White Hot

by Elise Noble

  He pulled me over to the stage, and behind a screen to the side of it was a door I hadn’t realised was there. Was it locked? No, just sticky. Race gave it a shove, we sped through, and I slammed it behind us to keep the smoke at bay before we ran along a dimly lit hallway lined with doors. They all looked the same to me, but Race didn’t hesitate. Thank goodness one of us knew where we were going. Race led me through a virtual maze then shoved the bar on a fire door, letting us out onto a metal balcony. I hung onto the railing and doubled over, gulping in great lungfuls of air. Race’s breathing was ragged, and he collapsed to his knees.

  “You okay?” I asked, dropping down beside him.

  He managed a nod, his eyes still wide with fear. I hugged him and squeezed his hand, crying silent thanks for the tiny scruff of a miracle that had just rescued me.

  Sirens sounded in the distance, and I tried to gather my thoughts, which had scattered like smoke on the breeze.

  Phone home, that’s what I needed to do.

  Only I couldn’t. My cell was broken where I’d landed on it when the chair tipped over. At least I still had my keys, as well as a nice bruise from where they’d stabbed me in the leg.

  “Do you have your phone?” I asked Race.

  He shook his head. “Got taken.”

  “Can you climb down the ladder?”

  A nod.

  I went first, keeping him in front of me so if he fell, I’d catch him. I needed to get back to Blackwood. Carr was about to board a plane.

  Luckily, my Camaro was still in the alley where I’d left it. Thick smoke swirled all around, but otherwise it was untouched. Carr’s arrogance had worked in my favour this time—he didn’t think I’d escape, so he hadn’t burned my car or even punctured a tyre. Still wheezing, I got Race strapped into the front seat and took off just as the first fire truck turned the corner. I’d listen to the reports of myself fleeing the scene later.

  It was only a fifteen-minute drive to Blackwood, but every second put Carr closer to take-off. I floored it, past caring about speeding fines or stop signs or traffic lights. Emmy could apologise on my behalf later.

  The tyres squealed as I sped into the underground parking garage and plucked Race out of the car, staggering towards the elevator in the corner. It crawled upwards slowly, oh-so-slowly, until I finally burst out on the third floor.

  “Call Emmy,” I sputtered. “Check the airports. Carr’s about to get on a plane.”

  Strong arms gripped under my armpits as my knees gave way, and someone pulled me onto a chair. That was the last thing I remembered before everything turned black again.

  CHAPTER 52

  I WAS ONLY out for a minute or so, but it was long enough for Dr. Stanton to appear by my side. I tried to push her away.

  “Check him,” I said, pointing at Race.

  “I’ll check both of you.” Her tone left no room for argument.

  She gave me an oxygen mask to hold over my nose and pressed the business end of a stethoscope against my chest. I gave in and let her. I didn’t have the strength to object. It was only when she prodded my shoulder that I let out a yowl.

  “You need to go to hospital with that.”

  “Later. Just strap it up, would you?”

  I wasn’t going anywhere until someone gave me some news on what was happening with the search for Carr.

  “There’s every chance it’s broken.”

  I tried a smile, although it probably came out as more of a grimace. “Would you be a sweetheart and give me some painkillers? The good stuff.”

  “I’ll bring Advil and an ice pack until we know what we’re dealing with.”

  “Advil? Fucking Advil?”

  She pursed her lips. “Codeine might help with the pain, but it won’t do anything for the inflammation. Advil is the best thing. As I said, you need to get to the hospital.”

  “Yeah, yeah, in a minute.” I trundled the chair over to the nearest desk and picked up the phone. “Mack? Tell me what’s going on.”

  An hour later, Race had been pronounced fit by Kira, but I’d insisted he get checked out at the hospital too. Mack had tracked Carr’s departure to Richmond International, and his booked flight to Orlando had just departed. We didn’t know yet whether he’d made it onto the plane, and if he had, where he planned to go after that. Mack was busy hacking into airline records when Emmy strode across the floor, grinning like the Cheshire fucking cat. Ana and Fia weren’t far behind, and even Ana didn’t look totally miserable.

