Seducing Simon (21 page)

At noon Sarah came bustling in and tossed a bag at her and Cody. “I picked up lunch at Sonic,” she said, as she flopped in the chair beside Toni.

“Hey thanks, Sarah,” Cody said, digging into the bag immediately.

“Anything going on?” she asked as she munched on a fry.

Toni retrieved a burger from her bag and unwrapped it. “Not much.

The usual.”

-189-

Maya Banks

“You want to go home early?” she asked Toni. “Since it’s slow, we don’t need three dispatchers.

Toni nodded. “Sure. I’ll clock out after I eat.”

“Take your time.”

As they ate, the scanner crackled and they perked up. Toni listened intently as station two was dispatched to a fire downtown.

“That’s your boys,” Cody said.

“Yeah, it is. Hey did you hear what building it was?” Toni asked, listening harder to the hurried transmission.

“Thought it said the old theater,” Sarah mumbled around a mouthful of burger.

“Da-mn,” Cody said with a whistle. “That monstrosity’s been around forever.”

The scanner was quiet for a while then it came to life again as station radioed there were ten-ten, on scene. A minute later, Toni recognized the chief’s voice.

“Get us some back-up. This one’s a bitch.” Toni’s brow lifted. Not often was there a fire major enough to warrant calling out both stations. She wondered briefly if they’d call out a crew from Beaumont.

She forgot all about leaving as she listened to the drama unfold. She chewed absently on the burger as she listened for more traffic.

Back-up arrived, and from she could discern, the fire was out of control. If it was too bad, in all likelihood, the entire block would go up where the theater was situated.

The chief crackled back over the scanner, apparently radioing for yet more back up. Toni frowned. It must be one hell of a fire. A prickle of unease skirted over her as the chief continued laying out his needs. In the background she suddenly heard shouts. Then the chief swore and

-190-

Seducing Simon

yelled out presumably to someone close. “Get an ambulance here. I’ve got men down!”

Toni’s heart lurched into her throat and she could feel every ounce of blood leaving her face. She stumbled up, the bag in her lap falling to the floor. “Toni, be careful,” Sarah called as she ran for the door. Cody was already dispatching an ambulance.

She drove as fast as she felt safe to do, her pulse pounding in her temple. Several miles from downtown she saw the billowing smoke reaching toward the sky. Several streets were already blocked off, so she parked her Jeep and ran toward the building.

When she got close enough to see the theater, a scream lodged in her throat. The roof was caved in and flames shot through the opening. The fire had already spread to the bank two doors down and looked as if it would soon consume the clothing boutique on the end.

An ambulance screamed up, but her eyes were riveted to the two firemen being carried out of the burning building. Her mouth went dry even as she launched herself forward, shoving by the crowd of bystanders.

As she got to the area cordoned off by the fire crew, she ducked underneath the tape.

“Whoa there, Toni.” Hands grabbed her, preventing her progress.

“Honey, don’t go over there.”

She realized it was Mike. Tears sprang to her eyes. “It’s one of them isn’t it?” she whispered.

His eyes softened, regret filling his face.

She jerked away from him and ran to where the ambulance crew surrounded the men on the ground. “Oh dear God,” she choked out. It wasn’t
one
of them. It was Matt and Simon. Where was A.J.? She raised her head, looking frantically around for sign of him.

-191-

Maya Banks

“Toni, you shouldn’t be here,” the chief said firmly, trying to steer her away.

“Don’t!” she said, hardly recognizing the sob in her voice. She yanked her arm free. “Where’s A.J.?” she demanded.

“He’s fine,” the chief said reassuringly. “Just being treated for smoke inhalation. There he is now.”

A.J. must have seen her because he was bearing down on her through the crowd of people. He caught her in his arms, shielding her from her view of Simon and Matt. “They’ll be okay,” he said in a hoarse voice.

She gripped him tightly, nearly faint with relief. When she hadn’t seen him she’d assumed the worst. But now she had to find out how Simon and Matt were. “Don’t protect me, A.J.,” she said fiercely. “I want to know how they are.”

She shoved closer, trying to see amidst the people swarming everywhere. Her heart twisted as she saw Simon’s soot covered face. His eyes were closed. An oxygen mask was crammed over his nose and mouth after the C-collar was secure.

