“Will do.”
“Thanks, man.” I ended the call and met Harry’s hopeful eyes.
“What do you have?” Harry asked.
“Godfrey found a recording of the parking lot.” I opened my email, clicked the link, and placed my phone on the coffee table for all to see.
“My poor Eva,” Harry murmured with tears in his eyes.
My fingers curled into fists. The desire to kill those two guys surged like a tidal wave.
“They tricked her.” Harry wiped his eyes with his sleeve. “She probably saw me or her grandmother in that situation and rushed over to help without hesitation.”
Emilio reached for a tissue and handed it to Harry. “We’ll find her. Don’t worry.”
I shoved fear and anger aside for a moment. I had to be strong for Eva and Harry.
“They have her purse, which means they probably have her phone.” Emilio looked at me. “Maybe we can locate it.”
“They probably turned it off,” I said. “Or placed it somewhere with a jammer.”
“I know someone who can bypass that.” Emilio looked at me.
“Milo!” Harry exclaimed with hope gleaming in his eyes.
“Who’s Milo?”
“Camila’s grandson. They live with me. They’re currently in New York City, visiting the museums. I’ll call them and ask if they can return sooner.”
“I’d appreciate it,” Harry said. “Let me call and ask Camila.”
“I’ll pay for their flights,” I added.
“We’ll keep you posted.” Emilio placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Go home and rest. You need energy to battle the beast.”
“Thank you.” I stood up and turned to Harry, whose strong facade was crumbling. “You okay?”
“I will be.” He gripped my arm, offered a warm smile, and nodded. “Conserve your energy. Eva needs you. I’ll be downstairs with Emilio for a bit.”
When the two men left, I stole a moment to immerse myself in Eva’s apartment. Though I’d been here before, I had never studied it. She had plants everywhere, real ones and fake ones, decorating the shelves of her bookcase, and interesting pots hanging from the ceiling by the window. I strode into the kitchen, remembering my lunch date at her house, reveling in the silence and scent that was hers.
Where are you, baby?
I made my way into her bedroom. Again, she had plants on the floor, windowsill, and one on her nightstand. Sitting down on her bed, I ran my hand over the soft pastel sheets, missing her more than she could ever know.
“I love you,” I said, glancing around her bedroom.
That admission shook my heart. I’d swap places with Eva in a heartbeat. It all started during that first encounter at her flower shop. Love at first sight seemed surreal, and yet it was very real to me. I should’ve told her sooner. But I was afraid that admitting it too soon would scare her. Love took time to develop, but here I was already knee-deep.
When I first saw her, it felt like a bolt of lightning struck me, piercing straight into my heart. Eva illuminated my life, and in doing so, chased away all the darkness. Most of all, she opened my heart so I could welcome in more things, looking at life from various perspectives.
Love was like a tattoo that bled into my body and into my soul, becoming one with me. The art and its meaning gave me inexplicable healing and comfort. No one had to understand the story my ink portrayed. It was my rite of passage.
I knew it would drive me crazy sitting around, wondering and waiting for a breakthrough. There was something I could do to honor my love for her and keep me calm.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Kain
