Falling Star (Combustible Book 2) (26 page)

“Seems fine. I don’t know. She may be now. But I have a feeling she’s faking it. And maybe she’s so used to hiding her real emotions that she believes it.”

“Mila will call if anything happens.”

“Let’s leave. Otherwise, I might talk myself out of going.”

Kyle snorted. “Yeah, let’s get you out of here before you turn into her next stalker.”

“Don’t. You don’t have a clue what she’s been through. I don’t want anything like that to ever happen again. So yeah, don’t even kid about that. I’m going to be a protective asshole at times.”

“Yeah, but sometimes, you need to think about what she needs, not your peace of mind.”

Trent scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “That’s why I didn’t argue when she told me to go to work. I would have rather stayed with her, but she asked me to go, so I did.”

* * * *

Once Trent’s truck drove away, Ella slumped onto the couch. “He doesn’t get it.”

“Get what?” Mila asked.

She frowned and turned to her oldest friend. “Where’s Valor and Cherish?”

Mila smiled. “Cherish is at Cadence’s house for a few hours. Dee wanted baby time, so until about lunchtime, we’re hanging here.”

Ella sighed. “Look, you don’t have to cancel everything to take care of me. Really.”

“I’m not. Cherish will be home for lunch. Dee has a date. We’re going back to my place then. That is… unless you want to be alone, but I assume you don’t.”

“Not really.” Ella laid her head back.

“So, what doesn’t Trent get?”

“That I don’t need someone babysitting me, and I’m not going to fall apart without a reason. And yeah, maybe it seems stupid to freak out over media, and fire truck sirens. But shit, all of that is what sent me over the edge to begin with. Now, I need to prove to myself. I’m okay, and I’m stronger than that asshole left me.”

“Yeah, well Trent is falling for you, and he heard things that shook him up. He wants to protect you. Can’t blame him for that. And if he didn’t get what you were saying, he would have blown off work to stay here with you regardless. He’s trying, but his first instinct is to be here and fix everything.”

“But he can’t. No one can but me.”

“I think he gets that, but it doesn’t change how he feels.”

“Which is why I’m only making him stick with his commitments, like work. Or if his family needed something, I’d send him to them.”

“He’d try to convince you to go with.”

“Maybe, but it’s not like I’ve met his parents. That would be awkward.”

“Boy better fix that.” Mila laughed. “Though I’m sure they’ve had their hands full with Blaze and Tina staying with them.”

“I don’t need to rush anything. I like where we are. It’s not like I’ve known him a long time.”

“Yeah, but Kyle says this is serious for Trent. He may not say it yet to you, but he feels it.”

“Don’t put words in Trent’s mouth.”

“I’m not. Just pointing out he feels something for you.”

Ella got up and walked away. “Yeah. So, what do you want to do today? I don’t think I can go anywhere without risking being found, but I don’t really want to sit here either.”

“So what do you want to do?”

“I don’t know. Leaving town for a few hours seems like a bad idea. Running, that’s out. Going into town, not a good idea either. I’m stuck, just like I was in Hollywood when the media came snooping around.”

“Still do yoga?” Mila asked. They’d started doing DVDs back in high school.

Nodding, she said, “I’m out of practice, but I’m willing to try.”

“Then grab some clothes and come over. I have a nice variety.”

Chapter 32

Bruno plopped down next to Trent shortly after he got to the firehouse. He was part of the other team that worked the same shift. “I saw that photo on Rene’s Instablast. That chick you’re banging, is she a celebrity?”

Trent shot him a glare. “Not in the mood to deal with your bullshit.”

“We all want to know.” He motioned at Mitch and a couple other guys. “Why hide that fine piece of ass.”

“Ella’s a woman who deserves respect. So back the fuck off.” Trent spun and marched out of the kitchen and down the hall.

Tina stormed through the front entrance and he had to wonder what brought her for a random visit. Her eyes narrowed as she caught his arm and dragged him back outside with her.

He pulled away from his sister with a glare. “What the hell is your problem? And why are you here?”

“I knew you were working today. That’s beside the point. Why didn’t you tell me who she was?” Tina demanded.

Trent’s jaw clenched. “Who?”

“Ella is Raven Star.”

