Page 87 of Inferno

“The bank isn’t affected by fire…yet.” Dominic grinned, as though pleased with himself, then shoved her out into the middle of the roof.

“What do you want?” she asked, her tone pitiful. “You’re destroying Benson!”

“I will ascend. And you’re coming with me.” Dominic tipped his head back and laughed, his arms outstretched.

The building below them rumbled. The structure shuddered and shook beneath her feet. She scrambled back to the edge, stumbling to the ground and slamming against a low wall at the edge.

Lord Jesus, help me.

The expanse between her and Dominic dropped down into the floor below, and a cavern erupted under them as the building was consumed by flames. Only a ring around the opening remained. Flames licking up through the break where the floor had fallen away.

Dominic lifted his hands to the sky.

THIRTY-FOUR

Julio sprinted up the stairs. The whole building had rocked, but he refused to look down the stairs, where the concrete had fallen away in a wash of flames. He knew what that meant.

The arsonist had rigged this building but not ignited the devices with the others. He’d waited as part of his plan.

Lured Samantha to the roof.

But she’d managed to call her partner.

Thank You.

As soon as Romeo found him, saying she was on the phone talking to someone else, he’d grabbed all the gear he could find nearby and sprinted this way. Turned out all he had was a Pulaski from some wildland firefighter’s gear. They’d probably be super mad when they discovered it was missing, but Julio would make sure they got their two-headed axe back.

Whether it had blood on it when he returned it was another story.

He pumped his legs, headed for the top floor. No hand on the rail, just the axe in his good hand and the other tight to his side.

Dominic.

Julio was going to kill the guy for being the one behind this.

The building shuddered, including the wall to his left. He rounded a landing, and flames licked behind the glass window on the door.

Julio pressed on.

Right up to the top floor.

He’d given Romeo instructions but refused to allow the guy to come up here with him. It was far too dangerous for both of them to come.

Julio shoved open the door, and wind whipped his hair and face.

Dominic stood to the left, on one side of a chasm below throwing flames up into the sky. Samantha had huddled against the wall on the right. She looked terrified.

“Dominic!”

The arson captain swung around to him with his hands empty.

Good, because Julio didn’t have a gun.

Dominic Tennet’s mouth split into a wide smile that almost looked demonic. “I did it! And now you’re here! We all die together. The beginning and the end.”

“Stand down.” Julio edged around the circle toward Samantha. “It’s over, Dominic.”

“This is the end!” As if he agreed with what Julio had said?

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