Throughout her story, I feel my face growing hotter and hotter. I do my best not to grip her tighter, but I need the reminder again.
She’s in my arms.
She’s safe.
When Blake finishes, Levi whips his head to Santiago, his body tight and his voice taking on the harshness of shattering glass. “What the hell were you thinking? You ran into a burning building?”
Hudson finishes dressing Santiago’s burn and sits back, awkwardly twiddling his thumbs and moving his eyes to look anywhere but what’s happening right in front of him.
Santiago rolls his eyes. “I didn’t do it alone.”
“One idiot following two more doesn’t make this better.”
Santiago’s expression turns serious as he drops the mask once more. “You didn’t hear them screaming. I needed to get the horses out.”
Levi deflates, his borderline-belligerent demeanor fading. If anyone understands the need to rescue an animal, it’s Levi.
“Didn’t you leave Javier with Blake?” I question Santiago.
He nods.
“Could he have—” I start
Santiago sits up straight. “Absolutely not. No way. Javier would never do something like this.”
“Then where is he?” I interrogate.
Santiago’s face tightens with strain. “I don’t know.”
I nod in understanding. “Jolene radioed Tess and Ridge when Levi and I left the station. They should be here any minute. I’ll have them start a search ASAP. We’ll be losing daylight soon.”
“I can help with that,” Hudson volunteers. “Unless someone else gets injured.”
“Thank you,” Blake expresses.
“Now,” my tone turns menacing, “where’s Manny?” I spin in a slow circle, scanning the entire area for any sign of him.
Levi’s eyes narrow. “Yeah, where is that asshole? I need to have a talk with him.”
“Get in line,” Santiago snarls.
“I don’t know,” Blake answers. “He dropped the lighter and walked away.”
My jaw locks as I growl at Santiago. “If that wrangler of yours?—”
“That’s enough,” Blake scolds the three of us, “Santiago, this is not your fault. Levi, I know you’re worried, but tone it down a bit, please. Walk, no one could’ve seen something like this coming. We need to focus on finding Javier and Manny.”
Releasing a pacifying breath, I nod. “I agree.”
“Santiago needs to stay on oxygen, so the rest of us can start the search,” Blake directs. “You can put me down now, or do you plan on carrying me everywhere while you do your sheriff thing?”
Nice try.
“Not a chance, Baby Girl. Stay with Santiago. Hudson, don’t let him leave until he’s all patched up. Blake doesn’t leaveeither.” I maneuver Blake, setting her feet inside the ambulance and urging her inside. “Levi, let’s go.”
Levi places his hands on Blake’s hips and guides her into his spot as he stands.
“Hey!” Blake shouts in indignation.
