Page 63 of Before and After

“They went out a couple of hours ago. We’ll keep monitoring. I have the bartenders watching all the drinks of any females in the bar.”

“Good.” I nodded. “I’d better go.”

Caden rose. “I’ll walk you to your car. It’s dark in the staff parking area. I have new security lights ordered.”

“Of course you do.” I tucked my hair back behind my ear. “It’s okay, I don’t have my car.”

He cocked his head. “Why?”

“It wouldn’t start earlier. I jogged over.”

His face hardened. “You getting a ride home?”

“Well, it isn’t far to walk or run.”

He stared at me, and I couldn’t miss the unhappy vibes.

“It’s fine, Broody. This is Windward. And I like running. I used to run in high school.”

“You’renotrunning home in the dark. It’s late.”

“Caden—”

“No.”

I rested my hands on my hips. “It isn’t far?—”

He snatched up his keys and jacket. “I’ll drop you home.”

I sighed. “Okay.”

“Let me get one of my team to monitor things in here.”

Before I knew it, he was leading me outside, a hand pressed to my lower back. I felt traitorous tingles everywhere.

He led me out to a big, black SUV parked in a VIP spot out front. He bleeped the locks, then opened the passenger door for me. Before I could move, he gripped my waist and lifted me in.

Again, I felt his touch everywhere and a gasp escaped my lips. I looked up.

Our gazes meshed. He stared at me, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

Then he stepped back and closed the door.

Okay, I could handle being alone with Caden in a vehicle. In the dark.

He climbed into the driver’s seat.

Then it was just the two of us. I nibbled on my lower lip. I had to get a handle on this out-of-control desire.

“So…”Really smooth, Allie.

He glanced my way. “Is your neighbor with Ollie tonight?”

I nodded. “He’ll be fast asleep by now. That kid can sleep. A tornado wouldn’t wake him. Mrs. Jenkins will be napping in front of the television. She loves spending time with him. All her grandkids are in Pennsylvania, and she doesn’t see them much.”

“It’s good you have help.”

“I’m grateful. I’m grateful he sleeps well, too. After Sean and Sylvie died—” I felt the sharp pinch of pain and breathed through it “—he slept in my bed for weeks. He had…not quite nightmares, but he’d wake up and cry out for them.” I shook my head, my heart hurting.