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Angel and I follow quickly, running up and down aisles, pausing to listen every few steps.
"Here!" Angel calls and we all dash to the third aisle over.
Angel is hovering about four feet off the ground, pointing to a large wiggling box on the third shelf up. It has another box on top of it, preventing it from falling off the shelf.
From inside I can hear a voice that sounds like Sloane.
"Slone!" I shout, and the box begins to lurch as her yelling increases. "Gage, help!"
He is the only one tall enough to grab the box without having to stretch. He shifts over the top container and then picks up the box with Sloane in it. He puts it down and I begin to rip at the top.
Slone rockets out and throws herself into my arms. "Tarek!"
I bury my face in her fragrant hair, holding her tight.
"Tarek," she says again, her voice strained. "You're crushing me!"
"Sorry, beautiful."
I release her, but seeing her face makes me grab her again and press my lips to hers. She responds fiercely, flinging her arms around my neck and pressing herself into me.
"You came for me."
"Of course. Sloane, you're the most important thing in the world to me. I love you, damn it."
I look into her eyes, the intensity of my emotions making me feel like I am going to explode. Or cry, if an orc were capable of that. I’m not sure we are.
She smiles, and the sun comes out in my heart. She really is so beautiful.
"You must really love me," she says quietly. "You came during an investor's meeting to save me!"
She puts her arms around me again and I hold her close.
"Okay, my turn," comes Angel's bossy voice. Her tiny hands pull at our shoulders.
She insinuates herself between us and hugs Sloane. Lewis and Gage come over and surround her with a group hug. Slone laughs and hugs them all back. I stand aside and smile, watching the woman I love fight back tears and shake her head with gratitude.
"I love all of you," she says, laughing. I can't resist it. I step in and try to wrap my arms around all of them.
Angel wiggles out of my grip and looks at her phone's screen.
"Oh my God, Tarek! You still have time!"
"What?"
"Go! Now! To the meeting! You can make it if you go now."
"Oh, guys," Sloane says, looking sheepish. "I forgot to tell you that Amber is taped up in aisle eight."
"I'll stay and call the police," Angel says. "Tarek, take the team and book it!"
I make a grab for Angel, thinking I’ll give her a hug, but she checks me with a raised hand.
“No time!”
"Thanks for everything, Angel," I say. "You're an –."
"Don't say it," she cautions.
