She heard Tim whistling as his footsteps came thumping closer.
Lord, please, no. Don’t let this be the end.
The doorway darkened and Tim filled it. He still held the torch, though it was only smoldering now. “I was going to spare you seeing the flames, but you couldn’t sit still like I asked, could you?” He looked around the room. “I guess there are enough things in here to get a good fire burning.”
Smoke drifted into the small space. He’d already set fire to the outer room. “Why set the place on fire? Why not just shoot me?”
“If you have to ask me that, you don’t know Luke as well as I thought you did.”
Recognition dawned. Losing another person he loved, especially in a fire, was the thing Luke feared the most.
Tim crossed the room and started shredding cardboard boxes. He stacked the pieces on the floor. Next, he took papers from an old filing cabinet and added them to the cardboard.
Fear she’d kept in check closed her throat, and she swallowed hard. Thick smoke drifted into the room, stinging her eyes. She closed them and prayed as she’d never prayed before.
EIGHTEEN
On the correct street, Luke thanked God that this area of town saw little traffic, allowing him to get to Dani on time. But his prayer died on his lips as he spotted dark, acrid smoke billowing in the air ahead. Had Tim set fire to one of these warehouses?
God, no. Please, no. I can’t lose Dani to a fire.
What was he saying? He couldn’t lose her at all. Not now. Not ever.
He floored the gas, racing down the street of abandoned warehouses as he looked for the right address. There at the end of street. A two-story building. Broken windows peppered the second floor, smoke funneling out.
He slammed on his brakes, the rear of his car fishtailing and smashing into the curb. He leaped from the car and ran. Fast and hard. His footfalls echoed through the deserted space. He reached the entrance and stopped to slow his breathing and calm his nerves.
A SEAL didn’t rush into any situation unprepared. Especially not one that held enormous consequences.
Standing for a moment while Dani was inside under Tim’s control was the hardest thing he’d ever done. He’d rappelled from a chopper, dived in deep seas and jumped from an airplane. None of those struck the same fear in his heart as the thought of losing Dani.
He took one final deep breath, then pressed his arm against his mouth to keep the smoke from his lungs. He drew his weapon and slipped inside. Hazy smoke hung high in the air, swirling, floating like a living, breathing thing. The upper floor venting sucked it high, giving him a good view of the cavernous space. Unfortunately the venting would also accelerate the fire.
Flames licked over wooden rafters dangling from the second floor. It wouldn’t be long before they gave way, bringing down the second story. Dead ahead he spotted three doors, all closed. Dani must be behind one of them. He had to move quickly.
He took a step, but the first door opened and a man backed out. Luke darted behind an old filing cabinet and the pain of betrayal cut though his heart when he spotted Tim.
“I’m sorry, Dani,” he said. “Really, I am, but Luke’s responsible for my brother’s death and he deserves to know my pain. Since I couldn’t get to his sister in the safe house, losing you in a fire is the best way to show him right now.”
Tim blamed him? Luke hadn’t had a clue. He’d thought they were cool. Obviously not.
Tim jerked the door closed, but not before Luke heard Dani’s strangled cry. Luke’s worst fear was coming true. Rage barreled into his chest, and he charged around the cabinet.
Tim flicked a lighter and set a torch burning. He jabbed it at a stack of old paper.
“Stop now or I’ll shoot,” Luke commanded as he held the gun on Tim.
Tim spun and grinned wide. “No, you won’t. You have too much honor to kill in cold blood.”
“This wouldn’t be killing. It would be justified to save Dani’s life.”
Tim lowered the torch and ignited the papers. Fire crackled to life, racing greedily up the pages toward the door.
Luke stepped forward. “Put the torch out and get down on the floor.”
Tim’s eyes went wild, crazed. “No way. It’s time for you to pay.”
Luke couldn’t shoot Tim point-blank, but he had to stop him. Tim came forward, jabbing the torch at Luke. He sidestepped Tim and caught sight of a rotting timber hanging overhead. He raised his gun and fired. The wood cracked.
Tim looked up. The timber snapped and swung precariously as Tim tried to run. Plummeting toward the floor, it caught Tim’s shoulder. He went down. The torch shot free.
Luke ran for the torch and stomped it out.
Tim groaned. Luke had a choice—haul Tim outside or save Dani. No choice, really—Dani came first.
Footfalls pounded behind Luke. He spun.
Cole bounded into the room and Luke tossed up a prayer of thanksgiving that the safe house was located nearby.
“Dani,” he screamed. “Where is she?’
“Inside. Call an ambulance and free Tim. I’ll get her.”
Luke didn’t wait for agreement but broke through the door. Without venting, the room had filled with thick black smoke. He could barely see Dani sitting in a chair on the far side of the space. Flames danced all around her.
“Dani,” he screamed, but she didn’t respond.
Arm over his mouth, he picked his way through the room, trying to draw in air through the thick, caustic smoke.
She sat without moving, her head hanging forward. He lifted her face. Her eyes were closed. He felt for a pulse. She had one.
