“No, you won’t. We have to use the tunnels.” Ron staggered down the steps, his eyes burning. They couldn’t make it to the basement through that fire. The bastards must have used accelerants.
Someone yelled out his name, but he was already racing toward the gate. He ploughed through the team manning the hoses, the line of fire trucks, the ambulance and cop cars, everything a blur of colors. Again, he heard his name. He didn’t slow down as he brought his cell phone to his ear and tried to reach Ashley, again. Something cold knotted his insides when it went to her voicemail. They were trapped down there, so close yet beyond his reach.
Someone grabbed his arm. He turned swinging, only to have his fist locked in a tight grip. He stared at his friend’s face. “What the hell are you doing, Kenny?”
“I’m trying to get your attention, man. Are Ashley and your mother okay?” Kenny asked. Behind him stood Ashley’s cousin, Eddie, his expression furious.
“Did the firefighters get them out?” Eddie barked.
“No, but I will through the tunnel. We need pick axes. Get some from the firefighters.” He continued toward the road without checking if the other two men followed him. That Carlyle Club ran a speakeasy in its basement during prohibition was a secret his family had kept for almost a century, but right now, he didn’t care if the whole world knew.
Ron stopped and reached down to pull and slide the grid off the entrance to a storm drain. Someone helped him, Kenny or Ashley’s cousin, he couldn’t tell. He was on an adrenaline rush now, the sounds around him reduced to whispers and meaningless words. He didn’t know he made it down the ladder, but once he reached the base, he half ran and half waded through the murky drainage water, sloshing sounds echoing along the endless circular walls. The tiny neon flashlight attached to his keys came in handy. He took a left turn, then a right and came to the dry tunnel he and Kenny visited a few days ago.
“Stop, Mr. Noble!”
Ron heard the order but kept going. Hands tried to grab his arm, but he shook them off. He could see the sealed entrance just a few feet a way. The woman he loved and his mother were on the other side and nothing must stop him from reaching them. Someone seized his shoulders and pinned him against the wall. He didn’t bother to struggle when he stared at the faces of two firefighters in full regalia, pick headed axes clasped in their hands.
“We’ll take it from here, sir. Detective Fitzgerald has explained the situation. Is that the entrance?” the man pointed his axe at the end of the tunnel where planks crisscrossed a rectangular wall.
Ron nodded. “I want to help.”
“Not with that arm. The paramedics need to take a look at it. Don’t worry, we’ll get them out. I promise.”
Ron stared down at his left arm. His skin was red and blistering, a dull throb registering. When had he gotten burned? It didn’t matter. His arm could wait. He refused to leave the tunnels without Ashley.
The firefighters called out her name and then his mother’s. Ron moved closer and angled his head to listen, but he didn’t hear a response from the other side of the wall. What if they were unconscious from smoke inhalation? The thought sent a fresh dose of panic through him. Cold had long since crawled under his skin, making him feel like the walking dead. His eyes hurt as he strained to see through the bricks the two men were loosening. The first brick left the wall and a thin line of smoke followed, confirming Ron’s worst fears. Smoke was inside the speakeasy room.
He moved closer as the men directed their flashlights into the opening and called out, “Ashley? Nina?”
“We’re here.”
Ashley’s voice, gruff and weak, was the sweetest sound Ron had ever heard. He wanted to call her name, reassure her that everything would be fine.
“Are you okay, Ashley?” one of the firefighters asked, axes chipping at the edges of the bricks, thuds of falling pieces echoing around the tunnels.
“Yes.”
“And Nina?”
“She’s unconscious.”
Ron couldn’t see through the widening hole, but he followed their conversation, his pounding heart easing with relief.
“I can see them,” one firefighter said to the other. “We’re going to collapse the wall, Ashley. Can you pull Nina away from the wall? Put your arms under hers with her back to your chest. Yes, just like that. Now pull. Good job. That’s far enough.”
