Hunter's jaw tightened, his eyes never leaving the flames.Annie pressed her hand against his arm until he looked at her."We can't wait.She's in there."
The fire was spreading fast, the smoke rolling thicker, swallowing the roofline.
Every second mattered.
The acrid smell burned her throat.Neighbors rushed out of their houses, voices rising in panic, phones held to their ears as sirens wailed faintly in the distance.
Leigh burst out from behind the house, her hair wild, her voice shrill."Help!My husband is inside!"she screamed, pointing back toward the flames.
Annie froze, horror flooding her veins.My husband?Why would she care about Jason?Why was she even here?
Baddy swore under his breath."What the fuck?"
Hunter's head snapped toward him, his voice sharp."What's going on?"
Baddy answered quickly and clearly."She's saying Jason's inside."
Annie gagged and covered her mouth.Her sister's sobs carried across the yard, desperately pleading for help as if all those years living with a man who enjoyed hitting her, demeaning her, had taken its toll, and she wanted the world to hear her.
A neighbor rushed from across the street, catching Leigh as she stumbled, holding her while she cried.
Annie turned to Hunter, her voice breaking."Please, let me go to her.She needs me."
Hunter's grip tightened, his eyes locked on the burning house.
Baddy stepped in front of Hunter, gaining his attention."Let her go, man.Law enforcement and the fire department are gonna be here any minute.You and I can't stay.But she can."
Before Hunter could answer, the ground shook with an explosion.The sound ripped through the air, followed by a series of sharp pops.
Annie looked at Baddy, almost going to her knees."No.No.No."
Someone, anyone, needed to tell her that those weren't gunshots.That Jason hadn't shot her sister inside a burning house.
Baddy's face paled."Ammo.That's ammo exploding."
Annie's heart lurched.She pulled against Hunter's hold and broke free.
Hunter frowned, unaware of the explosions around him or the conversation taking place.His only focus was on her, and she didn't have time to explain.Her sister needed her.
She mouthed, "I'm sorry."
Then she sprinted toward the fire, toward her sister, toward the chaos that threatened all their lives.
Leigh turned sharply to Annie, her eyes wide and filled with desperation."I'm fine.Just go along with whatever I say," she whispered, her voice trembling but urgent.
"Oh, my God.What did you do?"Annie's stomach twisted.
"I did the only thing I could do to stop him."Her sister stared at the house.
The reflection of the flames danced wildly in Leigh's eyes.Annie glanced down the street.Hunter and Baddy edged closer.
Hunter's gaze locked onto her.He wasn't looking around him.He couldn't hear the sirens.
She shook her head firmly, stopping them from coming any closer.This wasn't their problem.It was hers and Leigh's.She'd stand by her sister through whatever happened next.
She whispered, "You're not alone.I'm here with you now."
As much as she loved—yes, she had fallen for Hunter.And since she was used to putting others first, breaking that habit was tough.Family was family.She wouldn't turn her back on her sister.
