“No!” I grabbed her arm and nodded toward the window.
“You can’t be serious?”
“The stairwell just gave way.” I coughed some more. “The whole main floor is up in flames and if we don’t hurry, I’m not even sure we’ll be able to make it out of that window.”
“There’s no way-”
Grabbing her hands to quell her panic so she could listen to me, I said, “Baby, it’s either we risk getting hurt, or we die. I’m not done living, baby, so-”
With a flicker of resolve to her impending fate, Morgan’s head gave a short nod. “Okay.”
Knowing the fire was reaching us at a faster rate than I would have liked, I got Morgan to crouch down on the floor to the side of the bed opposite the entrance to our safe haven while I readied myself to open the window. God only knew what would happen when the fresh air gave the fire on the other side of our wooden barrier the fuel it would need to destroy the rest of my home, my woman and me with it.
The glass panes slid up without a problem just as Morgan screamed and a wave of heat flared at my back.
“Stay down and crawl to me!” I yelled at Morgan. The bedroom door had given way to the inferno and the flames licked at the ceiling which groaned above our heads.
Despite the terror surrounding her, Morgan’s body set itself in motion and she approached me. I grabbed onto her and hugged her tight before I swooped an arm under her knees and began to lift her feet-first through the opening that led to the roof above the front porch’s awning. I wasn’t sure it would hold, but what other choice did we have? There was no time to go out and see if the structure was still sound to bare her weight, never mind my own.
Relieved that the roof held, I tried to release Morgan but her arms held like steel rods, around my neck.
“Morg, you’ve got to let me go,” I told her. “Crawl on your stomach to the edge and lower yourself until you can let go and fall feet-first to the ground.”
“Get out and then I’ll go.”
“Morgan, you’ve got to go now!” Her head snapped back and eyes widened at my “That’s an order!” Softening my tone despite my rising panic, I added, “Please, baby. I’ll be right behind you.”
I watched as Morgan crawled toward the edge of the roofline like a trained commando. The heat increasing in its intensity at my back, the smell of burning paint and roofing tar singeing the lining to my nose made me worry that this plan wasn’t going to work.
A minute later, Morgan’s worried gaze met mine as she began to lower herself over the edge of the roof. I winked, trying to reassure her that I was right behind her. “I’ll see you soon.”
Safety beckoned the moment my feet touched the shingles beneath me and I dropped down to lay on my front, but that sense was short lived as I reached the halfway mark to the roof’s edge.
The surface I was crawling on, radiating blistering heat, gave a groan and within seconds, the shingled structure beneath my legs gave way. All I could do was dangle and hold on with my arms, or drop and hope to some higher power that I’d get out of what was quickly seeming like my peril.
Chapter 33
Pain.
Terror.
Heat.
Flames.
No! This isn’t it!
One minute I was hanging, feeling as if I was being melted to a crisp from the inside, and the next, I became aware of a thwacking noise as my lower half swung in a rhythmic pattern.
My strength waned and my arms gave way to the agony of seized muscles and burning flesh and I dropped through the hole in the surface that should have led me to my salvation, as it had Morgan, but all I felt was the heat, my lungs begging for clean air, and whatever it was that connected with my skull as I landed.
Morgan!
As soon as her name popped into my head, her face, blackened with soot came into view armed with what looked like some old rag, which I quickly figured out was an old blanket that I’d had in the back of my truck.
She looked like a warrior. My saviour. And right then, my eyes widened with fear because she was too fucking close. What the hell was she doing?
Morgan rushed me, covered my legs with the blanket and patted to extinguish the remainder of the flames around me. When she came to grab me from under my arms, I pushed her away. “You’ve got to go. Leave me.”
The woman ignored me, batting away my hands as she proceeded to grab hold anyway and pull.
