had no idea what the guy was doing. “What’s wrong?”
Alejandro jumped from the bed and grabbed his clothes. “Get dressed, and hurry. I smell smoke.”
Chapter Seven
Alejandro went straight for his armoire. He grabbed two of his nine millimeters and headed out the door, his mate right behind him. His first thought was to send Shane outside where he would be safer from the fire, if there was one, but his instincts told him to keep his mate at his side.
For all Alejandro knew, this was a trick, and Rico could be out there somewhere waiting to strike.
Men started filing out of their rooms. Alejandro saw Rourke helping Phillip down the stairs, taking each step slowly since Phillip’s stomach had grown.
“What the flip is going on?” Elijah asked as he raced toward them, sliding across the marble floor in his socks. He tried to stop but slid past them, hit the wall, and fell to the ground.
Shane sucked in a quick breath. “Are you okay?”
“I probably knocked some sense into myself.” Elijah got up and looked around. “I smell smoke, but I haven’t seen a fire.”
Alejandro had to find where the smoke was coming from so he could put the fire out before it rampaged through the mansion.
“Get everyone outside,” Liam yelled.
“No!” Alejandro hurried toward the wolf. “This could be a setup. I don’t want the mates going outside where they could possibly be a target.”
Liam frowned. “You think your brother did this?”
Alejandro wasn’t certain of anything right now. If Rico wasn’t responsible, it was one hell of a coincidence that a fire had broken out right after his brother had hit town.
“I don’t know. It could be any number of enemies we have. We just broke up a trafficking ring three weeks ago. Someone could be out for revenge for taking down their operation.”
Alejandro would rather believe that than think Rico would set fire to a house filled with so many people.
“Fine,” Liam said. “I’ll bring the mates by the front door. If it’s electrical or something that doesn’t have to do with enemies, they’ll be able to get outside.”
Alejandro turned to Shane. “Stay with Liam while I go find out where the smoke is coming from.”
“But I can help,” Shane insisted.
Alejandro cupped Shane’s face. “I know you can, but I don’t want my focus split. Besides, Liam is going to need help coordinating the mates, and he could use your help.”
Liam gave a slight nod, knowing full well what Alejandro was doing. There was no telling what Alejandro would find, and if someone was still in the house, he didn’t want Shane in harm’s way.
“Come with me and help me find Nando and Trey,” Liam said as Elijah joined them.
Shane looked hesitant but nodded, his features turning serious. “Okay, gather the mates and go to the front door. Got it.”
Elijah grinned. “You look so badass when you get all serious,” he said to Shane.
Shane frowned. “I think you need a hobby.”
“Honey boo, my life is already complicated. A hobby would just get in the way of chasing guys.” Elijah headed away.
Alejandro waited until Liam and Shane followed the quirky omega before he took off toward the kitchen. He was shocked when he saw a bright glow near the kitchen entrance.
“Call 911,” he shouted to Liam. “I see fire!”
“Got it,” Liam shouted back.
Rourke, Ben, and Samson joined Alejandro by the kitchen. Already Alejandro felt the heat, and he was still ten feet away from the entrance.
“We have to try and contain it,” Ben said. “Everyone grab a fire extinguisher and sweep toward the base of the fire.”
Alejandro knew how serious this was. Their home housed over twenty-five guys, and it would be a devastating loss if the mansion burned to the ground.
Ben turned toward Alejandro. “Have you seen Rosa?”
Shit. Rosa’s bedroom was off the kitchen. Had she gotten out, or was she trapped in there? The thought of her being inside, helpless, crying out for them tore at Alejandro’s heart.
“No, I haven’t seen her,” he said.
Ben looked more determined as he grabbed a fire extinguisher from the library and rushed back to them. He had two in his hands and tossed one at Alejandro.
“I’m going around the house,” Liam said. “I’m going to see if I can get into Rosa’s room from her bedroom windows.”
“Be careful,” Alejandro warned as he started spraying the base of the fire that seemed determined to spread. “We don’t know what we’re up against.”
“I’ll take that risk,” Liam said. “I’ll take any risk I have