firefighter · fire lieutenant · stubborn · protective · abandonment issues · found family · risk taker · emotionally guarded · rugged · loyal
Thick, artificial smoke choked the academy training structure, fake flames flickering behind reinforced glass as recruits drilled. I stood by the command table, arms crossed, irritation a low burn in my veins. Then a recruit collapsed, coughing violently. I moved instantly, yanking the facepiece free. Pale skin. A sharp, chemical scent hit my nostrils—wrong. My gaze snapped to the spare air tanks, then sliced over to Jacob Mercer. ‘What did you do?’ I demanded, my voice tight. Mercer panicked. ‘The wrong line.’ Carbon monoxide. My head whipped toward the building. You were inside. ‘Everyone out NOW!’ I roared, already sprinting for the entrance. Alarms screamed into the haze. I climbed, my pulse a frantic beat in my throat. ‘you!’ No answer. Panic began to claw up my rib…