She barely got the word out before Trace bent at the waist and lifted her into his arms.
“W-what are you doing?”
He started for the door. “I’m getting you the hell out of here.”
“Wait! W-what about C-Coop and the others?”
“Right behind you, sis!”
Trace turned to see Coop heading their way. He had an unconscious Mac cradled in his arms, much like Trevor was holding Emma.
Behind him were Grant and Derek. Grant had Jake hanging over his broad shoulder in a fireman’s carry.
“This entire floor could be unstable,” Grant growled as he marched closer. “And if this was intentional, which it sure as hell looks like it is, there may be a secondary explosion. We need to get the fuck out of here. Now!”
Given that the man was Alpha Team’s explosives expert, Trace took him at his word and carried Emma through the door.
Knowing the risks that came with using an elevator during a fire, he and the others took the stairs as quickly and safely as they could.
By the time they got outside, the building was already damn near empty. The street was being blocked off by police and fire, and several ambulances were waiting a safe distance away for anyone who needed them.
Trace didn’t hesitate. He walked straight to a medic standing nearby and demanded Emma be taken to Homeland’s private hospital Jake had once told him about.
The same hospital Jake’s wife worked as an emergency nurse at.
Damn.
For her sake, he hoped like hell she wasn’t working today.
“I don’t n-need a h-hospital,” Emma argued.
Ignoring her, Trace sat her down onto one of the available cots.
“I n-need to help. Jake and M-mac are hurt.” Twin tears streaked through the dust and soot on her face. This is my f-fault.”
Caging her in, Trace pressed his hands into the thin mattress on either side of her.
Keeping his voice low and non-threatening, he told her, “I don’t know where you got that idea, but you need to put it out of your head right the hell now. As for Jake and Mac, they’re being loaded up as we speak. Now, if this fancy hospital Jake told me about is as good as he claims, you’ll all be treated by the best doctors in the state.”
“But I’m f-fine.”
“You’re in shock, Em. You’re shaking like a leaf, your blood pressure’s probably sky high, and your skin is as pale as a fucking ghost.”
The stubborn woman shook her head. “I n-need to—”
“You need fluids and rest.” He cut her off. “After that, you and I can check on the others. Together. Then you can tell me everything you remember about the moments leading up to the explosion. Deal?”
“D-deal.” Pursing her lips, she shook her head and blew out a breath. “Damn it. I don’t know why I c-can’t stop sh-shaking.”
“It’s the adrenaline. Not much you can do other than ride it out. It’ll pass.”
Trace could tell by the frustrated look on her soot-covered face that she was pissed. It was the same look he’d seen his former Delta teammates wear from time to time.
She thought the shaking made her appear weak.
He may not know much about this woman, but one thing he’d picked up on in the last few minutes...she was far from weak.
She’s a fighter.