Page 107 of She Belongs to Me

“What is going on?” Domino yelled as he moved outside.

“Fire. Call the fire department,” Alexandra yelled back.

“They won’t get here in time,” I growled, already racing off the porch.

“What do we do?” He hollered the question behind me.

“We operate the irrigation system. All of it.” It was the only way we might save the olive trees and the vineyard. I was positive the fire had been purposely set. I would bet my life on it.

My family had been through one horrific fire years before, the storm that had unleashed the lightning coming close to wiping out almost forty percent of the olive trees, but we’d persevered. Everyone on the property had come out with buckets of water, trying to stave off total devastation.

The fire department had been abysmal, but between everyone working together, including the children of the various families, myself included, we’d finally managed to snuff it out. The loss had been horrific, but we’d recovered in time.

Only this time, I doubted any of the employees would feel the incentive or the respect. Why should they? My sister was right. I’d changed so much I no longer recognized myself.

My mother hadn’t come to the house last Christmas. She’d called it too depressing. What was wrong with me?

The fire was getting worse, flames already licking up toward the sky. All I could think about was saving the woman who’d opened my heart.

This wasn’t lightning, a storm of any kind, or an accident. It wasn’t possible.

This was arson.

Twilight was setting in quickly, which added shadows everywhere. I couldn’t see Alexandra, my mind reeling with horrible thoughts. She was fucking barefoot, had no clue what she was getting herself into yet raced into danger.

I wanted to spank her for hours.

I wanted to hold her and keep her safe.

Every emotion jetted through me. I suddenly heard other yells and vehicles. They were coming from everywhere. Men. Women. Kids. What the hell was going on?

“We need to save the barn and the horses!” someone called.

“Water. We need water.”

The second cry was heartfelt. “Use the irrigation.” If anyone questioned my command, it didn’t show. Memories of the time when I was a kid and the other fire resurfaced. But there were more employees and it appeared every single one of those who lived on the property or close by had come out in full force.

A truck appeared on my right, the driver slamming on the brakes. Isabella jumped out, racing toward me. “Where did Alexandra go?”

“The horses.”

“Oh, God. No!”

The fire was getting worse, and people were screaming. Everyone was racing to get the hoses and the water going. While irrigation might save the trees and vineyards, there was only the normal amount of water for the stable.

Two hundred horses could perish.

Alexandra wasn’t going to allow that to happen. In the process, she could lose her life.

As soon as I neared the stable, the horror of what I was seeing set in. Whoever had done this would die by my hands. There would be no hesitation, no question.

People were everywhere, so many trying desperately to free the horses. I had to push my way through the crowd, trying desperately to get to the smoky front.

I bumped into Romeo, the shadows unable to hide how frantic he’d become. I grabbed his arm, yanking him closer. “Where is she?”

“Who?” he barked, trying to yell above the roar of the fire and the cries of the horses as they tried to flee.

“Alexandra.”

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