Page 47 of Steel

“Save my mom.”

“Don’t worry, kiddo.” In the background I heard sirens, horns blasting at the same time as the fire engine approached.

There were people everywhere, cheering and clapping.

The flames were too close to the door. I couldn’t risk opening it. Once the boy had been taken from me, I returned myconcentration to Violet, only then noticing she still had her seatbelt on.

“Seatbelt, Violet.” Fuck. The heat was oppressive, sweat forcing hair to cling to her face. Her pants were sharp, shallow, and her face was flushed. But she was listening.

Her hand immediately swept to the mechanism, pushing the button. She looked down, her shoulders heaving. Then she shot me a look, her eyes finally full of fear. “I can’t.”

“Try again.” As soon as she tugged on the belt, I reached in, completely aware the flames were just about ready to catch my jeans on fire.

“Get them out of there!” Marty yelled.

“Come on, brother. We don’t have any time to waste. The fire is about a foot away from the gas tank,” Axe said in as calm a voice as possible.

At this point, all I could do was to remain calm. Anything else and we could both lose our lives. I struggled with the belt, realizing for whatever reason it wasn’t budging. “I need a fucking knife. Does anyone have a knife?”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. I have one in the truck.” Axe started to run away.

There wasn’t enough time, the entire back of the Jeep smoldering, smoke making seeing anything almost impossible.

The dog was going crazy.

People were shouting.

Sirens were blasting.

And my goddamn heart was slamming inside my chest, echoing in my ears.

Adrenaline surged hot and violent through every vein, every thought centered on saving her life.

“Steel. Here.” Viper appeared, handing me his favorite hunting knife.

“We’re not going to make it,” Violet whispered.

“Bullshit. Keep your eyes on me.” I managed to smile while cutting the thick belt.

“A fire extinguisher. Get a goddamn fire extinguisher.” Whoever was directing had the right idea.

I had no time to worry. With sweat pouring off my brow and my mind one big, fucking blur, I finally managed to cut her free.

“Wrap your arms around my neck and hold on tight,” I told her, hopeful she heard me through the chaos.

She nodded once, doing what I asked. As soon as I had her, I pulled and of course her legs were tangled.

A fire extinguisher appeared, my brother taking control and spraying the foam on my legs. I tugged a little harder, thanking whatever God above when her body budged.

As soon as I had her free, I dragged her back by several feet just as the fire department rolled into the parking lot, sirens still screaming.

The crowd erupted in applause and whistles while I cupped both sides of her face and eased her feet to the pavement. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, miming thank you. A single tear slipped past her long eyelashes. My God, she was so damn beautiful. “I’m fine. I’m just… Damon. Damon!”

I backed away, smacking my hands on my hips.

“Mom. I’m fine. I’m right here.” Damon broke free from Axe, throwing his arms around her while the puppy jumped on their legs.