Page 77 of Before and After

“The suspected drug dealers?”

I nodded. “She wanted to help, so I had her help me plant a bug. I wanted to keep an eye on her.” I raked a hand through my hair. “The ringleader suspected she was poking around, and threatened her. Not in any detail.” A muscle ticked in my jaw. If that fucker was behind this, if he’d hurt her…

“Okay. Keep a lock on it, Caden. Let’s gather the facts and find her. If this is the dealers, they’re not going to do something stupid.”

We didn’t know that. I knew they’d want to protect their lucrative little business.

Ahead, her condo building came into view. Hugh pulled into a parking space out front.

I got out and scanned the street. There was no sign of Allie.

“Hugh, see if she’s inside. Condo number 14.”

“On it.”

I knew she wasn’t in there. My instincts were screaming at me. My chest felt like it had been filled with rocks. I walked down the sidewalk. “She said she could see her building. She was walking back from Tessa’s.”

Ro and Enzo spread out, both scanning the ground.

“Maybe she just dropped her phone?” Ro said hopefully. “And it’s broken?”

“No, someone grabbed her.”

“What’s that?” Enzo asked, pointing.

A glint of metal on the ground.

I strode over. It was a set of keys. The keychain had a small plastic tag on it and inside was a photo of Allie and Ollie. I scooped them up, grinding my teeth together. “These are hers.” I turned in a circle, and a second later, I spotted her phone. I snatched it up. The screen was cracked. “Fuck.”

Ro gripped my shoulder. “We’ll find her.”

I pulled out my cellphone and called the security office. “Paul, do you have eyes on the men on level three?”

“Only two of them are in their rooms. They just ordered room service.”

My chest expanded. “The other two?”

“I did a quick check. They left in their car. Blue Honda Civic.”

I bit back a curse. “Thanks.” I turned. “Two of those guys aren’t at the hotel. They took her.”

Ro’s face hardened. “We don’t know that for sure. We need to ask them some questions.”

We climbed back into the SUV. “We can’t tip our hand.” My hand flexed. “We can’t risk putting her in more danger.” I had to think. Where would they take her?

We pulled back in at the Langston Windward. As I sliced out of the SUV, I saw Blake Moreland. He and his friend had just exited a car. They looked relaxed, were smiling.

He caught my gaze.

I glared at him, and the smug asshole just smiled back. He thought he was so smart.

I took a step forward, but Ro grabbed my arm and Hugh stepped closer.

“Take it easy,” Ro murmured. “I don’t need you locked up for assault.”

Moreland gave me another long look, then sailed inside.

I hurried over to the valet. “Is that their vehicle?”