“Morgan…”
“No! I’m not leaving you. I’m going to get you out of here and then to the hospital and then I’m going to find the motherfucker who did this and-”
At that moment, vehicles turned up the drive and sirens grew louder. Seconds later, Morgan yelped as she was grabbed and a second man in firefighting gear shoved his shoulder into my stomach and ran from the front step just as a loud explosion sounded.
Propane.
As I looked up, I was thankful that the crews had arrived when they had. Reduced to a pile of rubble, my home now looked better fitted to host the county’s largest bonfire.
I winced the moment the guy carrying me dropped me to the ground, my head finding the softness that was Morgan’s lap. “Morgan,” I managed a whisper.
“Baby, it’s okay.” Tears streamed down her face. “We’re going to be fine.”
The adrenaline was fading fast and darkness beckoned. “Morg-”
“Rest,” a familiar voice said, and when he pealed his mask off of his face, I became quite thankful for great friends.
“Take care of her, Ben. I don’t-” The rest of my words just faded to incomprehensible mumblings until the light of day, the noises, the smells faded into nothingness.
But not before I caught a glimpse of something in the far corner of my lot, right by the tree line. A red truck. The beaten up Ford. And a man sporting nothing but a grin I would never forget.
Chapter 34
My throat felt hoarse, my nose dry, my body and my head ached, and my legs…
Fire! Morgan!
Trying to shoot up to a sitting position, hands pushed me back down into the mattress and my panicked state cleared enough for me to take in my surroundings, despite the coughing fit that left me gasping for air.
Along with the beeping of machines, the strong scent of antiseptic, a gasp and my own groan of pain, I realized that the nightmare was over.
“T, you’re in the hospital,” I heard my brother say.
I nodded. “Morgan,” I said through the oxygen mask that was strapped to my face.
“She’s getting patched up in the cubicle next to you,” Alissa said.
Pulling the thing off of my face, I said, “I need to see her.” I wasn’t going to believe that she was all right until I saw her with my own eyes.
With a hiss on the other side of the curtain, I heard a female I didn’t recognize say, “I want you back here tomorrow so we can change those bandages and reassess your hands, Ms. Smyth.” With that, the curtain pulled away and there sat the love of my life, on the edge of a gurney, her hands wrapped up as if she was about to partake in a boxing match.
Morgan’s eyes met mine and tears rushed to their surface. Before I could say anything, she rushed to my bedside and I pulled her to me. Pushing her face into my neck, I held on to her for dear life.
“I’m okay,” she croaked, and tried to pull away.
“No…don’t. Just a bit longer, I thought that was it for us.”
Morgan’s body shivered, but she spoke with a sure and steady tone. “Never.”
“You were lucky, Mr. Lowell,” the doctor addressed me and I looked over toward her, for the first time, noticing my parents sitting in matching chairs behind her. “Had Ms. Smyth not acted, the police said that by the time the fire trucks arrived, you could have been lost.”
Nodding against Morgan’s head, I kissed her cheek before letting her go and our eyes met again. I know. How many times had Morgan saved me since I’d met her? Once? Twice? She’d saved me from certain danger, and saved me from m
yself, far too many times than I can count.
Lifting her hands, so I could kiss them, I whispered the obvious. “You got hurt.”
“I’d rather look like Mohammed Ali before a big fight than not have you here with me.” Her voice shook with emotion.
“Mr. Lowell,” the doctor interrupted us. “I’d like to talk to you about your injuries, but I have to ask that your family clear-”
Mom, Dad, my brother, and Alissa started to make their way toward the door to the room along with Morgan.
“No.” I held tight to Morgan’s hand. “They can stay.”
With a nod, the doctor continued. “Mr. Lowell, although you’ve suffered a few mild burns thanks to Ms. Smyth’s quick thinking, I have to caution you on that gash you suffered on the back of your head.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“I took the liberty of reading your military file, Theo,” she said. “Burns and severe smoke inhalation aside, the concussion you suffered might be moderate, but more than enough to have caused you permanent damage, or killed you, with your history.”
I nodded my understanding. None of it was news to me.
