26. Caden
Caden
I let myself into my suite.
My shoulders were tense. I hadn’t found Moreland.
The ESG were in their rooms, and I’d paid them a visit. Blake Moreland hadn’t been there. They’d claimed they hadn’t seen him. That he was in town, and nowhere near the Halloween Spooktacular.
The asshole was clearly enjoying his sick game. He’d focused on Allie and was having fun tormenting her.
Fuck, if he’d hurt Ollie…
This was my fault.
I was supposed to take care of Ollie and I’d failed him. I’d failed Allie.
I saw Tessa and Ro sitting on the couch. They rose.
“Hey,” Tessa said.
“No sign of Blake Moreland.” I glanced at the closed bedroom door. “How are they?”
“Fine. A hot shower and fresh clothes did the trick. Thankfully, Allie had some clothes in her locker, and Ro found some things for Ollie. They’re sleeping.”
“Good.” I slid my jacket off. I’d ditched the ridiculous hat ages ago. “Thanks for looking after them. You two should get some sleep. I’ll watch over them now.”
“She doesn’t blame you,” Tessa said suddenly.
I felt my muscles tensing up. I didn’t respond.
“She was panicked, Caden, and not thinking straight. Her entire focus was on Ollie.”
“I know.”
“You saved a girl’s life,” Ro added.
“It was a ploy so I’d take my eyes off Ollie. It worked. It was just dumb luck that Moreland didn’t hurt him.”
It could’ve been worse. For a second, I thought of Wells and my team, and the day we’d run out of luck.
“Caden, Ollie is fine. Allie is fine.” Ro’s voice rang with authority. “Tomorrow, we’ll find Blake Moreland and end this sick game he’s playing.”
I gave him a clipped nod.
Tessa eyed my face and sighed. “Get some rest. Everything will feel better in the morning.”
There’d be no sleep for me. I already knew that.
After they left, I walked to the bedroom and cracked open the door. Allie was curled around Ollie in the middle of my bed. They were both asleep.
They were a unit. A team.
They didn’t need me. I didn’t know how to fit into their life.
At the first opportunity, I’d let them down.
It seemed I was good at failing the people who mattered most, who depended on me.
This is just a reminder.
I quietly closed the door.
Back in the living room, I poured myself a glass of bourbon and sat on the couch.
Then I stared out the windows at the darkness of the mountain.