28. Caden
Caden
I t was easy not feel anything when you kept busy.
In the conference room, I had camera schematics spread across the table. I needed the system upgrades completed for when Gunnar started.
I scribbled some notes on the plan.
But my mind kept trying to go to Allie.
To her stricken face, the way she’d stared at me, her eyes pleading.
You’re running away, and that’s not for my benefit.
My hand curled into a fist.
“You look ready to punch the table.”
Ro stood in the doorway, hands in the pockets of his suit pants. I hadn’t even heard him walk in.
“I’m fine. Busy. Gunnar wants the head of security role, so I want the upgrades completed for him. It’ll make the transition easier.”
“We both know that’s not why you’re as tense as hell and ready to hit someone.”
Dammit . Allie would have spoken with Tessa, and Tessa with Ro.
“I did what I had to do.”
“Last night, you saved a young girl’s life. She still has her entire life ahead of her, thanks to you. Then, you found Ollie. Today, you should be comforting your woman, and instead you wrecked her.”
I thumped my fist on the table. “Ro, stay out of it.”
“No. You’re my friend. You’re a good man and you deserve her. Fight for her.”
“I hurt her. I failed her. I’ll do it again.”
“You never failed anyone. You never give up, even in the toughest of circumstances. You didn’t fail Wells. When are you going to accept that there was nothing you could have done to a save him? You brought him home, Caden. Now, it’s time for you to come home.”
I sucked in a breath.
Then Ro focused on one of the monitors and frowned. “Caden…”
His tone made me stiffen. I shifted to see the screen. “What?”
“It’s Allie.”
My gaze found her straight away. She was in the great room.
Talking with Blake Moreland.
Dammit .
They were having some sort of confrontation. Then, the bastard took her hand and pulled her out of the room. And it looked like she was going willingly.
I watched her glance up at the camera for a long beat.
What the fuck? What was she up to?
I touched the keyboard and flicked the view to the lobby cameras. I followed them through the lobby, and right before they went outside, she stared at the camera again.
Like she was sending me a message.
“What the hell is she doing?” Ro bit out.
There was a knock on the door and Gunnar entered. “Everything okay?”
“Ro, this is Gunnar O’Neill.”
Ro held out a hand. “I hear you’re joining the Langston team. We might need your help before you’ve officially signed your contract.”
Gunnar arched a brow.
“Allie just left the hotel with Blake Moreland,” I said.
He frowned. “The asshole drug dealer who took her kid last night?”
I nodded. “She’s up to something.”
“And she wanted you to make sure you saw her,” Ro added.
“She wants me to follow.” I cursed. “She’s going with him to find the drugs. So we’ve got evidence to arrest him.” My heart started pounding. I spun to the locked cabinet in the corner and quickly dialed in the code. I opened it and pulled out a handgun. “Gunnar, you armed?”
My friend shook his head.
I handed him a Glock.
“I’ll call the Windward PD,” Ro said. “Be careful out there.”
I nodded as I attached the holster onto my belt and slid my own Glock into it.
“Bring her home,” Ro added.
Oh, I was going to . My gaze went back to the cameras, and I saw her and Blake outside, walking near the outdoor activity area. A moment later, they slipped out of view of the cameras.
Hugh appeared. “What’s going on?”
“You’re with us,” I said. “I’ll explain on the way.”
The big man just nodded and didn’t ask any questions. The three of us got outside and I brought Hugh up to speed.
“Hell,” Hugh muttered.
“By the way, this is your new boss, Gunnar O’Neill.”
Gunnar gave the man a chin lift. “Nice to meet you, Hugh.”
“Likewise.” Hugh’s brow creased. “What the hell was Allie thinking?”
That she wanted this nightmare over.
Once again, I’d let her down. And I only had myself to blame.
I couldn’t lose her.
She was right, I’d been holding myself back. And even while doing that, it didn’t stop the pain of knowing that she was in danger.
She needed me.
Fuck . I was pretty sure that I was in love with Allie Ford.
Ignoring the tightness in my chest, I strode toward the trees.
I was bringing her home.
We reached the edge of camera range and the spot where I’d last seen Allie and Moreland. I scanned around and saw no sign of them.
Where the hell did they go? My jaw worked.
“They could be anywhere,” Hugh said.
“He’s likely got his stash in the trees on the mountain.” I let my gaze drift over the colorful Fall foliage. “That way he can use bike rides as an excuse to stop there and top up his supply without anyone noticing.”
“It’s a big mountain,” Gunnar murmured.
Too big. For a second, unfamiliar fear cut into me. What if I couldn’t find her?
Wait . I spotted a glint of something on the ground.
I crouched and saw a wrapper and a square of chocolate.
I sucked in a breath. It was a familiar white and gold wrapper. I smiled. “Allie left us a clue.” I rose. My little Gretel was leaving me a trail to follow. “This way.”
My hand clenched on the chocolate as I strode into the trees. After a few more yards, I spotted another wrapper. I snatched it up.
“Let’s move.”