Trace looked back at the other man. “Yeah?”
“You find my sister, you get her the hell out of here. And don’t leave her fucking side.”
“Copy that.”
Without another word, Trace ran out of the opening and into the hallway. Once he was there, the explosion’s point of origin was immediately clear to see.
Jake’s office was completely destroyed.
Windows were shattered. His desk and every other piece of furniture that wasn’t metal had been blown to kindling, and the wall that had originally housed the door was gone.
Totally. Fucking. Gone.
The opposite wall—the one that had once been behind Jake’s desk—was also missing. With nothing but clear, blue sky where it used to stand, a few papers that survived the blast swirled in the air as they flew out of the building to the street below.
Jesus.
Wiping the never-ending water from his face, Trace stepped over the multiple obstacles. Praying the entire way that Emma was okay. It only took a few more steps, and then he spotted her.
On the floor between the end of the hallway and her desk, she was trying to push herself up while at the same time fighting a round of harsh coughs wracking her tiny body.
She’s alive!
“Emma!” Trace covered the distance to her in three, long strides. Dropping to one knee beside her, he put a comforting hand on her back. “Are you hurt?”
“Jake!” She spoke between coughs, completely ignoring his question. “He was standing...outside his office...when it exploded.” She put a trembling hand to his chest, surprising the hell out of him when she tried pushing him away. “You have to help him!”
“Trevor’s with him, now.”
“Is he okay?”
Refusing to lie, he looked her square in the eye and said, “I don’t know.”
“And Coop?” Her worried gaze filled with unshed tears. “Are he and Mac—”
“They’re okay. Mac was knocked out, but Trevor said she’s going to be fine.”
He hoped like hell Trev was right.
Emma started to stand, but her knees immediately buckled. With a gentle hold, Trace was able to keep her from falling.
Doing a quick, visual assessment, he noted an abrasion on her left cheek. From what he could see, he was pretty sure her unsteadiness was from shock, rather than a serious injury.
“There was a...b-box.” She shook beneath his grasp. “A guy...h-he delivered it. Said it was f-for...J-Jake.”
She was shaking uncontrollably, and her skin was turning so pale, her rosy lips were vanishing as they spoke.
Oh, yeah. She’s definitely in shock.
Still, he had to ask, “Do you remember what the man looked like?”
Emma nodded. “I r-remember everything.”
Her body may be shaking uncontrollably, but her gaze was as sharp as ever.
“Good. You can tell me all about it after the doctor checks you out.”
“Doctor?”