He shook his head. “You don’t have a damned clue what you’re talking about.”

“You just want everyone to leave her alone because of that dickhead who hurt her.”

Trent gritted his teeth, trying to hold back his next smart comment.

“Look, I came here because Rene wanted me to apologize for her. She didn’t know. She’s convinced Ella really is Raven because everything adds up, but if she’d known, she’d never would have posted it.”

“I’m not arguing any of this shit with you. Just leave Ella alone,” Trent growled.

“Because she’s a movie star?”

“No, because she’s a human being who’s been hurt. Thanks to Rene, a bunch of misguided drama hounds are hunting her down. She wants to be left alone, and for some asshole who tortured her not to find her.”

“So she is Raven Star?”

“I never said that,” he growled.

“Don’t have to. Don’t worry, I won’t say a word. But think about your nephew. How many times did you tell me not to lie to him? And you’re lying to him now.” She spun and walked away.

He stood there staring, unsure what to say. He had lied to Blaze, but this was one case when it made sense.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

Isandro stood in the doorway. “Don’t beat yourself up. You’re protecting a woman with a past. Blaze is a good kid. He’ll forgive you.”

“Yeah, but what will my big mouth sister do?”

“Give her a chance. She’s clean.”

“For how long?” He pushed his fingers through his hair. “I want to say I trust Tina, but she’s fucked up so many times. I don’t have complete faith in her ability to stay out of trouble. I’ve watched her do things I despise because she needed a fix. Her lies… shit, she’s hurt so many people with her lies, and she’s pissed about one I told to protect someone.”

Isandro shoved his hands in his pockets. “I know it’s hard, but think of your dad. He got his shit together. Maybe, this time, Tina finally has.”

“I fucking hope so. But why is she so damned pissed at me? Regardless of who Ella is, why does she care?”

“Sounded to me like she’s only mad on Blaze’s behalf.”

“Yeah, I got that loud and clear. Don’t know how to fix it. He’s seven. Kids talk. Ella wanted her identity to stay a secret. This isn’t the same as lying about the money Tina stole, or what she’d been doing when she disappeared for three days at a time. The last time Blaze asked I didn’t even know who Ella was.”

“You’ll figure it out. In the meantime, we’ve got you covered.”

Before Trent had a chance to thank him, the station alarm went off, and the dispatcher came on the PA system, sending them out to Main Street, on the same block as Ella’s shop. A dumpster fire.

“What the fuck?” Trent ran to the garage and pulled on his suit. There weren’t enough details, and he was glad Ella had stayed home. If yesterday had been bad… shit.

He could only imagine one person starting the fire and pulled his phone out to call Marissa. Maybe the cops could find the person.

She answered after a few rings. “Trent, you guys on your way to the fire?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s contained but still smoldering. Luckily. That’s the good news. Bad part is someone was seen leaving the alley. The guy fits the description Ella gave me. We haven’t managed to track him down yet. And if his hands have been scarred by burns, he may not have discernible fingerprints. We’re going to try anyway after you finish putting this fire out.”

“I was afraid of that. We’ll be on scene in a minute.” He hung up and buckled himself into the seat.

Isandro hopped in beside him. “That my sister?”

He nodded. “If anyone can find who started it, she will.”

“She’s good like that. I hope that piece of shit is there. I’d love to break his hands for ever touching Ella.”

Isandro patted his shoulder. “Yeah, but we don’t want you in jail instead of that asshole. So don’t mind me if I hold you back while Marissa puts him in cuffs.”

“Shit. I hadn’t thought of that. Though wouldn’t it be easier if the fucker was dead?”

“You’re no killer, Trent. I know this is your girl we’re talking about, but the police are already involved. Let them handle it.”

Closing his eyes, he breathed deep. “Yeah.”

Metcalf turned on the siren and drove to Main Street. The media was back and he shoved on his helmet before jumping from the truck to grab the fire extinguisher.

Isandro was right. He needed to leave the bastard alone. Last thing he wanted was for the guy to press charges when he busted his shit up. Trent couldn’t help Ella from behind bars.

He rushed over and sprayed the fire down. He knew for a fact there were fire extinguishers in every building. Why no one put it out themselves, he couldn’t fathom.

