Page 75 of Before and After

“Alone? After you’ve been drinking?”

“I had two cocktails, and my building is dead ahead. No need to worry.”

“I would’ve given you a ride.”

“It was girls only, Castro. No men allowed. How was your evening?”

“I had dinner with Ro. Now, I’m reviewing some security files.”

So, I was right about the files. “We still on for tomorrow night?”

“Yes.”

“Good, I?—”

Someone grabbed me from behind and I sucked in a sharp breath.

“Allie?” Caden’s tone sharpened.

“Let me go!” Something dropped over my head, plunging me into darkness. My phone was knocked out of my hand, and I heard it hit the ground with a crack. “Caden!” I screamed.

Then I was dragged away. I struggled, but there were two of them and they were holding me tightly.

“Hurry up,” one said in a quiet whisper.

“Over here.”

I broke free for a second, but I barely took two steps before I was lifted off my feet. I kicked and struggled. I flailed my armsand legs, hoping desperately to strike one of them. My arm made contact with a body part, and I heard a grunt.

The next second, the side of my head slammed into something solid. Stars filled my vision as pain spiked through my skull, and I bit back a cry.

Then I was lifted bodily, and shoved down into some sort of enclosed space. Something slammed closed above me.

Oh, God. I was in the trunk of a car.

Chapter 18

Caden

“Allie! Allie!”

The line went dead.

Let me go!Her words echoed in my ears. Someone had grabbed her.

My throat closed, my pulse thundering in my ears. I shot to my feet and grabbed my jacket and shoes, and I was out the door of my suite in an instant.

I jogged down the hall and ran down the stairs. I tried to call her back, but it went to voicemail. I tried again and again. By the time I reached the conference room, I hadn’t calmed down.

“Hugh, Paul, with me.”

The men rose.

“Problem, boss?” Paul asked, his brow creased.

“It’s Allie.”

“From housekeeping?”