Page 42 of Instant Heat
"Are you listening to me, Thatcher? You need to focus!" I repeated. Louder this time. "Get your head in the game."
One broken word fell from his lips. "Rae."
Just hearing her name had panic surging through me veins. Me heart slammed harder. Faster. Me lungs felt tight and me feet itched with the need to sprint into that building to find Rae.Me Rae.
I finally understood why Adam had just bolted into the house that night and I understood his pain too. Because I didn't even know how bad the situation was and already a pain I hadn't known before shot through me. Completely paralyzing me.
Sucking in another breath, I tried to push it back as far as I possibly could. I needed to remain in control. And I needed this hot-head not to do something stupid.
I opened me mouth to tell Thatcher exactly that when I spotted Nathan rushing toward us. The look on his face locked the air in me lungs.
"Give me good news." I had no idea how I managed to speak past the burning in me throat.
Nathan eyed Thatcher wearily before he shook his head. "One of the employees said they got most of the residents out before the fire spread." He hesitated, his gaze flitting between me and Thatcher.
"Nathan! Spit it out!"
"Mr. Bishop never made it out and when she arrived, Raelyn went in to find him."
"Shite."
Beneath me palm, Thatcher's body started to shake. I pushed harder into his chest. "Brooks, you're not going in there. I need you outside." I leveled him with a stare. "That's an order."
Anger, panic, and sadness flashed in his eyes. "Rae's in there."
I had to believe me own words when I vowed, "We'll get her out." Shaking his head, he tried to push forward but I shoved him back and yelled, "Listen to me!" Softening me tone, I continued, "If you go in there, it's one more body we have to worry about."
For a moment it looked as if understanding had dawned but then he got a vacant look in his eyes. "Screw you!"
His words were barely out before his fist connected with me jaw. The moment I reared back, he set off running toward the burning building.
20
GRIFFIN
Shite!"
As much as I wanted to storm after Thatcher, I needed to be safe more. Barging into a burning building without protective gear was asking for trouble.
"I need you to take charge," I told Nathan just before I pulled on me oxygen mask. When he nodded, I spun on me heels and raced after Thatcher. He'd disobeyed a direct order, and in the process put not only his own life but the life of the people still trapped inside on the line too.
As furious as I was, I understood where his mind was at.
The building came closer and closer, me heart thrashing around like a wild animal. Cold claws of panic stabbed through me veins. Fear clutched an angry hand around me throat. Me chest felt tight. Me lungs hot.
I couldn't let it consume me.
I needed to be strong.
For Rae.
Forcing air in through me nose, I held it for four long seconds. Then released it at the same time as I sprinted through the open door. A thick blanket of smoke hung in the air, instantly clouding me vision.
Memories, dreadful memories flashed before me eyes, threatening to consume me. I blinked them away."Brooks!" No reply."Rae!" Again, nothing. Me hand shook as I pressed the button on me radio and asked Nathan to get me directions to Mr. Bishop's room.
The further I ventured inside, though, the more panic clawed at me chest. Shite, I had to find them. Find her. Because this wasn't one of those fires that would be easily put out. I'd be surprised if the building was even salvageable after this.
A loud cracking sound sliced through the air. To me left a beam broke free from the ceiling and smashed to the ground.
