Twist of Fate (25 page)

“Let me help.” He would do the right thing. She deserved that from him.

“Sure.” Sam said with a grunt as he tried to squeeze again.

Both men used all their strength. The links broke apart with a ‘ping’ and piled at their feet. Together they tossed the tool to the ground and grabbed hold of the bay door. The fire intensified from the breath of fresh oxygen, and a burst of flame shot through the opening. The force of the heat sent them dropping to the ground. Sam had covered Kate with his own body.

They stood, and Dante moved in front of Kate. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. How are we going to get in there? The fire is too strong.” They cast worried glances through the door, feeling the heat from the flames.

“Trina...” Dante touched her shoulder, and she twisted to face him. He hoped she understood the look in his eyes, because he didn’t know if he’d be able to find the right words. He placed a finger under her chin and said with determination, “I’m not coming out without her.”

He backed away toward the building when Sam grasped his arm to stop him. “And where do you think you’re going, hot-shot?”

“I’m saving my daughter.”

“Whose daughter? You’re the one who got her into this mess. I’m going in after her.”

The two men stood nose to nose.

“Since when does blood determine a father? You of all people should know that. I know this is my fault, and I’m going in there to rescue her.”

Sam stepped away, a shocked look on his face. “Listen--”

Dante formed a tight fist and hit Sam square in the stomach. Sam fell to his knees, gasping. When Kate kneeled by Sam’s side, Dante made eye contact and said, “I’ll find her, Trina. I promise.”

Without another word, he disappeared through the cloud of black smoke.

Chapter Fifteen

“Wait!” Kate jumped to her feet, but she wasn’t fast enough. Dante’s image faded away like a ghost. Staring at the burning building, her voice was barely a whisper. “God speed, Dante.” She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this scared. How had they gotten to this point?

Sam came to stand next to her, rubbing his abdomen. “He’ll never make it.”

“Yes, he will. I know he will.” She reached for his hand. “He called for help.”

“I’m impressed.” Sam’s voice sounded sarcastic. “I thought he’d want all the glory himself. You know, save the day and win you back.”

Kate’s jaw dropped in surprise. “How can you say that?”

“What makes you think otherwise?”

“He just ran into a burning building to save his--I mean our--daughter. He’s not out to win anything.” She dropped his hand and turned back to the building.

Sam touched her shoulder. “Listen, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. It’s just ‘cover-boy’ and I are never going to see eye to eye where you and Hope are concerned.”

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but it needs to be said.” She saw him roll his eyes. When he tried to turn away, she followed. “I did love him. It wasn’t the same type of feeling I have for you, but it was love.”

“Kate, I--”

“Please listen. Dante gave me a home and a loving environment for my baby. A baby he believed from the very beginning was his own. Six years ago, that was a lot for me. I couldn’t have made it without him.”

“I understand.”

“Do you? I was so sure you never really loved me. That’s why I gave myself to another. I had a good life with Dante until he got in over his head with Carlo Santini. As much as I was angry with him, I realize now how difficult it was for him to get out. I think he had been trying to find a way out, but somehow he lost himself. Now look what’s happened because of me.”

“Hey...you’re not blaming yourself are you?”

She fell against his chest, holding on for dear life. “What if they both die in there? It will be because of me.”

“You can’t think that way. He’s one tough guy. He’ll find her.”

Kate saw the unmistakable fear in Sam’s eyes as he glanced back toward the flames and smoke. They were being put to the test, weathering yet another storm. She could only believe with all her being Sam was right.

***

Dante couldn’t believe he hadn’t found her. Smoke burned his throat down deep into his lungs. He didn’t know how long he’d been inside, and he didn’t know how much longer he’d last. Once he thought he’d seen her, but it turned out to be an office chair. Another time it had been a small wastebasket heaped with papers.

“Hope! Where are you sweetheart?” he called through the dull roar of the burning structure, swallowing hard against the soreness in his throat. “Mommy’s outside, Hope. She needs you to come out right now.” He looked frantically around the warehouse, unsure which direction to take next. “Answer me, Hope.”

Then he heard it. So faint, it could have been part of the sparking embers. He tripped over his feet trying to move toward the sound. It was sobbing. She was crying, but from where?

“Honey, where are you? Don’t be afraid, Daddy’s here to get you out.” He started up a small metal staircase.

A tiny voice choked out, “Daddy? Where are you?”

