookie position. As an EMT with ten years on the job, I felt the sting of being made to feel like an outsider, yet again. Holding my head high, I walked past the jackets, and the slight they represented, and followed Dallas into what I assumed was his office. I was wrong. There was a large man sitting behind the desk, who I could only assume was Captain Ozzy Graves.

“Saxon James.” I didn’t bother holding my hand out. Judging by the look on Ozzy’s face, I wasn’t any more welcome here than I had been outside the building.

“I’m Ozzy, and I’m assuming you’ve met Dallas.” The captain did not look impressed.

I nodded, not wanting to make a fuss. The only reason I’d known both men was because I had taken the time last night to research the brothers. What the articles I’d read hadn’t said about them was they were gigantic assholes. It would have been nice to have that little nugget of information ahead of time.

“Take a seat.” Ozzy indicated the left-hand chair across from his desk. Dallas sat in the one beside me. Both men wore looks indicating neither of them were in the mood to be fucked with.

It was a good thing I wasn’t in the mood to do any fucking.

“Before we take you out there and introduce you to everyone, there are a couple of things we need to get straight before your employment here at Firehouse Three goes any further.”

I was hoping this would be the moment when the brothers would burst out laughing and welcome me into the firehouse with open arms. That didn’t happen. “Sure. What is it you would like to talk about?”

“Your attitude to start with.” Ozzy’s left eyebrow was raised so high, it was almost part of his hairline.

“With all due respect, sir, I haven’t said a word since I got here that would make anyone believe I have any sort of attitude at all.” I had a very bad feeling about what was going to happen next. Obviously these two were running some sort of agenda that I was helpless to defend against.

“You think that’s funny?” Dallas asked. His eyes burned green fire. If I weren’t careful, he’d singe me where I sat.

I kept my mouth shut. At this point, I had no idea which answer to give them. No, I didn’t think it was funny if they were seriously thinking I had some sort of attitude problem. Yes, I did think it was funny