Seconds later, the men knocked and kicked, and the wall crumbled. Ron moved closer as both men disappeared inside. He was nearly at the entrance when the first firefighter stepped out with his mother cradled in his arms. Ron’s eyes sought her face. She looked so pale and listless. “Is she okay?”
“She’ll be fine once they clear her lungs,” the firefighter carrying her said as he walked past Ron. “Her breathing is strong.”
The second firefighter appeared with Ashley in his arms. The relief that washed over Ron left him light-headed. Their gazes connected. Her eyes filled up with tears. Emotions choked him.
“Ron,” she whispered in a hoarse voice.
“I’m here, sweetheart. Don’t talk. May I carry her, please?” Ron swept her in his arms, buried his face in her neck and held tight. “You’re okay. Thank God, you’re okay.”
“I must tell you something,” she whispered. “Your father….” A coughing bout shook her body.
“Don’t talk now. What my father did or did not do doesn’t matter. Not anymore. I love you.”
“I love you, too. But we must talk.”
“Not now. Later.” A hand landed on Ron’s shoulder. It was the other firefighter. “I know. I’ll take her up.” Tightening his grip around Ashley, Ron carried her toward the storm drainage tunnels. His feet were much lighter, warmth seeping back into his body despite the chilling water he waded through.
***
Several hours later—after tests, blood works, even hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning—Ashley was back in her private hospital room, where she was being kept overnight for observation.
“How’re you doing?” Ron asked as he walked into the room and she gasped. His right arm was bandaged.
“Oh, honey,” she whispered. To finally see his beloved face, to know that she was getting a second chance with this beautiful, wonderful man wrung her heart. She struggled to sit up and patted the edge of her bed. When he sat by her side, she touched his bandaged arm. She didn’t care that tears raced down her face or her hands shook. “How bad is it?”
“First degree burns, nothing serious. “
Her gaze shifted from his arm to his face. He wore his adorable quirky grin. “I love you, Ronald Noble. I’m so sorry I almost didn’t tell you.” Her voice broke.
“It’s over,” he murmured, his voice hoarse. Then his lips connected with hers.
She held onto his head and let him soothe her senses. She wanted to get lost in him, to glue herself to his side and never leave. Smoke clung to his shirt, his hair, but she didn’t care. This was her man, the love of her life. When she and Nina had been trapped in that filthy room, Ashley had called herself every name she could think of. She thought she was going to die without ever telling Ron that she loved him, without apologizing for laughing in his face when he’d professed his love for her and without telling him the truth about his father. More tears raced down her cheeks and reached their joined mouths.
Ron eased off the kiss and brushed a tear from her chin. “Don’t cry, baby. I came here to tell you how much I love you, not to make you cry.”
“These are tears of joy. We have so much to talk about.”
“Can it wait? Right now, I just want to hold you.” He pulled her into his arms and slid beside her. For a moment, they cuddled, his cheek pressed against her head, hearts beating in unison, breathing even. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Better now. When we were trapped in there, all I thought about was you and how I had so much to tell you.”
He placed a finger on her lips. “Shh. Me, first. I should have been honest with you
from the moment I walked into your home weeks ago. I promise I’ll never ever hide things from you again, no matter how painful.”
“Thank you. And apology accepted.” She shifted so she could see his face. “How’s your mother?”
“She’s a bit weak now, but she’ll be fine. Physically, that is. Emotionally, I don’t know. It’s going to take her a while to process everything. Right now she thinks she’s responsible for pushing Doyle over the edge. She kept mumbling something about being scared and not standing by him when he was younger.”
Ashley frowned. “She knew him when they were younger?”
“He did yard work for my family, which might explain his obsession with Carlyle House. Hopefully, he’ll lose interest now that it’s burned to the ground.”
Good riddance. Immediately, she felt bad. “Your mother must be devastated.”
“I don’t know. She didn’t want to discuss it.” Ron brushed locks of her hair from her face and tucked them behind her ear, a bemused smile on his lips. “But she was very clear when she shooed me away and ordered me to come and see you. You won her over, babe.”
