Page 67 of I Should Hate You-but I Don't

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Sparks flew into the air like fireworks on the Fourth of July once the fire hit the sap on the pine trees. The crackling of the flames deafened Zane to the work behind him. Gem Haven Motorcycle Club members had the backhoe and shovels going a hundred yards beyond the firefighters building another fire line.

He looked into the sky. Where was the fucking helicopter? They were supposed to have a water drop twenty minutes ago.

"Prez!"

He turned to find Conner running toward him. He looked behind him at the flames and jogged away from them.

"Snake's spotted the arsonists." Conner stopped, doubled over, and breathed hard. "He went down Havana Mountain and blocked their exit. There are two of them loading up a truck. He needs backup, or they'll cut through Canyon Creek and get away."

Adrenaline filled him. He wasn't going to hand over Valdone Motorcycle Club members to the sheriff. He was going to take care of the problem himself.

"Tell Big John to keep the men working the firebreak and then meet me at the truck." He took off jogging, unable to go faster with all the fallen branches, rough terrain, and activities surrounding him.

At the truck, he set his phone on the dash. The screen flashed to life as text after text notifications came in. He'd hit a hot spot for reception.

Not taking the time to read the messages, he waved Conner to him and took off once his MC brother got in the vehicle.

"We can ride the fire's edge and cut through, coming in front of them. Snake has the only other exit covered." He glanced at Conner. "Does your phone come in?"

"Off and on." Conner typed on the cell. "I'll send a message. Hopefully, it'll get to Snake before we do."

Flames spread into the grass, away from the trees. He drove closer to the base of the mountain. If he failed to make it through, there would be no escape. The fire would surround them.

"They weren't fucking joking around. This ain't no warning. They're trying to take the whole mountain down." Conner rolled up his window as the smoke thickened.

Forced to slow, Zane kept his gaze near the truck's front bumper, trying to miss anything lying in his path.

"The fire is hot enough to strip the paint off the truck." Conner held on to the dash, twisted his upper body, and looked behind them. "You might think of going faster."

He looked in the rearview mirror. A wall of fire rose behind him. For the first time, he questioned if he'd make it out of here alive. The fire was bigger, stronger, and faster than he'd expected.

If he died, he'd only go to his grave with one regret. He'd never had a chance to tell River he had always loved her.

"There they are. Up ahead." Conner pointed. "I hope like hell you have a plan, Prez. We're running out of time."

"I'm going to throw the motherfuckers back into the fire they started." He pulled in front of the truck, blocking their path, and jumped out of the vehicle with his pistol drawn.

The roar of the fire hid their approach. The men stopped and raised their arms out to their sides, clutching empty gas cans in their hands.

Zane stepped forward, aiming at the closest man's forehead. Conner stepped forward with his pistol trained on the other man. He recognized both as Valdone Motorcycle Club members. The ones in the picture the sheriff had passed to him.

"Walk backward." He stepped forward, pushing them in the direction he wanted them to go.

When he was twenty-five feet from the perimeter of the fire, and he could feel the heat on his face, he stopped. It wouldn't be long, and they'd run from the flames, risking getting shot over burning to death.

"Stop, right there." He stepped over an eight-inch downed tree. "Get down on your knees."

When they hesitated, he yelled, "Get down."

They dropped. He eyed the fire. He was playing a deadly game. If he was wrong, they'd all burn up.

"Why is Valdone targeting Gem Haven?" he shouted.

The man shook his head, remaining silent.

Zane shot the ground in front of him. "You only have one chance. Either tell me why your president sent you here or that fire you started will take you out."

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