Page 30 of Rejected Broken Mate

He nodded. "I just ran down three flights of stairs. I'm a little winded."

I reached out, placing my hands on his neck. He looked a little stunned as I placed my fingers on his jugular, feeling his pulse. It was strong.

"Miles, we have another kid."

I pulled my hands free as he grabbed his helmet. "Watch him. When the ambulance gets here, they need to take him in."

I nodded as he hurried back inside. My stomach twisted, so I turned my attention to the boy. He looked about seven, and I pictured Michael. God, if this was him, I'd be a mess.

I looked for the woman who was crying but couldn't find her. My guess was that this was her son.

I bent down, making sure the mask was still secure as I waited. It was only a moment before the ambulance arrived and took him. I watched as Miles brought out an older boy, and I masked him up before he was loaded into the truck. He was awake and very aware of what was going on.

"The hallway was on fire," he said, looking panicked. "I opened the door, and the entire hallway was on fire."

"Keep this on," Miles told him, holding the mask over his mouth. "Take a deep breath in."

"My brother."

"He's headed to the hospital," I said.

I watched as the boy's shoulders relaxed slightly, and then the woman from earlier came around. "Liam!"

The police and medics pulled them back, and Miles turned to me.

"The fire is out, but there is severe damage," he said, rubbing his neck.

I held up his mask, and he shook his head.

"You're hardly breathing, Miles."

"You would be, too, if you ran that many stairs while holding people."

"Put it on," I snapped, pulling it to his mouth. Miles didn't argue as I pulled it around, snapping it in place.

Just then, I noticed Owen and Cayden coming towards us. I grabbed each tank and set them up. Owen pulled his mask down after a moment. "The kids?"

"On the way to the hospital. Is there anyone else?"

Owen shook his head. "No. The third person was out before we went in. Ayden is checking to make sure everything is out with Lucas."

I nodded, looking at the building. You could see scorch marks on the broken windows, but otherwise, you wouldn't know what had happened. I imagine the inside looked ten times worse.

Miles coughed, and we all turned to him. He made a face. "I'm fine."

"You're not," Ayden said as he walked towards us. "I know you took off your damn helmet when you saw that kid."

Ayden grabbed Miles by his uniform, and my eyes widened as he got into Miles's face. "You do not remove your helmet ever! Do you understand me?"

They all fell quiet as Miles scowled at Ayden. "He needed it more than I did!"

"And what happens when you fall because you can't breathe? Huh!? Did you think about that!?"

"He's fine! He was coughing, and I got him out perfectly fine."

"You're an idiot who could have gotten hurt!" Ayden released him, shaking his head. "You're going in and being checked out, and tomorrow we're gonna chat about your idiocy that will get your ass killed!"

Miles moved uncomfortably, and I chewed on my cheek. Ayden looked at me. "They are all going in to be checked at the hospital. Make sure they all go. I need to speak with the sheriff."

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