  “You got him?”

  “Yeah, we got him. Beat him to Richmond International. If you ever say anything about my driving again…”

  “You bitch. Why didn’t you call?”

  She dropped the remains of her phone into the trash. Another one bites the dust. “Thought I’d tell you in person. Besides, it was messy.”

  “Messy how?”

  “I stun-gunned him in the terminal and he pissed himself. Fia shot him up with ketamine, Ana borrowed an airport uniform and one of those golf carts they use for VIPs so we could get him to the car, and now Black’s Cayenne needs a valet.”

  “Thank fuck. I’ll pay for new upholstery.”

  Emmy gave me a high-five then a hug, and I almost forgot about my shoulder until a bolt of pain shot through me.

  “Yeouch!”

  “Fuck, I’m sorry.” She pulled back and stared. “You’re filthy and not in a good way.”

  “So are you now.”

  Grey splodges covered her white shirt, and I started laughing. I couldn’t help it. I’d nearly died this afternoon, and all I could think of was Bradley’s face when he saw the state of us.

  Emmy joined in, and we snorted until tears ran down our cheeks.

  The men looked on nervously. “Should I call the doctor back?” one of them asked. “She went to the ER with the kid.”

  I held a hand up, stopping him. Eventually, our hysterics subsided and we grew serious again.

  “Ems, tell me you’ve got codeine.”

  “Fia?”

  “Codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, meperidine, morphine, fentanyl. Take your pick.”

  Fuck. “Morphine.”

  If I couldn’t twist Carr’s balls off in a vice, at least I could get high.

  “Two minutes.”

  “Where does she get all that shit?” I asked Emmy as Fia disappeared.

  “Best not to ask. So, did you speak to Carr?”

  “Yeah. The freak loves the sound of his own voice.”

  “Did he have anything useful to say?”

  I lifted my glasses off and handed them to her. “Want to watch?”

  When I’d seen the pair of high-res camera-glasses Nate had made for Emmy, I’d wheedled and cajoled until he gave me a pair too. He’d sighed and handed them over yesterday. I’d only worn them to record my police interview for posterity, but I’d forgotten to press the “stop” button, and it turned out that was one of the best moves I’d ever made.

  Emmy grinned at me. “I love home movies.”

  “Where’s Ethan?” I asked. “I need to see him.”

  “He’s at Riverley, climbing the walls. He knows something’s happened, but I wasn’t going to give him the details until I’d seen you.”

  “Can you take me over there?”

  “Don’t you think you should go to the hospital first?”

  Fia chose that moment to stab me with a needle.

  “Nope, I’m good. We can go right after.”

  Emmy rolled her eyes. “Fine. We’ll be at Riverley in no time.”

  “Please make it a little longer than no time. I’ve had enough excitement for today.”

  “Slow enough?”

  Emmy made a show of letting a minivan beat her Corvette away from a traffic light, but I barely noticed.

  “Fine.”

  “Okay, what’s up? You’ve been quiet for at least five minutes, and that’s not like you.”

  Everything was confused in my head, and I had no idea what to tell her. Or
Ethan. I’d nearly met my maker today, and on the inside, I was shaking. On the outside too, at least, I would have been if I hadn’t gripped the edges of the seat.

  “Dan?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Bullshit.” Three seconds later, she’d done a J-turn and the car was pointing in the other direction. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

  “No!” I closed my eyes and leaned back against the headrest. “I’m just scared, okay?”

  “You got Tasered, escaped from a burning building, drove all the way to the office while practically unconscious, and now you’re scared?”

  “I’m scared of this thing with Ethan.”

  I hung on as Emmy spun the car again, then she drove into a supermarket parking lot and put the brake on.

  “What scares you?”

  “I don’t know. Everything?”

  “Can you narrow it down just a little?”

  “It’s all happened so fast. I mean, three months ago, I spent my nights partying or hunting criminals, and now I have this weird urge to curl up on the sofa with a cup of cocoa and a painfully shy guitarist. We’re from two totally different worlds, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t imagine my future without him in it.”

