Page 74 of Die for You

Valentina busies herself by studying her nails since I’ve clearly hit a nerve.

“But you can’t fit it in that thing,” I mock, looking at Donkey’s sedan. “Take my truck and drop it off at home. Come back when you’re done.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

I toss Donkey my keys, which he catches. “Thank you, Lennon. Under your asshole exterior lays only half an asshole.”

Valentina muffles her laughter behind her hand.

My cell rings, but the caller is unknown. “Saved by the bell,” I tease, giving Donkey a wave as I enter the store to take the call.

Valentina stays outside.

“Hello.” However, it’s silent. “Hello?” I repeat in case it’s a bad line.

I hear Donkey talk to Valentina.

“Hello?” I say one last time.

Suddenly, I hear a nursery rhyme over the phone.Ring around the rosie…

I don’t have a chance to speak because the caller says one word. “Boom.”

Dropping my cell, I run faster than my feet can keep up and scream, “No! Don’t start the—”

But it’s too late.

I feel the heat on my face before the sound erupts, and my eardrums vibrate with the destructiveBOOM! I’m knocked back into the store from the explosion, everything shaky, and my ears are ringing loudly.

The red hue from the blazing fireball hurts my eyes, but I shield them with my forearm as I run back outside, screaming, “Valentina!”

The flames from my truck are licking the heavens. The roar is deafening.

It’s too late for Donkey.

With my heart in my throat, I frantically search for Valentina.

The ringing in my ears has me swaying from side to side, throwing off my balance, and the smell of burning rubber and fuel burns my eyes and nostrils, but I push past it and continue my search.

“Valentina!” I bellow, ignoring the rumble coming from my burning car.

A relieved breath escapes me when I see her slumped against a dumpster.

“Valentina!” I run to where she is and drop to my knees, cupping her face in my palms.

She’s unconscious, but thankfully breathing.

Looking over my shoulder at the inferno, I know I have mere seconds to drag her to safety. I pick her up and toss her over my shoulder, then run down the street. The moment I enter an alleyway, an earsplitting eruption rocks the entire neighborhood.

The fire ignited the fuel tank, causing an explosion that shatters the windows of adjacent buildings. The sound wakes Valentina.

She groans.

I sigh in utter relief.

Gently placing her on the ground, I lean her back up against the bluestone wall. “It’s okay, you’re safe. Can you open your eyes?”

She opens and closes her mouth, but no words come out.