Flames Of Deceit Read Online Free

made him listen to her claims. He wanted to know why? Why now? Why this woman, after six years?
    With a snort of disgust, he admitted he knew why. Mia Clark’s voice sang along his nerves. Her blue eyes offered a path to heaven. And heaven help him, but he couldn’t turn away.
    Living by his own rules was one thing, but responding to this stranger made him question all he believed was right. Teeth grinding, he ignored the warnings in his head.
    “You have two options. You can stay in this truck or you can turn yourself in to police. Your choice. There are dozens of people around here who want to rip the person responsible for this fire to shreds. Take your chances.”
    “Please, believe me.” Mia wiped her watering eyes with her sleeve. “I didn’t start that fire.” She stared at him with a fear-filled gaze. “Someone tried to kill me.”
    “Who are you, Mia Clark? What were you doing in the courthouse?” Jake held on to the doorframe and shucked off his turnout gear. So far, this day had been a disaster. Now he was making things worse by rescuing his prime suspect in an arson case. What was happening to him?
    Stepping out of the fire gear, he reached for the change of clothing he always kept in the truck, and pulled on a jacket and shoes.
    Mia sat there, silently staring at him. His brow arched. “You either talk to me or the police.”
    Trying to ignore his strong chin and broad chest, Mia inhaled a deep shuddering breath. The smoke tinged air filling the truck made her cough, allowing her to stall. Hiding her identity seemed best, but Jake Stone’s stern glare warned that she didn’t have a lot of wiggle room.
    If she wanted to stay out of jail, she needed to cooperate with him. Drawing in another deep breath, she faced him with all the defiance she could manage. He didn’t have to know about her brother. Just surface details. “I’m a reporter.”
    Jake rolled his eyes and stood there, staring at her. His wide shoulders filled the door of the truck. One dark brow arched to matching hair. Lips shaped perfect for kissing, lifted at one corner. A sneer? A grin? In the leather jacket his ‘my way or the high-way’ expression, reminded her of James Dean photos. Awareness almost sliced her in half. Even streaked with soot, Jake’s straight nose and firm chin added strength to a face that made her pulse race.
    Despite her body’s traitorous reaction, she focused on his startling green eyes and accepted the fact that he was serious. He would turn her over to police. Sucking in a deep breath, she considered the options based on his reactions. Deciding to attack on a professional level, and keep her personal life private if she could, she tilted her chin and stared back.
    “Don’t say it. I get the message. People don’t think much of reporters. Your reaction proves you are in agreement, but I’m telling the truth.” She inhaled, and then wheezed from the smoke filled air. “My name is Mia Clark. I work for the Raleigh Reporter.” Covering her mouth with her wrist, she coughed.
    “I see,” his lips barely moved, adding to his stony expression.
    Faced with failure after one glance at him, she inhaled deeply and blurted the truth. “I’m trying to find evidence to clear my brother.”
    “In the courthouse? You aren’t an officer of the court. You had no right to go through court records.” Hands gripping the doorframe, he stared heavenward as if praying for patience.
    Mia heard the doubt in his tone. Saw his brows arch, guessed his thoughts. Something like. What have I done?
    If she didn’t talk fast, she might have to call her mother for bail money.
    “I wasn’t looking at court records.” The doubt flaring in his eyes made her pause. Sighing loud as a sizzling blaze, she met his stare. “I attended the hearing last Friday. When I read the article in the newspaper, my first thought was that Leigh Anne might have hidden something during that court session.”
    Jake’s gaze flickered, reminding