Part 16 (2/2)

What I was about to do went against everything that was ingrained in me, but it had to be done.

I'd been taught that the chain of command was everything in the Marines.

I'd furthered that rule by joining The Dixie Wardens, and abiding by their laws. I'd furthered even that by working in a chain of command at my job, as well.

I'd followed those rules to the T until the last fire, and I couldn't keep that promise anymore. I needed back up and reinforcements or even more people were going to die.

Both ambulances were gone, indicating that Baylee wasn't currently at the station, which was good because I needed to talk to Allen, and I'd rather do that without having to explain everything to her first.

I'd been keeping an eye on the paper and news and, so far, there'd been well over twenty fires between Kilgore, TX and Benton, LA that fit the same MO. When my own Captain wouldn't listen to me, it was time to take the info I got and bring it to someone else. Someone that would actually give a f.u.c.k.

”Can I help you, sir?” A dark haired man about mid-twenties asked.

I knew instantly it was Jack's brother, Tai. There was no denying those genes.

I held out my hand for the younger man to shake and I introduced myself. ”My name's Sebastian Mackenzie. I'm here to see Chief Allen.”

The man surveyed me from the tips of my black boots to the black hat that was covering my head. ”Chief's in his office. Do you know where that's at?”

After receiving directions, I made my way through what had to be a living room, past the women and then men's bunkrooms, and then finally made it to the offices.

Chief Allen's office was located at the very end of the long hallway with the door standing wide open.

The office looked to be a spare gear room as well, because along the sides of the room were extra oxygen tanks, bunker gear, masks and... ”Are those mannequins giving each other head?”

My voice didn't startle Allen. Although I didn't trying to mask my presence, he very well could've heard my boots. .h.i.tting the wood floor on my way back there. That, or Tai had called ahead and warned him.

Allen smiled and glanced at the CPR dummies in the corner. ”My employees find it funny to position them in new and exciting ways every day. ”

At a closer examination, I realized that there was also a dummy positioned underneath the two, hip to hip with the closest dummy. ”You've got some mature employees.” I surmised.

Allen laughed. ”It's all fun and games. Especially with the tension in the air lately. We're all on pins and needles just waiting for another arson call to come in. What can I help you with?”

Allen stood and gestured at the seat that was positioned in front of his desk.

I sat, crossed my right ankle over my left knee, and then blew out a long breath. ”We need to talk.”

Thirty minutes later, Allen was walking with me, side by side, towards my Harley. ”I understand where you're coming from, son. I'll have a talk with our investigator, as well as Longview's investigator. You'll be hearing from me as soon as I speak with them. Have you reconsidered my job offer yet?”

The abrupt change in direction surprised me.

Leaning against my bike, facing Allen, I shook my head. ”Nah. Not really. I love my job, and the location. The main thing, though, is that I don't want to make it awkward with Baylee and me. We've gotten pretty serious, and I don't want to jeopardize that in any way. For now, I'll decline.”

Allen's weathered face looked pleased when I'd mentioned Baylee. ”That girl really loves to talk. We know all about your son, and the Wardens. She's very proud of you.”

My heart warmed at the knowledge that Baylee spoke of me often. Especially to those she called her closest friends.

Just as I was about to reply, the chief's cell phone chimed, making him remove it from the holder on his belt.

After seeing the expression on the chief's face, and then his worried glance in my direction, I knew immediately it had to do with Baylee.

Coming off my bike slowly, I stood with my arms crossed, waiting somewhat patiently for the Chief to finish his call. When I finally did, I wished what I'd heard had come from someone else. So that I could have the illusion of doubt. That maybe it wasn't true since it wasn't coming from the top.

But Allen was the top.

And that meant that Baylee was going to get throttled.

Maybe not right away, but as soon as she healed from the broken ribs she was now sporting, thanks to the psychotic drunk guy that tried to refuse transport, and then kicked the ever loving s.h.i.+t out of Baylee when she tried to make him.

”You want a ride?”

”Nah,” I thanked him and headed for my bike. ”Her brother doesn't really like me so much. I may need a way to leave before it's all said and done.”

Allen chuckled before walking to his KDP issued SUV, flipped on the lights, and headed out of the parking lot.

From what I could tell from the little info we'd been given on the stubborn woman, she was perfectly healthy despite two broken ribs and a sore upper body.

By the time I walked into the ER with Allen, and found my wayward woman, I was really worked up.

Baylee was laying on her back, her feet up and resting flat on the bed in front of her.

Her wavy hair was up in a messy knot on the top of her head, and the white little tank top she usually wore underneath her clothes was now on display, as were her t.i.ts, stained a deep scarlet.

I walked up to the side of Baylee's bed. She was wide-awake and staring at me with fear in her eyes. ”Hey.” She said hesitantly.

One eye was swollen, and a scratch above her eye accounted for the blood that stained her front. My body gave a shudder at seeing all that blood just from a tiny little wound. I'd known the disease she had made her bleed but, seriously, how was I supposed to handle this s.h.i.+t? What would happen if she actually had a major wound? Would she bleed out faster? Would she live?

”Hey, pretty girl. I see your wearing your favorite color again.” I teased, running my finger along her stained s.h.i.+rt.

She smiled sadly. ”Yeah, it's the bane of my existence. I'm used to it though.”

Winter, who was sitting on the chair on the opposite side of where I was standing, stood and placed her hands on the side of the bed. ”That girl of yours is a brawler. You should've seen what she did when that guy tried to take the meds we had on board.”

Baylee looked at me quickly, and then adverted her eyes before she could see the admonishment look on my face.

”So what happened?” Allen asked authoritatively.

”I'd like to know the same thing.” Luke said from the part.i.tion.

I knew he was there. Had seen him enter as soon as the doors opened at the front of the room. Had even received the silent message that Luke had something to say to me, and not to leave if I wanted to live.

Baylee groaned and covered her face with her hands. ”Shhhiiiit.”

Winter snorted. ”You could say that.”

<script>