“With that said, I’d like to keep you in here for the next day so we can monitor your progress. As for the rest of your injuries, there’s a rather sizeable burn where part of your jeans melted to your thigh which will leave a scar, but-”
“Doc, do I look like I’m worried about scarring?” I gave her an incredulous look. “With all due respect, I’m not new to them, if you paid enough attention to my medical records.” Just as long as I can still walk to get down the aisle when-
I was cut off by a gasp coming from none other than Morgan herself, which was my first indication that I’d spoke my last thought aloud. Mom was bubbling over with excitement as she clutched onto Morgan’s shoulders, hugging the woman to her while Dad, Theo, and Alissa were all grinning like the cat that ate the cream.
My head throbbed, causing me to wince, when I forgot myself and shook it at everyone’s antics.
The pretty doctor lady blushed, but smiled warmly. “That shouldn’t be a problem, but I do have to caution you on proper care-”
“Do you mind if we pick up on that a little later, like when you’re ready to discharge me?” I asked, my eyes stuck on Morgan. “My woman seems a little surprised at my runaway mouth and before she runs out of here where I can’t follow her, I’d like to reassure her that it’s me and not the painkillers talking.”
Chuckling, she nodded. “Sure.”
“Come here, baby.” I motioned for Morgan to sit beside me on my hospital bed. Mom had to give her a little push to set her in motion, but she came freely. “Guys, I appreciate your being here, but I think I need a little time alone with Morgan.”
“Sure, brother,” Paxton said and quickly escorted Alissa out of the room.
“We’ll be back later with dinner,” Mom said, and Dad added, “You couldn’t have picked a better one, son.”
“I know, Dad.” I grinned at the blush that flared over Morgan’s features and waited to hear the soft click of our hospital room door shut. Flushed and stunned to silence, that was the sight of the woman who held my forever in her hands. I definitely couldn’t have chosen better.
Chapter 35
I had all but two minutes with Morgan, and not much of a chance to explain myself, when Shane walked into the room.
Luckily, it looked like Morgan hadn’t been spooked by my earlier slip of the tongue, and now sat cuddled against me in the bed.
“T,” he said, relief in his eyes, which was quickly chased away by a wide grin. “I have to say you sure as hell know how to keep me busy. Glad you’re both okay.”
I grabbed on to his outstretched hand and gave it a squeeze. “Can’t say I’m happy about that, bro. Find anything out?”
“The fire’s out, but I can’t say there’s much left but ashes and assorted distorted metal and pieces of wood,” he said. “Any idea what could have happened?”
I went with my gut and told him. “That was no accident.”
The man’s nod was one of understanding. “What makes you say that?”
“I smelled gasoline when I first left the bedroom to investigate.” Somehow I knew there was something more, but my head was throbbing and my memory was foggy.
“Why didn’t you just leave right away?”
“I was half asleep,” I defended. “I didn’t notice until after Morgan pointed out the smell.”
“Ms. Smyth-”
“Morgan, please.”
Shane smiled. “Morgan…why didn’t you wake Theo up?”
Morgan’s mouth dropped and I was quick to jump in to answer my friend’s question. “I was awake before her, so if you’re looking at any of us to point the finger at for failing to notice anything, then you lay the blame on me, Shane. I-”
“I’m not blaming anyone, I’m just trying to make sense out of all of this, T.” He ran his hand through his hair, leaving it sticking out at all angles. “One of my men saw an old beat up Ford truck that matched your description, not too far up the road from Morgan’s property.”
“Did you find the guy?” I asked, the picture of that grinning face becoming clearer as the seconds trickled by.
He shook his head. “By the time word got to me, it was gone, but we’ve got plate numbers that match the partials that Morgan spotted the night her house was vandalized.”
“I saw him.”
“What?” Morgan sat up abruptly.
“Right before I blacked out. Something about him is familiar, but I’m not sure.” I rubbed my temples to soothe the ache, hoping it would help me think. “There was something in his smile, something about the look he had. I’ve seen it before. He’s behind all of what’s going on.”
