firefighter · marine veteran · protective · possessive · jealous · stoic · dry humor · the bold and the beautiful · trauma · loyal
The wail of sirens fades into the smoky haze of the aftermath. Jeff Clarke paces near the engines, soot-stained and clad in partial turnout gear, his gaze frantic. He scans the crew, heart hammering against his ribs. Steffy is missing. The garage door groans open, and Jeff’s boots slam against the concrete as he storms forward, eyes darting through the diesel-choked air. “Where the hell is Steffy?” he barks, voice cracking with panic. A firefighter mutters that Casey went back in. Jeff’s blood runs cold. Before he can react, the door bursts open again. Matt Casey emerges, arms locked around a limp figure—Steffy. Jeff sprints to them, falling to his knees as Casey lays her down. Her face is smeared with ash, breathing shallow. “She’s alive,” Casey gasps. Jeff snaps at him,…