CHAPTER Twenty

Lora slammed the car door behind her and stared up at her house. Still blocked off by yellow police tape, the sides of the once-white house were charred black. Birds chirped from the trees, and heat rose from the sidewalk in waves. The broken windows in the front of the house had been boarded up. Her brothers must have put up the boards, but those damn boards blocked her from seeing what—who—was inside.

And she didn’t see anyone outside, but she was pretty sure that Seth could see her.

She had no weapons. No protective gear if a fire broke out—and it would.

Fear grew in her belly, knotting, tightening her insides, and her breath came far too fast. Kenton was in there. He’d damn well better still be alive.

Lora crept toward the porch. There were no cars around. No one on the street or in the nearby yards. No one to help.

Bring the cops, he dies.

When she stepped onto the porch, the acrid scent burned her nostrils, and her hand rose to cover her nose and mouth instinctively.

Gasoline.

She froze as every muscle in her body tensed. He would have set a trap for her. She wasn’t stupid. She knew what he was doing. Same game, fresh bait—Kenton.

I won’t leave him for the flames.

She wouldn’t leave a stranger, so she sure as hell wouldn’t leave someone she cared about.

Screw that—someone she loved.

Forcing her muscles to unlock, she raised her hand and pressed her fingers against the door. No heat. She didn’t smell smoke, just the gasoline. Seth hadn’t started the fire. Not yet. That meant there was still time.

Her fingers curled around the doorknob.

I’m coming, Kenton.

The sheets binding his right hand finally tore, and Kenton snarled as his hand broke free. He lunged up and struggled to free his left hand even as he heard the squeak of a door’s hinges echo through the house.

The front door. Lora. “Get out! Don’t come any farther!” he screamed. “Get the hell out!” She wouldn’t die for him. She damn well would not die for him.

“No, Lora.” Seth’s rumbling voice came from right outside the bedroom. “Come in…”

Then Seth was in the doorway. He stood right there on the threshold, with his body half in the room. Smiling that sick, twisted smile, he rolled a match between his fingers.

The overpowering scent of gasoline choked Kenton. The sheet wouldn’t give. The knots on his left hand were too tight.

Footsteps pounded up the stairs. “Seth! What have you done? Where’s Kenton, you bast—”

“Your lover’s here.” Seth eased back and lit the match on the side of the doorframe. “Now see if you can save him.” Then he tossed the match right into the puddle of gasoline near the door.

Fuck!

Fire blazed up and raced around in that long, perfect trail that Seth had made—the path that ended on the bed.

The flames came for him.

Seth laughed and yanked the door closed.

Lora.

Kenton knew he wasn’t going to see her again.

The soft whoosh of the flames filled her ears as Lora ran up the stairs.

“Burn, burn, burn,” Seth chanted, smiling at her with blood on his lips. He wore that sick freaking grin as he stood in front of her door.

The smell hit her. Smoke. Fire. The scent came from her bedroom. “Kenton!”

“Circle of flames… can’t get him… can only hear him scream…”

But Kenton wasn’t screaming. He wasn’t making a sound. She reached the landing and ran right at Seth, tucking her head low and slamming into his chest.

Her brothers had taught her well.

Seth hit the door, hard, wood broke, and they tumbled inside.

Right into hell.

Lora rolled away from him and narrowly missed the flames. She ripped away the bottom of her shirt. She shoved it over her mouth and nose as she yelled, “Kenton!”

Smoke filled the room. So fast. Those dancing yellow flames were everywhere.

Her gaze flew to her bed. Flames arched from the mattress and rolled toward the ceiling.

Jesus, where was Kenton? Where?

“Go find him, bitch.” Seth slammed his hand into her back, sending her right at the flames. She fell flat on her stomach. Fire raced up her arm. She screamed and slapped out the fire.

Pain. Burning agony that pierces beneath the skin.

“Kenton!”

Seth was running away. She heard the thud of his footsteps as he ran down the stairs.

“Lora…” The call of her name was soft. Tears poured down her face, but those tears weren’t from the heat of the fire. They came from fear.

She crawled on the floor. The flames circled around, in a big loop, confined now, but not for long.

He was there. Kenton. He’d tucked his body low on the floor. “Asshole… poured gas all over my chest, my face…”

Her heart froze. If the fire touched him… “Strip off your shirt! Dammit…” She coughed, choking. “Now!”

She ignored the pain in her arm. Lora didn’t look at the burns—she didn’t want to. Her hands went to his shirt, and she yanked it off. The fabric was wet beneath her fingers. Soaked with gas. Sick bastard. He would pay.

Cover. Kenton needed cover over his bare flesh, but everything was burning. The fire spread rapidly now. Her curtains were melting away, and bubbles formed on the ceiling.