“Hey, asshole,” Isandro shouted. “Get out of here.”

Trent looked up and was nearly blinded by a flashing bulb. Then he remembered the picture and his face on it.

Fucking perfect.

“Hey, let me see that camera, man!” Isandro yelled, stalking after the scrawny guy.

Trent slammed his hand against the wall. “Isandro, let him go. Remember what you told me a few minutes ago.”

He shot Trent a glare and advanced on the cameraman.

Marissa came around the corner and shook her head. “Bulldog, get over here.”

Isandro spun around with his teeth clenched, nodding at Trent.

Marissa glared at her brother. “Yeah, nothing I can do about that. He hasn’t broken any laws.”

She walked toward the guy with the camera. “However, you need to get out of here. We’re investigating a crime, and you’re only going to contaminate the scene.”

Holding both hands in the air, he said, “Wait, what if I could give you pictures of the guy who started the fire? In the act of the crime?”

Marissa moved closer. “Yeah, that would actually help a lot. If you can help us catch this guy.”

“I can. Give me ten minutes and you’ll have a thumb drive.”

“It would be faster if you gave us the memory card,” Marissa attempted.

“No can do. I have a lot of photos on here. No telling what you’d do to all of them.”

“Then hurry. Faster we have evidence, sooner we can catch this guy.”

He nodded and ran toward a van.

Trent slammed his hands against the wall. “Fuck, he’s going to use those pictures of me.”

“Yeah, most likely. Nothing I can do about that. No judge is going to give me a warrant to take the camera, but he is helping. So we’re just going to have to deal with it.”

“Fucking hell,” he muttered.

“It’ll be fine,” Marissa told him. “Go get in the truck. I’ll see if I can get him to come down to the station and cooperate, but he’s giving us the pictures which is more than most of these guys ever do.”

Isandro nodded to the truck. “Come on, let’s get out of here and let Marissa do her job.”

“Yeah, my partner is around the corner trying to keep the rest of the cameras from getting back here. Not sure how this one slipped by.”

He offered a grim smile. “Don’t worry about it.”

Climbing on the truck, he thought about calling Ella but decided against it. Too soon. He needed to figure out how to see her without leading them right to her, and he didn’t want to get her hopes up about the guy having a photo of her stalker.

Isandro plopped down beside him. “Kyle has a key to your house, right?”

He nodded. Kyle had watched the house when Trent took a vacation the year before.

“Call Ella, tell her to borrow the key and meet you at your house. She can make sure the curtains are closed. Then, if they follow you, no one will know the difference.”

Trent smiled. “Great idea. Thanks, man.”

“No problem. It’s pretty obvious you were trying to work out how to see her after the prick took your picture.”

“Hey, Kyle. Do you still have my extra house key at your place? Or on you?”

He grinned. “At the house. It’s in the drawer next to the fridge.”

Relief settled in and he called Ella. He sat back and closed his eyes.

“Trent, everything okay?” She sounded anxious.

His heart twisted. “Will be. I have a question, though. Are you opposed to meeting me at my house? Mila can give you the key. Just make sure all the curtains are closed.”

“Why?” she asked slowly.

“I’ll tell you when I get there. Should only be a couple hours, but it’s better if you beat me there.”

“Am I staying the night?”

“I hope so.”

“Bring dinner, and I’ll be there.”

A smile pulled at his lips. He could wait to tell her what was going on. “Sounds like a plan. Any requests?”

“Surprise me.”

“See you soon. Tell Mila to grab my key.” He hung up.

“Just sent a text to tell her where to find it,” Kyle said.

* * * *

Mila frowned. “Trent didn’t tell you anything, did he?”

Ella sighed. “No, but he said he’d tell me when he got home. I imagine it was some kind of run-in with the media.”

“Kyle said it’s more complicated than that. And I’m going to prepare you.” Mila headed to the kitchen to look through a drawer as she continued explaining.

“Then tell me.”

“Someone started a fire in the dumpster behind your shop. The guys were called in to put it out. It didn’t make sense to the firefighters because all the businesses there have fire extinguishers and apparently nobody even tried to put it out. The cops and firemen believe someone lit the fire and called 911, hoping to find Trent.”