Page 129 of Steel

“Fuck. I’m going after him.”

“Axe, no. The firefighters are almost here.” Viper grabbed his arm.

“That’s my brother in there. I am not going to allow another member of my family to die because of me.”

“No,” I managed. “He doesn’t want you to follow him.” The shock of what I said was evident by the look on Axe’s face.

“What do you mean?” His demand was filled with regret already.

“That’s what he wants.”

“I don’t care. No more family dies.” Axe jerked his arm free, but Viper refused to allow him to go, able to control him.

The two men glared at each other. “Think, Axe. Stop and think. Look at those flames. It’s too hot. You won’t make it through. Just be ready because you know Steel. He will not allow that child to die. Just get ready for when he appears. And heisgoing to appear.”

Axe hissed, yanking free once again. “He better or I’m going to kick his ass.”

“South end of the river near route five twenty-two. We need an ambulance for two possible victims.” Viper spewed directions into the communications radio, but I wasn’t listening. Not closely anyway.

My mind was processing everything from the last two weeks. The meeting. The look on Steel’s face. The controlling manner in how he’d reacted to me.

The gash on his forehead.

His split lip.

The way his eyes became hooded anytime the hunger dragged him from one moment into another.

I pressed my fingers across my lips, shifting my thoughts to my little man. My sweet boy. The kid was a rock, eager and adventurous, but he hadn’t started this fire.

But whoever had I would beat to death with my own hands.

More voices sounded off in the distance.

“Get her out of here!” Viper called.

“No,” I yelled back, coughing as soon as I did. “I’m not… going anywhere.”

“Violet. Please. You’re not safe,” Viper continued.

A noise. A crackle. Several booms as trees fell.

A yelp as I twisted my body toward the flames. Movement.

“What’s that?” I pointed toward a group of trees, black smoke rolling from the location.

Viper and Axe moved closer. “Stay back,” Axe commanded just as others popped through the trees.

The sirens were closer. So close. Echoing.

My mind spinning.

“Wait. There!” Axe lurched into action, preventing me from seeing anything. He bolted toward the forest with others following.

Yelling.

Another boom.

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think.