Jagged Burn (Kidds Beach Fire Department, #2), page 28
EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2025 Jade Marshall
ISBN: 978-0-3695-1283-3
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Editor: Lisa Petrocelli
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. No AI Training permitted.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Jagged Burn (Kidds Beach Fire Department, #2)
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
DEDICATION
To all who carry scars ... some seen, some hidden.
Remember, your scars do not mark weakness, but strength.
They are proof you endured, you survived, and you have nothing to hide.
JAGGED BURN
Kidds Beach Fire Department, 2
Jade Marshall
Copyright © 2025
Author’s Note
Jagged Burn contains themes and scenes that may be distressing for some readers. As an author, I understand that trigger/content warnings are necessary.
I have compiled a list to the best of my abilities which is freely available on my website.
Website: https://jademarshallauthor.wordpress.com
Your mental health matters.
For those of you who wish to go in blind, please remember that this is a work of fiction, and I DO NOT condone or wish to romanticize any of the situations or actions of the characters.
Happy Reading.
Jade Marshall
Chapter One
One For The Road
Stefan Grey
I sip my bourbon, smoke in the bar swirling around me while a sad country song plays on the jukebox in the corner by the pool table. Secluded in my corner, I watch people I have known my entire life as they mingle and laugh on a Friday night. I’m on the outside, always looking in.
That’s not the entire truth, though. I used to be the life of the party. But things are different now.
“Why are you sulking?” Matt, my best friend and fellow firefighter asks. “This place is packed with women. Drunk women with loose morals.”
“Don’t start,” I say with a grumble.
He stares, frowning. “You’re twenty-five. It’s time to return to the living, Stefan.”
“Matt,” I say with a sigh before taking a deep breath. “This is why I stay home.”
“And this is why I drag you out with me,” he replies with a smirk. “I know you went through a lot and you’ve changed, but—”
“Stop!” I say harshly, cutting him off. I slam my glass on the polished oak bar top, shattering it and sending bits of glass flying and drawing the attention of everyone in the bar. “I told you, I’m fine.”
For long moments he doesn’t say anything before he nods and signals the bartender. “Another, please.” His finger circles in the air indicating us both.
It takes a moment for the rest of the patrons to go back to what they were doing, and I feel like a freak on show the entire time, only breathing once they stop staring. I should be used to it by now, it has been eighteen months after all, but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the looks.
Matt’s cell phone rings and a smile spreads across his features when he sees the name of the caller on the screen. Immediately I assume it’s a woman and jealousy swims through my veins making me feel guilty. And then I hear his words and feel like a complete asshole.
“Hey, Anna!”
I can’t hear her end of the conversation, but I can see the instant change in his body language. Something is wrong and I am immediately ready for action. I just need him to tell me what to do.
“Calm down,” he says hurriedly. “Tell me where you are, and I will come and get you.”
She says something and he nods, taking in the information she is giving him.
“Listen carefully. Lock yourself in the bathroom,” he says, already standing. I drop some money on the bar as we both move in unison toward the exit. “We’ll be there in ten minutes.”
He pockets his phone as I unlock and round my truck, happy that I drove us here tonight. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure,” he says as I throw the truck in “drive.”
“She was crying hysterically. All I heard was that she needed me, and she was at 1319 Blake Street.”
I nod at his words. “I didn’t know she was back in Kidds Beach,” I say, keeping my voice even as thoughts of Anna in tears has rage swimming through my veins. She left at the beginning of the year to move to the city and as far I knew she was doing well.
“Neither did I,” he murmurs in return, drawing my attention. “But I guarantee I will damn sure be finding out the truth.”
The rest of the five-minute drive is quiet as we speed toward our destination, both of us deep in thought. The moment my truck comes to a stop beside the curb, both of us are out in an instant. Matt doesn’t make the effort to knock, instead kicking in the door and marching in like he has every right. And I follow a step behind him.
“What the fuck?” a man yells from his spot in the living room before jumping up from the couch. “What are you doing in my house?”
“Where is she?” Matt demands.
“Who?” the man asks with a glare.
“My fucking sister!” Matt is visibly vibrating with rage, and I place my hand on his shoulder to hold him back. “I want to know where Anna is. Right. Fucking. Now.”
He laughs. “So, you’re the big, bad, fireman come to kick my ass?”
“All we want is Anna,” I say, keeping my voice calm. “There is no need for this to escalate.” I’m trying to keep the peace even though all I want to do is snap this prick’s neck.
“Whatever, man,” he says with a wave of his hand. “I’m done with that bitch anyway.”
Matt lunges and I catch him just in the nick of time. We are civil servants and if this asshole lays a complaint against either of us, we could lose our jobs. Or even end up in prison.
