Page 159 of Burning For You

She was already climbing out, already moving toward him where he stayed next to Sara on the roof and made sure one small move didn’t send her toppling down.

Ash reached for her, pulling her close as Alan got Sara and carried her down. He stayed behind Skye, guiding her, protecting her until her sneakers hit the ground.

Firefighters surged past them, battling the inferno that had almost taken everything from him.

He dragged Skye onto the grass, away from the heat. Her arm was bleeding, he guessed it was the glass, but she was breathing. Alive. Covered in smoke and ash and tears.

He pulled her close to him and rather than hold her, he found himself yelling.

“What the hell were you thinking coming here?” he demanded.

She shoved at his chest. “I didn’t want it to be true! I didn’t want to blame anyone else. I’ve done enough damage doing that! I had to know before I said more. That’s it. It was only to have proof.”

“You didn’t do that much damage. That was Alan,” he said quietly. “He helped get you out.”

Her eyes widened. “It was? But that’s his job.”

He nodded. “It is. Just like mine. And I owe him an apology.”

He should have never doubted the guy but let love cloud his judgment.

“So do I.”

“And he’ll take it,” he said. “Someday he’ll understand too.” His voice broke. It wasn’t the time to fight. “What did you go back for?”

She pulled a phone from her pocket. “This. One of his burner phones. The last email is on it. We know who it is now. Sean. I needed that proof. Even if he got away, we still know. We’ve got this.”

“Tate has him,” he said, kissing her hair, grateful to have her in his arms.

“He does? How?”

A hollow laugh escaped him. “I hit him with my truck. Then beat the shit out of him until your brother showed up.”

“Stop,” she said. “This isn’t funny.”

“I’m not joking,” he said, brushing soot from her cheek. “He told me I could keep him there… or save you.”

Her breath hitched. “You came for me.”

“I was coming no matter what,” he said. “There’s nowhere he could have gone where I wouldn’t have found him.”

“Or my family.”

“Or your family,” he agreed. “Your real one. The one that’s always had your back.”

She looked at him through tears. “Thanks to you.”

“I did the right thing,” he said. “And I’d do it again.”

“Even if it meant waiting so long to have me?”

He rested his forehead against hers. “As long as I get you in the end… that’s all that’s ever mattered.”

40

TRYING TO BREAK FREE

The smell wouldn’t leave.