Page 48 of Hot For You

The moment she stepped into Cody’s darkened home and closed the front door behind her, her skin crawled. Something wasn’t right.

She froze, her breath catching in her throat. She backed up against the door and fumbled for the door handle behind her.

No one was here—she was being stupid. She thought of turning on the lights and checking the house, but remained right where she was. If someone was in the house, she could be walking right into a trap.

Jeez, she was being so dramatic. She’d seen way too much TV, that’s for sure. There wasn’t an ax murderer waiting in the cellar.

But there might just be an arsonist hiding in the house.

Something creaked. She had to get out of there. She gripped the door handle behind her and it clicked as she opened it. Her heart pounded as she tried to pull the door open without putting her back to the room. As soon as she had the door wide enough, she turned and ran out of the house, into the growing darkness.

It felt as if someone was chasing her, but when she looked over the shoulder no one was there.

She looked forward just in time to smack into something solid. She nearly screamed as hands grabbed her by her upper arms.

“Carilyn.” It was Cody who had a grip on her. “What’s wrong?”

Her whole body felt weak, as if only his hold kept her knees from going out. “I—” She took a deep breath. “It’s nothing. I just got spooked is all.”

He frowned. “What spooked you?”

She looked over her shoulder at the house again before meeting his gaze again. “I had the feeling that someone’s in the house. Or at least someone was.”

Cody’s features hardened. “Are you certain?”

She shook her head. “I had just set foot in the house before I turned and ran. I thought I heard a noise but it could just have been the wind or something.”

“The wind isn’t blowing, it’s only a breeze.” Cody looked grim. “I’m going to check it out.”

“What if someone is in there?” Carilyn felt panic crawling up her throat. It was irrational, but she couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong. “Don’t go.”

“I’ll be fine, sweetheart.” He squeezed her shoulders before taking her by one arm and steering her toward the passenger door of his vehicle. “Get in the truck, lock the doors, and wait for me.”

He opened the door and helped her inside. When she was seated, he reached into the glove compartment and she caught her breath as he pulled out a handgun. He gave her a quick look before shutting the door and using the remote in his pocket to lock her in the truck.

She gripped her hands into fists and watched him walk toward the house.

Satisfied that Carilyn was safe for now, Cody gripped his pistol in both hands like his cousin Reese had showed him years ago when Cody had been twelve and Reese had taught Cody how to shoot. He walked up to the front door and opened it, letting the door swing open and stepping to the side. He reached in, flipped on the lights, and waited a moment before clearing the room.

He systematically searched each room in the house but found nothing until he reached the master bedroom.

On the bed was a glass wool tube like the ones they’d found at the first three fires—the tubes that contained Barbies.

“Shit.” Cody’s heart slammed in his chest as he saw the black box with wires next to the tube.

Adrenaline pumped through his body as he turned and bolted out of the bedroom. He yanked the front door wide, tore through the opening, and ran.

He had almost reached the truck when the world exploded.

Heat rushed toward him. Debris pelted his body.

Something slammed against his head and he dropped. The brilliant orange sky faded and went dark.

Chapter 18

Carilyn screamed as the house exploded.

She watched in horror as Cody dropped to the ground.

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