Page 108 of Silver Fox Daddies

There are only two things in life that have taken my breath away. Melissa is the first, the fire the second.

I try to dart forward to bring Diesel and Melissa back up, but the fire spits embers like bullets as if it’s trying to keep us away.

Jax remains in the doorway, watching. I want to shoot him, but I can’t waste my energy on removing my gun and chancing a hit—not when Melissa’s and Diesel’s lives are on the line.

I’m about to dive in over the flames but Bishop gets there before me, arms stretched out in front of him. He bends his knees, jumps, diving how one would into a pool when they’re about to swim lengths.

“Bishop!” I yell, voice scratching against my dry throat.

The fire blurs everything, heat waves traveling up, obscuring my vision. I cough, ash clogging up my airways. The smoke is so heavy, weaving its way into my bloodstream, that it forces me to keel over. I erupt into a fit of coughing.

But I can’t afford to.

The staircase won’t be around for much longer.

As soon as the fire consumes that, we’re trapped down here.

I fight what little strength I have left into my muscles, and I rise to my feet. Tongues of fire stand between me and the staircase. The first few steps are disfigured, currently melting.

I try to focus my vision, lining myself up.

Then, I squeeze my eyes shut, hold my breath, and jump, forgetting about how much pain I’m in so I can focus on the task at hand.

My foot hits something solid. Opening my eyes, I see that I’ve made it.

I allow myself a minute to cough. But every second counts. Smoke is closing up my throat, the amount of oxygen in here reducing significantly.

“Guys?!” I strain my voice, hoping it will reach them.

Bishop looks up.

I can’t speak anymore. All I can do is wave my hand, urging them to jump before the flames outgrow their heights.

“Quickly!”

Bishop grits his teeth, his face gray from all the smoke. He grabs Melissa, hauling her over his shoulder with what appears to be all the strength he has left. He says something that doesn’t quite reach my ears.

I drop a step, coughing as I take Melissa from his arms. As soon as she’s handed over, I fling her over my shoulder. “Diesel! Bishop! Up here now.”

“Jump!” I hear Bishop shout to Diesel. To wake him out of his trance, he slaps his cheek. Hard. “Go, you idiot. You can jump that.”

“Quickly!” I shout.

I’m not sure what’s causing my body temperature to skyrocket—panic, or the fire.

Diesel scrambles to his feet, his coughing adding to the others.

I reach out, the tip of the flames reaching my wrist. An agonizing cry rips out of me, pain spreading to the area. I keep my arm where it is, aiding Diesel as he leaps over the flames, thankfully untouched.

“Bishop!”

Flames roar, closing in. Something collapses from the back wall, glass shattering.

“Bishop!” This time it’s Melissa crying his name.

And this seems to get his attention.

“Come on!”

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