I managed to drop the man in a heap, but Celeste was already pushing past me, hurrying toward the stairwell at the end of the hall. Her cheeks were wet before, but now she was openly crying. Fury and concern warred in my gut, and I had to uproot myself from the spot, hurrying after my mate before she disappeared.
“Celeste!” I called.
“Go away,” she replied, hurrying faster.
The door to the stairwell opened moments later, revealing Piers. I exhaled a sigh of relief as Celeste skidded to a stop a few feet in front of him. I assumed Gilbert had gone up the elevator instead, cutting off that exit. At that moment I was rather pleased I’d enlisted the twins.
“Piers, if you would take Celeste downstairs so I can—”
But Piers fixed me with a sharp look over the top of her head, giving a minute
