Page 130 of Hearts Storm

I shake Brex’s shoulder. “Hey. Wake up.”

He grunts, rolling onto his back. “What?” he huffs, voice thick with sleep.

“It’s Reyna. She’s not here.”

That gets his attention. He sits up, glancing down at the empty space between us. “Where⁠—?”

“I don’t know,” I growl as I get out of bed, pulling on my boxers. “Check the bathroom.”

Brex moves quickly, throwing on his boxer briefs before disappearing out the door and into the hall.

My mind races as I pick up my phone from the nightstand.

No messages.

Tossing the phone on the bed, I scan the room, looking for some sort of clue I might’ve missed and check the closet.

Why would she leave? Did something happen?

“Not in the bathroom,” Brex calls, his voice tight with concern. “Don’t freak out yet. We need to check the rest of the house.”

The rain suddenly kicks into high gear, coming down hard. Something doesn’t feel right. She wouldn’t just leave without saying anything. Not after last night. Would she?

I race down the hall, Brex’s heavy steps not far behind.

“I’ll see if her truck is still outside.”

“Good. I’ll check the living room.”

But when I get there, what I see has me stopping dead in my tracks.

The sliding glass door is partially open, rain splattering against the tile just inside the threshold.

Through the window, I can see Reyna kneeling, hair plastered to the side of her face. Her clothes are soaked, and she’s hunched forward, shoulders shaking. Even through the haze of rain streaming down the glass, I can tell she’s crying.

What the hell?

“Brex,” I bark, sliding the door open as she starts to stand. “She’s out here.”

“Jesus,” he says, voice gruff as we step out into the downpour.

The rain hits hard, cold and sharp against my bare chest and back. I don’t give a shit. In seconds, I’m across the yard.

I come to a halting stop before her as Brex crowds against her back.

“Angel.”

Shivering, she looks up and opens her eyes as Brex wraps his arms around her waist. “Pretty. What are you doing out here?”

I move in close to help keep her warm and block out as much of the rain as I can.

Rain streaks down my face as I blink water from my lashes. “Did you have another dream?”

Her lower lip trembles as a shudder runs through her whole body. Brex tightens his arms, tucking her tightly against his chest.

“I j-just...” she stutters. “…N-need a minute.”

The way she’s looking up at me has my stomach twisting in knots.