Fire Escape - Book Three: Troubled Heroes Series (An Action Thriller) (5 page)

Walsh let out a laugh as they took Roger Martin off in handcuffs.  “All in a day’s work.  Hell of a first day back, huh McGinnis?”

Scoffing, he put his helmet back on and let out a raspy laugh. “Any victims in bad shape?”

“Worst one was the kid, but he regained consciousness in the ambulance. The other two cars were minor injuries.”

“Damn, I wish all calls would sum up this way. Sounds almost too good to be true.”

“We take them when we can, that’s for sure.” Walsh looked up at the sky, his eyes watching the billowing smoke that was now fading as some of the other guys extinguished the toxic flames. “What say we go over there and get ourselves a free high while the gettin’s good? No one will ever know.”

Michael let out another laugh.  “Tempting, but I’ll have to pass.” He made his way back to the rig, still in awe at how their call ended up as a closed case for the NYPD.

“Crazy world we live in,” Lieu said in passing as they finished up on scene. 

“That’s an understatement if I’ve ever heard one,” Michael yelled in response, smiling to himself.  “It’s good to be back,” he muttered under his breath as he leaned against the truck, taking in all the city sounds.  It was like he had never left.

After the first call of the morning, the shift felt as if it were crawling by. It was true to form. Regardless of whether he
was out on vacation or for another reason, the day back after a hiatus was slow with dull calls varying from false alarms to frequent flyers. Glancing up at the clock, he let out a sigh. He shot a quick text message to Eva in hopes to spark up a random conversation in a desperate attempt to kill some boredom. Her lack of response made it apparent that she was actually busy.

He walked into the living area where most of the guys were hovered around the TV, watching some daytime program he held no interest in.  He noticed the probie on the end of the couch, engrossed in the show, leaning forward with a glazed look on his face. Now was Michael’s chance to give him a hard time. It’s what they did – he went through it as a probie and it was only fair to dish out the mistreatment and pass the
tradition on.

“Hey probie, come here.” Michael nodded his head toward him.

The kid flashed him a quick glance and turned back to the TV, practically ignoring him.

“Probie, don’t make me ask you again
. Come over here.” He was standing in the threshold between the kitchen and the room Carlson was in.

“You better do what McGinnis is saying,” Walsh replied.

Carlson hesitated and then got up, walking over to Michael as if he were a scolded dog with his tail tucked between his legs. He didn’t say anything, but his body language alone gave him away. He was nervous and it made Michael laugh on the inside. He’d only done half a tour with the poor guy and already had him quaking in his boots. It was a perk to the job that he would always love.

“The guys tell you about me yet?” Michael tried to keep a straight face, but felt he was f
ailing miserably at it. A smile turned up at the corners of his mouth and he fought like hell to keep the scowl on his face.

“Like what?” The probie asked, not sure if it was a legitimate question or not.

“What do you mean, like what? I’m particular about a few things. You might want to take notes. If you screw up just once, I have zero tolerance, you hear me?”

“You’re particular about a few things? Just a few things? It seems like more than a few,” one of the guys spat back.

“Bite me,” Michael shot back, not even missing a beat. Turning back to Carlson, he asked again, “So, I’m guessing from the stupid look on your face that you are absolutely clueless.”

“I uhh…” Carlson ran his hand down the back of his neck, his cheeks turning a bright red from being put on the spot.

“Damn probie, you’re making this too easy. Follow me.” He walked back into the kitchen, going directly toward the coffee maker. “Two things you must always remember in this firehouse. Don’t speak to me until I’ve had at least one cup of coffee and two, the paper is mine first. I don’t like it all crinkled up and out of order. Once I’m done it’s up for grabs. Pretty simple, right?”

Carlson nodded as his eyes went from the coffee pot and back to Michael, appearing like this was a huge test he had to study for. “Yes sir, pretty simple.”

“You’d be surprised how many probie’s come through and forget.” Michael clapped his palm on Carlson’s back and walked off.

Gregg watched as McGinnis went back to the beds and waited until he was out of earshot. “Mikey’s not a complete ass. It’s just how we do things here. Probie’s get the brunt of all the bullshit and grunt work. We just reciprocate the favor after all of the hell we were put through when we were in the same shoes you’re in right now.”

Carlson swallowed hard, eyeing where McGinnis once stood. “They warned us about it in the fire academy, but I guess you can never be fully prepared for the real thing.”

“
Kinda like fires. They can run you through every scenario imaginable but when you’re in the belly of the beast is when you really find out if you’re made for this job or not. Lots of probies drop out quickly.” Gregg paused and made sure Michael wasn’t coming back around. “Not only do you need to know what every man is particular about around here, but you need to know who you want right by your side. Every man in this damn firehouse will stand by his brothers, but Mikey, I tell you what…” He shook his head.  “I haven’t worked with him much myself, but he’s a guy you want on your side in every situation.  He comes off as a hard ass at times, but he’s got the biggest heart of anyone in the FDNY. You listen to every piece of advice he has to offer. You take advice from any of these guys. It’s better than anything you learned in the academy by far.”

***

“So you and Mikey finally got engaged?”

Eva stared out of the window of the coffee shop, watching as the rain fell hard on the sidewalk.  Umbrellas popped up out of nowhere, as if people magically made them appear. She didn’t even know rain was in the forecast. She was so preoccupied with Mikey going back to work and the engagement that the rest of her world had been on pause.

“Yeah, finally. I suspected it was coming, but it still caught me off guard.” She sipped on her latte, savoring the warmth of the frothy beverage. She decided to meet up with Janet, an old friend from paramedic school for some long overdue girl talk.

“Where is he tonight?” Janet asked, her gaze following where Eva had been staring.

