Page 18 of Before and After

“Looks that way.”

“No.” My voice was sharp. “I can’t be trapped. I’m off shift. I need to go.” Panic coursed through me. I needed to pick up Ollie and I couldn’t be late. I couldn’t let him feel forgotten, abandoned. My breaths were coming too fast.

Caden spun me. “Allie—” He frowned, studying my face intently.

I held up a hand and backed up until I hit the wall. “God. I need to getout.”

His hands grabbed mine and I startled.

“Talk to me,” he ordered. His voice was strong, sure. “Breathe.”

I dragged in a breath.

“Again.”

“I’m okay.”

“Are you claustrophobic?”

“No, but I have to pick up my kid. Oliver. Ollie. I have to pick him up from school in twenty minutes. I can’t leave him there, alone. He’ll think I abandoned or forgot him.” I sucked in a ragged breath. “Or that something happened to me.”

Something moved across Caden’s face.

I gripped his arm. “Ican’thave him thinking something’s happened and that he’s all alone.”

Caden gave a brisk nod. “Okay.” He pulled out his cellphone and texted a message.

“Anything? Are they working to get us out?”

“The technician is on the way, but it’s gonna be an hour.”

I made an agonized sound.

“Allie.”

I met his gaze.

“I’ll get you out.” He shoved his phone away.

“Really?” Hope bloomed. I was so used to dealing with everything on my own, but I couldn’t fix this problem.

“I promise.”

Then he reached up to the ceiling of the elevator car and I frowned.

A second later, he pried open a panel. It dropped down, a black hole looming above us.

“Step back.”

I shuffled backward. Then he jumped up and grabbed the edge of the hole with one hand, and, with a move of pure athleticism and grace, pulled himself up, curled his legs upward, and disappeared onto the top of the elevator car.

Lots of feelings rushed through me and I blinked. That move was hot. That easy flex of muscle. He was fit and strong, and looked like a spy.Hello, Ethan Hunt. Or James Bond.

I licked my lips. Crap, I was damp between my thighs.

“Allie?” He leaned down through the hole, holding out a hand. “Come on.”

Reaching up, I took his hand. Strong fingers wrapped around mine.