And the smoke was choking her as it filled her lungs and stole her breath. Her eyes stung, and she could barely see.

They had to get out. They were on the second floor. Asphalt was below them—her driveway a bull’s-eye drop below. They could have broken legs or—

Kenton coughed, then leaned in close. “B-bastard b-boarded up… window…”

Dammit! The flames were too hot and too out of control. She grabbed his hand. “Stay with me.”

The broken door waited for them. Seth waited. But facing him was their only option.

She ran for the door, dodging the flames, and kept Kenton’s hand in hers. So much fire.

He cursed behind her, the sound ripe with pain. Lora jumped and twisted through the door. He came behind her, falling, rolling, and she was on him instantly. Lora slapped at the fire on his shoulders and the skin burned and blistered on her fingers.

Her injured hand went to his face. Her fingers curled around his jaw. “I wasn’t l-leaving you.” The smoke was strong here. They had to get down the stairs. She crushed her mouth to his. “Come on… Kent, let’s… get… out of h-h—”

“It’s not that easy.” Seth’s voice drifted up to her, carrying right over the crackle of flames.

She lurched to her feet and didn’t let go of Kenton’s hand. Wouldn’t let go. They were getting out, together. “Down the stairs.” They rounded the banister, took the first few stumbling steps, and she saw him.

Seth stood at the bottom of the staircase, a can of gasoline by his side and a match in his hand.

He’d rigged the stairs.

“R-run,” she ordered Kenton, shoving him. “Run!”

Seth lit his match.

“We’ve got her!”

Monica turned at Luke’s shout. He had his phone shoved against his ear. His eyes were glittering and his jaw tight as he called out, “The bastard’s at Lora’s house! He’s got her and probably Kenton inside—”

“Get the patrols moving!” Hyde bellowed as he ran for the door. “Now! Garrison—get your trucks there!”

Monica hurried past Sam. Sam’s eyes were wide with tears glinting on her lashes.

Spade’s house. What a perfect kill spot for MacIntyre. He’d already feel comfortable there, and the exterior of the house would be weak from the previous fire. The better to collapse quickly. Another trap just waiting to spring on Phoenix’s prey.

Monica jumped into the nearest patrol car, and Luke climbed in right behind her. A fresh-faced cop was already buckled up behind the well. “Get that siren on,” Luke demanded, “and haul ass.”

The flames came at Kenton. He swore and tightened his hold on Lora. “Jump!” They went over the banister together. They hit the floor, hard, and Kenton felt his ankle pop. Dammit. “Lora! L-Lora,” he coughed, choked, and finally managed, “Are… you—”

She rose next to him. Tears streamed down her face and the fire reflected in her golden eyes. “Okay. I–I’m…”

“You’re going to burn.”

Kenton turned his head and saw Seth standing in front of the doorway. The bastard had hammered boards in front of the door. He’d locked himself in with them? With the fire?

Crazy bastard. “You’ll… burn w-with us.” Glass seemed to cut Kenton’s throat with every word. There had been so much smoke in that bedroom.

Then Lora had come to him. She’d sailed right through the flames.

An angel in hell.

“The fire won’t hurt me.” Seth straightened his shoulders and laughed. “I control the flames.”

“Bullshit.” Lora didn’t get off the floor. She stayed crouched next to him, and Kenton wondered just how “okay” she really was. “The fire’s got… you before. If it…” She broke off, coughing, “weren’t for C-Carter, that fire would have… killed you.”

Finally, that sick devil’s grin slipped. “That fucking beam shouldn’t have given way! It was rotted wood, I–I didn’t know—”

“What?” Lora gasped. Now she was on her knees and glaring at Seth as the fire raged. “You set that f-fire, didn’t you? You set it!”

And as the puzzle pieces slammed into place, Kenton was willing to bet Seth had set that one and dozens more. “You set it, then set… y-yourself up as the hero.” Now it was Kenton’s turn to cough and choke on smoke, “s-stopping the flames…”

“I always stopped the flames! I controlled them!”

“You were supposed to s-stop the fires, n-not start them!” Lora screamed. She yanked at what was left of her shirt and tore more fabric free. She forced the cloth into Kenton’s hand.

“I did stop them!” Another match was in his hand. Kenton saw it rolling between Seth’s fingers. “I was the lead on Garrison’s team. I saved people, so many… damn,” Seth coughed, “people—”

Kenton covered his mouth and nose with the cloth that she’d given him. The smoke was thicker around them. The fire was rising steadily. They could talk all fucking day… and burn.

Enough of this shit.

“You saved them?” Lora shrieked. “You set them up to b-burn—”

Kenton lunged for the bastard, and his ankle nearly gave way, but he pushed on, stumbling—

Seth pulled out a gun. My gun. Shit.

