Page 22 of Teacher's Pet

“Tell Reva that Tally and Harley are still in that building. Tally’s trapped in her office and I think that Harley is somewhere nearby but I’m not sure where.”

“I’ve got it. I’ll let them know. Get here…now!”

“I’m about five minutes away.” I slam my foot to the floor and skid around a corner on two wheels, wincing when my tires fall back to the ground with a heavy thud that shakes the whole vehicle.

He hangs up and I switch back to Harley. “Where are you, baby?”

“I’m in the cafeteria. It’s so smoky.” She coughs and my fingers grip the steering wheel so hard they crack.

“Help’s on the way. Reva’s coming. Watch for her. I’m gonna let them know where you are.”

I send the text and then finally pull into the lot, my eyes burning when I see the smoke pouring out of the building.

My whole world is in that damn building.

I slam the truck into park and drop to the ground, tearing across the lot, feeling tears sting my eyes. Tom sees me and runs up to me. “They’re inside. Reva will find her. Don’t worry.”

I see Hank hollering at some of his men as they hold one of the huge hoses on the flames, water rushing out and pushing some of the flames back.

“Hank!” I holler.

He glances over. “Harley said she’s in the cafeteria.”

He nods and then hollers at one of the men who peels off, his tank and mask on, racing into the building.

I want to go in. I want to find my daughter and Tally. I want to hold them both and I never want to let them go.

I’m a damn idiot. I love them both so much that it will kill me if I lose either one of them.

I loved Karen. Hell, I still do. But she’s gone and Tally’s here and she’s perfect for me. She’s mine and when this is over I’m never going to let her go.

As soon as I kill that asshole McBride.

TALLY

Ihear hollering and slip out of the black darkness cradling me. I sit up, hacking and coughing, struggling to breathe. My skin burns and I can’t see a damn thing through the tears and soot around me.

“Help,” I rasp out, coughing and pushing to my feet.

I rush to the door, banging and pounding until I hear someone holler, “stand back!”

I step back and the door shatters in front of me. I turn my head away, shuddering.

“Tally! I got you!” Rafe’s calm eyes stare back at me through a mask and I collapse to the ground, shaking and crying.

“Come on! We’ve got to get out of here! Reva’s gone after Harley and we’re meeting up and making sure there’s nobody else in here.”

“Harley!” I gasp and cough so hard that my ribs hurt.

“You need to come with me now!” He grabs hold of me and the world tilts as he flips me over and I’m hanging over his shoulder.

He races out of the flames and as we move, I see Reva running up beside us, Harley’s limp body in her arms. Both of them nod and hit the front door as the pumps push the flames back again.

I can feel the intense heat and my body aches. Wracking coughs hit me again and again and Rafe heads right to the ambulance. He settles me gently and immediately I’ve got the paramedic standing over me, shoving a mask on my face. As soon as Reva sets Harley down on another cot, she gets the same treatment.

I cough and hold my hand out to her, tears trickling down my cheeks when she grasps it, coughing.

“I knew we’d get you out, Miss Carter. I knew that Mr. McBride was up to something bad.”

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