Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Eva
When Kain returned from his meetings, he asked me to stay the night. Grandpa was playing bingo with his friends, so he didn’t need me.
Kain went to pick up Thai food for dinner while I showered.
Our relationship had grown deeper after he shared his past with me.
We both understood each other’s flaws and accepted them.
The day after he learned about my fear, he sent me websites and videos that helped people overcome their phobias.
I appreciated his thoughtfulness and didn’t want to disappoint him by saying I’d tried all those methods in the past. Hypnotherapy was the most effective, but it didn’t completely cure me.
The more time I spent with Kain, the more at ease I felt about myself and where I was in my life.
He created a safe space for me to be myself.
The age gap between us wasn’t an issue; it became a contrast that improved our relationship.
He had a youthful side I adored, and he claimed I had wisdom that inspired him to be a better man.
After getting dressed, I walked out to the kitchen and saw Kain unpacking the takeout containers from the bag.
“Need any help?” I asked.
“Wanna get plates and forks?” He kissed me. “I need to reply to an email. Be right back.”
The delicious aroma of pad Thai, basil fried rice, and papaya salads wafted into my nose, making my stomach growl.
I got out plates for the food and glanced at the news on the TV screen, showing a picture of a woman with a heart tattoo on her face.
My heart pounded, remembering the woman from the train.
“Naomi Baker’s family reported her missing two weeks ago.
Her body was discovered today in an empty parking lot with her heart and lungs removed.
She was also holding a bouquet of bleeding hearts.
Naomi leaves behind a one-year-old daughter.
Police are looking for her boyfriend, who was the last person with her.
If you have any information, please call the number on the screen. ”
The news reporter transitioned to talking about the organ black market. Images of hearts and lungs splashed onto the screen and remained there for too long. A tremor rose in my body, making me lose grip on the porcelain plates. They crashed to the floor, scattering into pieces.
I took a deep breath and envisioned Kain and me on vacation in the tropics.
Kain rushed out of his office. “What happened? You’re so pale.” He scooped me up, brought me over to the couch, and cradled me on his lap. “What’s wrong?”
I nestled into his embrace, inhaling his musky scent. His presence soothed me quicker than I realized. The shaking stopped, and I felt my body calm, like the ebbing of a wave.
“There’s a new Bleeding Hearts murder. I recognize the woman. She was on the train with her boyfriend.” I sat up straighter, placing a hand on his chest. “Then the news showed videos of organs, and I panicked. But it wasn’t as strong this time around.”
He pulled me against his chest and kissed my head. We remained like that for a while, with him cradling me and me listening to his rhythmic heartbeat that was almost too hypnotizing. Feeling safe, my racing heart slowed and my breathing grew steady.
I glanced up and kissed his chin. “Thank you. I’m okay now.”
“You sure?” He smiled, patting my bottom.
“You’re the doctor I need.”
“Call me anytime.” Laugh lines bracketed his lips.
“I should call the authorities and let them know about my encounter with the woman. Maybe they can look at cameras on the train or at the stop where they got off.”
“I’ll give Detective McNally a call so you can talk to him.”