Page 116 of Exposed

“Be careful, Matt!” Jasmine shouts.

“Well, I’m not trying to be reckless,” I shout back with a grin.

I swing my body and grab onto the pipe with both hands, then slowly start shimmying down it.

The crackling of the fire grows louder by the minute, consuming more of our home. As long as we’re safe, that’s all that matters.

“Women always worry about us, but they mean well. You won’t find a mom who’ll love you more than Jasmine,” I say, trying to distract Rafe from the fact that we’re scaling our house without safety gear.

His body trembles against me, likely from adrenaline and fear. “Almost there, buddy.”

The aluminum pipe whines under the pressure of our weight, and I’m thankful it’s secured to the house. I pick up my pace until we’re a couple of feet from the ground.

“We made it,” I murmur to Rafe as I jump down with him still holding onto me like a koala.

When I go to release him, he stays tightly attached to me, so I palm the back of his head. “We’re safe, buddy. No more fire. I’m gonna get Shani now.”

“Yeah,” he whispers and slowly lets go of me.

Jasmine tackles us with Simon in her arms.

“Shani?” She asks.

“She’s up there. Get the kids away from the house,” I grasp her in a quick hug before letting her go.

Jasmine nods and guides Rafe away with Simon in her arms.

Turning towards the window with open arms, I yell. “Shani! Jump!”

Her frantic barking filters down to me. “Jump on the chair, girl!”

In minutes, flames will engulf that room.

“Come on, girl! Jump down!”

Her furry face pops into view.

“That’s it, girl! Jump!”

Rafe bumps into my side. “Jump, girl!” He shouts. I’ve never heard him raise his voice.

“Good job, bud,” I encourage him.

Shani looks at Rafe, then me.

“Jump,” I pat my chest, then open my arms again.

She licks her chops, whimpers and barks, then launches herself out of the window.

Rafe jumps out of the way, and I grunt when Shani slams into my chest and face. I fall back onto my butt, landing half on the pillows and blankets.

Shani recovers quickly, wagging her tail, which makes her whole butt wriggle. She licks my face, and I can feel a sticky, hot substance running out of my nose.

“Good dog,” I praise her.

“You’re bleeding,” Rafe says.

“I’m okay. Shani just gave me a bloody nose,” I chuckle, thankful my entire family is out of the fire.

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