I could get my brother to the hospital or go after the woman I loved. There wasn’t time to do both. Lightning was on borrowed time and needed medical care. And I didn’t have a fucking clue what had happened to Ashley.
Life was cruel. I had to make a choice.
Then I saw the ambulance coming straight for me. It stopped on the side of the road, the lights flashing and siren still wailing.
“Stay with me, brother.” I jerked the wheel and pulled over.
Two paramedics rushed around to the passenger side door and started asking me questions I couldn’t answer. I told them what I could as they transferred Lightning into the back of the ambulance. Evidently, Stone had called them and told them to watch for me heading their way. With Lightning stabilized for the moment, I was free to go after Ashley. I bumped my fist against my brother’s and told him he’d better not fucking die on me.
He let out a weak laugh, which I took as a positive sign. Then I turned the truck around and tried to prepare myself for what I might find.
* * *
Ashley
My ears rangand vision blurred. The explosion had sent me flying, and I banged my head against a huge tree trunk. I tried to stand, but fell back to my knees. At least Thunder was safe. I’d seen him get into the truck and speed away right before everything blew up.
Rolling onto my back, I stared into the branches of the tall pine above me. Sparks drifted down, landing on the dry brush. It looked like a million fireflies dancing in the sky. I touched my hand to my forehead and pulled it back to find blood. The urge to get up and run battled with the need to close my eyes.
Flames licked at my feet. I tried to pull them up and curl into a ball while voices seemed to come from every direction. I needed to stay hidden. Thunder would never forgive me if I let myself get caught by the Savage Bones.
My vision started to clear, at least enough for me to realize the fireflies were pieces of the building. I’d been staying out of sight in the thick underbrush that was now catching fire.
“What the fuck are you doing out here?” Spike stepped out of the shadows to tower over me. A huge gash covered the left side of his face, and he stumbled closer. “You’re working with them, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Playing dumb wasn’t going to save me, but I hoped it would buy me a little time. At least long enough to convince my feet to work.
“Over here!” Spike yelled into the trees. A dark shape jumped up and knocked him down to the ground.
“Hades!” I’d never been so happy to see a wild animal in the woods.
Spike batted at the wolf, but it didn’t do any good. Hades growled, snarled, and backed toward me. I knew I didn’t have any reason to be afraid. Then the wolf snapped his teeth closed around the hood of my sweatshirt and started to drag me farther into the forest, away from the flames.
My head bounced over the uneven ground. Every bump felt like a huge spike being driven into my head.
“Stop. Please, Hades. I can’t take this anymore.”
Finally, we stopped moving. Fire swept through the hillside below, but he’d moved me out of harm’s way. Hades laid down next to me and burrowed his muzzle into my neck as he let out a soft whine.
I closed my eyes and gave in to the darkness.
CHAPTER12
THUNDER
We’d been searchingfor Ashley for hours with no luck. I was out of my mind worried about her and ready to strangle Priest. The fire had been put out thanks to the volunteer firefighters who’d shown up. There was no sign of anyone from the sheriff’s department, though I didn’t expect their support.
“Maybe we can get that drone back up in the air and see if we can find her with that.” Juice had come across the drone a couple hundred yards behind what was left of the building, but without a controller, it was useless.
“We’ll find her.” Atlas clamped a hand on my shoulder. “We’ve got everyone available out looking. It’s just a matter of time.”
Just a matter of time, but I had no idea if she was hurt. None of us expected the building to blow. She could be trapped under debris or one of the trees that got knocked down during the explosion. I’d never forgive myself for letting something happen to her. It was all my fault.
I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, trying to hold on to the hope that she was going to be okay. Something wet touched my hand. I swiped it across my jeans and looked down to find Hades. He’d been with Ashley when I left her at my cabin. The wolf and I had never been close, but he always seemed to be there for those who needed him most.
I leaned over and whispered into his ear. “Do you know where Ashley is?” If any of the guys could hear me, they’d probably think I’d finally lost my mind. “Take me to her. Please.”
Hades ran a few yards into the trees, then paused to look back at me like he wanted to make sure I’d follow.