“I’m coming. Keep talking.” He listened for more crying. Taking the stairs two at a time, he reached the top only seconds before the flooring gave way and the stairs teetered to the cement below. Her sobs and coughs led him into another office.

Dropping to his hands and knees, he surveyed the room from a child’s point of view. She had to be in there. In a few moments he spied her pink nightgown underneath the metal desk and scurried along the floor to reach her.

“C’mere, baby. Daddy’s here.” He scooped her into his arms. She was shaking, and her breathing was shallow.

“I want Mommy,” she said and coughed.

He looked down into her black-smudged face. “I know, honey. We’ve got to get you out of here.” Taking off his leather jacket, he wrapped it around her before picking her up and holding her close. Stepping back through the doorway, he wasn’t sure which way to go. There had to be another staircase to the lower level. It was either that or try for the roof, but he had to get Hope some fresh air.

He took light steps, keeping himself as far away from the edge of the railing as possible. A loud ‘creak’ then a ‘snap’ resonated through the building as a beam from the ceiling gave way. He looked up in time to see it swing in his direction.

Pulling Hope close to his chest, he lunged into a doorway to safety. She screamed against his shoulder as he landed hard on his back to break the fall and then rolled quickly to cover her from any falling debris. The force of the beam sent shards of glass and pieces of drywall in every direction. A section of the wall broke away, pinning Dante’s leg against a cabinet. He cried out, trying not to blackout from the pain.

Hope raised her head. “Daddy?”

He gazed into her scared blues eyes and quivery lips. “It’s all right, honey. My leg hurts, that’s all. I have to figure out how to get my leg out. But don’t worry, we’ll be all right.”

He felt delirious from the heat and smoke. The pain shooting through his leg made him want to close his eyes, but he wouldn’t. He couldn’t lose sight of Hope. What if she ran off? He’d made the
call, help would be here soon.

**
*

Sam paced like a caged animal in front of Kate. Every once in a while he looked to the building, hoping he’d see Dante come out carrying his daughter. He kept expecting something to fly through a window to show their location.

Nothing.

He didn’t know what to say to console Kate anymore. He couldn’t understand why help hadn’t arrived yet. He’d tried to use his own phone, but something was interfering with the signal. What if this was all some set up? Dante would come out the hero, and he’d look like a jerk. Kate appeared beside him, scattering his thoughts. She looked about ready to lose it.

“I think something is wrong. Why isn’t anyone here?” Her face was ashen, and she kept wringing her hands.

He scanned the horizon, hoping to see flashing lights or hear a siren. He needed to stay positive. “They’ll be coming.”

“How much longer do we have to wait? I just want this to be over.”

He did, too. What would happen when it was all over? He began to doubt he’d end up victorious, but he still saw that spark in her eyes when she looked at him. They were meant to be. He couldn’t lose faith, not after all of this. He cleared his throat.

“Do you think we have it? You know, what it takes to make it?”

Her eyes still glistened from all the tears she shed. “It’s faith, Sam, just like you said. We need to believe.”

“Do you believe in us?” He watched her gaze jump to the building and then back to him as if she were afraid she’d miss a sign, something.

“I do,” she finally said, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Will you trust me?”

“Yes.”

While he’d been pacing, he thought of everything that had happened between them, from day one all those years ago to the present. All of the hurt, the misunderstandings and mostly the love they’d shared. Everything that ever mattered was on the line right now. Kate needed him, and so did Hope. If he ever needed to fight for something, it was now.

He took a deep breath before blurting out, “I can’t do this any longer.”

Her eyes grew large. “What are you talking about?”

“Stand here and do nothing.” He took a step forward. “I’ve got to go in there.”

She grabbed his arm and pleaded, “No. You can’t.”

“I have to. I won’t be able to live with myself if I don’t.”

“And I can’t lose you, too.”

He leaned down and tenderly kissed her moist lips. When he stepped back, he touched his finger to her lips. “Forever, remember?” He jogged to the bay doors and passed through the impending smoke before he lost his nerve, praying he wasn’t too late.

Once inside the warehouse, he squinted in the dim light waiting for his eyes to adjust. The smell of smoldering paper and chemicals among other things burned inside his nose. The intense heat, along with thick smoke, made breathing difficult.

The place appeared to be consumed by flames, its contents burning rapidly. Sam felt the sense of urgency as new fires sprang up around him. He scanned the lower level for any kind of movement. His ears tuned in for any unusual noise.

