Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
She’d expected that even though she would prefer to stay and watch.
Millie protested, but Spike eventually got her out of the car and into his truck which was behind them.
“What about Millie’s car?” she asked as Matthieu started his car and drove off.
“Don’t worry, Spike will have that figured out.”
“Will her punishment be really bad?”
“She broke safety rules and put herself in danger. Getting those photos was extremely risky and foolish. So, yeah, she’ll be getting her butt spanked. And it won’t be over quick. But it won’t be more than she can take. Spike would never harm her.”
Maya nodded. Right.
She’d also make sure to check in with Millie tomorrow.
As they grew closer to her house, Matthieu’s phone started ringing.
He frowned as he answered. “Brody? What is it? What? Fuck! No! We’re close. Did you see who it was? Have you called the fire department? Thanks.”
“What is it? What’s wrong?” she asked, fear coursing through her.
“Brody’s system set off an alert that someone was on the property. When he got to the cameras, he saw a guy dressed in black throwing something through the front window, then running away. Bébé, it was a Molotov cocktail. Your house is on fire.”
No! Oh my God! Her babies!
35
Matthieu 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.”