Chapter 35
M atthieu didn’t know what they were going to find when they reached Maya’s place. He wanted to order her to stay in the car, but he knew that wasn’t going to happen. However, he also needed to keep her safe. He knew that wouldn’t be Maya’s priority. Her priority was saving her babies.
But he couldn’t rule this out as a distraction to get to her.
“Maya, you need to stay with me when we get out,” he said as he drove quickly into the driveway.
Even the neighbors were coming out to see what was going on. Flames were licking the front of the house. Which was where her living room was.
That motherfucker had tried to kill her!
Maya didn’t acknowledge his words, she dove out of the car before he’d even stopped, falling onto her knees.
“Maya!” he yelled, his heart racing with fear.
Was she trying to take ten years off his life? Fuck! He was going to spank her every day for a week! No, a month!
He was aware that these were extenuating circumstances, but she still should have waited for him to bring the car to a halt.
By the time he got out and rounded the front of her car, she was running to the back door. He could hear the frantic barking from inside. And the chickens were squawking in terror. But the chickens were all right for the moment . . . he hoped.
They had to get to the other animals.
She let out a cry of pain as she touched the metal handle of the door. Shit. It must be hot.
“Out of the way,” he ordered, whipping off his shirt to wrap around his hand before he unlocked the door and opened it.
Dougie and Gummy raced out. Followed quickly by Princess Priss.
Relief filled him.
“Get them in the car!” he ordered.
“But Tank and Berry!” she cried. “Marshmallow!”
“I’ll get them.” Fuck. Shit. He couldn’t leave her. But he also couldn’t leave the other animals.
Just then he heard a snort. And he saw Tank, along with Berry heading toward them. Rushing in, he got behind them, urging them both out. Then he ran in further to where Marshmallow was. He grabbed his cage and rushed out with him, hoping like hell the hamster was all right.
It was so smoky, he could feel it getting into his lungs. When he got out, Maya was standing there with Gummy and Dougie in her arms. For once Gummy wasn’t protesting being held. Tank and Big Berry were just behind her.
Tears were streaming down her face.
“Oh thank God,” she sobbed.
“Let’s get you all in the car. We need a doctor to look at you and a vet at them.”
“I’m fine,” she said as they heard sirens in the distance. “Princess ran off and I can’t find her. And what about the chickens!”
“The chickens are okay. I’ll get them out if the smoke gets close. And I’ll find Princess Priss.” He managed to get them all to the car and inside.
Maya was shaking, her face pale. The keys were still in the car.
“Lock the door,” he ordered once he had them all safe.
“What? Why?” she asked, staring up at him.
“Because the guy could still be out there, waiting. Now, lock it.”
She nodded. She still held onto Dougie and Gummy. Gummy was now barking and trying to get free. No doubt she wanted to get to her friends.
He found a cat cage in the garage just as a fire engine pulled up.
“Anyone in there?” one of the firemen called out.
“I’ve got everyone out. Just trying to find the cat and check on the chickens.”
“Stay back. Let us take care of things.”
Yeah. Right.
“Any injuries?” the firefighter asked.
“Yeah, Maya hurt her hand. She’s in the car with the animals. I need to take our animals to a vet.”
“You can do that after we check her over,” the fireman said. “And we need to get the car out onto the street.”
He was torn between staying with Maya and finding Princess Priss. But he knew that Maya wouldn’t be happy without all of her babies.
So he moved to the car and waited for her to unlock and open the door.
“What’s happening?” she asked in alarm.
“Don’t worry, I’m just moving the car and then I’ll find Princess Priss.” He backed the car up the drive onto the street in front of the house. The fire truck was parked on the front lawn.
“Remain here. Don’t let the animals out and don’t go anywhere.”
She nodded without a word and he took off. “Come here Princess! Here, puss, puss!”
“Hey, you need to get back!” another firefighter said.
“I need you guys to move the chicken coop back,” he told them. “Before the smoke affects the chickens.”
The guy nodded and grabbed someone else. They pulled the coop clear of the smoke and he finally found Princess Priss cowering under a bush.
“Poor girl, come on.”
She let out a high-pitched meow, but let him pick her up and put her in the cage. He carried the cat to the car, one of the firefighter’s following so he could check on Maya. He set Princess Priss into the car as Maya got out. The firefighter immediately started examining her hand.
“The chickens?” she asked desperately.
“We moved them away,” he reassured her.
“We need to get the babies checked by a vet,” she told him
He nodded.
“I’ll bandage your hand,” the firefighter said. “It’s not too bad. But probably best to get a check-up if you inhaled any smoke.”
“Yep, thanks,” he told him as he saw a familiar vehicle pull up behind them.
After parking, Ink jumped out. Then another vehicle pulled up behind it.
This one had tinted windows so he couldn’t see who was driving it.
But Brody jumped out of the passenger seat, nodding at the driver.
Then he ran to Ink who stared at the other car for a moment.
Then they both headed their way.
“What happened?” Ink asked. “Is anyone hurt? Did you get everyone out?”
“Hey, who are you? You can’t just come onto this property,” one of the firefighters came over, waving his hands at them irately.
“Apologies,” Ink said. “Ink Callahan. I own Callahan Security which put in the security system for this house. I was alerted to an intruder who threw something flammable into the house.”
“Right. You’ve got video footage?” the firefighter asked.
“Yes.”
“Good. We need to talk to you. But right now, we need to concentrate on getting this fire out. And these people and animals checked over.” He left and Matthieu turned to Brody and Ink.
“Are you all right?” Ink asked. “Do you need the hospital?”
“Maya burned her hand. It needs to be checked by a doctor,” Matthieu replied.
“It’s fine, it’s all bandaged.” She waved her hand around.
“You should both get checked for smoke inhalation,” Brody said. “All the animals are all right?”
“Yeah, but they should get looked at,” Matthieu said. “And we need to do something about the chickens.”
“Chickens?” Ink asked.
“Hen Solo, Jabba the Cluck, Chew Bok-Bok and Princess Lay-er,” Maya said worriedly. “I can’t just leave them here. They’re probably traumatized. And what if this person comes back? They could hurt them!”
“I’ll sort something,” Ink reassured her. “You can’t come back here and we’re going to have to figure out where you can stay. But, I’m sure that Betsy and Zippy would love to look after some chickens for a while.”
“Really?” Maya asked.
“Brody and I will handle it. Butch will be here soon. He’ll go with you to help with the animals. And I’ll call Hack. Just keep in touch.”