“You.”
Her lips curl into a pleased smile. “I knew you’d remember me.”
“You’re the girl from Chasers. The one who asked me for salt.”
The smile melts into a frown. “That’s all?”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I want to shake her. I want to throw her against the wall and demand answers. But I also don’t give a shit who she is. Because Blair and Reed are in danger. They could be hurt. Trapped.
And I need to get to them. Now.
I move to push past her, but she grabs my arm with alarming strength.
“You really don’t remember me? After everything, after all I lost, you don’t remember me?” There’s a darkness, an emptiness in her eyes that makes my skin crawl. A lack where her humanity should be.
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, and I don’t give a shit. My girlfriend and her brother are up there.”
“You won’t be able to save them,” she says. Matter-of-fact. Like she’s announcing that there’s rain in the forecast when the sky is dark with swollen clouds.
“The fuck did you just say?” Maddox growls.
“I don’t want to see you hurt.” The blonde clings to my shoulders.
Deep revulsion rolls through me. “You’re her. The crazy bitch who threatened my family.” I want to scream. I want to rage. But first, I need to get to them. I turn to my guys and lock eyes withthem. “Someone needs to hold this bitch. I’m going to get Blair and Reed.”
There’s a shout from the base of the stairs, and a moment later, Kai stands in front of the woman who’s been threatening my family. There’s blood gleaming on the back of his head and anger in his eyes. And when she panics and tries to bolt around him, he reaches out and grips her arm hard enough to have her yelping. Then he slams her against the wall.
“In my back pocket,” he says to Maddox. “There’s a set of cuffs. Get them for me. The rest of you, go.”
I don’t wait to make sure Kai gets the bitch in cuffs. As soon as she’s out of my way, I’m pushing through the now-thinning stream of residents and racing to Blair and Reed’s door.
It’s closed but not locked, and I cover my hand with the sleeve of my coat in case the knob is hot, then push it open.
Thick, cloying smoke fills the apartment. My eyes burn as it spills out around me, and the guys and I cover our noses and mouths with our coats as we step into Hell.
Fire has almost completely consumed the kitchen. Hissing, spitting flames climb the wall above the stove. Something burns on one of the lit burners.
That bitch set fire to their apartment.
Frantically, my eyes sweep the apartment, looking for Blair and Reed, but I don’t see them.
“Fuck,” Maddox growls, catching up with us.
“Blair!” I push farther into the familiar apartment, tears blurring my vision. Both from the smoke and my panic. “Reed!”
“Check every room and closet,” Griffin shouts. “Be careful.”
Ryder nods, and so does Maddox. Then we split up, calling out for the love of my life and the kid I consider a little brother.
“Logan?” Her voice is faint and muffled, but when I hear it, I let out a sob. “Help, please!”
“Over here,” I scream at the guys, rushing toward Reed’s room.
With every passing moment, the smoke grows thicker, visibility drops, and my lungs burn. We have to get them out of here. And quick.
I turn the knob to Reed’s room, but it doesn’t give. “Blair, it’s me. Unlock the door!”
“We’re trying,” she shouts. Her voice is high-pitched and sharp with panic. “Hurry, Reed, we have to hurry.”
