Chapter 2: The Truth in the Morgue

The moment the word left my lips, Jade's tears spilled over.

She broke from Cole's embrace, sobbing so hard she could barely speak.

"Nora, this is all my fault... please don't divorce the captain because of me... I didn't mean for this to happen, I swear..."

With that one word—divorce—she'd twisted the situation. Now it looked like I was strong-arming Cole into punishing her.

Predictably, Cole pulled her back into his arms, murmuring reassurances. When he looked at me again, his face was pure disgust.

"How long are you going to pull this crap? Threatening me with divorce? Let me be clear, Nora. I will not ruin a promising firefighter's career over one mistake made under the stress of a fire."

"It was an accident! Anyone can make a mistake!"

I stared at him, feeling as if I were looking at a stranger.

He was choosing a subordinate he'd known for six months over the woman who'd stood by him for five years.

He raised his hand and pointed toward the door, his voice dripping with disappointment.

"My mother is on a cruise in Alaska right now! To frame Jade, you're actually claiming she's dead! Nora, this is a new low, even for you."

I flashed back to college, to a drunk senior who wouldn't leave me alone. Cole had stepped in front of me without a moment's hesitation and laid the guy out with a single punch.

Back then, I was the only one he saw.

Now, he was holding another woman, his anger a weapon aimed straight at me.

Over Cole's shoulder, I saw it—a flash of triumph in Jade's fear-streaked eyes.

It was gone so quickly I might have imagined it.

Then she buried her face in his chest, her shoulders shaking.

"Captain... I'll submit to an internal investigation... I'm not afraid..."

The more she played the martyr, the hotter Cole's anger burned.

He looked at me like I was something he'd scraped off his shoe.

"Get. Out. Now."

"This is your final warning, Nora."

He held the trembling Jade tighter.

"If you go after Jade again, don't blame me for what happens."