“Don’t be a hero.” Another cough broke from Seth. The smoke was finally getting to him, too. Seth aimed the gun at him. “It really doesn’t fucking pay. All you get is pain. Then… when you’re down, when your f-flesh,” he coughed, “is peeling from you, and you can’t even piss by y-yourself, the world turns away.” The gun shook.

They had to get out. None of them were going to last much longer. With the windows boarded up, the heat was trapped inside and searing them all. “Before I–I wanted to prove that I knew the—the fire better than anyone else…”

Because you set it, you freak.

“A-after…” He raised his arms and the barrel of the gun shifted. “I couldn’t f-fight the fires. Garrison benched me. Me.”

The bastard brought the gun back up and aimed it right in the middle of Kenton’s chest.

The fire or the gun…

At least the gun would be faster. Burning wasn’t the way he wanted to go.

But what about Lora? He had to get her to safety. If he took out Seth, she’d have a chance.

Have to hurry. The flames… His body trembled.

“You…” Her voice was a hoarse rasp. “You killed… innocent people…”

“Guilty… I knew… Peter said…” Seth raised the gun and swiped his forehead. The guy weaved a bit.

What? Christ, they didn’t have time for this. “You’re gonna die here, with… us.” It hurt so badly to speak, but Kenton wouldn’t show weakness to this asshole. “The fire’s gonna judge you, too.”

“L-let it. I-I’m ready…”

Kenton wasn’t. He’d just found Lora. He didn’t want to die. He wanted her. Wanted a home. Wanted kids. A dog. Hell, maybe even a damn picket fence.

And he wouldn’t let that fire have her. Not her.

Kenton leaped at Seth, ignoring the pain shooting from his ankle.

The gun fired.

“Kenton!”

No!

The explosion echoed over the flames and Lora lurched up—even as Kenton fell. He sagged in front of Seth and slid to his knees.

Then Kenton’s hand shot up, locked around Seth’s, and curled tight around the wrist that still held the gun. Kenton pulled, hard.

A hand shouldn’t go back that far.

Seth screamed. His anguished cry tangled with the fire.

Something cracked. Bones. The gun fell to the floor.

Kenton shoved the killer back against the door. Once. Twice. Seth’s head rammed into the boards that he’d nailed up. His eyes widened, then rolled back into his head.

He slumped, his body sliding down to the floor as Kenton crawled back.

Lora grabbed Kenton and held tight. “Kent…” No more than a rasp. Hurts to breathe. “You… s-scared m-me…” His chest was wet.

Her shaking fingers lifted. That wetness wasn’t sweat. Red. Blood. “Kenton?”

His eyes were open, barely. His lips tried to curl. “L-love… y-you…”

“No…” No, you can’t do this! “No!” He was dying right in front of her. So much blood….

The blood soaked his chest. Covered her. His hand lifted and brushed over her cheek. “G-go…”

Her tears fell onto his skin. Didn’t he know her by now? “Not without you.”

She saw the fear in his eyes. Fear and pain and love as he choked out,

“G-go!” Her head bent, and she kissed him with tears on her lips and fire teasing her flesh. “I love you.” She’d say it. She’d make damn sure he heard her. “I love you.” He’d know that, no matter what. “We’re not dying here.” Her promise to him.

I am. It was in his eyes.

“No,” she whispered. “You’re not.”

Lora staggered to her feet. She managed to grab the wood across the door, and she pulled. Give way, come on, just give—

The damn wood wasn’t budging. Seth had nailed the boards across the door, into the frame, and he’d secured them fast while she and Kenton fought the flames upstairs.

Her gaze flew to the windows as she covered her mouth. They were boarded from the outside, but maybe…

The wood covering the window to the right shattered, and the broken shards flew into the house. An ax glinted in the light. Lifted. Drove down again.

More wood flew.

Backup. Help. The good guys.

She grabbed Kenton and pulled him with her. “It’s okay…” His eyes were closed. His face so pale. “We’re g-gettin’ out—”

“Lora!” A woman’s scream.

Then Kim was there as the agent shoved her upper body through the window. “Spade! You fucking answer me!”

“H-help!” Almost there, just a little more…

Kim jumped through the window and skirted the flames. “Oh, shit…” She covered her mouth with one hand and grabbed for Kenton with the other.

They dragged him. Together they pulled and battled the flames with couch cushions and rugs, and they got Kenton to that window.

Kim hopped through first, but she kept a tight grasp on Kenton’s arm and heaved…

Kenton groaned.

You’ll be okay. Hold on… Lora couldn’t speak anymore. Too much smoke.

She started to sway, and her hold on Kenton slipped.

He went through the window. Outside. He’d gotten out of the fire. Safe.

Sirens screamed. More help was coming. EMTs. They’d get Kenton and make him better. They had to.

She braced her hands on the window. Seth was still in there. The fire surrounded him.

