Page 103 of Asher

“Why isn’t she out?” I yelled ready to jump into the fire to save her, but my daughter wrapped her arms tighter around my neck as she cried.

Mason straightened his shoulders, his jaw flexed. I knew that look. It wasn’t good news. “She couldn’t get out of the window it wouldn’t open far enough and the fire was getting too wild to go back down the stairs. They were going in after her when I got here.”

“How long ago?” My voice cracked as I stared at the firefighters attacking the flames from every possible angle.

“Five minutes.”

“Christ.” I rubbed the center of my chest.

Mason placed his hand on the butt of his gun, standing strong for me, but I didn’t miss the worry in his eyes. “Gray and Braeden have her.” He tried to assure me.

It felt like hours before anyone exited the house. I held my breath with every second as I prayed for her to come out. She had to come out. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I saw Grayson carrying a limp Haley out of the house. The paramedics surrounded her as Nix cried harder into my shoulder. “Baby girl, I need you to be strong. I need to go check on Haley, okay?” I rubbed her little back as she pulled back nodding. “Stella, can you stay with her?” She hopped up into the ambulance taking Phoenix from my arms.

My heart felt like it was being torn in two as I jumped down. I wanted to stay with Nix, but I had to check on Haley.

I couldn’t lose her.

I wouldn’t survive it.

My entire body shook as Mason and I ran across the street to the second rig. Haley looked lifeless, laying on the board. “Haley!” I screamed. Grayson wrapped an arm around my chest and held me back from getting closer.

“You need to calm down so they can do their job, man.” His voice was rough, his eyes red. The smell of smoke radiated off him in waves. My gut rolled and I moved to the grass, emptying my stomach on the curb. Mason stood next to me as I got myself under control.

“She’s going to be okay, Man.”

I wiped my mouth with the back of my shaking hand. My head hung. “What if she’s not?”

“She will be.”

Rubbing the center of my chest, I fought the tears burning the back of my eyes. “She risked her life to save my daughters.” I blew out a deep breath. Fuck.

She fucking risked her life to save Nix.

I don’t think anyone would truly understand what that meant to me. How much I loved her for that one act alone.

“I know.” Mason slapped my shoulder. “They’re coming over.”

My eyes shot up to Gray and Braeden. “How is she?”

Braden smirked. “You know a little fire couldn’t keep that one down.” He motioned his head to the ambulance, and I felt like my body was going to collapse from relief.

“She’s okay?”

“She’s okay,” Braeden said, his voice full of relief too. “She has some burns on her arm and she needs to be treated for smoke inhalation.”

“But she’s alive.” I ask again. I needed to hear it.

Braeden smiled widely, smacking me on the back. “Alive and asking about Nix.”

“Thank fuck.” I booked it to the ambulance to see the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. Haley sitting up. Ash covered her beautiful face. Her blue eyes tired. My stomach clenched at the sight of the oxygen mask covering her mouth and nose. “Haley.” Her name sounded like a prayer.

She lifted one hand to move her mask down. “Is Phoenix okay?” Her expression full of worry as she waited for an answer.

“Yeah.” I nodded and climbed up to sit on the bench next to her. “Thanks to you.” The EMTs inspected her arm. Listened to her heartbeat. Checked her blood pressure.

“Thank god.” She sunk back on the stretcher. One EMT moved her oxygen mask back up.

My breath seized at how much she loved my daughter. I reached over, slipping my palm along her jaw, into the back of her hair and resting my forehead against her temple. A shuddered breath left me. “I fucking love you so much, Haley.”

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