I type out a light response, attempting not to alarm Blake.
Me: Don’t defile my phone with that cabrón’s name.
Levi: He was.
Walker: Why do you ask?
Blake: He was just here.
A chill unrelated to the cold disables me.
Brandon must sense my shift. “Boss?”
With my eyes still on the screen, I instruct, “Back to the barn.” My head snaps up. “Now!”
I type out my response and return my phone to my pocket.
Me: I’m on my way
Ace must feel my panic. He takes off at a breakneck speed before I direct him.
Wind whips against my skin, threatening to blow my hat off my head. But I don’t care. I’d give up anything if it meant protecting Blake.
The images of all the possibilities flash through my mind. None of them brings me a semblance of peace.
Ahead in the distance, a column of smoke rises into the air like a skyscraper.
My heart stops.
“Faster!” I shout in demand, and Ace obeys.
The sound of wood splintering meets my ears before the barn comes into view, confirming what I already know.
I didn’t think my dread could get any worse, but it does.
When the barn comes into view, the fire engulfing the walls pulls all the oxygen from my lungs. The velvet dance of lightcould be considered enchanting if it weren’t also destroying my love and my livelihood. Before Ace can come to a stop, I’m off his back and sprinting right for the flames.
My legs move faster than I ever thought was possible. “Blake!”
“Santi!” Blake’s reply is muffled by the roaring fire and thumping sound coming from the other side of the barn door.
I’m only a few feet away when I see the chain around the door handles. Without a second thought, I run for the bed of my truck on the other side. The large metal toolbox that permanently sits under the back window of the cab holds a variety of tools that I haven’t checked for some time.
Throwing open the top, I dig around. Wrenches, hammers, jumper cables…
Come on.
Come on.
There!
The fire breathes its embers toward me as I approach the doors. Ignoring the heat is nothing compared to hearing Blake scream for me.
“Santi! Help!”
The blades of the bolt cutters encircle a link on the chain. I take a deep breath to gather my strength, but my lungs fill with smoke. Pushing through the coughing, I thrust my hands together and break the chain. The ends dangle, and I grab hold of one end and tug.
The stench of burning flesh meets my nose, and it takes a moment for the pain to register in my hands.