Let him burn.

The vengeance that she’d wanted for so long was right there. The man who’d killed Carter, who’d attacked Kenton—it was his turn to burn.

But she glanced back.

And found Seth standing right behind her.

“You’re n-not gettin’ out,” he whispered, and his arms locked around her. “You wanted C-Carter… for so long, let’s go j-join him.” He pulled her right back into the fire.

No!

She spun against him and rammed her knee into his crotch even as she slammed her fist into his jaw. His hold loosened, and she scrambled back, back—

“You’ll burn!”

Lora tripped on the broken boards and fell onto the floor.

He laughed. “So… easy…” Seth lunged for her.

A gun fired. Once. Twice.

Seth froze. His mouth hung open, and his wide, startled eyes stared down at her. The flames gathered behind him.

Lora’s fingers tightened on the gun that she’d just grabbed. Kenton’s gun. It had been thrown down earlier, but not forgotten.

Seth sank to the floor.

Blood pooled on his chest. Her brothers had taught her to shoot, too.

With a roar, her stairs collapsed. The ceiling gave way as the fire rose ever higher.

She crawled to the window, choking, gagging now, hurting. But that fresh air was so close. Kenton—he was out there. She had to get to him.

Lora dropped the gun. Her hands reached up and curled around the window ledge. She pulled up, straining her muscles.

“I’ve got you.” Kim stared down at her. The agent grabbed her arms and hoisted her up. “Told you… having me… your lucky day.”

Lora fell onto the porch and barely felt the pain as her body rammed against the wood. She gasped, struggling to take in a full breath.

A swirl of red and blue lights flashed before her. Brakes squealed. Voices shouted.

Kim’s arms wrapped around Lora, and Kim supported her. “Let’s get out of here.”

Lora didn’t look back again. She looked for Kenton and found him laid out on the grass, not moving.

Please, no.

Kim pulled her. “Come on, Lora, come on.”

Firefighters jumped from the truck.

Lora fell by Kenton’s side. Her fingers, covered with red blisters, touched his face. “Kenton?” She leaned in close. His eyes were still shut. She could see the bullet wound. Deep and close to his heart. “Don’t… leave me.” Her chest wheezed as she fought for breath.

“Where the hell is he?” a man shouted. The voice was familiar—Hyde.

Lora rocked forward, staying close to Kenton.

She’d been here before. Nearly the exact scene. She took his hand again. Another day. Another fire. Another man.

Not again. Please, God, not again.

“The suspect’s still inside,” Kim shouted from right behind her, but Lora didn’t look back.

“Alive?” Monica’s voice. Lora didn’t look at her, either. She didn’t look anywhere but at Kenton. Her hands were on his chest, pressing hard as she tried to stop the blood from pumping out.

“Doubtful,” Kim said, “but—”

“I need h-help with the bleeding!” Lora screamed. He wasn’t dying in front of her. He wasn’t. “Kenton, open… your eyes!”

“Lora…” He breathed her name.

“Don’t l-leave me.” A desperate order. “You… can’t.”

His eyes still didn’t open, but his lips moved, a bare whisper. “Won’t.”

Then the EMTs were there. They pulled her back to check Kenton. They started swearing as they hurriedly loaded him onto the gurney.

“She’s hurt, too.” Kim grabbed her shoulder, and Lora barely felt the touch.

“Spade!” Garrison shoved toward her, with Rick and Max right at his heels. “Spade, thank Christ!” He reached for her and hauled her into a bear hug. She pressed back against him for a moment, just a moment, and held tight. “Lora—Lora, what the hell happened—”

She shook her head and tugged free. There was so much to say. So many secrets. But Lora couldn’t stand to be away from Kenton right then. She hurried back to his side. Her eyes squeezed shut. I can still see the fire.

Something brushed against her fingertips. Light. Familiar.

Her eyes opened. Kenton’s fingers pressed against hers.

Her head lifted. His eyes were open. On her.

I love you. Her turn to whisper.

He smiled, showing her a ghost of his dimples.

“Get him to the hospital,” Monica ordered, “now!”

The EMTs lifted him, and their fingers broke apart. “I’m c-coming… with h-him!”

“Damn straight,” Kim muttered. “You look like hell.”

Lora ran beside the men, brushing away their questions. Kenton came first. He had to get stable. They had to make certain the bullet hadn’t nicked his heart. He’d need blood, a transfusion, saline—

“We know, Lora!” Carl, one of the EMTs, said, and she realized she’d been shouting the whole time.

They loaded him up. She crawled inside, then turned around and saw—

Her house. Burning. Red and orange flames. So bright.

My home.

Two firefighters ran out, but their arms were empty. No body. The flames were too hot. The fire too strong.

Seth MacIntyre was still in that house.

Burn.