“People, these men and women are the best of the best,” Gus’ voice boomed out. “I am getting up-to-the minute information. Not one Dallas fire fighter has gotten so much as a hangnail. I don’t want to have to do blood pressure checks on all of you because you got upset about a little video. Let’s move away from the television and sit back down.”
Drake’s voice rumbled, “I like him.”
“What about the fools they have to rescue?” one man shouted out.
“Mr. O’Hearn, they aren’t fools,” Gus said. “According to sources at the scene they were doing inventory at the second warehouse and they didn’t get the notification about the evacuation.”
“The sirens didn’t give it away?” another woman asked sarcastically.
“Gus, do they have a headcount of how many people who need rescuing?” Drake asked.
“There’s eight still unaccounted for,” Gus answered.
Chloe blocked out the grumbling and instead focused on the screen. She saw another person on one of the ladders climb into a window. That had to be the reason they were going inside, they must be trying to rescue the workers.
Please God, let everyone be safe.
She heard someone whispering the words to ‘Hail Mary’ behind her. Then she thought she caught the same prayer being uttered in Spanish, but she wasn’t sure.
“People, this is going to be at least another hour or two. I made some chili, who wants some?”
Gus’s offer was met with dead silence.
“Is there cornbread?” Drake finally asked.
“Well what would be the point of chili without cornbread?” Gus groused.
“Sold.” Drake tried to maneuver Chloe away from the TV, but she refused to budge.
“For God’s sake, you just ate,” Evie said exasperatedly.
“I’m a growing boy,” Drake said.
Chloe knew he was trying to divert attention from the screen, but there was nothing that was nothing that was going to move her, or anyone else, away from the screen.
***
“The fire has been contained.” Was Gus’s final update. He was hoarse after four hours of shouting. He looked like he’d been through a war. “I’m still getting some updates, but the main thing is that the fire has been contained.”
A weak cheer went up from the people in the room.
“Not everyone came out of the building, Drake. Did you see that Evie?” she asked turning to her sister.
“I couldn’t keep track,” Evie said honestly.
Every one of Chloe’s instincts was to pepper Gus with questions about Zarek, but he was surrounded by all of the other loved ones doing the same thing. She took out her phone and looked to see if she had any messages. Nothing.
She called Zarek. It went to voicemail. She texted him to call her. Then she waited to talk to Gus.
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard broke away from the throng, all smiles. They came up to Chloe. “Ian is fine. He’ll be back here in the next forty-five minutes.”
“Will Zarek be with him?” Chloe asked. She didn’t care that her voice sounded desperate, she was desperate. She needed to see him. To touch him.
“I’m sorry, Gus didn’t say. Go ask him. He knows who’s coming back, when.”
Chloe saw that the crowd was dispersing. With Drake and Evie at her side, she went up to Gus. The older man took one look at her and pointed towards the office.
“No,” she said calmly. “Just tell me.”
“He’s been taken to Parkland Hospital. Lexi Fletcher worked on him at the scene and rode with him there.”
“Who’s Lexi?” Evie asked.
“She’s a damned fine paramedic. She said he’s holding his own.”
Her knees turned to water. Drake kept her from falling.
“Damn it, that came out wrong. She thinks he’s going to be fine. Three of our people were caught when roof collapsed. They all made it out. Zarek was one of them. They thought he was okay, but then he passed out.”
Before she could open her mouth, Drake was answering her question.
“We’ll get you there, Honey. How far away is it from here Gus?”
“This time of the morning? It should take you less than thirty minutes to get there.” Chloe appreciated the comforting feel of Evie’s hand on her back.
Chapter Thirteen
The waiting room was filled with grim faced men and women covered in soot. Some still had parts of their uniforms still on.
As soon as Chloe came into the room flanked by Drake and Evie a blonde bearded man stood up and made his way over to her.
“You’re Chloe, aren’t you?”
“Zarek. What do you know about Zarek? They wouldn’t tell me anything downstairs.”
She was barely keeping it together.
“They’re doing a CT scan. He conscious.”
She saw a young woman holding a toddler.
“And the others? How are they doing?”
“Juan is in surgery. His leg got caught under one of the beams, it’s a mess. They’re putting in hardware. It was Zarek who carried him out.”
Chloe tried to smile, but just didn’t have it in her.
“Gus said three people were injured?” Drake asked. “What’s the status of the third person?”
“Kylie Powers pulled out the last worker. The man was out of control with fear, knocked Kylie’s face gear off. She ended up inhaling a lot of smoke, but she got both of them out of there. Damn it, almost all of us wanted to kick that guy’s ass. Here she was trying to save him, and he could have ended up getting them both killed.”
“When are we going to hear about Zarek?” Chloe asked.
“They said it would be about an hour,” Luke said. “He’ll be fine. He has a hard head.”
“Come sit down.” Evie guided Chloe to an empty chair.
Chloe did her best to keep calm, but she knew the fact that Zarek had been conscious, and then had passed out was a bad sign. Every bad outcome she had ever read about in school came rushing back to her.
“Honey, you’re whimpering,” Drake said as he put his arm around her.
