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Children cry louder while parents push through the lobby in every direction, desperate to find their kids. The crowd closes in around us, then surges forward hard enough to send people stumbling.

A woman carrying a toddler collides with me from behind. Instinct takes over, and I grab her arm before she can fall.

“Sorry,” she gasps breathlessly, clutching her little boy tighter.

“It's okay,” I assure her.

When I turn back toward Alexei, my breath catches. He's no longer visible, hidden somewhere behind a wall of frightened parents and crying children. Panic claws at my chest.

“Alexei?” I call, rising onto my toes.

I spot a glimpse of dark hair. Then nothing.

A group of frightened parents surges between us.

“Alexei!” I call out.

“Maggie!”

I hear my name, but I can’t tell where it came from.

“Alexei?” I shout again, trying to push through the crowd.

Somebody bumps my shoulder. A child runs past. Another panicked parent nearly runs into me.

The lobby has become pure mayhem. Then a hand lands firmly on my shoulder. I spin around.

A tall man wearing dark slacks and a charcoal button-down stands beside me. An earpiece disappears beneath his collar.

I don't recognize him, but Alexei's security detail has grown so much over the past few weeks that I barely question it anymore.

“Miss Hayes,” he says urgently, placing a guiding hand near the center of my back. “Mr. Agapov sent me. Stay close. I'll get you to him and Ivy.”

Relief crashes through me. Alexei would never leave me alone in this.

“Thank God.” I nod quickly. “Where are they?”

“They're backstage,” he replies, already steering me through the crowd. “Follow me.”

I hurry after him. The farther we walk, the quieter it becomes. We leave the packed lobby behind and move into one of the side hallways branching toward the backstage area. The sounds of crying children and panicked parents gradually fade behind us.

My breathing slowly steadies.

“They're backstage?” I ask again, quickening my pace to stay beside him.

“Yes.”

“Is Ivy okay?”

“She's fine,” he answers.

Something about his response doesn't sit right with me. He answers too quickly, as though he's rehearsed the words beforehand.

I glance around, and unease stirs inside me. The hallway stretches empty in both directions. There are no parents, no teachers, no security guards, and no Luka. A knot forms low in my stomach.

“Where exactly are they?” I ask, slowing.

“Just ahead.”