“The truth did, not me.” She gripped his hand to get his attention. “I want you to listen to me, Ron. Without interrupting,” she added when he opened his mouth.
“Okay.”
She talked about everything that happened in Carlyle House, her returned memories, the things Vaughn and Frankie revealed. When she finished, he sighed, his grip tight around her. She leaned back to see his face. His eyes were bright, like he was holding back tears.
“Say something?” Ashley cupped his cheek.
Ron covered her hand with his, leaned against the pillow and closed his eyes, his breathing uneven as he fought for control. “I always knew there was an explanation for the rumors. My father was…” his voice broke.
This time, she didn’t push for answers, just held him tight and offered him comfort. Tears filled her eyes again and rolled down her cheeks as shudders rocked his body.
It was a while before he cleared his throat and continued, “He was a good man.”
Ashley squeezed his hand. She could see he wanted to say more. “Tell me about him.”
“He was a principled man, hardworking and honest, very loving. He never forgot where he came from. Even when he ran the Neumann branch here in L.A., he always volunteered as a firefighter.” He reminisced about his childhood, the good and the bad. “Mom will be happy to finally know the truth.”
“She knows. We talked while we were trying to break out of that room.”
He grinned. “That explains a lot. I think I owe Vaughn more than an apology.”
“And tell him his mother is alive.” She sat up. “Oh, Ron. We need to inform the police that Frankie plans to go to Mexico and kill her, too.”
“Not unless he escaped police custody. Eddie told me they already picked him and the Doyles up. They’re throwing the book at them—attempted murder, kidnapping, destruction of property. Let the police figure out who did what, but I’ll let Eddie know about Vaughn. He already talked the local precinct into putting off talking to you and Mom until tomorrow.”
“That’s a relief.”
Ron kissed her temple. “He also wanted me to tell you your family is on their way here. “
Ashley groaned.
“Oh, and Matt called while you were with the doctor,” he added.
Her heart dropped. “Uncle Jerry—”
“Regained consciousness,” Ron reassured her. “The doctors think he’ll make it. He’ll need a lot of therapy but he’ll be fine.”
“That’s great news.” Ashley slid back on the pillow and sigh. “There’s something you need to know about my family. Once they get here, we won’t have a chance to be alone.”
“Then do me one favor, Ashley Fitzgerald.” His eyes were dead serious.
“Done.”
His brow shot up. “You haven’t heard it yet.”
She pressed a kiss on his lips. “I don’t have to. I love you and you love me. Whatever it is, I’ll be happy to do it.”
“I like this new you. No, I love it, which means I have to scratch my original plan,” he added and settled with her against the pillow.
Ashley searched his face. “What plan?”
“Too curious to pass, huh? I knew it.” He grinned when she narrowed her eyes. “I had planned to keep you under lock and key in my bedroom, tied to my bed,” he wiggled his eyebrows, “make love to you until you admitted that you loved me, needed me and couldn’t possibly contemplate life without me.”
She was no longer smiling by the time he finished speaking. Her gaze caressed every feature on his face. “I love you, Ron. I need you. I had no idea how much I need you until today. If you hadn’t appeared—“
“You still would have made it. You’re strong and resourceful.”
Ashley covered his lips with her finger. “Shh, I’m not done yet. I don’t mean appeared as in the speakeasy. Before that. I had given up, Ron. The memories came back in a rush, and they were too painful and overwhelming. I wanted to give up and die in the same room my parents died in. Then you appeared.” He frowned, his eyes puzzled. “Yes, you. It was your face I saw when I was at my lowest, your smile. Your strength gave me the push to survive.” Her voice broke and tears filled her eyes. “If you want us to be together, however long—”
He crushed her lips with his and cut off her words. Too soon, he lifted his head, leaving her gasping. “If? There’s never been a question of if with you, sweetheart. From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were mine. As for the how long? How does forever grab you? I can’t live through something like this again.”
Her heart trembled and happiness bubbled inside her. “Me neither. What’s the favor you wanted to ask me?”
