Up in Flames [The Heroes of Silver Springs 10] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Read Online Free PDF

apartment being overrun by women and all.”
    “Come on, you know those two would let your sister get away with murder, even if Ford is a cop.” Thaddeus wasn’t the only one who’d found happiness with two men. Max’s sister, Rayne, had snagged Narcotics Detective Ford Harris and Terri’s EMT partner, Cory Nox, by the heart and had held on tight. “Ford’s working tonight and Cory headed for the sanctity of the bedroom the minute everyone started to arrive. Veronica brought over some new stuff she’s going to be stocking at Romantic Illusions. We had a couple of glasses of wine, they chatted about their husbands…” She shrugged again. “That’s about it.”
    She refused to admit how uncomfortable she’d been. At first, it had felt great to be included in a gathering with the wives of the men on B-shift, but it hadn’t taken long at all before she’d started to feel out of place. They were wives, as blissfully happy in their marriages as Thaddeus was in his relationship with Adrien and Cameron, and she was alone. What could she contribute to a conversation about taking care of her man, about stressing over his safety when the tones dropped, and especially about what kind of father her man would be when their baby was born?
    “Veronica was the last to get there, and Rayne used the time to talk to the rest of us about planning a baby shower for her.” That conversation had started her wistfulness-ball rolling. Almost absentmindedly, Terri flattened her hand over her belly. Veronica Wolcott was getting huge. In a matter of months, she and the captain would be parents. What would that be like? Terri wasn’t certain she wanted children of her own. She’d made an offer in passing to Thaddeus that if he, Adrien, and Cameron ever decided they wanted a child, she would be happy to carry the baby for them. She’d meant it, but that baby would be theirs, not hers.
    Terri pushed the thoughts aside and slid a mischievous look at Max. “Rayne’s thinking we’ll probably need more room than her apartment for the baby shower. We all agreed it would be a great idea to let the party spill over into your apartment. You know, since you live right across the hall. We’re figuring we can open the doors to both apartments and let the girls mingle between the two.”
    Max groaned, the sound of a man in true pain, as he pulled the truck into the parking lot of his apartment complex and slid into the empty slot next to her car. “I don’t suppose it occurred to any of you to talk to me about this first?”
    “Of course it did,” Terri said, tongue in cheek. “I just did, didn’t I?”
    Max briefly closed his eyes, shaking his head, and let out a half chuckle. “Yeah, I guess you did.” He switched off the truck, but, rather than getting out, he turned in his seat to face her. “Listen, Ter. I really appreciate you helping me out tonight.”
    “It was no big. The party, so to speak, was winding down when you called. I volunteered so Rayne didn’t have to get out. Not to mention, I was pretty sure she wanted to spend some quality time with Cory.”
    “Yeah, I still don’t understand this whole threesome thing she’s got going with Cory and Ford, but it works for them. She’s happy and, somehow, they manage to work it so she’s got individual time with Cory and Ford as well as plenty of time when it’s all three of them.”
    “They’re in love,” Terri said simply and felt the green demon’s eyes light up once more. She squashed it, ruthlessly tossing a bucket of water on its fiery eyes as she watched Max. He wasn’t done. She could tell he wanted to say more, but seemed to be searching for the right words. “I won’t say anything to anyone about tonight. You know, about you being with Regina and all.”
    Max raked a hand over his spiky dark hair. “Thanks.”
    Terri smiled as she reached for the door handle. “And if you change your mind and decide you want to tell me what really happened tonight, you