by Maya Banks
“Yeah, it is. Hey did you hear what building it was?” Toni asked, listening harder to the hurried transmission.
“Thought it said the old theater,” Sarah mumbled around a mouthful of burger.
“Da-mn,” Cody said with a whistle. “That monstrosity’s been around forever.”
The scanner was quiet for a while then it came to life again as station radioed there were ten-ten, on scene. A minute later, Toni recognized the chief’s voice.
“Get us some back-up. This one’s a bitch.”
Toni’s brow lifted. Not often was there a fire major enough to warrant calling out both stations. She wondered briefly if they’d call out a crew from Beaumont.
She forgot all about leaving as she listened to the drama unfold. She chewed absently on the burger as she listened for more traffic.
Back-up arrived, and from she could discern, the fire was out of control. If it was too bad, in all likelihood, the entire block would go up where the theater was situated.
The chief crackled back over the scanner, apparently radioing for yet more back up. Toni frowned. It must be one hell of a fire. A prickle of unease skirted over her as the chief continued laying out his needs. In the background she suddenly heard shouts. Then the chief swore and
yelled out presumably to someone close. “Get an ambulance here. I’ve got men down!”
Toni’s heart lurched into her throat and she could feel every ounce of blood leaving her face. She stumbled up, the bag in her lap falling to the floor. “Toni, be careful,” Sarah called as she ran for the door. Cody was already dispatching an ambulance.
She drove as fast as she felt safe to do, her pulse pounding in her temple. Several miles from downtown she saw the billowing smoke reaching toward the sky. Several streets were already blocked off, so she parked her Jeep and ran toward the building.
When she got close enough to see the theater, a scream lodged in her throat. The roof was caved in and flames shot through the opening. The fire had already spread to the bank two doors down and looked as if it would soon consume the clothing boutique on the end.
An ambulance screamed up, but her eyes were riveted to the two firemen being carried out of the burning building. Her mouth went dry even as she launched herself forward, shoving by the crowd of bystanders.
As she got to the area cordoned off by the fire crew, she ducked underneath the tape.
“Whoa there, Toni.” Hands grabbed her, preventing her progress. “Honey, don’t go over there.”
She realized it was Mike. Tears sprang to her eyes. “It’s one of them isn’t it?” she whispered.
His eyes softened, regret filling his face.
She jerked away from him and ran to where the ambulance crew surrounded the men on the ground. “Oh dear God,” she choked out. It wasn’t one of them. It was Matt and Simon. Where was A.J.? She raised her head, looking frantically around for sign of him.
“Toni, you shouldn’t be here,” the chief said firmly, trying to steer her away.
“Don’t!” she said, hardly recognizing the sob in her voice. She yanked her arm free. “Where’s A.J.?” she demanded.
“He’s fine,” the chief said reassuringly. “Just being treated for smoke inhalation. There he is now.”
A.J. must have seen her because he was bearing down on her through the crowd of people. He caught her in his arms, shielding her from her view of Simon and Matt. “They’ll be okay,” he said in a hoarse voice.
She gripped him tightly, nearly faint with relief. When she hadn’t seen him she’d assumed the worst. But now she had to find out how Simon and Matt were. “Don’t protect me, A.J.,” she said fiercely. “I want to know how they are.”
She shoved closer, trying to see amidst the people swarming everywhere. Her heart twisted as she saw Simon’s soot covered face. His eyes were closed. An oxygen mask was crammed over his nose and mouth after the C-collar was secure.
A paramedic looked up and saw Toni standing there. He grimaced. “Want to ride?” he asked as they loaded Simon up on the stretcher.
“A.J., can you ride with Matt?” she asked.
“Go on, babe. I’ll catch you at the hospital.”
She clamored into the back of the ambulance with the assistance of another fireman. They slammed the doors shut and the ambulance lurched forward.
“Sit there and buckle up,” the paramedic said, gesturing toward the jump seat.
“Will he be all right?” she asked fearfully.
“Yeah, I think so. His vitals are stable. He’s damn lucky.”
She breathed a heavy sigh of relief, tears swelling in her eyes. “And Matt?” she prompted.
“I don’t know. The other medic took him.”
She chewed her knuckles as she watched the paramedic start dual IVs. Why wasn’t Simon conscious? Even she knew a prolonged loss of consciousness wasn’t good.
The medic pushed Simon’s eyelids open and shone a penlight into the pupils. As if feeling Toni’s anxious stare, he looked up at her. “I don’t see any obvious sign of head injury. His pupils are equal and reactive.”
He turned away from her and picked up the radio to call report to the hospital. Toni reached forward and placed a hand on Simon’s forehead. She wiped some of the soot away with her fingers, willing him to open his eyes. She couldn’t lose him. No. She wouldn’t lose him. She loved this man more than life itself.
She caught herself as the ambulance came to an abrupt halt and the back doors flew open. The ER staff assisted the paramedic as they pulled the stretched out. The paramedic reached back to help Toni down before hurrying in behind the stretcher that was wheeling away.
Toni was left behind as they shoved the stretcher through the swinging doors. She stood in shock, her fingers to her lips. Behind her, more commotion ensued as Matt was wheeled in, A.J. striding in beside him.
She rushed to the stretcher, elated to see Matt was conscious.
“Toni, what the hell are you doing here?” he demanded.
She went weak with relief, donning a crooked smile. “Thank God you’re okay, Matt.”
He reached up to touch her cheek. “I’m fine, just a little banged up. Do me a favor and call Steph so she won’t worry.”
They wheeled him away as she nodded her agreement. Strong hands gripped her shoulders, squeezing comfortingly. “How was Simon?” A.J. asked.
She turned and buried her face in his chest. “He wasn’t conscious, A.J. I don’t know how he is.” She fought to keep desperation from her voice, but she failed miserably. “I can’t lose him. I can’t.”
“You’re not going to lose him, Toni.” He rubbed her back then led her over to a row of seats by the window. “You sit. I’ll go call Stephanie.”
He walked stiffly off, leaving dirty footprints on the polished floor. He still wore his fire gear, layers of soot and ash clinging to him like a second skin.
She closed her eyes, not wanting to think how close she had come to losing the people most important to her. What would she do without all of them?
A.J. returned in a minute and slid into the seat beside Toni. She reached over and took his hand, gripping it tightly. “Are you okay, A.J.?”
He smiled even as he coughed. “I’m fine, really. I was almost out when the roof collapsed. Matt and Simon were behind me.” His eyes flashed in pain. “I should have been with them.”
She cupped his cheek in her palm. “I’m very glad you weren’t hurt. My heart couldn’t take all three of you in the hospital.”
He caught her hand and squeezed. “I’m sorry. It must have been quite a shock. I assume you heard it over the scanner.”
She nodded. “Is Stephanie coming?”
“Yeah, she freaked. I told her not to kill herself getting here, that Matt was awake.”