“We need more water!” someone yells, rushing by us as we reach the bottom. The flames are still crawling through the loading bay, taking hold of anything and everything they touch. “Over here! Don’t let it reach the door!”
Bedlam rages around us as Grizz all but drags me out through the large open loading bay to the back of the building. The cold air hits me hard and I lean over, bracing my hands on my knees as I choke, my lungs screaming for oxygen.
“Mom!” Jovie calls out, wriggling in Grizz’s arms until he puts her on her feet. I instantly drop to my knees and open my arms. The hug she gives me is tighter than a vice, but it’s short. She pulls back after a moment, pushing my hair back from my face so she can see my eyes. “Mom, are you okay?”
She pulls down the piece of material that was covering her mouth like a makeshift mask, letting it hang around her neck. It was tied together at the back with a ponytail holder—not hers.
I clear my throat and nod. “I’m okay,” I try to reassure her, tugging at her hair with a smile. She nods and rubs my back gingerly, while my attention moves to Grizz. He stands silently watching, his hands linked together on the top of his head as he sucks in long, deep breaths of fresh air.
With his hands up, I can clearly see his torn shirt.
And I can’t help but be mesmerized by the way his hair is catching in the breeze.
It’s the first time I’ve seen it out, and I know for a fact, had this moment not been life or death, I wouldn’t be able to keep myself from having to feel it in my fingers.
The thunderous roar of engines is the electric jolt I need back to reality, and I glance over just in time to see three Harleys tearing toward us, their tires skidding on the icy road as they glide in off the street.
Hades is the first off his ride, his eyes frantically assessing the situation.
“They need water,” Grizz announces, his body already moving back toward the bay to help out. “We need to stop it getting into the damn bar!”
Hades, Axel, and Mac join him, the four of them getting just a few feet before I yell, “Wait!”
They all freeze, even Grizz, looking back at me like I’ve lost my damn mind.
“Snow!” I croak, pointing to the ground and the sludgy piles around us. “Use the snow. It should smother the fire and wet things down so they can’t ignite.”
If years and years working in a bar and kitchen had taught me anything, it’s that grease fires are fucking scary, and putting them out is a skill you have to learn—often the hard way. Not everyone knows that fire thrives on oxygen, and water isn’t always the best option to kill them.
Sometimes, you’ve got to get creative.
The boys don’t question me, Hades stripping off his club cut and laying it on the ground. The others follow, using their jackets, boots, and anything they can get a hold of to scoop and carry piles of snow, while Grizz rushes inside to get more people and supplies.
Everything in me wants to get up off the ground and help, but my body refuses to move. While the shot of adrenaline my body soaked up before kept me going, the effects are wearing off, leaving pain and panic as the main feelings circulating through me.
No doubt Jovie can feel it, her hand moving in slow, shaky circles on my back while she leans into me. “It’s okay,” she repeats, her voice cracking a little, but my soldier stands tall. “Grizz and his friends will put it out.”
I nod, fighting a wave of tears—thank you panic—and watching Grizz and his brothers move like a well oiled machine. There’s no shouting, no alarm. Just rough, efficient teamwork. Each man knows his part. He knows what he needs to do to fight a disaster, and anyone else from the bar who joins them is swiftly given a job.
They scoop and throw.
Scoop and throw.
And soon, steam is rising into the air instead of smoke, and the orange glow from inside is barely flickering, fighting to survive.
I take a deep breath, pulling Jovie closer and wrapping my arm around her shoulders as she coughs. “You good?” I question, searching her eyes for any sign of her trying to placate me.
Her nod is small and she presses into me. “I’m okay,” she murmurs, swallowing hard. “But I was scared.”
Honesty.
She’s alright, but could have done without.
“Me too,” I admit quietly, figuring it calls for one of those honesty is the best policy moments. “I’m glad Grizz found you so quickly.”
“Me too,” she murmurs with a twitching smile. “I like that he’s so calm…”
She lets the words hang, and I let out a breathy laugh. “Unlike me?”
