Page 59 of Force At Third

“That’s some Risky Business action right there. I am so pissed Dromida called dibs on that,” Fawna sighs, and Francesca and Cora giggle.

I look away from a furious Cecilia Shaw. “Some wanna-be reporter took a video of Roman’s little incident. It’s posted on IG.”

“Hey!” CeCe snaps. “Explain this—now.”

“Best you ask him tomorrow. We weren’t there,” Marks answers.

“Tomorrow doesn’t work for me.” She stomps past me and toward the door.

“CeCe, you’re not?—”

“Sure as shit am,” she barks back.

“Fuck,” I grumble.

After following her across the yard and ensuring she got there safely, I stomped back, and Marks is on the porch, dressed.

“I told the girls she’d be there a while. They’re heading to bed. You need to get some sleep, too.”

I tell him about the information I found, and he tells me that he and Danny thought it would be best for the girls to head to Texas in the morning. We decide that I’ll play the role of CeCe and one of our contacts, Gypsie, can easily toss on a wig and become Cora. I couldn’t agree more.

* * *

My phone vibrates, waking me from yet another nightmare. I grab my glasses and check it.

Marks

911, get your ass down here.

I fly out of bed, down the stairs, and run into the kitchen. “Where the fuck are you?”

I hurry to the kitchen window, and I see smoke, a lot of fucking smoke, and immediately dial 911. As I run out the back door, I realize my first thought wasn’t of CeCe; it was Locke.

Heart racing, I run to the back porch and see Marks banging on doors, waking up the boys, as Rome scurries CeCe to me with the pup.

I get her inside, and we both rush to the window as I send Abe O’Donnell a message.

Me

There is a fire next door. The girls are safe. I hate asking for help, but do you know anyone with a plane?

Abe

OMW, and consider it done.

“Come on, Rome,” CeCe whispers against Elle’s little face. “Come on, come on, come on.”

Blaze, AJ, Nour, and Locke run through the smoke, all heading this way.

Marks, I think as my chest tightens.

“Come on, Rome. Marks, come on,” CeCe whispers as the faint sound of sirens comes closer and closer.

She and I both exhale our held breaths when Rome and Marks are finally visible and heading our way.

The boys walk into the house, and CeCe asks, “Are you all okay?”

Locke’s eyes grab a hold of mine, and I pray I’m hiding everything I’m feeling right now as I see him in his stupid yet adorable pajama pants, his hair sticking up, and soot on his ridiculous perfect nose.

---