Covert Conception by Fossen Delores

Author:Fossen, Delores [Fossen, Delores]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Suspense
ISBN: 9781426886928
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-12-27T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

"Fire!" Rick shouted.

Natalie whirled around and followed his startled gaze to see orange flames snaking along the wall adjacent to Rick's office. And there was smoke. Thin, black wisps, but the wisps were quickly growing into smothering clouds.

Her heart kicked into overdrive.

Obviously, so did Rick's. He raced across the shop area and grabbed a fire extinguisher that'd been mounted on the wall. Natalie followed his lead, looking around until she located another extinguisher on the other side of the open bay area. She hurried to retrieve it as Rick began to spray the flames.

Natalie sprayed the foam as well, but it didn't take her long to realize that this was a losing battle. The fire was spreading. Fast. And she could feel the brutal heat scorching her face.

Rick obviously realized the same thing because he dropped the extinguisher, caught onto her arm and began running toward the door. In just those few steps, the smoke began to close in around them. It was dark and thick. Suffocating.

Natalie tossed her fire extinguisher aside, cupped her hand over her nose and mouth to try and stop herself from taking too much of it in.

She thought of the baby. Of the danger. The slam of adrenaline and the smoke couldn't be good for their unborn child, but there was nothing she could do about it except get out of there as fast as possible.

Rick fought through the smoke while keeping a firm grip on her. They made it to the front of the shop to the rustic pine door flanked on both sides by windows covered with metal security shutters. Natalie couldn't see outside, but she hoped that someone nearby had already called the fire department.

Rick reached for the brass doorknob and immediately jerked back his hand.

"It's scalding hot," he informed her.

Oh, mercy.

Natalie filled in the blanks. If the doorknob was hot, then the fire had likely spread to the front of the building. Or maybe that was the point of origin. If they tried to get out that way, they'd no doubt be engulfed in flames.

That robbed her of what little breath she had left.

She refused to give in to the panic. She had to concentrate on getting out of there and staying alive because if something happened to her, it also happened to the baby.

Rick tightened his grip on her arm and, with her in tow, he raced across the work bay, dodging parts and motorcycles.

"Please tell me there's another exit," Natalie shouted.

"There is, on the other side of the building."

The smoke was so thick that she didn't even know they'd reached another door until Rick stopped. He shoved her inside. It was a bathroom and not as smoky as the rest of the building. She automatically reached for the light switch, only to realize the power wasn't on. Thankfully, she realized that, of course, Rick knew where he was going.

They made their way to a pair of pedestal sinks. Rick let go of her so he could open the mottled-glass window high above them.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.