“She locked herself in the bathroom,” he says with a smirk, looking down the hall. “You have two minutes to get out of my house before I call the cops.”
He falls back down on the couch, ignoring our presence as he returns to whatever show he was watching. I point Matt to where the man looked and shove him.
“Go get your sister. I’ll watch this asshole.”
Chapter Two
Knight In Shining Whatever
Anna Alexander, Five Minutes Earlier
“Matt.” My voice is broken as another sob wracks my entire body.
“Calm down,” he says. “Tell me where you are.”
I try to breathe through the tears but it’s a struggle even though I know I need to talk to him. It takes me a moment before I can finally get the words out.
“One three one nine Blake Street.” I’m not sure he heard or understood me. Until he replies.
“Listen carefully. Lock yourself in the bathroom.” I can hear him moving in the background, soft music filtering through, and I briefly wonder where he is. “We’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Sitting on the cold tile floor as I wait for my big brother to come and rescue me, I take stock of my life as it lies in shambles beneath me. When I met Sam, I thought I had met my happily ever after. He was handsome, charismatic, and attentive. I should have known better. I have always had shitty taste in men. From liars to cheaters and even one who stole my money. I thought my luck had changed but I quickly found out just how wrong I was.
It was only three months into this year-long nightmare when he first laid hands on me. And no, it wasn’t some kinky experiment. We were having a disagreement about how one of his friends had touched my ass when the slap landed on my cheek. I was honestly so damn stunned, I didn’t even react. As women, we all like to think we will walk out the moment a man hits us. Let me tell you, that isn’t the truth for everyone. I stayed, believing his sincere lies as he groveled for my forgiveness. Not once, many times.
Stupidity is what my mother would call it. Weakness is the word others would use. Codependence is the word I find suits me best. By the time I realized I was secluded, it was too late. I no longer had contact with any of my friends, I rarely spoke to my brother, I had quit my job because he made enough money and wanted me home. There was nowhere to turn and no one I could ask for help. I was well and truly fucked. The worst part—it was all my own doing.
I hear shouting from the front of the house, and I know Matt has arrived. I hope he beats the ever-loving shit out of Sam. Logically, I know he can’t. It would be career suicide, and I would never want that for him. But it doesn’t stop me from fantasizing about it.
A knock sounds on the door. “Anna? Open up. It’s me.”
Relief and trepidation hit me at the same time. I knew the moment I called him he would come for me. All I wanted to do was get away from Sam. So much that I didn’t consider the ramifications of my actions. How will he react when he sees me? How will I explain the fact that I have been in town for almost a month, and I haven’t even sent him a text?
Fuck, fuck, fuckitty, fuck. This is going to be bad.
“Anna?”
“I’m coming,” I say softly.
It takes me a moment to lift my bruised body and trampled ego off the tile floor before I make my way to the door. I thought this was the best thing, calling my big brother, but I think I made a mistake. One I can’t take back now.
I unlock the door and pull down on the lever handle, allowing it to swing back. The moment he sees me, visible rage courses through him and I know I only have a split-second to say something before everything goes to hell.
“Can we leave, please?”
A tear tracks down my cheek and all I want to do is fall into my brother’s arms, but I stay standing. He isn’t having any of that, though, and scoops me up. Well, at least if he has to hold me, he won’t be able to get physical with Sam.
That thought only lasts a moment as I feel my weight being passed over to someone else.
“Jesus, Annie,” a low voice says above me, and my entire body stiffens.
Not him. Anyone but him.
Chapter Three
Violence Begets Violence
Stefan Grey
The moment Matt hands Anna over to me, I know he is going to kill this asshole. Not that I would shed a single fucking tear, but he is my friend, and I will need to watch his back. I walk quickly across the perfectly groomed lawn toward my truck where I open the back door and place a clearly injured Anna.
I want to take my time and look her over, but right now I need to make sure her brother doesn’t end up fired, or in prison.
“Please stop him.” Those are the first words out of her mouth even as she diverts her gaze, looking anywhere but at me.
My chest tightens, knowing she can’t stand the sight of me. I always thought the fact that we had all but grown up together would ensure she would be the least judgemental of my altered appearance, but clearly, I was wrong.
“Stay here,” I say gruffly. “I’ll get Matt and then we’ll drive you to the ER.”
I close the door without waiting for her to reply. Anger radiates from me as I stomp back toward the entrance of the house. Anger at her reaction to me, at her situation, at the unfairness of life in general, just as the first raindrops land on my forehead.
The scene in front of me would have me laughing out loud if I wasn’t so fucking pissed. Matt is trying to catch a man almost twice his size as he chases him around the dining room table. Already the man’s eye is swelling along with his split lip.
