Page 39 of Tempting Fire

“I just figured out that Zarek has a dangerous job. He leaves on these twenty-four hour shifts and he actually fights fires.”

She could actually hear her big sister listening.

“He could get hurt.”

“And that would hurt you? Wouldn’t it?” Trenda asked gently.

“This isn’t about me,” Chloe denied vehemently.

Trenda didn’t respond.

“Did you hear me?”

“Oh, I heard what you said, and everything you didn’t say. I’ve liked Zarek Post for years and years, but I actually loved him when fought to take you to Dallas.”

That floored her. She was so sure that Trenda, for sure, was pissed as hell at Zarek. But then she thought about it. If she really hadn’t approved she would have been on Zarek’s doorstep the next day. Chloe grinned.

“So, you thought he could ‘fix me’ did you?”

“Oh God, you’re never going to let me live that down. I’m so sorry I ever said that horrible thing. Hell Chloe, I think part of where I was coming from was the fact that I had to put myself back together after that whole fucking ordeal. Evie was kidnapped in Turkey, you were held hostage and beaten, then Evie killed a man, then I was taken hostage and they threatened Bella. All of that was a nightmare.”

Chloe stood up straight. Put like that, it made her realize that her whole family had been put through the ringer.

“But tell me about Zarek,” Trenda prompted.

“I’m just scared for him, ‘T’.”

“Just like we’ve all been scared for Drake and his job as a SEAL.”

Chloe turned that over in her head.

“Not quite, that seemed too distant. Drake had been gone from home too long for me to wrap my head around the fact that he was in harm’s way. But Zarek is here in the morning having breakfast, and then he leaves for a job where he could get killed.” Chloe hated the fear in her voice. She had just been coming out of her fear headspace.

“Didn’t you tell me he had to take some pretty serious training to get to his current level?”

“Yes,” Chloe admitted.

“So he must be good at his job.”

“But I don’t know about his teammates. They could be morons.”

“Zarek doesn’t strike me as the type to put up with stupid people watching his back.”

Chloe had to agree with that assessment. What’s more, he had talked really highly of the three men he’d mentioned. Especially Luke and Jax.

“I think you need to talk to Zarek about your concerns. He’s going to be the best one to reassure you.”

“I don’t want him to think I’m just some weakling, when I’m just beginning to get strong again.”

“Honey, he’ll just think that you care. Something tells me that will mean a lot to him.”

“I do care. Maybe too much.”

“Chloe, I saw a man ride in on a white horse to rescue you. I’d say he cares a hell of a lot too.”

“I’m sick. He can’t want me.”

“You don’t sound sick to me. You sound like a hell of a lot like the little sister I’ve always known and loved. Go kick some fireman ass!”