“He’s working a little late. Covering for a guy who is late for his night shift. Poor guy is bored. Said they’ve had nothing but crap calls pretty much all day.”

There was hesitation on Janet’s face
.

“What, Janet? Spit it out. I can tell you want to say something.”

“His past doesn’t worry you?”

Eva had forgotten how much she had told Janet about their relationship. They always went months without talking, but when they got together it was an information overload for both of them. “Are you talking about the drinking?”

Janet shook her head yes and wiped her mouth clean with a napkin. “Isn’t he a pretty bad alcoholic?” She ran her fingers over the lid of her drink like she was ashamed to ask.

Eva tried to keep her cool. It was a good question, but one she didn’t want to think too hard on. She had seen Mikey overcome it.  She had also seen him relapse. But she knew the man he was and the man he was becoming.

“He’s in recovery. He’s been sober for quite a while. I think about it, don’t get me wrong, but he’s the man I’ve fallen in love with. We all have our faults. He’s a good man.”

“Sometimes love is enou
gh. It overcomes all obstacles," Janet replied.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right…” Eva trailed off, her mind running a mile a minute. Janet’s words hovered over her. Love was i
mportant. Both Mikey and she came with so much baggage – him with his addictions and most of all, the dangerous job they both went to everyday. It was a doubt she had carried with her from the moment she felt more than just friendship with him.

“I’m sure the sex is amazing,” Janet winked as she sipped her drink, a loud laugh escaping her lips.

Her friend’s blunt statement shocked Eva, and she wasn’t sure how to respond. It was nothing new. Over time, that’s how they got, but it struck a nerve with her. “You sure you don’t have some vodka in that coffee?”

“Oh, c’mon Eva! You’re no prude! You used to never have any problem sharing stories about your sex life. Why all the sudden are you blushing and acting like some school girl virgin, cause honey, you and I both know damn well you’re far from that.”

Eva shook her head. “Since we’re on the subject, how are you and this new fling of yours? It go any farther than just hopping in to bed?”

“Oh no,
hon, we’re talking about you. A guy as hot as Mikey has gotta be awesome between the sheets too, no?” Janet cocked her head to the side, and Eva wanted to slap her, but at the same time, it was nice to talk freely. She had no idea why she was being so bashful about the subject. Maybe it was love. Other men she had been with never made her clam up about how things were behind closed doors.

“Alright, I guess I better answer you or you’ll never shut up.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and swallowed the last bit of coffee in her mug. “Yes, of course he’s great. If you want details, you’re not getting them. Let’s just say, it’s the best ever, okay?”

Janet smirked. “Oh yeah, you’re head over heels over this boy. You’re blushing.” She pointed her index finger at Eva. “I’m truly happy for you! It’s written all over your face.”

“Thanks,” Eva replied. “I’m truly happy, too.”

***

Michael was glad to see his apartment at the top of the stairs. His duffel bag was heavier on his shoulder than usual, and his feet dragged behind him. He wasn’t sure what he was thinking when he agreed to take extra hours during his first tour back. His recent injuries from the Texas fires felt like they were flaring up and a long and hot shower sounded amazing. It was a little after ten PM whe
n he finally walked through the door, tossing his duffel bag to the side and ripping his jacket off.

“Eva?” He looked around the corner into the kitchen, but all of the lights were off. Trekking down the hallway, he realized she wasn’t
home. Pulling out his phone, he dialed her number and leaned back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling as the line rang.

“Hey Mikey!”

“Hey, babe. Just got home. Where are you?”

“Just finishing up here at the coffee shop with Janet. I’ll be home in about ten. You still gonna be awake when I get there?”

Rolling on his side, he buried his face into the sheets on her side of the bed, taking in her refreshing scent that lingered in the fibers of the fabric. Michael closed his eyes and stretched his legs out. “I can’t guarantee anything, babe.”

“Well, I’ve got a surprise for you if you’re awake when I get there.”

His smile grew into a grin, and he rolled over, facing the ceiling again. “I guess I better fight through this exhaustion then.”

“Okay,
hon, I’m gonna get off of here and tell Janet bye.”

He tossed the phone to his nightstand and kicked his shoes off.  He was now even too lazy to climb into the shower. He wanted hard to stay awake and see Eva and what her surprise might be, but his imagination pretty much knew what she had in mind. Dozing, he felt his body relax completely into the mattress, his body heavy against the soft covers and pillows.

“Mikey?” A bright light crept into his vision, like a nail to his forehead. “Guess you don’t want your surprise.” Eva’s legs straddled either side of him, her body above him.  Her hair draped all around him, and he breathed her in.  Small kisses trailed his cheeks and down his neck, pausing at his collar bone where she paid most of her attention.

He let out a low moan. “Damn it…” He trailed off, his hand cupping the back of her head. Michael wanted this, but he had zero energy.  Enjoying her passionate embrace a few more seconds, he batted her hand away as it trailed down his chest and to the button on his pants.  His fingers intertwined with hers and he brought it up to his mouth, kissing the back of her hand.

“What’s wrong, Mikey?”

Leaning forward, he kissing her on the lips. “It’s been a hell of a day…” he trailed off when she went back to kissing his neck. “Eva, please…”

She pushed herself off of him and sat beside him on the bed, brushing her hair out of her face. “You okay?” Arching an eyebrow, she ran her fingers through the front of his hair.

“Yeah, I’m good. I just don’t think I have the energy to… you know…” he motioned his hands in front of him. 

She lay down, nestling under his arm. “How was your first day back?”

“Boring at first. Busy toward the end. Ready to do it all again tomorrow. How was yours?”

He felt her shrug and hoped he didn’t disappoint her. “As normal as could be.” Her hand rested at his belly button, her fingers trailing over his skin.

“You know just what buttons to push, don’t you?”