A paramedic looked up and saw Toni standing there. He grimaced.

“Want to ride?” he asked as they loaded Simon up on the stretcher.

“A.J., can you ride with Matt?” she asked.

“Go on, babe. I’ll catch you at the hospital.” She clamored into the back of the ambulance with the assistance of another fireman. They slammed the doors shut and the ambulance lurched forward.

“Sit there and buckle up,” the paramedic said, gesturing toward the jump seat.

“Will he be all right?” she asked fearfully.

“Yeah, I think so. His vitals are stable. He’s damn lucky.”

-192-

Seducing Simon

She breathed a heavy sigh of relief, tears swelling in her eyes. “And Matt?” she prompted.

“I don’t know. The other medic took him.” She chewed her knuckles as she watched the paramedic start dual IVs. Why wasn’t Simon conscious? Even she knew a prolonged loss of consciousness wasn’t good.

The medic pushed Simon’s eyelids open and shone a penlight into the pupils. As if feeling Toni’s anxious stare, he looked up at her. “I don’t see any obvious sign of head injury. His pupils are equal and reactive.” He turned away from her and picked up the radio to call report to the hospital. Toni reached forward and placed a hand on Simon’s forehead.

She wiped some of the soot away with her fingers, willing him to open his eyes. She couldn’t lose him. No. She
wouldn’t
lose him. She loved this man more than life itself.

She caught herself as the ambulance came to an abrupt halt and the back doors flew open. The ER staff assisted the paramedic as they pulled the stretched out. The paramedic reached back to help Toni down before hurrying in behind the stretcher that was wheeling away.

Toni was left behind as they shoved the stretcher through the swinging doors. She stood in shock, her fingers to her lips. Behind her, more commotion ensued as Matt was wheeled in, A.J. striding in beside him.

She rushed to the stretcher, elated to see Matt was conscious.

“Toni, what the hell are you doing here?” he demanded.

She went weak with relief, donning a crooked smile. “Thank God you’re okay, Matt.”

He reached up to touch her cheek. “I’m fine, just a little banged up.

Do me a favor and call Steph so she won’t worry.”

-193-

Maya Banks

They wheeled him away as she nodded her agreement. Strong hands gripped her shoulders, squeezing comfortingly. “How was Simon?” A.J.

asked.

She turned and buried her face in his chest. “He wasn’t conscious, A.J. I don’t know how he is.” She fought to keep desperation from her voice, but she failed miserably. “I can’t lose him. I can’t.”

“You’re not going to lose him, Toni.” He rubbed her back then led her over to a row of seats by the window. “You sit. I’ll go call Stephanie.” He walked stiffly off, leaving dirty footprints on the polished floor. He still wore his fire gear, layers of soot and ash clinging to him like a second skin.

She closed her eyes, not wanting to think how close she had come to losing the people most important to her. What would she do without all of them?

A.J. returned in a minute and slid into the seat beside Toni. She reached over and took his hand, gripping it tightly. “Are you okay, A.J.?” He smiled even as he coughed. “I’m fine, really. I was almost out when the roof collapsed. Matt and Simon were behind me.” His eyes flashed in pain. “I should have been with them.” She cupped his cheek in her palm. “I’m very glad you weren’t hurt.

My heart couldn’t take all three of you in the hospital.” He caught her hand and squeezed. “I’m sorry. It must have been quite a shock. I assume you heard it over the scanner.” She nodded. “Is Stephanie coming?”

“Yeah, she freaked. I told her not to kill herself getting here, that Matt was awake.”

A few minutes later, a nurse came out and looked over at them. “Are you Toni and A.J.?”

They were on their feet immediately.

-194-

Seducing Simon

The nurse gestured them back. “Matt wants to see you both.” Toni rushed into the small exam room and immediately fell on Matt, hugging him fiercely. He winced and gently pushed at her. “Let me breathe, sis. If you don’t let up, I’ll have to put the O2 back on.” She let him go and stood back up beside A.J.

“You okay, man?” A.J. asked, relief flaring in his eyes. He’d been as worried as her she realized now, but he’d hidden it well.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Doc says I have a few bruised ribs, but otherwise, I’m right as rain.”

Toni squeezed his hand tightly, unable to speak around the knot in her throat.

“Hey, how’s Simon?” Matt asked, worry evident in his voice.

