“We’re going on an adventure, sweetie,” I said, forcing a smile as I lifted her into my arms.

She felt small and fragile against my chest, her little hands clinging to the collar of my coat.

“Take the service elevator at the back of the kitchen,” Nathan told Mrs. Gable. “Take my car key. Go to the parking garage and wait in the black SUV.”

“What about you?” I asked.

“I’ll meet you there in three minutes,” Nathan said. “I have to delete our registry from the lobby office system.”

He slipped down the hallway toward the back stairs before I could protest.

Mrs. Gable led me down the service corridor, past smelling trash bins and stacks of clean linens.

We reached the underground garage without seeing anyone.

The air down there was cold and smelled of damp concrete and exhaust fumes.

We found the black SUV parked in a dark corner.

Mrs. Gable unlocked the doors, and I slid into the back seat, pulling Rosie close to my lap.

A minute later, the driver’s door opened, and Nathan climbed in, his face pale and set.