Page 112 of Stuck with my Boss Daddies

The pony swerved, hooves skidding over the cobblestones, eyes rolling with fear. If it slipped, it could take out anyone in its path.

I surged forward, dodging overturned crates and broken decorations, pushing through the rain and wind that lashed against me.

A teenage boy tripped in the pony’s path. His sister screamed, yanking at his arm, but he wasn’t fast enough.

I didn’t think. I just acted.

Throwing myself forward, I grabbed the boy by the back of his jacket and yanked him out of the way just as the pony thundered past, its hooves striking the ground where he’d been only a second ago.

We hit the wet cobblestone hard, but we were in one piece.

“You okay?” I asked, breathing hard.

The boy nodded, eyes wide with shock. His sister pulled him up, clutching his arm like she wasn’t ever letting go again.

“Thank you,” she gasped.

I gave a sharp nod before turning back to the pony, who was still panicked and charging toward the edge of the festival grounds.

“Get inside!” I ordered them before taking off again.

The pony was fast, but I knew these grounds better. I cut across the square, pushing myself harder, and managed to intercept just as it tried to squeeze through a gap between two vendor stalls.

Lunging forward, I grabbed the trailing reins and pulled, using my weight to counter its force.

It reared up, hooves kicking into the air, but I held firm, murmuring low, soothing words over the howling wind. “Easy, easy. You’re okay.”

Slowly, its frantic movements stilled, muscles trembling under my grip. A second later, the handler arrived, breathless and soaked.

“Got him?” I asked.

She nodded, relief clear in her face as she took the reins. “Thanks, Samuel. I owe you one.”

“Just get him inside,” I said, already scanning the square again.

The storm was getting worse, rain coming down in sheets now, turning the cobblestones slick. People were still moving, still trying to get to safety.

I spotted Kai in the distance, Harriet now safely under a covered walkway, and gave him a quick nod. He nodded back before heading toward another group needing help.

Then, through the haze of whipping wind and flashing lights, I saw her.

Sadie.

She stood in the open, caught in the whirlwind, her dress clinging to her legs as the gale pushed against her small frame. She was trying to move, arms lifted like she could fight the storm itself, but her footing wavered.

Panic flickered across her face as she stumbled, her hair whipping around her in wild tendrils.

She was going to fall.

I didn’t think. I ran.

The wind shoved against me, resisting every step, but I pushed forward, my boots sliding on the slick cobblestones. My pulse roared in my ears.

Just a few more feet.

Sadie turned just as another gust hit, knocking her sideways. A sharp cry tore from her lips as her feet gave out.

I caught her.

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