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“Run!” I screamed just as Mikey lit the cloth in the bottle on fire.
Mikey lobbed the cocktail into the house. It hit the wall by the stairs. The glass shattered, gasoline spewed everywhere, and the wall and carpet became an inferno.
My heart raced a mile a minute. “Get to the vehicles, and we’ll meet at the rendezvous point. Go! Hurry!”
The fire spread quickly, the stairs already engulfed. Had anyone checked to make sure no one still hid up there? They’d be trapped.
Willa tugged on my hand. “Come on! Let’s go!”
I let go of her hand and took a step back, shaking my head. “No, you go. Someone has to make sure everyone gets out. And I’ll make sure that you get a good head start.”
Willa’s face crumpled. Her mouth popped open as she shook her head vigorously. “Sloane, no. It’s too dangerous.”
I glanced back at the SUV. Mikey stood beside it, and our gazes locked. The fire burned around him, trapping him inside with us. His eyes gleamed, and he grinned like he was the devil in the depths of hell. Maybe he was. Blood smeared across his face, making him look like he’d just stepped out of a horror movie, and he was the villain.
He waited for me like a predator waiting out its prey for the opportune moment to strike. If I stayed behind, it would give everyone else a chance to get away. I had to do it.
Jacob helped usher a few girls towards the hallway and then stopped next to Willa. “That’s everyone. You two go. I’ll hold him off.”
I gave Willa a gentle push towards her mate. “Are you sure that’s everyone?”
He nodded.
I held his gaze. “Good. Get Willa out of here. Help them all get out and get to the rendezvous point where it’s safe. I’ll find you once it’s over. Don’t leave for the rendezvous point yet.”
Willa’s bottom lip trembled.
I gave her another gentle nudge as I held Jacob’s gaze. “You have to go. I promise I’ll be right behind you. I’ll keep him distracted.”
I met my mother’s gaze over Willa’s shoulder. Her face fell, and she swallowed. I rushed into her arms and clasped her tightly. I had to make this quick. Mikey was watching, probably getting some sort of sick satisfaction out of our interaction.
I inhaled her scent. “I love you. I’ll see you in a few. If you don’t hear from us within an hour, start the evacuation.”
Erica wrapped her arms around me. “Sloane, please come with us.”
I pulled away and looked down at my baby sister. “I can’t. I have to make sure you and Mom are safe. Take care of each other.”
I tucked my palm under her chin. “I love you, Erica.”
My mom gave me one last hug. “I love you, Sloane. You better come back to me.”
She pulled back, tears brimming in her eyes before she, Erica, Willa, and Jacob hurried down the hall, leaving me alone with Mikey.
I turned around slowly, balling my fists at my sides. Mikey hadn’t moved.
The flames licked toward him, so close that it surprised me he wasn’t on fire. This didn’t seem to bother him.
The hairs on the back of my neck prickled.
He probably enjoyed the pain. I shuddered and clasped my hands so tight that my nails dug into my palms.
How could I fight a madman?
I swallowed and shuffled my feet forward. I was going to find out. Lincoln was alive, and he was out there, but he wouldn’t be coming to my rescue. Not anytime soon. He’d have to find a safe way into the house first. The smoke was thick and making it hard to see and breathe. I had no idea how bad the fire was, and who knew what else was out there?
Mikey grinned and lifted his brows suggestively. I never really understood the phrase “undressing someone with their eyes” until right now.
“I can see why my brother likes you so much. You are quite beautiful. And strong.” He rubbed his hands together. “I think I shall enjoy breaking you.”
