Page 107 of Chasing Sarah

Taking my hand in his, Rhys leads us through the forest and back to where he parked the SUV.

* * *

I wake to the sound of the fire alarm blaring loudly. I freeze when I smell something burning.

Fear causes my throat to tighten, and I struggle to breathe. I struggle to think about anything other than the need to escape.

“Rhys.” I reach over only to be met by a cold and empty bed. “Rhys?!” I scream, shoving the blankets off me and running to the door.

I come to a halt, my hand centimeters from the handle.

What if it’s hot?

What is there are flames on the other side?

What if Rhys is already dead?

Panic fills my blood at the mere thought of losing Rhys.

Nononono.

Not Rhys.

The memory of me using a shirt to open the door when I lost my brothers flashes. I glance around and find a discarded one at the end of the bed.

My hand shakes uncontrollably as I wrap it around the handle and open the door.

Something crashes in the distance followed by Rhys’ loud curse.

I’m darting through the penthouse before I realize what is happening. “Rhys!”

I skid to a stop when I come to the kitchen. Smoke billows from the skillet on the stovetop. A shirtless Rhys stands using a dishrag to try and air out the rising cloud.

“I forgot to —.” His words are cut off when he turns to face me.

Tears run down my face. Relief swirls inside my heart.

He’s okay.

Rhys is okay.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, striding toward me and cupping my face.

I open my mouth to reply but words refuse to come out.

This is why you can’t let him in.

Despite not being in any danger, just the thought of something happening to Rhys sent me spiraling. What will happen when he inevitably leaves me?

“The smoke,” I finally say.

His brows furrow slightly then rise to his hairline. Realization fills his eyes.

“Fuck, baby. I’m sorry.” He wraps his arms around me and tugs me against his chest. “I was making breakfast when I got distracted by a call from Liam.”

My entire body trembles with the releasing adrenaline. Unlike the adrenaline I search for, this makes me sick to my stomach.

“Everything is okay. I’m okay. You’re okay,” he mutters against my temple.

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