Page 95 of The Billionaire's Bride

I pull away, head for the first room, kick down the door, and see it’s empty. Head for the second one, step through the doorway. Smoke fills the space. I cough, try to draw a breath and my lungs burn. The smoke parts, I glance around the space, realize she’s not here. I race down the corridor, and up the stairs. As I reach the landing, I hear Edward cry out, "I found her."

I spring forward, toward the only room with an open door. I dash through the smoke, to find him bent over a prone figure tied to an upturned chair.

"Fuck." I rush to him, drop to my knees.

"Found her unconscious," he murmurs, as he unties the ropes on her feet.

I reach for the knots that tether her wrists together. My fingers slip. I swear, draw in a breath, then pick at the knot again. It loosens. I pull the rope apart, attack the second knot, which falls away. I tug at the rope again and it slackens enough for me to pull it down and off of her.

She slips from the chair and I grab her just as Ed completes untying the ropes on her feet. I haul her up in my arms, move toward the door just as a stack of fabric near the doorway catch fire.

I’ve barely made it through before a lick of fire flares up behind me. I turn, to find Edward on my heels. Behind him the doorframe is on fire. I head for the stairs and am halfway down the last flight when I realize Edward is not with me. I turn to find him frozen at the top of the stairs. What the hell? I retrace my way up the stairs, and pause a couple of steps below him, "Edward," I yell, "What's wrong?"

Sweat beads his forehead, his gaze is focused on a point in the distance. His muscles are locked, and he seems frozen, in shock? Shit, "Edward!" I growl, "Get a grip, man." I step up next to him, nudge him with my shoulder, "Ed! Jesus Christ, man, snap the fuck out of it."

He blinks, then turns his gaze on me, "Baron?" He murmurs, before his gaze moves to the woman in my arms.

"Go," he gestures, "get her to safety."

"Oh, I will, I promise, but you are coming."

He tilts his head, "I can't."

"The fuck you mean?"

"I must atone for my sins."

"Sins? What sins are you talking about?"

"I gave him up and now I must pay my due." His voice is without inflection as if he is in a dream, or in shock? "This is not the fucking time to have a crisis of faith." I snap, "You need to come with me, now."

He shakes his head, "Take her out of here, Baron."

Behind us, something crashes to the floor and the entire building seems to shudder.

"Fuck." I glare at him, "I am not leaving without you."

"Ava." His voice grows haunted. He glances down at her again, then back at my face. "She's the priority here."

I hesitate.

"Go." He points down the stairs, "Go, before it's too late. I’ll be right behind you."

Fuck, fuck, fuck.No way, am I leaving him, but if I hesitate, I'll endanger Ava as well.Bloody hell.I pull away from my friend and race down the last flight of steps, only to slip. I lose my footing, tumble down the rest of the stairs and turn my body at the last second to cushion the impact.

Her limp body collapses on top of mine. My back hits the floor and pain flashes behind my eyes. My guts churn, nausea bubbles up, and I swallow it down. I draw in a breath, scoop her up in my arms as I straighten, then race out of the doorway. I draw in gusts of fresh air as I place her down on the grass, then lean away, coughing, gasping. Next to me, she stirs, coughing, and I turn to her. I cup her face, "Eve?" I plead. "Ava, open your eyes. Please."

Her eyelids flicker open. Her gaze widens as she takes in my features. "Baron." She swallows, "Oh, my god, Baron." She coughs as she rises up and throws her arms around my neck, "The fire... I was so afraid."

"You’re safe." I close my arms around her, bury my face in her hair. Smoke, burning wood, and below that, the faint scent of jasmine. My heart stutters. "Fuck, Ava, if anything had happened to you..."

"I’m fine." She coughs again. "I knew you’d come." She begins to cry, "Knew you and Edward would find me in time."

I stiffen and she must sense the tension in me, for she pulls back, and peers into my face, "Edward." She swallows, "Where’s Ed?"

"The important thing is that you’re safe."

"Edward." She grabs at my collar, "Where’s Edward, Baron?"