Everyone was quietly focused as they kept moving. That was until Raymond turned around and spoke to Imani. “How are you holding up?”
Garrett’s barely contained anger was unleashed. He moved Imani out of the way, rammed Raymond up against the wall, and held him by his throat. Squeezing with all his might. “You piece of shit. If you fuckin’ say another word to her, I swear I’ll kill you!”
Raymond shoved him back, and they tussled for a moment, but his strength was no match for Garrett. “You don’t own her!”
Imani yelled at both of them. “Stop! Stop it, both of you!” She used her body to wedge herself in-between them and placed her hands on each of their chests. Imani glared first at Raymond then Garrett. “Neither one of you own me. I am not a prize in some game you’re playing, so please check your ridiculous sized egos and let’s focus on getting out of here.”
Both were breathing hard and still ready to do battle. It was something that had been building for a long time well before Imani entered the picture. She could only hope, that they could contain their tempers—for now.
They were all going to need each other to get to safety.
*****
It seemed as if they’d been walking forever when Imani felt the first twinges of a backache. She could only thank god they were walking downstairs instead of the other way around. Still, she was hot, exerting a lot of energy, and sweating like crazy.
Imani didn’t want to be the one to slow everyone down, so she kept moving. Garrett made sure she remained close, but so did Raymond. He continued to turn around to make sure she was okay, but her eyes warned him not to say a word.
Seth was sweating profusely too. When he stopped short, everyone behind him almost ran into the backs of the other. He turned and used his forearm to wipe the sweat away from his bushy eyebrows. “Hey . . . it’s kinda quiet up ahead. I haven’t heard anything in a while. That’s making me a little nervous.” Seth shined the faint light from the cell phone onto the group. “I thought it was just me, but from the looks of all of you, I’m not the only one hot as hell, and it feels like it’s getting hotter.”
The creases in Anthony’s forehead deepened. Unlike the other men in this group, he wasn’t as fit. He was on the heavier side and had thought because he was somewhat out of shape that that was causing his shortness of breath and the feeling of being overheated. “That can’t be good.”
Raymond spoke. “The smoke we smelled earlier isn’t as intense. Heat doesn’t necessarily mean fire. We should keep moving.”
“It doesn’t mean that it’s not fire.” Garrett responded sharply.
Another potential showdown, Imani wanted to scream. If Garrett said red, Raymond would say blue. If Raymond said high, Garrett would say low.
This time she was going to stay out of it. Maybe if they finally beat the hell out of one another, they’d finally be able to focus on the task at hand—getting out safely.
“We’re wasting time standing around talking. We need to get Imani out of here!”
That murderous look was back in Garrett’s eyes. He stepped in front of her, mere inches from Raymond. “We? We! We don’t need to do a damn thing! You need to remember she’s my wife . . .”
This was it. This was the moment years of betrayal was finally about to come to a head, and Imani was pissed that she was the scapegoat. Just as Raymond reared back to throw a punch, Seth grabbed his arm, and Anthony captured Garrett by his arms, holding them behind his back.
Anthony yelled at them both. “You two can beat the shit out each other once we get out here, but we don’t have any time to waste on whatever the hell is going on between the two of you.”
The floor began to tremble.
Imani blinked once, twice.
The explosion was deafening. Everything moved in slow motion as Garrett fell slightly on top but to the side of Imani knocking her onto her back.
A door, one floor below, had been blown off its hinges. Orange and yellow flames rushed out filling the hallway with fire and smoke.
Slowly, Garrett turned to help Imani get up, but she didn’t move. Her eyes were closed, and he wasn’t sure if she was breathing. He’d never been more terrified in his life except for the last time he’d seen her appear lifeless. Garrett grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. “Imani! Imani!”
She groaned as her eyes fluttered open. Imani moved her hand to touch her head—like before when she’d been knocked out cold on the football field—Garrett held her in his arms. “We’ve got to move, baby. We can’t stay here.”
Imani managed to nod and get on her knees remaining as flat as possible to the floor. It was hard to see and breathe. Their eyes watered, and they coughed uncontrollably.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t go in the direction they’d started. There was now a huge section of the stairs missing—along with Seth and Lucinda. They’d fallen down the hole that looked like it could be several stories deep.
His voice was strangled, trying to get the words out and protecting Imani’s face and nose with his arm. “This way.” Garrett led, while Imani, Raymond, and Anthony followed behind.
Chapter 18
Two Years ago – Happily Ever After?
Garrett gave Imani the perfect wedding. It was everything
