Page 101 of Before and After

“Ollie is missing,” I said, my voice shaking.

“Oh no,” Emily said. “He can’t have gone far.”

“Gunnar, you’re with me,” Caden barked. “Hugh and Enzo, check near the food trucks.”

Enzo gave a clipped nod. “Sure thing, Caden.”

The men splitting into pairs, stalking into the crowd.

My throat closed. God, I shouldn’t have left him. He was mine. It was my job to take care of him.

“Hey, calm down.” Tessa pressed a hand to my back. “Slow your breathing.”

I pulled in two ragged breaths.

“He’ll be fine.” Her voice was calm and reassuring. “Caden has security at all the exits. Ollie can’t leave.”

“Okay.” I pulled in another breath. “Okay.”

“Caden will find him.”

I nodded. I knew Caden wouldn’t stop until he did. “God, what if he’s hurt, or some sicko took him?—”

“Deep breaths,” Tessa ordered.

Suddenly, I saw Caden striding toward me.

He was carrying Ollie on his hip.

“Thank God.” I raced forward and snatched Ollie into my arms. “Where did you go?” I hugged him tightly.

“Allie, you’re squishing me.”

“I was so worried.” I set him down and cupped his cheeks. “I couldn’t find you.”

“Caden was helping the sick woman.” Ollie looked at his feet. “It was scary. Then your friend came and said you wanted me to go with him.”

I stilled. “My friend?”

“In the black jacket. He was nice. He took me to see the animals at the petting zoo.”

The air shuddered out of me. “Blake.”

Caden’s face turned into a terrible mask.

Ollie read the tension and his face fell. “He’s not your friend?”

“No, Ol-ster, he’s not.”

“I’m sorry.” He started crying.

“It’s okay, baby.” I pulled him back against me.

“I’ll find him.” Caden shoved a keycard at Tessa. “Take them up to my suite.”

Then he was gone.

I shivered, pulling Ollie close.