“Matt.” He turns to glare at me as the man moves further away from him. “Anna needs to go to the hospital.”
The memory of the bruises on her neck and her broken nose is still fresh in my mind. The thought of what I didn’t even see sending another wave of rage through my system. I do know she needs to be checked out by a doctor.
Matt frowns before stomping toward the door. He doesn’t say a single word as he strides out into the night, but the bastard behind me does.
“Get the fuck out. All of you.”
Turning slowly, I take him in. He’s a big guy, probably around six feet and bulky with muscles he probably takes hours to maintain. He is what people would consider a “pretty boy.” Blue eyes, blond hair, and a perfect smile, even though Matt did try to rearrange his features.
“What is your name?” I ask, my voice a low rumble as it leaves my lips.
“What’s it to you?” I wait patiently until he becomes uncomfortable enough under my dark gaze to simply answer the damn question. “Sam Baxter,” he says, a nervous edge to his voice.
“Well, Sam Baxter, let me explain how this will go. You’re going to forget Anna existed or that we were ever here.”
“Or what?” He leans forward, regaining some of his earlier swagger.
“Or I will set this fucking house on fire,” I reply flatly, leaning into his personal space. “With you inside it.” I grin, knowing how it distorts my face, my scars. I can feel it pulling at the edges.
“You’ll ... you’ll never...” he stammers.
“Get away with it?” I ask with a raised brow, cutting him off. “I’m a fireman, I know how to set a fire without leaving evidence.”
I don’t wait for him to reply before turning away and striding out into the pouring rain. I find Matt sitting on the top step, staring at my truck. It takes me a moment to steer my gaze in the same direction.
Beside my truck, in the downpour, stands the woman I’ve always wanted but never had the guts to make a move on—my best friend’s younger sister. And even bruised and broken, still the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.
For a moment I consider walking back inside and making sure Sam doesn’t ever get the chance to hurt another woman again, but I push the thought aside. Instead, I help my friend to his feet before moving to my truck. It’s time to take care of the people I have always considered my family. Vengeance can wait.
Chapter Four
Some Explaining To Do
Anna Alexander
I’m shivering, soaked to the bone, but I would much rather be outside in the middle of the summer storm than in this truck with my brother and Stefan at this moment. I can feel the anger radiating off both of them in waves, and I know the questions are going to start sooner or later. I have no fucking clue how I will answer them when they inevitably lay into me, but I know I will have to. I owe them both that much for coming to my rescue tonight.
Looking out the window, I see the hospital looming in the distance.
“I’m not going to the hospital.”
“Excuse me?” Matt asks. “Of course you’re going to the hospital.”
“No. I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“I’ve had worse.” The words fall from my lips before I can stop them, and I know I could have said anything else in this moment, and it would have been fine.
I hear the steering wheel strain beneath Stefan’s grip. He remains silent as my brother turns in his seat to stare at me in shock. Before he can speak, I jump in.
“All I need is a good long soak in a tub, a long night’s sleep, and a couple of Advil.”
“Anna...”
“Please,” I plead with my brother. “I just want to forget this entire mess.”
Before Matt can say anything else, Stefan turns onto a dust road, taking us away from the hospital and back toward town.
“You’ll both stay with me tonight,” he says, his voice the same deep baritone I remember. “My place is closer and it’s getting late. We can sort out this shit show in the morning.”
“You’ll have to drop me off at the bar,” Matt says. “I need to get my bike and head home. I have to be there for the morning shift.” I give him a look but all he does is shrug. “Anna will be safe with you. You know I have roommates and zero extra space.”
“Whatever,” Stefan mutters.
“I can go to a motel,” I say from the back seat.
Neither of them answer me, but they both snort at my apparently unacceptable suggestion. Five minutes later, we drop my brother at the bar and then we are alone.
Chapter Five
Scars And Bruises
Stefan Grey
I keep my eyes on the road, knuckles tight around the wheel, because if I look in the rearview mirror again, I’ll crash this damn truck. Anna’s curled up on the back seat, hair still damp from the rain, makeup smudged, and her cheek already swelling from where that bastard hit her. I’ve seen a lot of shit in my time as a firefighter—burn victims, car wrecks, kids pulled out of houses when we were too late—but nothing makes my blood boil the way seeing her like this does.
The girl who used to tag along behind Matt and me, insisting she could play football if we’d just “throw the damn ball already.” The one who always slipped me half her Halloween candy because she said, “You like chocolate better than Matt, don’t even argue.” That girl has been beaten down into someone I barely recognize. And I fucking hate that I didn’t notice sooner.
