Page 97 of Love Triggered

I take a deep breath in anticipation, even though it burns my lungs.

You’ve just got to do it, Greyson. For her.

I choose the point where the flames look the thinnest, and take off in a sprint, straight into the fire.

Shit.

The flames nip at my feet and legs as I throw myself through. I was right though, it wasn’t very thick so I was able to get through without too much damage. My feet feel like they have a few burns, and they’ll probably blister, but I can’t focus on that right now.

Looking around, I can’t see anyone else through the smoke and I don’t see any way to get to the inner part of the warehouse from this vantage point.

There’s a straight path to my left so I take off running. It winds back around, heading straight for the exit.

Yes! This is it.

I’m free.

A muffled sound suddenly catches my attention. Pausing, I scan the smoke-filled room. I don’t see anything so I keep moving.Maybe the smoke is getting to my head.

I’m almost at the exit when I hear it again. Turning around, I can now see what’s making the noise from this angle. Or rather, who.

Lya and the guys are lying tied up in the middle of the warehouse. They’re surrounded on one side by flames, so they’d been hidden as I ran past. The four of them are there, but I don’t see Lainey. Did she get out? I can’t imagine that she’d leave them behind like this.

Sutton must’ve tied them up and left them for dead. If he left them, that can only mean one thing.No. No. No. Please don’t let him have her.

I make my way over to them, sliding my knife out of my pocket and cutting through the zip ties binding Lya’s hands and feet. Her eyes peek open for a second, showing how red they are from the smoke, but she quickly closes them again. She’s conscious, thank god.

I need to get her out. I need to get them all out. I slide over to start cutting the guys loose, but Zep stops me.

“Get her out.... Get Lya out... please. I’m… begging you,” he whispers. He has a raspy voice to begin with but the smoke has made it so much worse. We’re all in bad shape right now; we need to get out as soon as possible before we all die in here.

“I need to cut you guys free,” I explain roughly.

“No, get her out... first. You’d do the same... for Lainey.” He starts coughing.

He’s right—I would. I’d want my beautiful angel safe before I was ever even thought about. That brings me to my next thought—where the hell is she?! She’s not here tied up with them, so where is she?

“Greyson, focus. Get Lya out first.” Thiago’s voice sounds this time. He sounds slightly stronger, but his voice is still cracking from the smoke.

I drop the knife and pull Lya into my arms, rushing her out of the building as quickly as I can. Rubble and flames surround us, so I have to try to make my way around them carefully.

When we make it outside, I set her on the ground. Her eyes flutter open.

“Thank you, but you need to go back and get them,” she croaks.

“Lya, where’s Lainey?” I ask hesitantly.

Pain, fear, and regret etch across her face. I know what she’s going to say before she even says it and my heart breaks.

“Sutton took her. I’m sorry. I fucked up... We all fucked up.” She drops her head to her chest, and shakes it back and forth.

I fucking failed her. I told her she wouldn’t even have to see him until she killed him, and now the bastard has her. My angel. He has her. He fucking has her.

“Greyson, please… for me. Go untie them. Get them out.”

I hear her, but I don’t even acknowledge what she’s saying—my thoughts are focused on Lainey.

“He fucking has her...” I mutter to myself.

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