Closure (Partners in Crime Book 5)

Chapter 20

Blake's eyes adjusted when the concrete door slid open. Through the light, he saw Jenna take a deep breath. God. Help.

"Have you made your decision?" Winston asked with a sly smile.

Jenna slowly stood and Blake registered the fact that she was shaking. "I-I'll go with you."

"Wonderful. Come on over."

Jenna walked slowly, her heels clicking on the concrete. Blake chose that time to jump up and punch the Governor of Colorado square in the jaw.

The shock caused him to drop the gun he was holding and Jenna acted fast. She grabbed it and backed up.

Blake dodged a blow from Winston and managed to grab his arm and twist it. "Jenna! The gun!"

While he was distracted, Winston punched at Blake and grazed his cheek. Blake shook off the pain. "Jenna!"

Winston lunged at her. "Get back here, woman!"

Blake tackled Winston to the floor, "Jenna!"

Jenna, who had been paralyzed in fear, finally tossed the gun to Blake, who held it against Winston's temple. "It's over."

Winston struggled, "No, it's not." He reached into his pocket and pressed a button of some sort, and the screams started again.

~~~~~

The butler had given in out of fear and now the group was moving in. Nicole heard screams. "What's that?" She asked frantically.

Matt paled, "Are those women's screams?"

Cole ran up a large staircase, "This way!"

Nicole followed her twin, her heart racing. Where was Blake? Where was Jenna?

She heard more humane cries and shouts. Dominic, Jack, and Matt had their guns at the ready, while Cole and Hunter just had their hands on theirs.

They ran through winding halls, up and down stairs until they reached an office with the door closed. Hunter and Jack rammed into the door, causing it to fly open.

Nicole's heart pounded. Inside the office was a bookcase pushed to the side revealing a concrete room.

Inside the room was Governor Harmond, Jenna and Blake.

"What is going on!?" Dominic shouted over the screams.

Nicole could barely hear herself think. "Blake!" she cried.

Matt ran into the concrete room and helped Blake tackle Winston. Blake looked up at Nicole, then his eyes widened. "Get down!"

Nicole hit the floor. She risked a look behind her and saw Raphael holding a gun. Cole came flying at him, knocking him to the ground. "Get away from my sister!"

Nicole scrambled into the concrete room and grabbed Jenna. She pulled her to a corner, away from that action.

Blake and Matt had managed to cuff Winston and knock him out for good measure. They ran over to Nicole and Jenna.

Jenna, who hadn't spoken, stared up at Matt. Nicole jumped into Blake's arms. She clung to him, then pulled back.

Blake stared intensely into her eyes, "You and Jenna stay here."

Matt and him ran out to join the action, which was now dangerous.

"Jenna, are you okay?" Nicole stared at her friend.

Jenna shook her head, "No."

"Nicole!" Cole shouted. Dominic ran into the room and grabbed her and Jenna's arm.

"We have to get out of here."

Jenna's eyes could have popped out of her head.

Matt tore into the room with Hunter and they carried Winston out. "Fire!"

Nicole knew immediately. Arson.

Dominic helped Jenna, "Run Nicole, I got her."

Nicole took off and sprinted out. She heard the fire alarm going off. God, protect us. Where was Blake? Where was the exit?

She skidded to a stop. The staircase was being eaten alive by flames. Blake was at the bottom calling her name. "Nicole!"

"Blake!"

His eyes locked on hers. "Get down here!"

The heat and smoke burned her eyes. "I can't!"

"You can!"

Nicole stared at the staircase. The only thing she could do was jump off the balcony. Which terrified her. "I-I'm going to jump."

His eyes widened. "I'll catch you."

The roar of the fire was overwhelming. She saw Dominic running out, pulling Jenna behind. There must have been another staircase, but she didn't have time. Any minute, and the house would collapse.

"Nicole! You have to jump now!"

She couldn't. She was too scared. "I can get evidence for you!"

"We have enough evidence. Jump Nicole!" Blake's eyes were pleading. "We have to get out."

"I can't. Go!" Nicole screamed as a flame got too close for comfort.

"I'm not leaving you."

Nicole's heart stuttered.

She froze.

Watched the floor next to her start to cave.

Heard Blake scream her name.

She hopped onto the balcony railing.

Jesus, I love you.

Nicole's feet left the railing.

She fell.

~~~~~

Blake caught Nicole in his arms and took off out of the house. He was not dying. And neither was Nicole.

He left the house just as it collapsed onto itself. He stumbled, and him and Nicole fell to the ground.

"Blake." Nicole stared up at him.

"Nicole."

Her eyes told him everything.

He pulled her up and they ran out of the property. They stopped near the waiting ambulance. He pulled her into his arms. "I'm so glad to see you."

Nicole pressed her head against his chest, "Me too." Then she looked up, "So, what now?"

"The governor will be arrested. Someone will have to take his place. There is going to be so much stress over the next few days. But I think we stopped it."

Nicole nodded. "Good. But, I meant about us."

Blake looked at the woman he'd loved since high school. "Nicole, I love you. I am so impressed with you; your amazing heart, how your mind works, how you live, how your smile forms, the sound of laughter, and especially, how you love." His heart could have pounded right through his chest.

"I love you too. More than anything. I'm willing to let you in forever."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. But maybe actually dating would be smart."

Blake laughed, "Probably."