Page 15 of Lost in the Light

As I stepped out I smiled at the remnants of our half built snowman and the footsteps still in the snow all over the huge lawned areas. Was it just yesterday we’d been out here having so much fun? We’d all been so relaxed and happy, then it had been snatched away again, all at once.

I took a few gulps from the water bottle, then set it down beside the door so I could pull on my gloves. It was even colder than the day before and the wind was biting at my face as I pulled up my hood. I knew I couldn’t stay out for long, but it just felt so good tohave the cold, fresh air whipping around me, clearing my mind and allowing me to breathe again.

I walked down the pathway that had been cleared of snow, headed for the pergola, but stopped when large, booted feet appeared before me where I was looking down.

“You should be inside.” Kane. I looked up and smiled a little. I had barely seen him since the day he took me to the office after my therapy session, and I had missed him, even if I knew I shouldn’t admit that to myself.

“I just needed some air. I won’t stay out for long,” I promised him.

“You okay?” he looked deep into my eyes, as though he didn’t need me to answer. It was like he was getting all of the information he needed from staring into me.

“Not really, but I’m more worried about my brothers than myself right now. This is hurting them badly.”

“I know, Angel. I hate it for all of you. I wish there was more I could do.”

“They’ll be safe, won’t they, Kane? Asher and Eli? No one will try to hurt them because of this,” I worried.

“I don’t know if people will try to hurt them. People will be angry when they hear about it all in the press, and they might blame your brothers, since the old bastard is gone.”

“That’s what I was worried about,” I squeaked as tears filled my eyes.

“I do know that I will do everything in my power to make sure that no one is able to hurt them though, Addy. I have a top security team, and we’re taking every precaution to keep you allsafe. I don’t want you to worry about that, okay? That’s my job and I take it very seriously.”

“Thank you.” I couldn’t stop myself from wrapping my hands around his waist and giving him a brief hug. Once I was pressed against him I never wanted to let go, but I knew I had to. He had a job to do and I needed to let him do it.

“Head back in now. It’s too cold out here,” he told me as he took a step back.

“Okay,” I agreed. “Are you coming to eat breakfast?” I asked hopefully.

“I’ll try. I have a few things to take care of first.” I nodded, then turned and headed back towards the house slowly. I knew if I didn’t, I’d have begged him to just come inside with me. I just wanted him close. He had this ability to soothe my raw edges, and I needed that desperately.

I turned as I neared the doors into the kitchen, just in time to see Kane open the door to the security office. He turned to me and I was sure I saw the hint of a smile, but then he was gone. The fact I had only ever seen him smile like that for me made me feel all warm inside.

Shaking the thought away, knowing I had to focus, I bent to grab my water, then started to open the door to head in. Kane was right. It was too cold and I was frozen already.

I had one foot inside when a deafening bang rent the air. The ground beneath me shook. I cowered instinctively, as I looked around me, my entire body vibrating and my heart racing.

That was when I saw the office Kane had just walked into, now alight with flames, the back half blown apart and crumbling down.

Only one thought ran through my terrified mind as I turned and set off running.

“KANE!”

I was screaming his name over and over as I ran through the garden as fast as I could. There was a security guy laid on the floor out front, unconscious, and I could see another running into the garden from around front, but I didn’t stop. I had to get to Kane before the rest of the building fell on top of him.

“KANE!” I screamed as I grabbed the handle of the door and tried to push it open. It only opened about an inch, so I slammed my shoulder into it again and again until the gap was big enough for me to get through.

I could hear voices yelling from outside, but I didn’t stop. When I stepped into the building the overwhelming heat of the flames hit me hard and made my eyes water. Smoke was everywhere and I tried to cover my mouth as I looked around frantically.

Sunlight was streaming in through the hole that had been blown in the roof, but the smoke was so thick I could barely see anything. I dropped to my knees and started to crawl in the direction I knew Kane’s office was. I was crawling over debris and who knew what else, but I didn’t care. I had to get to him.

The door had been blown from his office when I got to it, so I was able to get through, constantly feeling all around me on the floor for warm skin, praying he was still alive. I tried to call for him, but I could barely breathe and all that came out was rough, barking coughs. Then I felt it. A hand. I moved faster and got lower until I could make out Kane’s unconscious body laid out on the floor beside his upturned desk. I wanted to check his pulse, but there was no time. I could hear the building smashing to the ground on the other end and knew this part could be atrisk too, not to mention the fire and smoke spreading by the second.

He's alive, I told myself, as I grabbed both of his hands in mine and just started dragging him. He weighed a ton and I could hardly breathe, my body weakening beneath me with every second that passed, but I refused to leave him.

I managed to get him out of his office, but before I could move any more, my legs gave out and I collapsed down as coughs racked my body. Tears were streaming from my eyes as I realized I just didn’t have the strength to get him out. But I refused to give in. I forced myself to get to my knees, then I grabbed his hands again and tried to pull with everything left in me. Just when I started to despair that he wasn’t moving, a strong hand landed on my shoulder. I turned and saw Adam with something tied around his face, over his mouth. He nodded to where a giant of a figure, who could only be Asher, was gathering Kane up and hoisting him over his shoulder, then I was in Adam’s arms and being carried out.

I was coughing harder than I ever had in my life and gasping for oxygen as the fresh air hit me. Adam set me on the snow covered ground, then Eli and Jordan were at my side. They were speaking to me, but I didn’t register any words as I frantically looked around for Asher and Kane.

---