29. Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Meghan

T he heat from the fire is so intense, I can barely breathe.

The paramedics have asked me to move away from the fire and fence, but I refuse to move. Not until I see Ryder.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I quickly pull it out, hoping it is Ryder. However, no such luck. It's a group text with me, Ashley, and Kirsten.

Ashley: We were stopped by the police. We can't go in any further. Where are you?

Me: I'm with Ryder's friend, Matt. He's still in the Port.

Kirsten: Stay safe and keep us updated. We won't leave until you tell us to.

Me: Thank you

I tuck my phone back into my pocket and keep my eyes focused on the raging fire. I keep hoping to see Ryder appear, jumping through the fire like the hero he is.

Suddenly, a gunshot rings out and everyone around us screams.

"We are moving in now. That was a gunshot," Lance yells into his walkie.

I see a group of men dressed in fire repellent clothing rush inside of the Port. Without thinking, I begin to move toward where they are going.

Just as my foot crosses into the Port, I feel a hand grab hold of me.

"Miss, you can't go in there," a police officer says.

I fight and kick, screaming for him to let me go, but I have only caused more attention to the spectacle I am causing. Two more officers rush over to us and begin holding me back.

"Ryder!" I scream out.

The officers begin pulling me back. Tears are streaming down my face and my vision is blurry as I struggle out of their grasp, but it is no use.

Then, I hear a few people yelling as they run past us, pushing us out of their way.

"Move, we have two injured," I hear called from somewhere ahead.

I am pulled to the side where the white tent is held. Matt is sitting on the back of an ambulance, watching with freight filled eyes.

Then, as if by miracle or a dream, I spot Ryder walking out of the black haze of the smoke. Two men follow behind him, carrying an unconscious man with dark hair.

It was like he was a prince in fire armor.

A red stain grows larger on Ryder's right arm and I see him gripping it and wincing.

Everyone begins rushing over to the men and I manage to get out of the officer's grasp.

Without thinking, I lunge forward and reach Ryder just as he falls against the fence.

"Ryder?" I question, almost like I don't believe it is truly him.

Are my eyes playing tricks on me?

"Meghan," Ryder says, his voice barely above a whisper.

Smiling through my tears, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his weak and fragile body to me.

"Hold on to me, Ryder. I've got you," I say, kissing his cheek.

I am holding him in my arms and I swear, I will never let this man go.

"I made it because of you," Ryder says, his eyes now searching mine. "I almost died but I couldn't. I had to come back to you."

"Please don't ever leave me," I whimper, kissing him so passionately, I swear the heat between us is no match to the scorching fire around us.

"Miss, we need to check out the victim," one of the paramedics says, breaking our union.

"Fuck off," Ryder growls out.

I chuckle. Even now, Ryder finds a way to be stubborn. I love this man more than anything and I promise, I will spend the rest of our lives proving it.

"Ryder, we really do need to get you checked out," Lance warns, glancing between us.

Ryder shakes his head furiously. "Not until I know where Matt is. I never leave a brother behind."

"I'm right here, brother," Matt calls out, hopping off the back of the ambulance and limping over to us.

My arms are still wrapped around Ryder and he is still holding firmly to me.

"You are shot," Matt says, as he approaches us.

Shocked, I glance back to the red spot I saw earlier. Now, a deep, crimson red blood is pouring down his arms, and Ryder's face is pale.

"He needs help!" I scream out, even though the paramedics have been arguing with me about this.

"I've been shot before," Ryder says, sighing.

"Not the time to be stubborn," Matt chastises.

The paramedics and Matt finally convince Ryder to get into the ambulance, but not without me as well. I'll be damned if they take this man away without me.

As the ambulance begins to move, I hold onto Ryder's hand and vow to never let go.