She looked up at her big brother with tear filled eyes.
“You know it’s bad too.”
“I’m used to this shit happening far from hospitals. I’m doing a fucking happy dance that he’s at one of the nation’s premier trauma centers, instead of in the middle of some God forsaken desert.” She searched Drake’s face and realized that he was serious. For the first time it became abundantly clear just what being a SEAL meant.
Chloe launched herself into his arms.
“Hey, Shortstuff, he’s going to be fine.”
“No, that’s not it,” she said wetly.
Drake patted her back. “What’s going on Chloe?”
“She’s just realizing how dangerous your job is,” Evie answered.
“Why do I love men who could be killed?” Chloe couldn’t stop the flood of tears.
Drake didn’t answer, he just rocked her in his strong arms as she cried.
***
Zarek woke up and his head was killing him. The light burned bright into his brain. He groaned.
“Zarek?” It was Chloe’s soft and sweet voice.
“Light hurts,” he whispered.
“Keep your eyes closed for a minute longer. I’ll turn off all the lights.”
He felt her fingers brush his cheek, then she brushed a kiss against his lips. So soft, so good. She was gone too quick. He opened his eyes, and in the dim light he saw liquid brown eyes staring down at him.
“I love you Zarek.”
The words swept him, filling him with more joy than his body could possibly contain. It was as if he’d lived life in black and white, and now he could see in color. He laughed.
“I hope that’s a happy laugh,” she whispered close to his lips.
“The happiest laugh imaginable.” He winced. It was a happy laugh, but it hurt to laugh. She must have realized it, because she gently whispered a kiss
against his forehead.
“Rest.”
“No,” he said tiredly. “I want to sav…savor,” His words were slurred. He yawned.
“You sleep. We’ll talk after you wake up again. The doctors said you wouldn’t wake up for another couple of hours anyway.”
“Wanna stay up,” he said belligerently. His eyes drifted shut.
***
His eyes snapped open. The room was dark. Where was Chloe? She’d said she had loved him. She hadn’t left, had she?
Then he felt her soft hand on top of his. He turned his hand so he could grip hers. He turned his head carefully because it still hurt like a son-of-a-bitch. He saw Chloe’s head resting on the bed. She was asleep.
She loved him. He stared at her beautiful face, relaxed in sleep. She was so beautiful. He wanted to remember this moment forever. This was the day that Chloe Rose made every one of his dreams come true, he’d take this feeling with him to the grave.
“Chloe?”
Her eyes drifted open.
“You’re awake,” she smiled.
“I’m going to stay awake, too.”
“I love you so much Zarek,” she said. Her eyes searched his.
Zarek reached up, and curled his hand around her neck, guiding her down to him. He molded their mouths together. Kiss number three. So much feeling went with the velvet softness of Chloe’s lips. This was a forever kiss. It went on and on and on.
She stroked the side of his cheek, and pulled away.
“Hey, I didn’t say you could stop.”
“You’re going to have visitors soon.” She looked away from him.
“They can wait. I need another kiss.”
She stood up and turned towards to door, he lunged and grabbed her hand.
“What?” She asked as she turned back towards him.
“Come back here. I wasn’t done with you.”
She gave him an over bright smile. He recognized it. It was the Avery fake girl smile. He tugged her closer, forcing her to sit beside him on the bed. Then he tangled their fingers together so that their palms were pressed together.
“You’re my life,” he said solemnly.
She looked at him in confusion.
“Saying I love you just doesn’t cut it. Do you hear me Chloe Rose? I love you.” He saw her bottom lip tremble.
“You do?”
How could she ever doubt him?
“If you ever left me, half of my soul would be ripped away. You’re my life. I’ve loved you since you were a gutsy little girl, I’ve loved you when you were a gangly teenager and I’ve always loved my best friend. You’re my soulmate. Never leave me.”
Her mouth opened, then closed. Her eyes glossed with tears.
“Zarek, you’re putting too much pressure on me. You’ve seen how much of a mess I can be. How broken I can get.” She tried to pull away from him.
“I’ve seen a woman who has gone through hell and worked hard to get her life back. You fucking amaze me. You’re stronger than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“But―”
“Seriously Cupcake if you keep coming up with excuses, I’m going to think you don’t want a future with me. Is that what this is about?” He held his breath.
He watched as her smile turned radiant. “A future?”
“A future. I want to build a life with you, Chloe.”
He could see the wheels turning in her head. Protests forming, then rejected. Then final blessed acceptance. Thank the lord.
“I’m going to want kids,” she warned.
His smile got big. “I like kids.”
“We might end up with twins.”
“Is this a yes?”
“I haven’t heard a question.” Her shining eyes sparkled down at him.
He cleared his throat. “Will you marry me?”
“God yes. Nothing would make me happier.”
Epilogue
He’d forgotten why Chloe had referred to her family as the Avery Avalanche. Now he remembered why. My God, he’d always thought of his house as somewhat large, but it was no match for the amount of people that had filled it today.
