Page 14 of Burn Protocol

I glance at my team. This one is on me. I wished for a cat on her first call, and fucking got it.

“Rodriques, Rivera, on the attack. Fernandes, with me.”

Rosa’s boots hit the ground just as quickly as mine as we storm toward the door. We check our equipment and oxygen, although this should be a quick in and out. Before we pass the threshold, we nod at each other once, and then we are engulfed in smoke.

***

It takes us eight minutes tops before we reemerge. Rosa holds a trembling Maine Coon which, other than some curled whiskers, is fine. We hand it over to one of the EMTs that cools it with a wet cloth and checks for smoke inhalation as if it were a human. Good.

I stride back toward the entrance while Fernandes speaks with the owner of the cat. The IC is issuing commands, but my gaze runs over the building. The flames have died out and the smoke starts to turn white.

“Rodriques, update?” I demand through my radio.

Fires can be deceiving. I know that like no other. Even if it looks controlled or put out, the timbers can flare up, setting everything ablaze again. I squint my eyes. My men are still in there and fire can spread rapidly in old buildings like this.

“The fire is controlled, boss. We got the seat of the fire,” Rodriques pants through the static.

“Any extensions?”

“No, lieutenant. It seems this fire was local. Knockdown is complete.”

“Good. Air time?”

“Seven minutes.”

“I want you out in five. Out.”

“Affirmative. Out.”

I run my hand over my soot-covered face and press my radio button one more time.

“Dispatch, Engine 2 here. ETA on the extra engine?”

The line crackles and then jumps back to life. Dispatch confirms a second engine is out and due to arrive in two minutes. Good. They can cool the place down as my crew grabs new air tanks.

My mouth runs dry from the heat, so I stride toward the truck to grab water. My eyes fall on the small blond figure sitting in the doorway. Maya, fuck. I’d forgotten all about her. Her blue eyes are wide open and her jaw is slightly slack. She has her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. She is scared.

I frown. Why? She is perfectly safe.

“Maya?” I ask as I move up beside her.

Part of me just wants to grab my bottle, but another part wants to know. If she is in shock, I have to act now.

But her eyes immediately find mine. There is a flicker there, something steady. Good.

“Are they still in there?”

“Who?”

“The two guys with the hose?”

“Rodriques and Rivera,” I say softly. “Yes. They are on the attack.”

“Attack?”

She frowns, a light crease forming between her brows. Before I can answer, her lips curl up.

“Because they attack the fire.”