“Hang in there, sweetheart,” he said, and reached for the ropes. Smoke burned his eyes and throat, sending him into a coughing spasm.
His fingers fumbled at the knots, and he knew he’d succumb to the smoke long before he freed her. So he scooped her up, chair and all, and ran for the door. His heart thundered in his chest even as he heaved for breath.
His vision faded. The room spun. He wasn’t going to make it out.
This must be how his mother and sister had felt in their last moments. Pain speared his heart as strength left his body, and he sank to his knees.
No, Father, no! Let me save her, please. I don’t care what happens to me, but she has to live.
With a roar, he pushed to his feet and stumbled toward the door. Cole charged inside and lifted Dani from his arms. Luke heard the wail of an ambulance. Dani would be okay. All strength left his body and the floor rose up to meet him. He took one last look at Cole’s back and let the darkness take him.
* * *
Light pulled Dani to the surface, but her eyes were too heavy to open. Her throat felt as if she’d swallowed glass. She heard a beep, beep, beep, and something covered her mouth and nose.
Where was she?
She reached up to pull the offending thing free, and a warm hand settled over hers.
“It’s oxygen.” Luke’s voice wrapped around her and gave her peace. “You took in too much smoke, and you need to clear it from your system.”
She willed her eyes to open. Luke leaned over her. His face was covered with soot, and a long gash ran down the side of his marvelous face. He’d obviously braved the fire to rescue her, but what about her siblings?
She removed the mask. “Derrick and Kat? Are they okay?”
“Kat broke her arm and has a concussion. She’ll need to stay here overnight. Derrick’s had a nasty gash to his leg, but otherwise they’re fine.”
She sighed. “I’m so thankful they weren’t seriously hurt.”
“Kat already has people signing her cast, and Derrick’s been a real trouper.”
“And you?” she asked, and held her breath.
“Now that you�
�re awake, I’m great.” His lips tipped in his sweet smile and she could hardly breathe.
“You came to save me,” she whispered, suddenly feeling very shy. “I knew you would come.”
“Did you, now?” he said, smiling.
She grinned. “You’re a SEAL and they never leave a man behind.”
“Or woman, as the case may be.” He ran his gaze over her.
Her heart pounded in her chest. “In all seriousness, thank you for coming to my rescue.”
“No thanks needed.” He opened his mouth as if to say something more, then closed it.
“Go ahead and say whatever it is you wanted to say.”
“It’s nothing.”
“I almost died, and I really don’t want to beat around the bush anymore.”
“Okay. I was going to say that I’d be there for you whenever you need if you’ll let me.”
“I’ll more than let you,” she said, cupping the side of his cheek. “I want you to be there.”
“You need to know that I’m still going to get demanding at times.” His voice was all raspy from smoke.
“And I’m still stubborn.”
“Should be an interesting courtship.”
“Ooh.” She let a finger trail down his face. “We’re courting, are we?”
“I’m in this for the long haul, and I’m hoping you are, too.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“I love you,” he said, his eyes suddenly serious. “More than I thought possible.”
“I love you, too,” she answered, but barely got the words out before he claimed her lips for a long kiss.
When he pulled back, he grinned. “I guess God’s timing was perfect after all.”
She laughed. “I could’ve done without the kidnapping and nearly dying in a fire, but yes, bringing us together at any time is perfect.”
“Amen to that.” He leaned down and settled his lips on hers again. She twined her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, returning the kiss and savoring the thought that she’d let go of every misgiving and had a future with him.
A male cleared his throat behind them, and Dani was pretty sure it was Derrick. She’d never realized what bad timing her twin had. She expected Luke to pull away, but he lingered a bit longer, teasing her lips with his before drawing back.
Derrick’s brow rose. “I see you’re both doing okay.”
Dani smiled at her brother. “More than okay.”
Luke held out his hand for a shake. “Hey, thanks, man. I owe you one.”
“What for?” Dani asked.
“I had a little trouble at the warehouse.”
“He’s being modest.” Derrick clapped Luke on the back. “He tried to carry you out, but he succumbed to the smoke near the door. He moved you far enough for Cole to take over, then he keeled over.”
“And you pulled me out.” Luke clasped Derrick’s hand.
“Amazing I could drag such dead weight so far.” Derrick grinned, and Dani saw her brother had fully come to accept Luke.
“I’m thankful you ignored the EMTs. If you’d let them bring you to the hospital, I might not be here shaking your hand.”
Dani cast a warning look at her brother. “I’d usually lecture you about ignoring medical advice, but in this case, I’m glad you did. Promise me you won’t do it again.”
Derrick firmly met her gaze. “Not going to make a promise I can’t keep. If someone in the family needs me, I’m there. No matter what. You’d do the same thing, so don’t try to deny it.”
“He’s right,” Luke said. “I feel the same way about Natalie...and you.” A blush crept up his face.
Dani could hardly believe displaying his feelings for her in front of Derrick could make this rugged SEAL blush.
He glanced away and said quickly, “Let’s hope someone like Tim doesn’t come into our lives again.”
“What happened to Tim?” Dani asked, actually feeling sorry for the guy.