“Agree to marry me and make me the happiest man alive.”
He took her breath away, just like he’d done ever since they met. She hadn’t expected him to propose, offering to her what she needed—him.
“Unless you think I should talk to your family first, then get a ring and go one knee,” he added, misunderstanding her silence.
She leaned against his shoulder and sighed. “A ring would be nice, and yes, Aunt Estelle will expect you to officially ask her because she’s been like a mother to me. Lex will want to do a background check on you because he hates surprises. The twins, Chase and Baron whom you already met, will likely take you to their boxing club for a round or two before they can decide whether you’re worthy.” She looked into his eyes. “I’ll kill them if they dare. Jade and Faith will love you because you love me. And my other aunts and uncles….” She laughed at his horrified expression. “Don’t worry. They’re not that bad once you get to know them.”
“Ashley?” he growled.
“Yes, Ronald. If you still want me, I’ll marry you.”
He grinned and lowered his head to whisper. “I’ll always want you, sweetheart. And if your family doesn’t approve of me, promise to elope with me and have a dozen kids so they’d have no choice but to accept—”
Laughing, she grabbed his nape and kissed him. They were still locked in each other’s arms, when the Fitzgeralds stormed into the room.
THE END
BIOGRAPHY
E.B. WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She finished her PhD in chemistry, married the love of her life, and decided to be a stay-at-home mother. She now lives in a picturesque valley in Utah with her husband, five children and two American short-hair cats. When she is not writing, you can find her doing things with her family, reading or traveling, online chatting with fans. She writes both YA fantasy under the pseudonym Ednah Walters and adult romance under E. B. Walters. AWAKENED the first YA fantasy book in The Guardian Legacy series was released in September 2010 with rave reviews and BETRAYED, book 2, will be released in the fall of 2011. SLOW BURN is the first book on the Fitzgerald family. She is currently revising book 2, MINE UNTIL DA
WN. You can visit her online at www.ednahwalters.com.
COMING IN JUNE 2011
MINE UNTIL DAWN
E.B. WALTERS
CHAPTER 1
A whisper of fabric caused Jade’s head to snap toward the doorway. She blinked and inhaled sharply. She didn’t want to stare but couldn’t help herself. A man literally filled her doorway, yet his eyes drew all of her attention. Steely gray. Fierce. Reminiscent of a panther on the prowl.
She dragged her gaze away from his and gave his large frame a once over. Wide chest, broad shoulders, black polo shirt under a leather jacket and well-worn black jeans—a body built for sin.
“I believe we have an appointment, Professor Fitzgerald.”
The words rolled off his sculptured lips and she spied a hint of a dimple on one lean cheek before it disappeared. Nice. Jade’s gaze connected with his narrowed ones and she realized he was waiting for a response.
“Vince Knight, right?” Her voice came out breathless. She flushed when his eyebrows shot up. Of course, he was Vince Knight. She’d listened to his voicemail several times today and yesterday. His sinful and sexy voice alone, deep and husky, was unforgettable. It brought to mind silk sheets, intertwined limbs and sweaty bodies.
“Come in, please.” She got off the corner of her desk, where she’d propped her butt. Get your mind out of the gutter while you’re at it. She indicated the chair across from hers. “Take a seat.”
“Thank you.”
Okay, so he was six feet plus of male poster material and she hadn’t had sex in a…year? No, a year and a half if she counted the six months her no-good, sorry-excuse of a husband, now her ex, had been busy taking care of his secretary’s needs rather than hers, his wife. Still, that was no excuse to drool
Vince stepped into her office, dwarfing it by his sheer presence. He exuded raw power so overwhelming, Jade decided to put some distance between them. Unfortunately, he chose that moment to run his steely gaze over her gray and white, Bohemian-inspired, crinkled peasant skirt. Jade cringed. Had she known he was this hot, she would have worn one of her new suits and some heels, not her field-trip skirt and flats.
Slow Burn Page 33
