Page 12 of Day of the Storm

He pushed with his legs, trying to relieve inevitable pressure on his rescuer.

She’d have tons of bruises tomorrow. She hadn’t had to come for them. He’d never forget that.

This woman wasn’t a police officer; he was almost certain of that.

“Thank you,” he said. “No matter what happens, thanks.”

She just nodded. He felt it more than saw it. Her ponytail brushed his chin. “We’ll get you out soon.”

And then someone was yanking on them again.

Hard.

He kept his legs working, giving one last good push as their bodies slid across what was left of the cheap tile floor that had once been the TSP lobby.

When they came to a stop, he just laid there, a death grip on the woman’s wrists.

Finally, he let go and took his first breath of fresh air.

And looked for Autumn Jane.

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Everyone started cheering.A. J. was afraid to breathe.

And then with a sound she’d never forget, the woman who’d rescued her and Sean was being pulled across the glass and tile.

Sean was wrapped tightly around her.

He was out.

Thank God, they were both out.

“Sean!”

A. J. jerked away from her brother, who had given up trying to get her to leave and instead had wrapped her in a blanket.

She pushed her way through the small crowd. “Sean!”

He turned. He’d heard her.

He was covered in white dust. The rain was making quick work of it. He wiped his eyes quickly, leaving claylike streaks on his cheeks.

His rich, dark hair was coated in it.

He’d never looked more beautiful to her.

And he was coming for her.

He pushed through the crowd, too. He ignored the slaps on the back from his colleagues and friends.

He was focused on her.

A. J. took another step.

And then his arms were wrapping around her, and he was just holding her right there in the rain.

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