Derrick socked Luke in the shoulder. “Your hero here shot a beam from the ceiling and it pinned Tim to the floor. Cole got him out and he’s going to be okay.”
The glazed look on Tim’s face as he’d lit the fire around her flashed into Dani’s mind and made her shudder.
“Hey,” Luke said, taking her hand. “He has a police guard 24/7.”
“Did he confess to being Echo and taking money from Security-Watchdog to sabotage the software?”
Luke nodded. “And he said he did it because he blamed me for Hawk’s death.” Luke shook his head. “How could an honorable guy like Hawk have such a troubled brother?”
“I think he’s mentally ill.”
“If so, he never showed a hint of it. He was always so easygoing and laid-back.”
“Hopefully he’ll get the help he needs now.”
“I’d like to say I hope so, too, but I also want him to pay for what he did to you.” Luke ran the backs of his fingers over her cheek and locked gazes with her. Her heartbeat sped up and she was certain he had to be able to hear it thumping.
She forced her eyes from his.
Derrick smirked. “Looks like the two of you are a thing now.”
“We were getting to that before we were so rudely interrupted,” Luke said, a grin still on his face.
“Well, don’t let me keep you apart. I’m off to sign Kat’s cast. She’s being a real baby about this.” He chuckled good-naturedly as he ruffled Dani’s hair. “See you later, sis.”
She grabbed his hand. “I love you.”
“Love you, too,” he said, and departed.
Luke lifted Dani into his arms. “Now, where were we?”
“I’m pretty sure you were going to thoroughly kiss me.” She met his gaze and heat flared between them.
“That’s right. How could I have forgotten something so important?” He settled his lips on hers. She took a clue from him and forgot everything else around them.
EPILOGUE
Luke charged into Dani’s living room to answer his phone. He grabbed it from the table and a flash of surprise hit him when he saw the caller ID. He hadn’t heard a word from General Wilder in a few months.
“What can I do for you, General?” he answered quickly.
“With the arrest of the Security-Watchdog owners and this whole mess ironed out, we seem to find ourselves without satellite security software.”
Luke tried to concentrate on the general’s words, but he couldn’t take his eyes and mind off Dani as she joined him in the room. She wore a knee-length red dress, and he could only think about how if the phone hadn’t rung he would be going down on one knee, ready to propose.
“You have every right to be angry with us,” Wilder continued. “But we hope you can understand our position and put all of this in the past.”
“I’m not angry, General, and I’d be happy to talk with you about SatCom, but right now I have something very important to do. Can I get back to you on Monday?”
“Monday will be fine.”
As Luke disconnected, he smiled at the uncertainty in Wilder’s tone. It would do the committee good to wait on him for once.
“Was that General Wilder?” Dani asked.
He nodded. “He wanted to talk to me about buying our software.”
“And you blew him off? But that project you landed is barely keeping SatCom running. How can you wait?”
“It’s just two days, and there’s nothing the committee will do on the weekend anyway.” He took her hand and gazed into her eyes. “Besides, I have something far more important to do.”
“What could be more important than keeping your company afloat?”
“You,” he said as he knelt down. He pulled a small ring box from his pocket and popped the top open.
He chuckled. “I have fallen even more madly and hopelessly in love with you the past few months, and though I have no money for a real ring, I promise to love and cherish you for life. And replace this with a real ring when I can afford it.” He took out a Wonder Twins ring that she knew had to have come from Derrick, and held it out. “Will you marry me, Danielle Justice?”
She giggled with happiness. Not only for the proposal but also for Derrick’s obvious blessing. “As long as you promise never to call me Danielle again, the answer is absolutely yes.”
He slipped the ring on her finger and stood to kiss her.
“I love you more than words can express.”
Before he could pull her close, she threw her arms around his neck and planted her lips on his. After a protracted kiss, she leaned back.
“You know,” he said, “I’m going to like being married to a woman who doesn’t take a backseat.”
The doorbell rang and she groaned. “We’re already late for Ethan’s party, so don’t answer.”
“It’s Natalie.”
“Nat?”
“I invited her over to either congratulate me or console me, depending on your answer.”
“Did you really think I’d say no?”
He snaked an arm around her waist and dragged her close. “Not if I had anything to say about it.”
He lifted her into his arms and hurried to open the door.
Natalie’s eyes lit up. “I guess this means you said yes.”
Dani nodded. “Put me down, Luke, so I can hug my soon-to-be sister.”
He lifted his free hand in an abbreviated salute. “Yes, ma’am.”
“You already have him saluting you,” Natalie said. “Way to go, Dani.”
“Don’t let the guy fool you. He’s a real pushover.”
“Only for you,” Natalie said. “Only for you.”
* * *
At Ethan’s house, Dani twirled the Wonder Twins ring on her finger and smiled at Luke as he talked with Derrick. She hadn’t expected a proposal, and when Luke got down on one knee, happiness had stolen the breath from her lungs. Now she could hardly stand to be on the other side of the room from him. Their eyes met and she telegraphed her feelings. He excused himself and crossed over to her.
Thread of Suspicion Page 20