Page 119 of Alec’s Dream

Hurry, baby.

“She’s gone,” Macy panted.

Dread washed over Alec. He didn’t need Macy to tell him who “she” was. He heard it in Macy’s voice, the desperation clear. But more, he felt her pain down to his bones.

“How long?”

“The director said the kids were outside on the playground. When it was time to line up, Rory wasn’t there. They’ve been looking around for ten minutes. She’s gone. He took her.”

Fucking hell. How did no one see a man lurking around the playground?

“You stay there. Someone’s coming—”

“Doug has her,” Macy shouted. “I’m not staying here.”

“Macy. I need you to trust me. This is what we do. We find people. We’re good at it. If he comes after you—”

“Then at least if he takes me, Rory won’t be alone.”

Fucking hell, she meant that. Macy would do anything for her kids and that included putting herself in danger.

“Holden’s here,” Macy told him.

Thank Christ.

“Alright, baby. Please, I’m fucking begging you to listen to Holden. I’m gonna find Caleb. Then I’m going after Rory.”

“Alec—”

“Swear to you, Macy. I’ll bring them home to you. But I gotta get off the phone so I can start looking. I need to concentrate on the kids. I cannot do that if I’m worried about you. Listen to Holden.”

Alec didn’t wait for an answer. He disconnected the call and sprinted into the woods, grateful that spring hadn’t made its appearance yet, making his trek that much easier.

“Caleb!” Alec yelled. “Bud, where are you?”

Nothing.

Alec slowed his pace and looked around for any clues on where the boy may’ve run to.

Five minutes later and more than a half-mile away from the park, Alec was getting ready to take off in a new direction when a ladder fixed to the large trunk of a tree caught his attention.

“Caleb? You up there? It’s Alec. You’re safe.”

Still nothing.

Then Alec heard the slight creak of metal and looked up. Caleb’s pale face barely showed through the branches. And suddenly the boy was scrambling down the tree stand as quickly as he could, missing the last dozen or so rungs. Alec easily caught him before he fell the last six feet.

“I got you,” Alec grunted as he pulled Caleb tight.

“I saw him.”

“You’re—”

“He pulled up. I saw him so I ran. He looked so mad.”

“You did the right thing. Now let’s get you home.”

“Are you mad?”