  “Then don’t. He’s crazy about you.”

  “What if it doesn’t work out? I mean, women throw panties at him.”

  “They throw all sorts of underwear at Eli, and Tia copes.”

  “But what if we’re just too far apart?”

  Emmy began ticking off on her fingers. “Okay, we’ve got Xav and Georgia—a hitman and a senator’s daughter. Then there’s Quinn and Ana, and Fia and Leo. And Jed fell in love with a scientist, for fuck’s sake.”

  “But—”

  “And then there’s me and Black.”

  “But you’re perfect for each other.”

  Emmy closed her eyes and screwed her mouth up the way she did when she was deciding something. Five seconds passed. Ten.

  “When I first met Black, he was obviously a billionaire, and I was a stripper.”

  “I’m sorry, you were a what?”

  “You heard. And if you tell anyone, I’ll kill you. I mean that.”

  “B-b-but… I thought you worked in a gym?”

  “I also worked in a gym, but stripping paid better.”

  “Black knows?”

  “Of course he knows. I was dressed up like a slutty schoolgirl when I nicked his wallet.”

  “Holy fuck.” I doubled over with laughter then quickly regretted it. “Ouch, that hurt.”

  “So you see, people don’t have to be perfect on paper to be right for each other. And even if you try and it all goes wrong, surely that’s better than not even taking the chance?”

  “I guess. But it’s not just Ethan. It’s the kids too. I always avoided spending time with children because I thought it would hurt too much, and it does hurt, but I also kinda like it.”

  “If you like it, then just enjoy it. Don’t keep second-guessing yourself.”

  “Why do you always have to be right?”

  Emmy’s smile was so smug I wanted to sandpaper it right off her face.

  “I just can’t help it. Are you ready to head off? Because seriously, if you don’t go to Riverley right now, I’m definitely taking you to the hospital. You’ve gone a horrible colour.”

  “Okay, go. Let’s get this over with. What should I tell Ethan?”

  “The truth. That Carr was crazy, but you’re fine, and it’s done. You perhaps want to gloss over the smoke inhalation part, though.”

  “I love you, you mental bitch.”

  “Stop getting all emotional, you silly cow.”

  I followed Emmy’s advice and told Ethan a condensed version of this afternoon’s adventures.

  Went looking for Race.

  Found Carr.

  Teensy fire.

  Found Race.

  Lost Carr.

  Drove back to work.

  Found Carr.

  All good, couldn’t be better.

  Ethan took the news of my ordeal worse than I did, and his mouth set into a thin line.

  “Sorry,” I muttered, then shrieked as he caught me by surprise with a hug.

  Stars burst behind my eyes, and I’d probably have fainted if Ethan hadn’t been holding me up. The effects of Sofia’s little gift were no match for two strong arms.

  “Dani? What’s wrong?”

  “Uh, I have a small problem with my collarbone. It might be a little bit broken.”

  He sprang back, and I bit my lip as another band of pain pulsed through me.

  “Fuck. I’m never letting you out of my sight again.” He squeezed my hands in his. “Never.”

  “That suits me, but you’ll have to come to the hospital. I need to get an x-ray.”

  “Why couldn’t I have fallen in love with a nice, normal girl? One who likes baking cookies and going to movies with friends.”

  I went rigid. It was kind of like being Tasered, except without the feeling I was going to wet myself. “You love me?”

  He smiled that sweet, shy smile. “Yeah, I love you.”

  I buried my face in his chest, squeezing him as tightly as I could with my good arm. “I love you too.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.”

  I looked up at him. “I love you too.”

  He grinned. “Nope, still didn’t hear it.”

  “I love you too. What, do you want me to tattoo it across my forehead?”

  “Now that you mention it…”

  Dr. Beech met us at the hospital entrance with a wheelchair. Thanks to Blackwood’s regular donations to his fundraisers, we never had to wait in line.

  “Ouch. That looks nasty, Daniela. Tennis injury?”

  “Something like that.”

  Blackwood had a lot of tennis injuries. Sometimes golf.

