Never let the same flame burn your twice...

The mob boss we were after set a trap.

No sooner had we arrived at the fire than an explosion punched through the early evening, showering the streets with burning shrapnel. My boyfriend Travis, one of Denver's best firefighters, went in alone, leaving me outside to watch and hope.

The higher the flames grew, the more concerned I became. What if he didn't make it out? What if the criminal responsible added Travis's death to his growing list of homicides? I fought with my baser instincts; a raging inferno was no place for a cop. My job was afterward, sifting through the ash, looking for clues.

Just when I thought all was lost, Travis reappeared, but he wasn't alone. A beautiful firefighter was with him, carrying a child they had rescued. If I didn't know any better, I would have sworn they were a family: a mother and father braving death itself to rescue their offspring. I knew it was petty, but I couldn't extinguish the spark of jealousy their appearance ignited.

When all this was over, would Travis choose me? Or was our love fated to die in the flames that consumed the city?

Emergency Love Series

• Flatline
• Backdraft
• Overtime