Page 57 of Built of Flames

A kick to her side sent her flying across the floor, and then he kicked her head.

Bella swallowed hard and fought to stay conscious.

A whoosh filled her ears, and the room lit up as the gasoline burned brightly. The heat was instantaneous, and she knew it would only get worse.

She could hear Kent roaring with laughter as her clothes burned. It would take a few minutes for the wood to ignite, but Bella wouldn’t have a lot of time before the smoke from the clothes filled the room.

Kent hauled her to her feet again and shook her. “You see that? You see what happens when you screw with my family? You’ll die knowing you’re only the first to go.”

Bella grabbed his shirt, trying to stop his movements.

When he tried to throw her into the fire, she held on tight and brought him with her.

Mitch’s stomach lurched when Christo’s phone rang. His sharp inhale made it worse. “What? What’s happened?”

“There’s another fire call. It’s our address, Mitch. Floor it.”

He did. He wished he’d had time for the driving lessons offered by Graham at Midnight Lake. It might add seconds, and those were precious at the moment.

He didn’t know who was on the phone with Christo. It didn’t matter. “Call the cops. It’s Kent Speers, and he’s got Bella. Hurry.”

Only a few blocks to go. As he neared the four-way stop, Mitch slowed a bit, but laid on the horn repeatedly, hoping to have others stop.

A truck stopped on his left and stayed when the man spotted him.

Mitch nodded his thanks at the man and kept driving.

Two blocks.

“I see smoke.” Christo’s voice was shaky.

Mitch didn’t look up, didn’t want to see it.

Finally on their street, he roared up to the house and slammed on the brakes in the driveway. Some neighbors called out to him, but he ignored them all.

He and Christo flew out of the truck.

The smoke wasn’t coming from the house at all. It was coming from the apartment above the garage.

So was the fire.

Bright orange flames lit up the front window, but the side near the door was still clear.

Grateful they were still in their turnout gear, Mitch pounded up the outer stairs with Christo right on his heels.

He tried the handle, but it didn’t turn. Locked from the inside. Where were the keys?

Most of the equipment for taking down doors was with the fire engine. There might be something they could use in the truck, but they didn’t have time.

Bella was inside.

“On three.” Christo said, then counted it down.

The two of them slammed into the door.

It took two tries, but finally the door broke in.

Something hit Mitch’s shoulder, but he didn’t check to see what it was. Smoke filled the room and they needed to find Bella.