Shane was writing all of this down. “I’ve got CSU working on it, T. With the way this guy’s escalating, I’d say we’ll be on top of him soon. His behavior is erratic. Since I’m technically here as a friend and not in an official capacity right now, let’s change the subject, shall we?” The man’s gaze went from me to Morgan and his lips went from a straight line to a full-blown grin. “So, Morgan, how’d a lady like you end up with some rough guy like him?”
“Don’t play into it, baby,” I said, but the woman ignored me.
“It’s easy, Shane.” She looked at me, a twinkle of humor appearing in her eyes and turned back to the man.
“Go on.” He leaned forward.
“All I had to do was ask him…”
She paused for dramatic effect, but Shane was too impatient. “Ask him what?” He lifted his cup of coffee up to his mouth, his eyes never leaving hers.
“Well, to plug up my hole of course,” she said as he was mid-sip.
The man coughed and sputtered, his coffee dribbling down his chin and shirt. Morgan giggled and I found myself joining in the laughter as the man grabbed a few tissues from the bedside table and tried to mop up his mess.
By the time the laughter faded, I was feeling the weight of slumber begin to take me, and I cursed the painkillers in my system.
Shane noticed this and patted my shoulder. “You rest up, T. I’ll drop by later.” As he got up, he leaned over and kissed the top of Morgan’s head. “I think you’ll do this guy a hell of a lot of good, Morgan Smyth. Feel better, and take care of him.”
By then, I couldn’t keep my eyes open, but I heard Morgan’s “I plan to,” before my senses left me again.
A while later, I woke up to hushed chatter at my bedside. Imagine my surprise when I found Dalton and Brycen keeping Morgan entertained.
“Oh look, sleeping beauty is awake!” Brycen smirked.
“I see Shane’s activated the telephone chain.” I looked toward Morgan to find her looking tired, but happy. “How are you feeling, sweetheart? Have these two been telling tales?”
Dalton harrumphed as Morgan explained. “No, they’re here because Shane thinks they can be of help.”
My brows reached for my hai
rline as I turned toward Dalton. “How?”
It turns out that after Dalton was medically discharged from the Rangers, he’d decided to take the inheritance money left to him by his grandfather and open his own security firm. Apparently Shane liked to use him from time to time when resources were stretched too thin, or when he needed answers that came easier by slightly unorthodox means.
“Most of the guys work fulltime, but I have a few, like Cade, who will handle a few cases for me when I need them.”
Brycen jumped in. “Don’t worry, T, we’ll figure out who this guy is and-”
“We?” I looked between Dalton and Brycen. “You work for him too?”
“I’d be crazy to let him go anywhere else.” Dalton chuckled. “His talents were wasted with the FBI.”
My eyes widened. “Are you kidding me right now?”
Brycen slapped Dalton on the back. “Nope. When Dalton came back and told me what his plans were, I jumped on board. He needed someone of my talents, and let’s face it, I make better money with our contracts than I did working for the government.”
“You’ll have to stop on by the office and check things out when everything settles down.” Dalton grinned. “I’ve got some toys I know you’re going to want to see.”
Knowing him and his love for weapons, I knew the man would never disappoint.
Half an hour later, after a whole lot of reminiscing that had Morgan bowled over in stitches, Dalton and Brycen took their leave to meet up with Shane who was going to share the details of what Morgan and I have been going through. I may have faith in our justice system, but I have to say that I felt better knowing that my guys had my back.
Chapter 36
It took another day before the doctor allowed me to go home. Add to that a second day Morgan and I waited for results from Shane and his CSU team, not to mention the arson department, as well as Dalton.
That’s two days where no answers came.
Two days surrounded by family and friends, and Morgan waiting on me hand and foot, which only made me laugh because with every effort, I ended up having to help her out since her hands were still bandaged and of not much use.
A Heart's War (The Broken Men Chronicles Book 5) Page 13