  “Perhaps we should give you some painkillers. Morphine?”

  “Thanks, that’s—”

  “No,” Emmy said. “She’s fine with Advil.”

  Bitch.

  Ethan hovered in the hallway while I got x-rayed then sat on the side of my bed while we waited for the results. Emmy disappeared for fifteen minutes and came back with coffee.

  “I bought another one of those incubator things. That should keep us good for a while.”

  “Incubator things?” Ethan asked.

  “For the baby unit.”

  “Just Emmy showing her philanthropic side,” I told him. “She’s good like that.”

  Dr. Beech returned before my coffee was cool enough to drink and put the X-ray of my shoulder up on the lightbox. Oh, shit. Even I could see the break.

  “The bad news is that you’ve fractured your scapula. You’ll need to wear a brace so the bones knit together in the proper alignment.”

  “Is there good news?”

  He glanced sideways at Emmy. “You get six weeks off work.”

  She just smiled. “Six weeks with Ethan, honey. Enjoy them. I did say that whoever caught Carr could have a vacation.”

  Okay, when she put it that way…

  We had our first date that evening. Dinner and a movie. Well, Mrs. Fairfax’s homemade burgers and a special showing of Psycho, part II.

  Nate hooked up the glasses I’d been wearing earlier to the big screen in Emmy’s movie theatre, and I settled back onto the sofa beside Ethan. He’d gone tense again, but when I pressed my lips against his cheek, he relaxed a little.

  “Lucky you didn’t spend longer dying,” Nate said. “The battery was almost drained.”

  Sympathy wasn’t one of his strong points.

  “I’ll make sure battery life is at the forefront of my mind next time I get tied to a chair by a madman.”

  Oliver settled on the other side of me, legal pad and Montblanc pen in hand. Even now he still wore a suit, although he had taken his tie off.

  “Did you bring the popcorn?” Emmy asked him, earning herself an eye roll.

  Bradley skidded
in, bowls in hand. “Here I am. Popcorn, M&Ms, and I’ll just fetch the bubbles.” He held out a hand to Race, who was squashed on the other side of Ethan. “Hey, let’s get some juice. Do you like Disney?”

  Yes, Race. After the fire, he’d been shaken, even quieter than usual. I’d wanted to take him home, but he’d clung to Ethan and begged me not to. He thought he’d get into trouble.

  Well, I’d told so many fibs in my life, one more wouldn’t hurt. I called his foster mom and explained that the boys were putting on an impromptu music show. Would she mind if Race stayed out for the evening?

  “One less mouth to feed,” she said.

  “Is it okay if he stays overnight occasionally?”

  “Long as I get my cheque from the state each month and the kids keep out of my hair, I don’t care what they do.”

  How sad that this woman had the greatest gift of all—children—and she treated them like an annoyance, or worse, a meal ticket. I stopped feeling guilty after that.

  But I didn’t want Race to watch the video. Yes, he’d seen the live version, but one dose of Richard Carr was quite enough. And now, as he silently followed Bradley up to the small TV room on the second floor, I stuck by that decision.

  “Ready?” Nate asked.

  “Go for it.”

  I watched for the second time as Carr ranted like the lunatic we knew him to be. Now my adrenaline had stopped flowing and I had time to analyse his words, I felt properly sick.

  Ethan didn’t look so good either, and he gripped my thigh so tightly I had to ask him to ease off.

  “And people say I’m crazy,” Emmy said when the video ended with me falling out of the elevator at Blackwood. “How did that man manage to go undetected for so long?”

  “Moved around a lot, I imagine,” Nate said. “How long do you think he’d been at Ethan’s building?”

  I’d already spoken to Race about that. “A couple of hours.” The poor kid had been lying under the stage for that long. “Race found the door unlocked and went in, then heard Carr coming up the stairs with the gas cans and hid. After that, Carr spent a while pacing and muttering until I arrived.”

  Emmy’s husband stretched out his legs, and I detected a faint aura of relief around him today. Relief that, for once, it wasn’t his wife getting into all manner of trouble. And now he asked the fifty-thousand-dollar question.