Trenda and Zoe had decided that there needed to be a family reunion. They had at least two hundred cupcakes, all said congratulations. According to Zoe that fit everything they were celebrating. Him out of the hospital, his and Chloe’s engagement, Chloe’s recovery, and Magnificent Twin Reunification. The last part being the most important according to Zoe. Zarek’s parents were beaming as they had their picture taken with Zarek and the six Avery girls.
“Zarek, you’ve given me six daughters. I can’t get any happier until you give me grandchildren,” his mother said.
Evie had somehow managed to make friends with everyone at Station 58, so he had the entire crew there. Everyone from their captain Earl Stewart, Jax and his wife Skye, Lexi and Dane and of course Luke. He couldn’t help but notice that Luke and Zoe were spending a lot of time out on the back patio together throwing the ball with Slayer.
The only hitch in the party was that Drake couldn’t be there, he was still in San Diego with his soon-to-be wife Karen, who was still on bedrest. He called to say hello, and to threaten him to take good care of his baby sister.
He turned to look at Chloe who was picking up red Solo cups. He had a moment of déjà vu. God, hadn’t she come a long way?
“Leave those. We can finish the clean-up in the morning. Your sisters did most of it already anyway.”
“But―”
“Seriously, it’s fine.”
She smiled and nodded. She came over to him in the living room and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I loved it when your mom and dad were in the middle of all of us. It felt like we had parents. Trenda cried when Bella called your dad Grandpa.”
“It was a great party, but I’m ready for something a little more intimate. I’ve been home a week.”
“The doctor said ten days.”
“The doctor can kiss my happy ass. If I can handle a party like this, I can handle making love to my fiancée.”
Chloe frowned.
“Come upstairs with me,” he coaxed.
He saw the moment she relented, and he tugged at her hand as he moved towards the stairs.
***
It was so stupid. Chloe was nervous. She wasn’t some naïve virgin. But this would be the first time that she and Zarek made love. She crossed the threshold to the bedroom they had been chastely sharing for the last four nights. Come on Avery, you can do this.
“Chloe are you okay?”
Why could he always read her so easily? That needed to stop.
She gave him one of her brightest smiles. “I’m great. How are you?”
“I’d be doing better if you’d tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Nothing. We’re wearing too many clothes.” She reached up and started to unbutton his shirt.
“Hey, slow down.”
“No. We’ve waited long enough,” she said through gritted teeth. The fourth button was being stubborn. He caught her hands.
“Shhhh.” He brought her fingers to his mouth, and kissed the tips. “I need to confess something.”
Chloe tried to get loose. She needed to get them undressed, in bed, and this over with. The second time would be good. They just needed to get past this first time.
“Chloe, are you listening to me?”
“Huh?”
“I’m nervous.”
If he would just let go of her, she could move this show along. Wait a moment. What did he just say? She looked up into his eyes.
“What did you say?”
“We put off enough heat for a chemical fire, but I want this to be perfect for you, and I’m thinking I’ll do this wrong.”
Geez, every time the man got her on the couch, he’d gotten it right, and he was worried? She was the one who needed to be worried. He had all the perfect moves, but…
“I’ve only had good chemistry with you. I’ve been damned by faint p
raise with others. I want to get this right.”
Warm green eyes glowed down at her.
“Our chemistry is off the charts, this will be perfect.” He cupped her cheek, and stroked his thumb over her lower lip. She sucked it into her mouth.
He groaned.
“Fuck, and you worry that you might be bad at this. How do I get you out of this dress? All of these buttons are making me sweat.”
“There’s a hidden zipper.” She showed him.
“Thank God.” He helped her out of the dress. She stood in front of him in a bra, panties and stockings. She’d thought he might want to make love tonight, so she’d put on good underwear just in case. The look on his face started to alleviate her fears, this could work. In less than a millisecond, she was in his arms, and beneath him on the bed.
“Shirt. Off.” She demanded.
He kneeled up, and finished unbuttoning his shirt and peeled it off. She’d seen him a couple of times without a shirt, but never when he was above her on a bed. Her mouth went dry. He was gorgeous.
“You’re gorgeous,” he said. His fingers traced the tops of her breasts that curved above her lingerie. Gently he divested her of the bra, then cupped her swollen flesh. She cried out with pleasure. His thumbs brushed back and forth against the tips and she arched into the caress.
“More. Harder.”
Zarek gave her a wicked smile.
She reached up and grabbed his hair and pulled him down for a soul shattering kiss that left them both gasping.
Finally, finally, she saw him naked. She reached out and stroked his erect flesh, savoring his groan of pleasure.
“You’re killing me Chloe.”
“Aren’t you going to undress me?”
“Are you kidding? The stockings stay on.”
She laughed out loud. And wasn’t that absolutely perfect? Love and passion and laughter.
He pulled out of her grasp, and slid down her body, trailing kisses along the way. When she felt his warm breath between her thighs all thought of laughter fled.
The first touch of his tongue had her coming off the bed. His big hand rested on her tummy, keeping her under his control as he lavished pleasure on her delicate flesh. Again and again he teased and tormented her, playing her body like a finely tuned instrument.
Dallas Fire & Rescue: Tempting Fire (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 9
