Theirs to Keep (Tangled Hearts Trilogy #1)(43)

The three burst from the building just as the fire trucks rolled into the parking lot, sirens screaming.

Merrick collapsed to his knees at the bottom of the steps still holding Elle tightly against him. He tipped over, her landing on the ground with Merrick over her. Merrick coughed and choked, his body heaving as he pressed Elle to the ground.

Cade sank down beside them and hastily pushed Merrick off of Elle. As soon as he managed to pry Elle free, he yanked her into his arms and ran his hands over her body, trying to determine if she’d been injured.

And then the paramedics surrounded them, and he was separated from Elle as he was pulled in a different direction from both Elle and Merrick.

“Damn it, I’m fine!” Cade snarled. “Let me see Elle. She was the one trapped in the building.”

“Have a seat and let me put this oxygen mask on you,” the paramedic tending Cade said in a firm voice. “If all goes well, you can get back to her soon, but for now, I need to assess your condition.”

Only wanting to facilitate the process, Cade bit his lip and let the medic slip the mask over his face. He took in several deep breaths, his throat raw from smoke inhalation. The entire time the medic poked at him and took his vitals, Cade’s gaze was directed across the way where two paramedics already had Elle on a stretcher. She was fighting tooth and nail and calling for Merrick and Cade.

He yanked the mask from his face and took off at a run. He shoved by one of the medics trying to restrain Elle and leaned over the stretcher to pull her into his arms.

“Thank God,” she whispered in his ear. “Don’t let them take me, Cade. Someone will find out about me.”

“Honey, you need to go to a hospital. This is serious. We need to make sure you’re okay.”

Fear leapt into her eyes, and she shook her head adamantly. “Take me to see Dallas.”

“Miss, you really need to be taken to the emergency room,” one of the medics advised.

Again she shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Her voice cracked and was hoarse from the smoke.

Christ. Where was Merrick?

Still holding Elle, Cade turned to look over his shoulder and rapidly scanned the area for Merrick. His gaze lighted on his friend sitting on the ground several yards away, an oxygen mask covering his face while a medic took his vitals.

Shit but this was the last thing Merrick needed when he was so close to his championship fight.

“I’ll take her in,” Cade said when he looked back at the medics. He needed to get on with it fast so Merrick could be checked out too. Dakota was going to shit a brick over this.

The medics frowned and shook their heads in disbelief.

“I need her to sign no transport papers,” one of them said.

“I’ll sign,” Elle said in a firm voice.

The other medic sighed and turned to walk to the ambulance. He pulled out a clipboard and returned, thrusting a pen at Elle. He handed over the clipboard, showed her where to sign and then waited as she scribbled her name on the line.

As soon as she was done, she tried to get down, but Cade caught her against him and lifted her from the stretcher. He carried her to the SUV that now sported a dent in the side from the collision with the dumpster.

After settling her into the front seat, he buckled her in and then touched her face to get her attention.

“I’ll be right back, okay? I need to check on Merrick and see what’s up. Then I’ll get you to Dallas.”

She nodded and laid her head back against the rest.

Cade strode in Merrick’s direction only to see Merrick push himself to his feet, strip off the oxygen mask and hand it to the medic standing next to him. He started in Cade’s direction, meeting him there halfway.

“How’s Elle?” Merrick demanded.

“I’m taking her to see Dallas now. What about you?”

“I’m good. Going with you. We’ll take care of this later.”

Cade nodded and hurried back to the SUV. There would be a shit ton of stuff to do later. Reports to file. Statements to give. Insurance to see to.

Just then, his dad roared into the parking lot and braked hard, kicking up dirt and gravel as he stopped just in front of Merrick and Cade.

Charlie jumped out, his brows drawn together in concern.

“What the hell happened?” his dad demanded.

Cade shook his head. “No time to explain now, Dad. Do you mind sticking around to take care of stuff here? We need to get Elle to see Dallas. She was trapped in the office when it went up in flames.”

“Christ,” Charlie muttered. “Go on. Take her in and see to her needs. I’ll take care of things here.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Before Cade could hurry away, his dad pulled him into a huge hug.

“Glad you and Merrick are okay, son.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

CADE CARRIED HER INTO DALLAS’S clinic, and when the receptionist saw them, she immediately stood and motioned them through the door to one of the exam rooms.

Just a moment after Cade laid her down on the table, Dallas hurried in, a frown creasing his face. Then he got a look at Merrick.

“What the hell happened?” Dallas demanded.

“Fire,” Cade said grimly.

“Bullets too,” Elle blurted.

Merrick’s face grew stormy. “What the f**k?”