Some of the smoke cleared and he saw her. Lila was lying on the ground facedown, her arm reaching toward him as if she’d known he was coming.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t alone. Bobby stood over her, the flames illuminating his body and the way he pointed his gun at Lila’s head.

“If I can’t be happy, why should you?” Bobby asked.

Armie lifted his weapon but he knew he would be far too late.

A flame from the couch licked up and struck like a snake. Bobby’s shirt caught fire and he jerked as he pulled the trigger, launching the bullet away from Lila, but toward another target. Armie felt the bullet hit his gut and the pain flashed through him. Bobby screamed as the fire engulfed him.

The sounds would haunt him, but he couldn’t give in to the horror. Lila was too close to that fire, and Bobby could still take her out if he fell on her. He thrashed and tried to drop to the floor, but it was too late.

Armie gripped Lila’s hand and dragged her back. The pain was starting to get to him, but he couldn’t falter. He forced his body to work, holstering his weapon. If another bullet was coming his way, there would be nothing to do but take it. He leaned down and lifted her up even as Bobby’s screams shook the building.

He had to get her out, get her breathing. Was she breathing?

Every step was agony, but he made it to the hall. The fire chased him and he knew there wouldn’t be a way to get those tanks out in time. Roxie met him halfway.

“Joe’s coming in,” she shouted.

He shook his head. “Tell everyone to get back. Those tanks are going to blow.”

She turned and shouted to the men starting to come into the building.

He ran, knowing their time was almost done. Lila hadn’t moved at all. She was dead weight in his arms, but he would stay with her. He would get her out or go with her.

He hit the back door running.

Then the world exploded. He held her close and prayed he could stay with her forever.

chapter nineteen

The world was a foggy mess as Armie came to some semblance of consciousness. His whole body felt heavy. Voices pierced the veil of his haze.

“The doctor said it could be a few weeks before he’s on his feet again.”

“I doubt that, hon. That father of yours will be up and irritable as a bear in no time at all,” a familiar voice said. “I’m more worried about how he’s going to handle what happened to Lila.”

Lila. It all came rushing back. They’d been in a fire. They’d nearly died. He’d had her in his arms when the oxygen tanks had exploded.

What had happened to Lila?