Firestorm - Ellie Masters Page 0,92

back. But I need to leave.

“Keep her safe for me.” I slap my brother on the arm and race inside to grab my gear and head out. When I exit the house, Cage and Evelyn are talking to Prescott and his wife.

I hear Evelyn tell them about the house fire as I race to my truck. All I want is to stop in my tracks, turn around, and go to my girl. But I don’t.

I hop in my truck and head off to meet my team.

Last to arrive, they’re gathered around the table, leaning over a set of maps.

“What’s up?” I ask, a little out of breath.

“San Rios fires,” Smokey says.

“How bad?”

“Bad.” Smokey takes my hand in his and gives an abrupt shake. “This is going to be a tough one, ladies. They’re spinning up the entire state for this one.”

Shit. That doesn’t sound good.

A text flashes across my screen. I hope it’s Evelyn, but it’s Grady instead.

Grady: You headed to San Rios?

Me: Yes.

Grady: They spun up the fire station. Maybe I’ll see you there.

It’s got to be a bad fire for them to pull local assets like that. If Grady’s going, it leaves the township unprotected, which tells me we’re getting ready to fight one hellacious bitch of a fire.

Me: We’re pushing out now. Be safe, brother.

Grady: Ditto.

“Grab your gear, ladies. Time to go.” Smokey’s command gets us in motion. We grab our gear, our tools, and head out to the helipad where our ride waits for us.

We pile in and secure our mass of equipment. Anxious energy floods the air as we get ready to face the unknowable.

Every fire is different. Each with its unique energy, power, and risk. Fear swims through me, not the paralyzing kind, but the adrenaline spiking kind. It’s going to be a grueling few days and we’ll all soon be running on fumes.

I live for this.

We spend the next hour double-checking our gear as we fly towards the fire. I would do this full time if I didn’t have La Rouge Vineyards to maintain because this is what I love.

It’s a passion burning in my veins and I approach each fire without hesitation. Already, a familiar trancelike state falls over me. It’s a single-minded existence where I lose myself and focus on the task at hand. The outside world fades away as I become laser focused on only one thing.

Fighting fire.

We head to the high Sierra’s where we’ll tangle with a snarling bitch of a beast. She’s hungry and on a rampage, but we’re determined to stop her in her tracks. As it is, this bitch doesn’t give up without a fight. Soon, she turns into one of the worst fires in California history.

25

Evelyn

It’s hard watching Asher go. He exposed a side of himself I find fascinating, something I’m eager to explore. I’ve never had sex like that and my mind is blown.

I want more.

But that needs to wait.

Of course, Prescott wants to take me away from here. He’s devastated about the house fire and goes on and on about how California isn’t safe. I need to go with him, where he can keep me safe, but I’m not willing to leave. There’s a promise holding me to this place, to La Rouge Vineyards and the man who calls it his home.

Gracie wants to take me shopping again, but I’m not up for another trip purchasing clothes I won’t wear. I apologize, using Grant Malone as an excuse and eventually get Gracie and Prescott to leave.

I don’t wait long.

Grant shows up within the hour with a sharp knock on the front door.

Cage gets up from the couch. He and Brody are playing something on the gaming system, while I read a book.

“Hey, Grant.”

“Is Ace here?”

“Nah, he got called in.”

“What about Evelyn?”

“She’s here.”

“Mind if I come in?”

My expectation is Cage will leave Grant and I alone, rejoining Brody in whatever it is they’re playing, but he doesn’t. In fact, Brody joins us in the living room. They take their responsibility for watching over me seriously. It comes as a surprise, but what’s more surprising is how much I need that show of support.

“Do you mind if I ask you a few questions, Miss Thornton?”

“No, and please call me Evelyn, or Evie.”

He shifts in his seat and pulls out a pad of paper. “I have a few questions about the fire.”

My lips twist. “Which one? I seem to be a fire magnet.” I’m sitting in the middle of one of the large leather couches. Brody