Page 36 of Blind Attraction

“You can’t just walk around, Mitch.” Leah grabbed his upper arm, trying to slow his progression, but he didn’t stop until he reached the elevator. “There’s a crowd outside. They’ll eat you alive.”

He smacked his fingers against the Down button and turned to face Blake’s worried expression. In the background Mason, Sean, Ryan, and Tony strode toward them meeting up with the other two bodyguards who had been waiting in the reception area.

“What’s the rush?” Ryan stopped beside him.

“Alana’s not in the coffee shop. I don’t know where she is.”

“Maybe she got a better offer,” Mason chuckled, then wiped the smirk off his face when Mitch glared at him. “Sorry,” Mason mumbled and broke eye contact.

“What are you going to do?” Sean asked.

“I’m going to find her.” He turned back to the elevator and slammed his fingers into the Down button again and again and again.

“You can’t,” Leah’s voice rose.

“Watch me,” he snapped and uncomfortable silence settled over them.

“Hold up, pussy-whipped.” Mason broke the discomfort. “Why don’t I get Dan and Pete—” he motioned to the two other bodyguards, “—to step outside with me, Sean, and Ryan. Building security is already out there, so the hype should be controllable.” Mason glanced at Leah as she shook her head, but he ignored her disapproval. “We’ll chat with the fans, sign some autographs and keep them occupied while you, Blake, and Tony go search for her. She couldn’t have gone far walking around like Stevie Wonder.”

The elevator dinged. Mitch didn’t wait for the doors to fully open before he stepped forward and pushed them apart. “That’d help, but with or without you, I’m going to find her.”

“Settle down, Maverick, this isn’t the danger zone.” Sean smirked as he followed everyone into the elevator. “She might still be in the building.”

Mitch’s finger would get a cramp if he gave the bird every time he felt the urge.

“Well, his safety will definitely be in jeopardy,” Leah grumbled.

They descended in silence while his blood ran cold. Where was she? “Did you check the bathrooms?”

“Yes,” Leah replied. “I checked the bathroom stalls. I glanced outside, I double checked the lobby.”

Shit.

When the elevator dinged its arrival on ground level, he bit his lip waiting for everyone in front of him to move out.

“We’ll go do our thing.” Mason stated as a chorus of screams sounded outside. “Meet back inside in fifteen minutes.”

“I won’t be coming back until I find her,” Mitch replied and pivoted from their makeshift circle to begin the search. A firm hand grabbed his upper arm.

“We’ll meet back here in fifteen minutes and re–evaluate if you haven’t found her.” Mason looked at him in concern. “Don’t do anything stupid, Mitch. She’ll be fine.”

Mitch inclined his head and Mason’s hand fell from his arm. “See you in fifteen minutes.”

He checked every inch of the lobby before he pushed through the inside entrance to the coffee shop, Blake and Tony in tow. Tony spoke to the barista while simultaneously giving death stares to anyone who came within a yard of Mitch and Blake. He even held back the gasping fans who begged for an autograph with a firm shake of his head. The guy had a soft and gooey center, but on the outside he was one scary mo-fo.

“She left a while ago.” The lady behind the counter said with a worried look on her face. “I think there was an issue—”

“Issue?” Mitch hadn’t meant to yell.

The woman’s face fell. “I’m sorry, we were busy, and I didn’t have the opportunity to check if she needed help. She walked out the front doors while telling an elderly gentleman to leave her alone. I haven’t seen them both since.”

Panic filled thoughts flashed through Mitch’s mind. What would an old man want with Alana?

“He followed her?” Blake asked.

The woman nodded. “I think so.” She wrung her hands. “Look, I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” Mitch added and began to head for the front doors.

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