THE FIREFIGHTER HUSBAND I DIVORCED IS A QUADRILLIONAIRE

CHAPTER 1

Derek Moss had walked into burning buildings two hundred and thirty seven times. He had never once hesitated at the door. Tonight was no different.

The east wing of the Grandview Hotel was fully engulfed in flames. Black smoke poured from the third floor windows while bright fire crawled behind the glass. Guests fled past him, coughing and clinging to one another in pure terror.

"Dispatch to Engine forty two. We have two confirmed victims trapped in Suite three one eight. Do you copy?" The radio crackled loudly in his ear.

"Engine forty two copy. I am on my way up right now," Derek replied with a calm and steady voice.

He pulled down his mask, checked his air tank, and went inside. He took the stairs two at a time, keeping one hand on the rail and the other gripping his heavy metal bar. The smoke thickened with every single floor. By the second landing, it had become a solid gray wall. By the third floor, it was nearly pitch black.

He dropped low, moving fast on pure instinct and heavy training. He counted the doors along the corridor wall with his thick gloves. The heat was absolutely immense. The carpet beneath his boots had started to melt.

He finally reached room three one eight. He drove his heavy boot into the door directly beside the lock. He kicked once. He kicked twice. The wooden frame splintered loudly and the door swung wide open.

Two figures huddled tightly beside the far window. A man and a woman pressed together.

"Fire department is here. I have got you both. We are going out right now," Derek announced with a loud and commanding voice over the roaring flames.

The woman looked up from the floor. Derek froze completely.

Three years of marriage, and he knew every single line of her beautiful face. The sharp cheekbones. The perfectly arched brows. The unique way her expression cycled through emotions like a person shuffling cards, just to find the exact one that served her best.

It was Erin. His wife.

"Please help us," Erin pleaded with a soft and desperate tone, coughing heavily into her hand. "We cannot breathe in here. The smoke is too thick."

She did not recognize him behind the bulky gas mask and heavy fire helmet. Derek stared at her in shock, and then he looked at the young man sitting beside her. The man wore absolutely nothing beneath a monogrammed silk robe that hung loosely open. He coughed violently into one fist, while his other arm remained wrapped possessively around Erin.

Derek forced the words through his tightening throat. "We need to move. Right now," Derek commanded with a strict and tight voice.

"Wait," Erin said with a raised hand. She pointed a shaking finger at Derek. "Give your mask to Mike."

"Excuse me?" Derek asked. His voice sounded hollow and entirely confused inside the mask.

"Please give him your gas mask. He is struggling so much," Erin begged with a desperate and pleading expression. She rubbed the young man back with gentle and warm affection. "This is Mike. He is the heir of Pinnacle Corporation. He is a very big deal. If he gets hurt tonight, you will be in serious trouble. Please save him first."

Derek stared at his own wife for several long seconds. He felt a heavy weight drop deep into his chest. Then, exactly as he always did, he gave her what she wanted. He reached up and slowly pulled the protective mask off his face.

"Derek?" Erin gasped. Her eyes went wide with absolute shock. All the color drained from her cheeks completely.

"Yes. It is me," Derek said with a flat and emotionless voice.

Erin recovered her composure very quickly. The shock lasted only a brief moment before defensiveness hardened her face. However, she forced her features to soften into a look of deep concern. "Derek. Oh my gosh. I am so glad you are the one who found us. Are you hurt? Please tell me you are okay. I was so worried."

"I am fine. We are leaving," Derek said with a hard glare.

"Derek, honey, please listen to me," Erin said with a sweet and reasoning voice, taking a small step toward him. "Mike has terrible lungs. You are so strong and brave. You do this dangerous job every single day. Please let him use the mask. I know you can make it out without one. Please do this for me."

Derek looked at the man who was sleeping with his wife. He shoved the mask toward Mike.

"Put it on," Derek ordered with a harsh tone.

Mike grabbed the heavy mask with shaking hands and quickly pulled it over his face.

"Thank you, sweetie," Erin smiled warmly at Mike, completely ignoring Derek for a second. Then she turned back to her husband with a serious face. "We can talk about this later, Derek. I promise I will explain everything to you at home. Do not turn this into some wounded pride drama."

"Save your breath. Just move, now," Derek said with a bitter expression.

He grabbed their arms and pulled them both into the dark corridor. Mike stumbled blindly beside him. Erin followed stiffly, holding onto Mike tightly and whispering sweet words of encouragement into his ear.

"You are doing great, Mike. Just keep walking. We are almost safe," Erin whispered softly while gently squeezing his arm.

"I am trying," Mike answered in a muffled voice through the rubber mask.

"Stop talking and stay low," Derek instructed with a stern backward glance.