Page 104 of Asher

“I love you,” she said, her voice muffled it from the plastic.

My gaze moved to the other side of her body where the EMTs were looking over her arm and I wanted to throw up all over again. Her lower arm and hand covered in angry red marks, and a few blisters.

Fuck.

“Thank you. Thank you for saving her.”

She rolled her head to face me as she rested against the black leather of the stretcher, smiling under the mask. “I’d do anything for her.”

“I’m sorry to break this up, but we need to get her to the hospital,” one EMT said and again I felt torn. I wanted to go with her, but my daughter needed me too. I nodded and Haley reached up, running the pads of her fingers along chin. Gripping her wrist, I kissed her palm.

“Go,” she said. “Nix needs you. I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll ride with her,” Grayson said from the end of the truck. My jaw twitched. I wanted to be the one to be there for her, but I knew he would let me know if anything happened.

“You better keep me updated.” I gave him a pointed look.

“Of course.” Gray nodded. “Braeden would go but he needs to finish this up.” He waved toward the house that was no longer up in flames but still smoking.

And completely destroyed.

“I’ll be by to get your statement in a little while,” Mason said to Rylie as he stood next to Gray.

I focused on Haley. “I love you. I’ll be at the hospital as soon as I can.”

“I know.” She smiled. “Go be with our girl.”

I pressed my lips to her forehead and climbed out. Grayson shook my hand before sliding in and taking the seat I had just been in. “I know I’ve been busy lately, but this was a bit extreme to spend some time with me,” he joked just as the door closed.

I hurried back over to the other ambulance where my daughter was sitting in Stella’s lap. She jumped into my arms as soon as I stepped close enough. I buried my face in her dark curls and held her tightly, not knowing if I would ever let her go again.

“Is Haley okay?” Stella ringed her hands together.

I nodded. “Yeah. She’s okay.”

Stella closed her eyes and let out deep breath. “Thank god.”

“How are you doing, sweetheart?” Braeden asked Nix, rubbing her back from where I held her. She’d met Braeden a few times during family dinners over the past couple of months.

Her head lifted from my shoulder. “Okay.”

“Do they know what happened, Brae?” I asked, rocking my daughter back and forth like I used to do when she was a baby.

“There’ll be an investigation. But from the looks of your kitchen, we think maybe a small gas leak. I don’t think it was intentional and it could have leveled your house, but for some reason only took of the north corner.”

I clenched my jaw as I stared at my house. “Fuck.”

“Both Haley and Nix were lucky.”

I rubbed my daughters back, nodding in agreement.

“Are we free to leave?” I asked.

Mason posted up next to me. “Yeah. You’re good. I called mom to let her know what is going on. She’s heading over to the hospital now to meet Haley when she gets there.

“As is Holly.” Braeden smiled. “We’ll call you when it is safe enough to enter. There might be some that’s salvageable.”

“Thank you,” I said. I turned to Stella who was sitting quietly. “Come on. I’ll drop you off. I don’t think your car will be free anytime soon.”

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