Fan the Flames Read Free Page B

sigh of relief when she could settle on a stool behind the cash register. Since the nearest chair was across the counter, she’d regain some of her much-needed personal space if he’d only sit in it.
    The only problem was that Ian didn’t take the chair but leaned against the wall next to her. “I asked what Zup did to get the boot.”
    â€œHe whined and bitched and moaned until I couldn’t take it anymore. He’s lucky I just refused to sell him the rifle. I really wanted to shoot him.”
    Ian laughed, crossing his arms over his chest. “You know he’ll just go running to Daddy and cry about how you were mean to him.”
    â€œI know,” she said, ignoring the dual assault of bulging biceps and that stupid dimple with some effort. “Billy will come storming in here, demanding I sell Zup the gun. I’ll put up a fight, but eventually give in, and charge Zup double what I would’ve if he hadn’t been such a baby in the first place.”
    With another laugh, Ian pushed off the wall and began to prowl around the shop, peering into the glass display cases. “I can’t believe it’s been only a few years since Billy first came in here and got that Beretta for his old lady. Did you ever think you’d be this casual about a pissed-off Billy?”
    â€œCasual’s not really the right word.” That had been Ian’s first of many visits to the store—although not the first time they’d met. Three years ago, her parents had been gone only a couple of months, and everything from that time was a little hazy. The memory of Ian walking into the store, though—that was etched sharply on her mind. She pulled herself out of her thoughts when she realized Ian was looking at her curiously, as if waiting for her to elaborate. “That’d be dangerous, like getting too relaxed around a pet bear. No matter how friendly he acts, I always have to keep in mind what he’s capable of.”
    His expression grew serious. “Good point. You’re smart not to let your guard down around him—or any of the Riders.”
    â€œEven you?” Her attempt at friendly teasing came out awkward, as always, and she busied herself with smoothing the curled corner of a sticky note stuck to the counter.
    â€œEven me.” He didn’t sound like he was joking. When she glanced at him, surprised, he quickly changed the subject. “So what do you have that’s new and interesting?”
    â€œOh!” She jumped to her feet, hurrying toward the back. “You’re going to love this. Hang on a second—I’ll go grab it.”
    After retrieving the case she wanted and returning to the front, she set it on one of the counters and opened the lid.
    â€œCheck this out,” she said.
    Ian leaned closer to look. Instead of displaying the appropriate amount of awe, he laughed.
    â€œIt’s so…little.”
    â€œThat’s the point.” She picked up the tiny gun that measured just over two inches. “It’s a SwissMiniGun. It’s a functioning revolver.”
    â€œThe latest trend in rodent control?” he teased, taking the gun from her and letting it rest in his palm. It looked even smaller in comparison.
    â€œIt’s amazing,” she huffed, although she couldn’t completely stifle her laugh. “So intricate and so tiny.”
    â€œIt actually works?”
    â€œYep.” Taking the miniature revolver back from him, she placed it in one of the display cases. “It shoots .09 caliber bullets.”
    Ian shook his head. “You have everything in here.”
    â€œPretty much.” Rory eyed the placement of the tiny gun and moved it to a different area of the shelf. Then she closed and locked the case. “If I don’t have it, I can probably get it. Speaking of that, did you need something, or did you just stop in to check out my new SwissMiniGun?”
    Without warning,