Claim - Page 59

That was part of the reason I was dropping her home. I wanted her in my place too much. Maybe I needed a little space to remind myself that this thing between us wasn’t a forever kind of thing. My brothers had all moved their women in when they were in trouble, and none of them had ever left. I couldn’t risk that.

I pulled into a parking space on the street.

“Beau, you have late training sessions with two of your guys tonight. They have big competitions coming up. Then, you’re up early to train with your brothers. I’d just be in your way.”

I grabbed her wrist. “You’re never in my way.”

She smiled. “Besides, I need some sleep. Someone wore me out. And you know Reath’s guys installed a heavy-duty lock on my door. It’s so fancy that it looks like it’s off the space station or something.”

“And you’ve got that alarm?”

She held up the device. It was a panic button set into an elastic band around her wrist.

She leaned over the console and pressed a kiss to my lips. “Good night, good guy.”

“Night, angel.”

24

BELL

Iwoke up and rolled over, my single bed creaking. I instantly knew I was in my room at the boarding house.

I coughed.

Was that smoke?

My eyes widened, sleep dropping away. I reached over and flicked the lamp on, and it filled the room with weak light. But it was enough to illuminate the smoke creeping into the room like an evil spirit.

Oh, God. I leaped up. That’s when I heard screams and running footsteps outside my door.

“Fire!” someone yelled.

My heart kicked into gear. Why weren’t the smoke detectors blaring? I found my shoes and shoved my feet in, then yanked a hoodie over my pajamas. I had to get out.

I raced to the door and undid the fancy, new lock. Then I yanked.

The door didn’t move.

What the hell?I yanked several more times, the doorknob rattling. I gritted my teeth and put all my strength into it. I yanked and yanked, but the door still wouldn’t open.

“Shit.” Panting, I stepped back. Panic swelled in my chest and I swallowed.Stay calm, Bell.

I raced to the window. I gripped it and tugged.

It didn’t open.

No. Despair licked at me. I glanced through the glass and saw flames engulfing the side of the wooden house.

Shit. Fear hit me like a fist.

I whirled. I had to find a way out.

I hammered on my door. “Help! I’m trapped, and my door is stuck. Please help.”

There was no response. I heard people running and crying out. No one could hear me.

The smoke was getting worse, and I coughed some more. I crouched down where the air was clearer, and pressed the alarm button on my wrist. Then I fumbled for my cellphone.