Arcayos lifts a baby from his mother’s arms and hands him to one of the firemen. He scoops the mother up, sets her in the hall, and shouts at her to find the fireman at the steps.
By the time the last person is out of the elevator, I can barely breathe. My throat feels like it’s sealed shut and burning. I step out after the last person and dizziness sweeps over me. Arcayos catches me in his arms.
Hawk’s gorgeous face, his perfect blue eyes, swim above me.
“Hawk…”
“Cassidy.” He scoops me up. “It’s going to be all right. I’ve got you, sweetheart.”
The world is no more.
When reality reasserts itself, I’m lying in a hospital bed. Daylight streams warmly through the window, the orangey-yellow glow of sunset. Louie and Ryan and the Jacksons smile down at me. Julie hugs me before my eyes are even fully open.
“There you are,” Tyrone says with a grin.
“We thought we were going to have to throw cold water on you or something,” Steve jokes.
“You guys want to get kicked out?” Colburn squeezes my hand. I smile up at him weakly, and his eyes are warm. “Hi there, kiddo.”
“Hi.” I struggle to sit up. “Where’s Hawk?” My voice is throaty, my throat sore.
“Oh, we see how it is,” Louie teases, waddling over and putting flowers on a table near me. “All your best pals are here, and the first thing she says is ‘where’s Hawk?’”
“Where’s the loyalty?” Ryan says with a toothy smile.
Everyone laughs. My face goes hot.
“I’m right here, Cassidy.” Arcayos bends over me at my right, closing his hand over mine. It feels huge and warm and safe.
“Well, he did save her life,” Julie says, looking at him gratefully.
“Don’t get a big head about it,” I tell him.
“Never.” His eyes sparkle.
“Did everyone make it out okay?” I ask.
“Everyone is just fine,” Colburn says. “Thanks to you two.”
“Yeah, helluva save, you guys,” Tyrone says. “Nice job. You almost got cooked in there, both of you.”
“All right, everyone out,” Colburn orders when the doctor shows up. “Clear out, give the doc some room.”
Everyone leaves, but not without squeezing my shoulder or shaking Arcayos’ hand. Julie kisses me on the forehead, and as she leaves she shakes Arcayos’ big shoulder.
The doctor gives his verdict; I’m fine, other than a little smoke inhalation. The sore throat will pass in a couple of days.
“I wish you’d let me check you over, Officer Gunderson,” he says to Arcayos.
“I’m fine, doctor. I don’t need checking up.”
“It’s detective,” I correct him.
Arcayos gives me a surprised, appreciative smile.
“Detective Gunderson, you could have serious damage to your esophagus,” the doctor says.
“I’m fine, doctor, really.”
He sighs, but shrugs. “I heard what you two did out there. It’s all over the news. You’re a couple of heroes.”
As soon as he’s gone, Colburn sits at my side and looks at both of us, then at me. “That was a close one. We almost lost you, Cass.”
“Nah. I’m good, Captain.”
He squeezes my hand tight. “Proud of you, kid. You too, Hawk. You’ve had a hell of a first week.”
I glance from Arcayos to Colburn, who’s looking at him as if he’s a gift from God. My throat tightens. “Thank you, sir.”
“How the hell you got that fucking elevator door open, I’ll never know, Hawk,” he adds. “The firemen say they must have loosened it. Good job. Both of you.”
Arcayos exchanges a look with me. He visibly relaxes. The tension in my chest loosens.
“The doc was right,” Colburn goes on. “You know the media’s started calling you the Dream Team?”
“Oh, God,” I groan, but I can’t help smiling.
Arcayos laughs. “There you go, Cassidy. Told you we’d make a good team.”
“If either of you need time off—” Colburn starts.
“Not a chance,” I tell him. “You know me. I’m not one to sit around and let everyone else have all the fun.”
“I’m fine, sir.” Arcayos nods when he looks at him. “Good to go.”
After the captain leaves, Arcayos sits at my side. “You are too stubborn.” His voice is low and warm as he takes my hand in his. “You are taking the time off.”
“Nope.”
“Yes.” He closes my fingers around his. “You will stay home until I say different.”
“When pigs fly.” I sit up and he puts a pillow behind my head.
“Stop arguing.”
“You stop first.” I want to be mad at him, but a smile slips onto my lips.
He growls softly, but brings my knuckles to his lips, brushing them gently one at a time.
“Don’t do that. Someone will see.” But there’s