Page 47 of Flame's Fight

The guys take turns bringing out a couple more suitcases and several boxes. “About done?” I ask Ghost after he loads the suitcase into the SUV.

“Almost. Probably one more trip.” He says. “I talked with Pete, and he has an empty storage unit Tanya can use until she finds a new place.”

“You could find a place together.” I suggest with a grin.

He grimaces. “We’re not there yet. I think she likes me. Not sure if it’s just as a friend or if there is more to it. I don’t want to push her because of her past, plus, she did just break up with Deion.”

“Be her friend. She turns to you and always knows where you are. I think she’s into you, but it’s a good idea to take it slow. She’s been through it.” I agree.

He nods before heading back inside while I return to monitoring the street. If one of Deion’s men is watching Tanya, we don’t want him following us to Brooke’s place.

I smile when my phone rings, expecting to see Brooke’s name on the display. It’s a Wagstaffe, but Mark instead of Brooke.

“Hey.” I say, answering the call. “What’s up?”

“Is Brooke with you?” He asks.

“No. She’s at her apartment. Why?”

“I just learned that they released Tony a couple of hours ago.” He says and I can hear the anger.

“What the fuck?” I snap. “Why the hell did they let him out?”

“I don’t know. Fucking Billings. He’s the lead investigator. He claims there isn’t enough evidence to hold him for kidnapping.” Mark bitches. “I don’t know what the fuck he’s thinking.”

I give him the summary of Brooke’s interaction with Billings and hear the usual stoic cop let out a series of curses that would impress Dante. “I hate cops like that.” He finally sputters out. “She’s the victim and instead of treating her like one, he’s treating the fucking asshole like she’s the one who’s trying to ruin him. Fuck.”

I remember Brooke is home alone and that it’s more than possible that Younger has her address. “Son of a bitch.” The black Mercedes. That could have been Younger seeing if I was out of the picture. “Mark, where are you? Are you near Brooke’s apartment?”

“I’m about twenty minutes away. Why?” He asks.

“Because she’s alone there and some asshole driving the same car as his just left here. If it was him…” I trail off.

“I’ll get someone over there.” He says, signing off.

I try calling Brooke, but the call goes unanswered as I rush back to Tanya’s apartment. I need the keys to the SUV and I need backup. As I step into the courtyard, my phone rings. I look down and see Gina. I almost don’t answer it, but my gut tells me not to ignore Brook’s best friend.

“Gina.” I answer.

“Flame, thank god, it’s Brooke. Tony is at her apartment. He’s trying to break down the door. She told me to call you.”

“Hang up and call the cops. Mark is alerting them as well, but it doesn’t hurt to call it in. I’m on my way to her now.” I rush into the apartment. “Brooke’s in trouble.” I shout out. “Younger is at her apartment and trying to break through the door.”

“Let’s go.” Ghost and the others say, dropping their boxes and rushing out the door with me. I climb into the SUV and Axel floors it.

While he drives, I call Brooke again and then Dante. He promises to get whoever is nearby to head directly to Brooke’s apartment. When I arrive, I can see Shield and Smoke rushing into the building. They don’t hear me call out to them. They’re already on the elevator when I get inside, so I turn to the stairs. It’s not until I stumble on the first step that I realize I left my cane behind. I can’t waste time going back, so I grab hold of the rail and ignore my weak leg as I drag myself up the stairs. Axel charges up with me, and I can hear the rest of the guys pounding up behind us.

When I reach the third floor, my legs are tired, but I continue to push. Brooke needs me more than I need to rest. I turn the corner and see Smoke disappear inside the doorframe. The door is now lying on the floor, cracked.

“Brooke!” I shout even though I hear Smoke yelling her name, too. Shield is silent as he moves through the apartment, opening every door and checking every hiding spot. The place is a mess. Someone has destroyed her apartment. Ripping up furniture, pushing over tables. All of her books are on the floor, some of them with pages torn out. It looks like he had a tantrum or she put up one hell of a fight. The only thing saving my sanity is that I don’t see any blood. “Brooke!” I shout again, and I can hear my voice crack.

Smoke pulls out his phone. “Maestro, I need you to check the cams around Brooke’s building. We think Younger got to her. He may be in his SUV or another vehicle.”

“He’s in his SUV.” I tell Smoke. “I think I saw him watching us at Tanya’s apartment.” He nods and relays the information to Maestro.

“I can’t believe this. How could I have been so stupid? Should never have left her alone. I’m a fucking idiot.” I scream out. Pounding my fist on the wall.

We all turn when we hear a noise coming from the far wall. The curtains billow just as Brooke steps through them.

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