Page 116 of How to Lose at Love

Maybe that was God’s grace. His mercy. The peace she could feel even though she was alone. She might’ve been unable to feel Him in that cabin, but He had been there. Just because she didn’t “feel” God’s presence didn’t mean He wasn’t there.

“I trust You.” She whispered the words, barely a sound emerging from her lips. “Thank You for saving me.”

Julio’s phone buzzed under her hand.

She flipped it over and saw a text from his parents, part of a group thread. She entered the code he’d always set for his phone PIN—the date of the day they’d met.

Once unlocked, the screen displayed the thread, friendly family chatter. The small talk of people who would be forever connected. Who knew to their souls they were cared for.

Samantha needed to use the video call feature, to make sure Bristol was all right.

She settled for a text.

It’s Sam. I’m good. We all are. But pray for Benson. Downtown is on fire.

The door beside her opened. Julio wouldn’t be back yet, so instinct had her slip the phone out of sight under her leg. Someone leaned down. Captain Tennet—Dominic.

“Everything okay in here?” he asked.

She nodded, pointing to her throat and mouthing,Can’t speak.

“You’re too close to personnel and the fires. If you can walk, we should get you farther away from here.” He backed up and waved her out of the car.

Samantha slid across the seat, which was more difficult than she’d have thought it would be. She tucked the phone in the back of her belt and flipped her shirt over it. Not foolproof, but there weren’t many other places she could put it. Julio probably didn’t have Romeo’s number, so how would she be able to contact him if something happened?

Which was crazy. This guy was a fire department captain. Why would he do anything to her?

She climbed out of the car and looked around, as if to ask where they were going.

“This way.” He touched her elbow. “There’s a makeshift shelter in the bank building.”

She thought that was quite close, given the building beside it was on fire, but she went with him. She might’ve had a rough day, but all in all, her injuries were minimal. And she thought that maybe—just maybe—there was enough energy in her to turn feral if the situation called for it.

Kind of like the day she’d faced down Bristol’s bullies.

The day she’d met Julio.

He’d saved her from getting expelled for all the fights she’d landed in protecting her sister. And why not? Her parents had expected her to show up for Bristol as if she couldn’t protect herself, or even speak for herself. Meanwhile, her sister had been bound and determined to throw off all constraints and make as many memories for herself as possible.

Tennet pulled open the door. “In here.”

She managed to say, “You aren’t helping with the fires?”

“I’m more of an office type. That’s why I landed in investigation.” He led her across a lobby, empty of anyone. This was supposed to be a shelter type place? Somewhere people holed up until the danger had passed.

“Where are we going?”

“Up to the second floor.”

Yeah, no. “I think I should just head down the street. Go find somewhere to stay out of the way. In case the car isn’t far enough.”

His touch on her elbow turned to a grasp. She sucked in a breath as his grip turned punishing. She twisted around, nailing him in the diaphragm with the heel of her other hand.

He puffed out a breath, but didn’t let go of her. His other hand produced a gun. “Not a good idea. After all, if you run, how are we going to watch Benson burn together?” He dragged her to the elevator and hit the UP button with a kick of his foot.

Samantha wanted to fight him, get away and run for it. The loaded gun pointed at her stalled her before she could even figure out how to subdue the bigger man so that she could make a run for it.

Then he would surely shoot her in the back.