Page 44 of Steel

I sucked in and held my breath with enough hot air my cheeks were filled. The one thing Brenda had been right about was that I often took my job too seriously. I’d been proud to do so. Maybe I was finally facing a crisis. Maybe I needed a change in my life creating a more positive environment for both Damon and me. What that meant, I didn’t know. Maybe I could finally finish all the books I’d started writing. I knew enough about marketing. Why couldn’t I be successful?

What I did know without a doubt was that keeping Eric content was vital in being allowed the time for creativity to percolate.

“Fine. Throw him a nasty piece of rawhide to gnaw on. I did meet the cover man himself.”

“Oooohhh! Steel ‘the hunk’ Beckett?”

“The very one.” As if I was going to share the story with her. Not with being unable to come to my own defense in front of my team. And she’d leak the story. I knew her too well.

“Is he as hot in person as in the photograph?”

“Hotter.” I even used my sultry as sin voice for the occasion.

“A wicked bod?”

“Whew, baby. Like no other man I’ve met.”

“Does that mean he’s on board with the photoshoot?”

My hand was sweating, it was wrapped so tightly around the steering wheel. “We’re getting there. He’s all man. You know?”

“Well, I can definitely spin that with Eric. Steel is really that hot?”

“The hottest man I’ve ever met. In. My. Life.” If I honey-kissed the words more than I had, syrup would be dripping from underneath the Jeep’s door.

Her sigh was just as exaggerated. “Alrighty then. Call me in a couple days, girl.”

“I will. Let the team know we’re rolling and I’ll be sending a few photographs of locations beginning late tomorrow.”

“Will do. Good luck with Mr. Hottie.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I’d need it. Just when I hung up the phone, Damon’s face caught my eye. “What’s wrong?”

“Are you sure you’re not having a seizure?”

My kid could make me laugh more than anyone. “Pretty darn sure. Now, let’s see about that drink.” Why not get him a treat? Maybe a Slurpee. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d bought him one. As I started searching the road for convenience stores, maybe a 7-Eleven, the puppy became agitated.

A low, husky, and hair-raising growl was coming from him.

“What’s wrong with Zorro?” I asked. What was that smell? Like burning plastic. I checked the gauges. No, the radiator wasn’t overheating. I said a few curse words under my breath. My baby Jeep needed to keep us safe. She’d been with me through thick and thin.

“I don’t know. He was just playing with me. Look at his ears, Mom. They’re perked up. Is he hearing something?”

Since dogs had much better hearing than humans, I turned down the radio and listened for any sound. At first, I heard nothing. Then…

“What was that?” I asked more to myself than anything.

“Dunno,” Damon answered in response.

Woof.

The single bark sent an icy chill to my core just as Zorro growled for a second time, the sound and the vibrations deeper.

And more terrifying.

Especially when I gathered a whiff of an electrical fire.

CHAPTER 10