Page 6 of Corrupted Lies

And it couldn’t be nothing.

Not while he had his best friend with him.

This was exactly why he’d been keeping his distance from Alannah. It wasn't to hurt her feelings, it wasn't because he didn't miss her, it wasn't because he wanted to shut her out of his life, and it wasn't because he didn't think she was strong enough to handle his family’s mess and stand beside him offering him her support.

It was because he hadn't wanted to put her in danger. Didn't want to put her life at risk the way he was doing right now.

He never should have come.

Only it was too late to take it back now.

“We’re going to die,” Alannah whimpered beside him, and her terrified words ripped him out of the panicked stupor he’d slid into.

“No,” he said the word fiercely as he whipped around and grabbed Alannah’s shoulders and pulled her up onto her knees. “No,” he said again, only this time he roared it out.

Like they smothered everything else, the flames seemed to dampen his words, but they didn't—couldn’t—dampen his determination.

They weren't dead yet, which meant there was still a chance he could get them out. If they couldn’t find a way through the flames, they’d go back to Alannah’s office since it was furthest away from the fire, hide in there, and pray that his brothers or the firefighters got to them before smoke inhalation did.

“Don’t give up on me, okay?”

Alannah’s golden-brown eyes seemed to glow in the dancing orange light of the flames. They locked onto his and stared at him with an intensity he hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe ever. It was like she was reaching down into his very soul to see if he honestly believed they stood a chance.

After a moment, she gave a small nod. “Okay. I won't give up. What do we do?”

Fear for his best friend and the very real possibility of death he’d brought right to her doorstep almost impeded his ability to think clearly and logically.

The thick smoke slowly filling up his lungs didn't help.

But he needed a clear head.

Alannah needed him to have a clear head.

Forcing himself to focus, to shove away the fear like he’d learned to do when he joined the elite Delta Force, Jake fell back on his training. After so many years working in Delta and then for Prey Security, this should be natural, and he allowed his instincts to take over rather than his fear.

“We need something to cover us so we can make a run for it,” he announced, scanning the room that was quickly being destroyed by fire. “The flames haven’t taken over the whole staircase yet, they’re mostly in the childcare playroom. If we can get through them and onto the steps, we stand a good chance at getting out of here.”

It was a long shot. The flames were already devouring the room, and the fire was only growing stronger with each passing second. But the fire alarm had gone off, so he knew firefighters were on their way, and he’d called his stepbrother Cade and told him what was going on, so he also knew that his brothers were on the way.

He couldn’t give up hope yet.

All he had to do was trust that his team would have his back and do his part.

“There are blankets we have for the doll’s crib,” Alannah suggested. “They’re not that big, but they’d at least cover our heads and shoulders. Oh and there’s a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Its small but better than nothing.”

Perfect.

They could grab them, take them to the kitchen, run them under water, then cover their faces, grab the fire extinguisher, and make a run for it.

A risky plan, but all they had right now.

“That’ll work,” he told Alannah, and she offered him a small smile. Scared as she was, she was doing her best not to let panic consume her, and he was so proud of her. “You stay here, and I’ll go get them.”

“I know where they are,” she countered. “It’ll be quicker for me to grab them.”

No way was he allowing them to get separated because, in the thickening smoke, he might not find her again. Leaving her in a spot he could backtrack to was one thing, but they weren't splitting up like that.

“Together. We’ll go together,” he declared. Not sure if it was his imagination or not, but he was sure Alannah relaxed at that suggestion, and he realized she felt safer with him around. Not surprising since he’d always been her protector, but something that he was positive was going to change once she learned that all of this was absolutely his fault.

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