“Hope, Dante. Can you hear me?” Sam ran, dodging pieces of the building as they blazed and fell. “Dante, where are you?” He coughed.

For an instant he fell prey to his earlier insecurities. This was all a set up, and he was going to die while Dante walked away with Kate, happily ever after. A loud ‘snap’ caused him to look overhead. A ceiling beam let loose and crashed to the floor several feet away. The place was getting more dangerous by the moment, and still no help.

His eyes were drawn to a crumpled staircase. He prayed he wouldn’t find the body of his daughter there. As he got closer, he swore he could hear crying. She was alive, he just had to find her. Relief washed over him when he didn’t see a tiny body mangled within the stairs.

“Hope, where are you?” He looked up to the second level which was deteriorating fast. He heard coughing, masculine coughing. “Dante, are you all right? Do you have Hope?”

“Sam,” the reply sounded hoarse, “I’ve got her.”

“Where are you? I can’t see you.”

“Up here, but my leg is trapped.”

“Hold on, I’ll be right there.” Sam rubbed his burning eyes as he searched for a ladder or some way to get to the second floor. He coughed again as the ever-thickening smoke filled his lungs. Deeming some nearby crates sturdy enough to stand on, he began to push them under the overhang, which appeared to be the only thing left of the second floor. It took much effort to shove and lift the crates into a makeshift stairway. He’d figure out his next move once he got up there, if he got up there.

Following the sound of Hope’s sobs, he cautiously made his way. When he reached the top, he collapsed from exhaustion. His lungs could hold no more of the ash and soot. He needed fresh air. His body felt dehydrated from the searing heat. At the sound of another tiny cough, he rolled to his knees.

He had to go on. This was his family. He wouldn’t give up. Rising to his feet and coughing hard to clear his lungs, he shuffled forward. It didn’t take long to find the room where Dante and Hope were. She sat by Dante’s shoulder, clutching her doll and looking frightened. He grabbed her and pulled her close.

“Are you okay?”

“My Daddy’s hurt bad.” Her tears left a trail down her smudged cheeks.

“Don’t you worry, I’ll help him. You sit right here where I can see you, okay?” He guided her slowly to the desk chair, making sure things were secure before moving away. She looked so small. He had to move fast. The heat and smoke had taken their toll on her as well.

“Some hero you are.” Sam attempted to lighten the air as he knelt next to Dante’s legs. Dante turned his face to the side.

“I’m no hero.”

“Not when you’re laying here on the floor. Let’s get you out of here.” Sam attempted to shove the cabinet. The movement caused Dante to groan then laugh when his eyes met Sam’s.

“I thought you’d leave me here once you found Hope.”

Sam stopped fiddling with the cabinet and looked at the man lying on the floor. Of course, the thought had crossed his mind, but he’d never admit it. “What are you talking about?”

Dante cleared his throat and paused a moment to wince. “You know...save your daughter, be the hero...let me die. You could say you never saw me in here.”

“Unlike you, hot-shot, I’ve got a conscience. Now let’s get your sorry ass out of here.” Sam wiggled the cabinet away from the beam. “Can you slide your leg out if I lift this?”

“I think so.”

“Listen, we don’t have time for I think so’s.”

“I can.”

“Good. On the count of three...” Sam gripped the beam like a pseudo-lumberjack. “One...Two...Three!” He strained to lift, pleased when Dante rolled to the right and out of the way.

The beam hit the floor, and Sam heard a squeal from Hope. He turned to find her plastered against Dante’s chest. Dante’s arms stretched protectively across her back, his eyes were closed. Sam wondered what could be going through his mind. He studied the heart-wrenching picture for a moment and silently thanked the man for so obviously loving her. A crash from out in the warehouse made them all catch a breath. Sam reached out a hand to help Dante sit up.

Hope’s scratchy voice cried out, “Daddy, I’m scared. I want to go home.”

Both men answered the call. “It’s okay.”

They looked quickly to one another then away. It was Sam who broke the awkward silence.

“Can you stand?” Sam pulled Dante to his feet, supporting him with his left arm. Dante hopped, holding Hope tight in his left arm.

Sam and Dante froze at the sound of an almost demonic groan. The floor vibrated then pitched. The groan became louder. Fear surged through Sam’s body. He’d come so far and they were so close to safety.