Page 63 of Too Hot

“Because you can never be too safe, and I don’t want anything to happen to the club. Plus, by now, you should understand that I’m very much into fire safety.”

“Yes. You are.” She loved how much he was into safety. That was part of the reason his being a firefighter didn’t bother her. “I like that.”

“I’m glad you got the counseling to deal with the aftermath of the fire you were in. Is there anything else about that day that bothers you?”

“How did you know?” There were still some fears lingering in the back of her mind.

“I’ve watched how you react, and well, I sensed you were holding something back.”

Brianna shivered. “I told you about my cousin, but I left something out.”

“Will you tell me?”

“He liked playing with matches.” Now she knew he was a pyromaniac, but she didn’t at the time.

“How old was he?”

“Fifteen.”

“Old enough to know better.”

“Yeah.” She took a deep breath. “He was more than a pyro. He… I think he wanted to hurt someone. Me.” Her voice grew small. “I said I ran for the closet. I didn’t. He pushed me in there.” She swallowed; now, he knew the secret that only her therapist knew. “You know the rest.”

Rafe swore under his breath. “Ass.”

She nodded.

“He left you in the closet, started the fire, and ran?” It wasn’t really a question.

She nodded, unable to raise her head.

“You should have told someone.”

“I—I couldn’t.” Brianna raised her head, straightening. “Anyhow, it’s a moot point because he can’t hurt anyone now.”

“He’s dead?”

She nodded “He died in prison.”

Rafe stopped walking and pulled her into his arms. “You’ve been through a lot. It’s okay to be scared of fire.”

“It’s really open flames that get to me. Gas stoves bother me a bit. Which is why I used the electric griddle at your place.”

“I get that.” They’d made it back to his SUV. Rafe pulled her into his arms. “If I ever make you uncomfortable with fire, tell me.”

“I will.”

Brianna felt better talking more about what had happened. She allowed Rafe to help her back into his vehicle.

“I don’t remember—what happened to your cousin after the fire and the fireman got you out?” he asked.

“Nothing that I was aware of. I do know my parents never invited my aunt and uncle back, even when we got a new place to live.”

“Good. You didn’t need to live with that fear.”

“My parents didn’t understand my fear.”

“What?” He turned to her in his seat.

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