Fire and Ice (Firemen do it Hotter Book 1) by Cheyenne McCray Page A

each other on their way to the fire, similar to how soldiers often liked to keep things light when they went on a mission.
    The closer they got to the apartments, the harder Grady’s heart thumped. When they reached the complex, he was the first out of the truck.
    Smoke billowed from the upper floors of the building he lived in. “Captain.” Grady jogged over to Captain Gerry Spencer. “That’s my apartment building. My dog might be in my apartment.”
    “Spot?” The captain shouted out orders then turned back to Grady. “I’m sending Roberts and Jakowski with you. You can search that floor for tenants.”
    Grady nodded. In moments, he, Craig, and Ron headed up the stairs to Grady’s apartment. Along the way they called out. The firefighters would clear each level, but he had to make sure Spot wasn’t still in the apartment.
    A dog’s continuous bark could now be heard over the thunder of the fire, the creaking structure, shouts, and screams. Grady’s heart jumped into overdrive. Spot.
    They reached the building and Spot’s barking grew louder. When he reached his apartment door, Grady slammed his boot against the door jam. The lock gave way and the door swung open.
    Smoke rolled out of the apartment and Grady immediately caught sight of the Dalmatian through the haze.
    Spot continued to bark, rather than run to Grady. “Come on, boy.” He went to scoop up the dog. Spot bolted to the kitchen instead. Grady shouted at him and ran after him.
    Grady almost tripped over a body. His heart nearly stopped when he saw it was the woman from next door.
    “Carla.” He bent and put his fingers to her carotid artery. Her pulse was faint, but she was alive. Grady scooped up the woman and a cell phone slipped from her hand and thumped on the floor.
    The sound of a 9-1-1 operator could be heard coming over the line. “Ma’am. Are you with me?” Carla had succumbed to the smoke before she had a chance to get herself and Spot out of the apartment.
    Grady ignored the phone. The roar of the fire grew louder throughout the building as he ran for the door.
    Craig took Carla from Grady and started down the staircase at a jog.
    Grady looked at the Dalmatian and pointed to the parking lot. “Go to the truck.”
    Spot knew exactly what to do when Grady gave the order, but the dog didn’t move. He stayed close to Grady, as if he intended to play at being a true firefighter dog.
    A scream tore from the left, along with shouts of, “Help me!”
    Grady recognized the voice. “Sandy.” He cut his gaze to Jakowski and pointed to the corner of the building where Sandy leaned out of her fourth floor apartment. She had a coughing fit and leaned on the windowsill with one hand. Flames engulfed the floor above her apartment, black smoke rolling out the windows.
    Grady and Jakowski hurried toward Sandy’s end of the building, Spot following. Grady didn’t have time to take the Dalmatian downstairs, and the dog was smart. He’d saved Carla’s life.
    The fire roared as firefighters worked to put the flames out, while others searched the building. Sandy saw Grady and Jakowski coming toward her. The floor above her creaked, wood popping, and something crashed onto her ceiling. She looked up with a terrified expression.
    “Hang on, Sandy.” Grady shouted the words, but they were drowned out by the noise of the raging inferno around them.
    Grady, Jakowski, and Spot reached her apartment door. Grady shouted at Spot to get back, and this time the dog listened. Grady kicked the door three times before the bolt lock tore free and the wood doorframe splintered.
    Flames filled their view.
    “Not enough time to get the ladder truck here,” Jakowski shouted.
    Before Grady could start forward, Spot bounded through a gap in the flames and into the apartment.
    “Shit.” Grady stepped toward the door as he glanced at Jakowski. “Let’s get her.”
    And let’s get Spot.
    Grady put on his oxygen mask then dodged through the same gap Spot had