Page 109 of Never and Always
“I’m looking for her. She was at the hospital but said she was on her way back. I got a call from her just now, but it cut off. She’s not answering.”
Caden’s mouth flattened.
“Caden,” I clipped.
“Fire alarm is going off in the construction tenting.”
My prickles turned to ice. “Something’s wrong.”
We both pivoted and ran for the front door. We dodged startled guests and I spotted an alert Enzo, circling the concierge desk, his gaze locked on us.
Caden and I raced outside. We circled the hotel to get to the construction area.
That’s when I saw the smoke.
No. There was a hole in the construction tent and smoke was pouring out of it. The construction workers milled around, pointing. I knew their safety and emergency plans dictated they escape the construction tenting in the event of the fire and not play the hero.
I pushed for more speed, leaping over an icy patch on the path. I needed to get inside.
Suddenly, a man dressed in a black coat hurtled out of the construction tent.
My chest locked. Beside me, I heard Caden curse.
Corvo.
I aimed right for him, sprinting hard.
“Corvo!” I roared.
The man’s head jerked up. He turned and ran.
But he wasn’t fast enough. I leaped and tackled him. He hit the cold, muddy ground, me on top of him.
He jerked and bucked.
“Stay down, asshole.”
Caden reached us. I pushed up and yanked Corvo’s arms behind his back. I heard a clink of metal, then Caden leaned down and handcuffed him.
“Where’s Piper?” I barked.
Corvo spat on the ground.
Anger surged. I yanked his head back and punched him in the face. He grunted. I punched him again.
“Where. Is. She?” My voice was lethal.
He bared his teeth, which were now smeared with blood. “You’re too late.” He spat again. “She’ll be nice and toasty by now.”
My head jerked up. Now I saw flames rising up through the canvas tenting.
“Too late.” Corvo laughed. “Your fancy city girl is burning.”
I dropped Corvo, then I sprinted toward the tent.
“Piper!”
Chapter 39
