Page 43 of Bitter Lies

I need a minute. Getting us out of here is still my top priority.

Coughing, I wipe my brow as the smoke blurs my vision and brings tears to my eyes.

A loud bang echoes from the kitchen galley, startling me. The orange glow that follows tells me we have another problem.

The fire in the gallery ventilation now isn’t the only one anymore. That’s why the smoke is growing thicker by the second.

I’m running out of time. If I don’t get us out soon, we’ll be trapped. And I refuse to let that happen.

“Grams.” Crawling up next to her, I take her hand.

It’s cold, but as I squeeze, her fingers wiggle against mine.

“I’ve got you, Grams. I’m getting us out of here. Just hold on.”

The thought of searching for my grandfather crosses my mind. My heart grows heavy when I realize I can’t. We don’t have the time, and I’m exhausted. Every second I stay in this smoke-filled penthouse, the risk of not getting us out alive grows.

I can’t take that risk.

For all I know, he’s already made it out. It’s a tough choice, but one I make before talking myself out of it.

Crawling while dragging her behind me is impossible. I have to stand.

Picking her up isn’t an option. The chance of dropping her is too high a risk in my state.

With a firm grip on her ankles, I drag her across the living room, aiming for the entrance. It’s not easy, and I do my best not to hurt her. Maneuvering around the furniture, careful not to bang her head.

“Almost there,” I huff. “Hang on, Grams.”

Right as I reach the foyer, the front door bursts open.

A masked figure stands in the shadows, clad in a heavy jacket and helmet. Our hero.

“I have two females. One upright. One passed out. I need help.”

Overwhelmed, I collapse onto the marble, my knees hitting hard as tears cascade down my cheeks. “What took you so long?”

He removes the towel covering my mouth and presses an extra mask over my face, giving me a brief hit of air. “Breathe in. That’s it. Let the oxygen help. I’m going to check on her, okay?”

I nod, inhaling the clean air. “She’s my grandmother. I found her passed out in the gallery. That’s where most of the smoke is coming from.”

“We’ll let my brothers figure that out.” He takes the mask back and clips it to his coat. “Let’s worry about getting you two out of here.”

Tossing Grams over his shoulder, he extends a hand to help me stand. “Can you walk?”

“I think so.” Using his hand for leverage, I pull my body up.

My legs wobble.

“We just need to make it past the front door. Get us out of this mess.” He catches my arm and leads me toward it. “My partner will be here soon to help you down.”

“Okay,” I say as a wave of dizziness washes over me.

“Woo, shit.” He catches me when I stumble. “I need help, guys. She’s gonna pass out.”

Two muscular arms wrap around me, hoisting me up and over broad shoulders. “I got her. You go.”

I know that voice.