“I don’t know yet,” she said quietly. “They haven’t let me see him.”

“Don’t worry,” he said, squeezing her hand in return. “He’ll be fine I’m sure.”

“Steph’s on her way,” A.J. spoke up.

Matt groaned. “She may never let me up.”

“You got that right,” Stephanie announced from the door.

Toni turned to see her rush forward, panic, relief, anguish etched in her face. “I’ll see you later on,” she told Matt as she stepped away from the bed.

A.J. walked out with her, leaving Matt and Stephanie alone.

“I’m going to ask about Simon,” she announced. “I can’t take it anymore.”

She flagged down a nurse in the hall who went to inquire about Simon. In a moment she returned. “You can go in and see him. He’s awake now.”

Toni ran to the room, her heart pounding in her chest. At the doorway, she stopped and stared, drinking in his appearance. He was

-195-

Maya Banks

propped against a pillow, his large body incongruous with the small bed.

His clothing had been stripped, a sheet pulled up to his mid-drift. Some of the soot had been cleaned from his face, but streaks still shone on his tanned skin.

With a cry, she launched herself at him. He caught her against him as she reached the bed. He enfolded her in his arms as she buried her face against his chest. Her tears fell rapidly now, wetting his skin.

“Hey,” he said softly, trying to pick her head up. “I’m okay. Don’t cry, sweetheart.”

She raised her head, tears blurring her vision. She ran her hands over his face, reassuring herself he was alive. “I was so scared,” she said in anguish. “Oh God, Simon. I almost lost you.”

“I’m not going anywhere, baby. Don’t cry. It’s not good for the baby for you to be so upset.” His hands soothed away the tears, and he pulled her face to his, capturing her lips in an emotional kiss.

“I love you, Simon,” she declared, not caring what he thought of her revelation. “I’ve loved you forever. And when I think about what could have happened today, it nearly kills me.” She sobbed openly, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing him tightly against her.

She ran her fingers through his hair then over his face, touching him, reassuring herself he was whole. She leaned her forehead against his, trying desperately to compose herself. They closed their eyes, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, running his hands over her back.

A noise from the door had Toni jerking away. “Sorry to interrupt,” A.J. said with a grin. “I wanted to see how you were doing, Simon.” He walked further into the room, and Simon situated Toni beside him on the bed, tucking her under his arm.

“I’m doing okay,” Simon replied. “How are you? How’s Matt?”

-196-

Seducing Simon

“I’m fine. Just a bit of smoke inhalation. Matt’s got a few busted ribs, but he’s all right, and Steph’s fussing over him.” Simon grinned. Toni turned to him. “What did the doctor say about you?”

“He cleared my spine. Said I got a knock on the head, probably from falling debris, but nothing serious. He said my lungs will feel like crap for a day or two from all the smoke, but all in all he said I was lucky.” She shivered, unable to contemplate the alternative. Her fright, the unspeakable agony she’d endured as she waited to hear Matt and Simon’s condition was rapidly catching up to her. She shook almost uncontrollably. Simon’s arms tightened around her, and he and A.J.

exchanged worried glances.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” she said shakily. Her bladder felt near to bursting, and she desperately needed to compose herself.

“Want me to go with you?” A.J. asked, looking doubtfully at her.

She smiled. “I’m fine. Besides, I don’t think it’s a good idea if you go into the ladies’ bathroom.”

“If you aren’t back in five minutes, I’m sending him in after you,” Simon said firmly.

She struggled down from the bed and tested her shaky legs. She wavered on the way to the door, feeling a hysterical urge to laugh.

A.J.’s hand gripped her elbow as she passed him. “I’m fine,” she said brightly. “Really. I just need to use the bathroom. I’ll be fine.” Simon watched her go, a combination of worry and awe occupying his thoughts. “She loves me,” he said softly when she disappeared from view.

A.J. snorted. “You’ve only just now figured that out? Where’ve you been, dude? I think you suffered more than a knock on the head.”

“No, she told me. She said it. She loves me.” He couldn’t keep the incredulity from his voice. It seemed monumental. She loved him.

-197-

Maya Banks

A.J. laughed. “You’ve got it bad. That little brunette has you twisted in knots.” His expression grew serious. “You scared the hell out of her today. You scared us all,” he amended.