My nostrils flared and the muscle in my jaw ticked as I fought the urge to argue. He was right. He’d been trying to get funding to improve our facilities for years now, with no luck. If I refused to cooperate and the station lost out on that money because I didn’t want to share space with my ex, that would be pretty damn petty of me.

But I didn’t like it.

She was trying to manipulate me and get her way by throwing money around. The girl I remembered wouldn’t have done that. The Hollywood life in her beloved City of Angels had warped her.

“Why can’t she shadow one of the others?” I asked.

“Because she requested you specifically.” Parks sighed and rubbed his temples. Suddenly, he looked weary. “Liam, I won’t order you to do this. That’s not the kind of boss I am. We need to be able to trust each other in high stress situations, and you won’t be able to do that if I force you into anything. But please consider how much good we could do if you agree.”

My stomach sank. Damn, he was talented at making people see things his way.

“Fine,” I grumbled. “Just for one day.”

“Thank you.” He didn’t smile, but I could sense his relief. “She’ll be here at nine.”

Oh well. Better get it over with quickly. “She moves fast.” “Try not to be an ass,” Parks said. “You’re dismissed.”

I stood up and left the office. The morning had started well, with coffee and promise, but it had taken a turn for the worse.

“What did he want?” Asher asked as I reentered the staff room.

“To tell me I have a ride-along today.”

He passed me my coffee. It wasn’t as warm as it had been ten minutes ago, but I drank it anyway.

“Who?”

“Kennedy.”

His jaw nearly hit the floor. “What the fuck?”

“Apparently she’s made a big donation to the fire station. You know how Parks has been after funding for ages.”

“So, he’s pimping you out?” His anger made me feel better, even though I was no longer furious with Parks myself. I was still angry at the situation, and at Kennedy for not taking a hint and hitting the road.

“Don’t blame him. It’s her that’s the problem.”

Asher gripped my shoulder. “Damn, man. That’s rough. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, not great for my mood.”

“Well, we haven’t had any callouts, and Parks hasn’t assigned us any tasks yet today, so what do you say we hit the weight room and work out some of that frustration?”

“Sounds good.”

Unfortunately, by the time Kennedy arrived at nine sharp, I was a whole lot sweatier and no less frustrated.