Page 93 of Into the Fire

Dom stormed forward, and we followed, not knowing if his going forward was a good idea. Who the fuck knew what we’d find in the remnants.

Dom stopped and stared down at a spot in the rubble that clearly led to the basement.

“You can’t go down there,” Vincent said to him.

“If she’s down there. . .” Dom’s voice trembled.

“We’ll go with you,” Enzo murmured, squeezing Dom’s shoulder. Rain began to drip on us, making it even more miserable.

Fuck yeah, we would.

I was already going over the edge and heading down. Everyone else was quick to fall in line and follow me. Soon, we were standing around, trying to find a doorway that could lead us deeper.

“Here,” E shouted. The beam he shoved crashed down, revealing a badly burned set of stairs.

“Be careful,” Fox said grimly.

Dom didn’t seem to give a shit. He went in first, followed by Vincent and Levin. We turned on our flashlights as we traversed the darkness.

“Door,” I said, noting the old burned door. We all stopped outside it. My heart beat hard in my chest.Fucking damnit, hellcat, be alive. We need some fucking good news.

Dom kicked the door in. We had our guns drawn, and the room brightened with our lights.

“Fuck,” Enzo choked out softly.

Bile burned my throat as I took in what he’d seen.

There was a body in the bed, and it didn’t look good. It was obviously burned to hell.

“No,” Vincent whispered.

Levin remained quiet while Dom went forward.

“You don’t have to do this,” Enzo said. “We can see if it’s her—”

“No,” Dom murmured, shining his light on the bed.

Blonde strands still clung to the badly burned body on the bed. Even on the bed frame. The face was unrecognizable, having been burned away.

Dom reached out, his fingers brushing against the body’s hand, taking in the wedding ring.

“No,” he rasped. “No. No. NO!”

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.

Dom reached out and grasped the face of Bianca. The metal collar on her neck was tarnished from the heat.

“NO! NO!” Dom’s screams were on repeat. My heart broke as I watched, the sickness churning deep in my guts. It was made worse when Dom tried to break her body away from the bed.

“No,” he sobbed, continuing to tug at her body when the bindings wouldn’t release her.

“Fuck. Come on. Dominic—” Enzo reached out in an attempt to pull Dom away, but he fought him, shoving him back. Bianca’s body broke free, her skin slipping off and clinging to Dom’s clothes as he cradled her to his body, his sobs echoing in the room.

Vincent fell to his knees in front of Dom. Tears trailed in silent streams down his face. Levin fell next and reached for Bianca’s hand, a heartbreaking cry leaving him.

“Bumblebee. No, baby. No,” Levin sobbed.

Vincent’s body shook with his tears.

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