Chapter 38 Everett
Everett
With earmuffs and protective glasses on, I lowered the circular saw into the wood. I needed these panels cut for a repair job in one of the suites.
I cut the next panel and saw Johnny nearby. The new dad had come back to work a few days a week. He lifted a hand.
I shut the saw off and nudged my earmuffs around my neck. “Hey, Johnny.”
“Hi, Everett. Just wanted to let you know I’m finishing early. Baby has a check up.”
I smiled. The man was as proud a peacock over the birth of his son. “Go. Say hi to Heather for me and give Noah a cuddle from his Uncle Everett.”
“Thanks, Ev.”
Just then, I heard a vibration and saw my phone ringing on the bench. I pulled off a glove and saw Piper’s name on the screen. My guess, she was back from visiting her brother at the hospital. She’d already sent me a text to tell me that he was doing well and heading back to the hotel.
The call cut off and I frowned.
I pressed the screen to call her back. It rang once, then cut off.
Hmm. Maybe I’d get her an oat milk latte and track her down. It was time we talked.
I blew out a breath. I couldn’t hide behind the need to keep her safe anymore.
I was in love with her.
I wasn’t going to let her leave without telling her that, whatever happened. I didn’t want her to stay and be unhappy, but I also wanted her to know how I felt.
Touching the screen again, I tried her again. This time, it went straight to voicemail.
I felt a prickle down the back of my neck.
Something was wrong.
I dumped the glasses and earmuffs and headed out of the workshop. She was probably on a call or had a meeting. But I couldn’t shake the feeling.
“Chance’s debt is all cleared,” I muttered. “Corvo will be halfway back to Vegas by now.”
As I hit the office area, my gut was still tied in knots. I spied her assistant.
“Kate, have you seen Piper?”
The young woman shook her head. “No, sorry. I haven’t seen her since she went to the hospital.”
Those prickles intensified. “She texted me a while ago to say she was on her way back.”
Kate looked puzzled. “Maybe she had a call?”
“Thanks.”
In two seconds, I was crossing the lobby. I was probably overreacting, but I needed to find her.
That’s when I saw Caden striding toward me, his jacket flaring out behind him. I took one look at his face and knew something was wrong.
“What?” I demanded.
“Where’s Piper?” he clipped.
“I’m looking for her. She was at the hospital but said she was on her way back. I got a call from her just now, but it cut off. She’s not answering.”
Caden’s mouth flattened.
“Caden,” I clipped.
“Fire alarm is going off in the construction tenting.”
My prickles turned to ice. “Something’s wrong.”
We both pivoted and ran for the front door. We dodged startled guests and I spotted an alert Enzo, circling the concierge desk, his gaze locked on us.
Caden and I raced outside. We circled the hotel to get to the construction area.
That’s when I saw the smoke.
No. There was a hole in the construction tent and smoke was pouring out of it. The construction workers milled around, pointing. I knew their safety and emergency plans dictated they escape the construction tenting in the event of the fire and not play the hero.
I pushed for more speed, leaping over an icy patch on the path. I needed to get inside.
Suddenly, a man dressed in a black coat hurtled out of the construction tent.
My chest locked. Beside me, I heard Caden curse.
Corvo.
I aimed right for him, sprinting hard.
“Corvo!” I roared.
The man’s head jerked up. He turned and ran.
But he wasn’t fast enough. I leaped and tackled him. He hit the cold, muddy ground, me on top of him.
He jerked and bucked.
“Stay down, asshole.”
Caden reached us. I pushed up and yanked Corvo’s arms behind his back. I heard a clink of metal, then Caden leaned down and handcuffed him.
“Where’s Piper?” I barked.
Corvo spat on the ground.
Anger surged. I yanked his head back and punched him in the face. He grunted. I punched him again.
“Where. Is. She?” My voice was lethal.
He bared his teeth, which were now smeared with blood. “You’re too late.” He spat again. “She’ll be nice and toasty by now.”
My head jerked up. Now I saw flames rising up through the canvas tenting.
“Too late.” Corvo laughed. “Your fancy city girl is burning.”
I dropped Corvo, then I sprinted toward the tent.
“Piper!”