Austin - Piper Stone Page 0,10

hell?

“You need medical attention.”

“No! No, please. You don’t… understand.” She fought with me, pummeling her fists weakly against my chest.

I stared into the blackness, finally hearing screams coming from another section of the hotel. Then there was a loud rumble, a crashing sound as a burst of flames rushed out of a broken window only a few doors down. Fuck. Fuck.

Growling, I eased her down and against the truck. “Stay here.”

Boom!

A wave of debris erupted from the front of another unit, glass and wood flying in our direction. Within seconds, the entire freaking place was going to go up. The sirens were getting closer. “We’re going to wait here.”

“No. That can’t… That can’t happen. I have to get my things.”

When she broke free of my hold, my reactions were far too slow. She almost made it to the door of the room before I was able to catch her, dragging her back instantly. “Listen to me. You’re going to fucking stay by the truck. I’ll get the shit. Promise me you ain’t gonna move.”

She nodded, the dim lighting of the parking lot allowing me to see utter fear in her eyes, but I doubted it had anything to do with the damn fire. She didn’t want to be found.

With me.

Well, hell, I couldn’t blame her. I bolted into the room, the electricity already shut off, the darkness oppressive. Where the fuck had she left her bag? Able to grab the keys, I felt my way through the room.

But not before the fire broke through the wall, climbing along the ceiling. The flames were burning far too hot, the blue hue as they licked across the ceiling telling. This was no accident. Shit. Even through the thick smoke, the fire highlighted her bag, the canvas already smoldering. After taking two long strides, I heard a cracking sound just as I wrapped my hand around her belongings.

Whoosh.

As debris swept over me, the force knocking me to my knees, I heard her scream. All four walls erupted in flames, one collapsing beside me. Holding my breath, I powered my way toward the door, racing into the air, the sounds now echoing. Pain blasted down my arm, but I managed to snag my jacket.

The look of relief on her face was palpable, but I wasn’t entirely certain whether it was more about her belongings. Another blast of sirens indicated the firetrucks were close. Her expression remained imploring, begging me to get her out of here. Growling, I fought to bite back the agony as I unlocked the door on her truck, hitting the unlock button then tossing her bag behind the seat, fighting to get into the hooded sweatshirt. I didn’t like this shit at all, but I damn well didn’t want to be found at the motel either.

Missoula was a big little town and everybody talked smack.

She huddled against the passenger door, slinking down in her seat as I revved the engine, screeching out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed. As I glared into the rearview mirror, the fiery orange glow indicated the entire place had gone up in flames. I pushed down on the gas, trying to keep my shit together. We made it only a mile before three fire engines and two ambulances passed, several law enforcement vehicles shortly after.

Franny remained silent the entire time, although I tell she was struggling in order to breathe. I darted a look, shaking my head. “I should take you to a hospital.”

“No. I’ll be fine.”

“What the hell is this about?”

She finally looked over at me, scooting closer. “You’re burned. Oh, God.”

“It’s nothing.” I flexed my fingers, grateful the injury wasn’t any worse.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Not your fault.”

I was surprised she wasn’t whimpering and after a few seconds, she shifted to an upright position. “What in the hell happened?”

Huffing, I tried to concentrate on driving. Where the fuck was I supposed to take her? “I don’t think it was an accident.”

“Jesus.” The way she issued the single word was like that’s what she expected me to say. Great. I’d been in town only a few hours and might be involved in some kind of horrific crime. Maybe her idea of getting the hell away wasn’t a bad one after all.

“You all right?” I managed.

“Yeah. Just… winded. But I’ll be all right. Trust me. I’ve been through worse.” She sighed, coughing again then folding her arms.

I didn’t want to ask her what the hell that meant. In fact, I remained quiet, the stench