Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Eva
The man strode away from Etched Square, heading toward Coolidge Corner, which was packed with people. I tried my best to follow him, keeping my distance in case he turned around. Nerves knotted my stomach, but I shoved them aside.
The Green Line screeched to a stop, and people poured out, crossing onto Beacon Street. For a moment, I lost sight of him. I dodged the groups of college students and spotted him in the distance. Taller than me, his steps ate up more distance, so I quickened my pace to keep up.
The man maneuvered past a group of people, turning down a street. As I ran to catch up, someone called me. “Eva!”
I turned to see Camila and Milo rushing toward me. I looked at the man, who was now too far ahead for me to catch up.
“Everything okay?” Camila asked.
I didn’t want word to get back to my grandfather about me playing detective.
“Yeah. I thought I saw someone I knew, but I was wrong.”
Milo’s eyes were fixated on the direction where the man had been. Then he looked at me. “He’s not a good person.”
“Do you know him?” I asked.
Milo said nothing, but his body trembled.
“Sorry, we have to go.” Camila wrapped an arm around him. “He’s having one of his episodes.”
“Do you need my help?”
“No, thank you. I’ve got him. He just needs to be home.” Camila and Milo hurried off.
I wasn’t sure what health condition Milo had, but something had triggered his panic. Did he know the man? I remembered how coherent he’d been in his apartment. What had happened to him to make him so unstable?
As I walked back to Etched Square, I passed two local banks.
Would they offer me a decent loan for my flower shop?
How could I make this dream come true now instead of later?
I’d been working for Happy Flowers for a while and knew the ins and outs.
Starting a brand-new shop elsewhere would require a lot more work.
Dear God, please guide me to make the right decision.
Thoughts crammed my head, making me lose focus. A car honked and startled me. I turned to see the familiar Rivian SUV. Kain pulled over to the curb, rolled down the window, and smiled at me.
He crooked his finger. “Come here, gorgeous.”
Seeing him brightened my mood. I was still getting used to him being my boyfriend.
I strode over to the passenger-side window and peered in. “How can I help you, Tattooed Titan?”
He looked me up and down and wiggled his eyebrows. “How much, baby?”
I arched an eyebrow. “You can’t afford me.”
“Name your price and I’ll give you my bank account number.”
Amusement tickled me as a number popped into my head. “Hmm . . . three hundred thousand would be a great deposit.”
“Done. Hop in.” He reached over, pushing the passenger door open. “We’ll discuss the payment later.”
Laughing, I slid into the car. He drove into the parking lot and parked.
“I haven’t reviewed the area yet,” I said, shifting in my seat to face him.
Getting Morgan’s phone call distracted me, not to mention seeing the man obsessed with bleeding hearts.
“No sweat.” He touched my face. “So happy to see you.”
“Happy to see you too,” I said, studying his face. Something felt off. “Is everything okay?”
“It is now.” He lifted my hand to kiss it.
“I saw a man buying a bouquet of bleeding hearts, so I followed him.”
“You what?” Concern sparked in his eyes. “Eva, that’s dangerous.”
“I thought he could be the murderer and didn’t want him to escape. But I lost sight of him around Coolidge Corner. He’s been in my shop and placed an order for bleeding hearts.”
“Do you have his contact information?” His lips thinned.
“His name and number are in the shop’s computer system.”
“Get it to me the next time you’re working.” His jaw tensed. “Did he see you?”
“I don’t think so. There were too many people out and about.”
“What flower shop did you see him in?”
I told him, and he said he’d follow up with the shop to review their recordings.
“Never do that again,” he commanded.
Irritation flared at his tone.
I extracted my hand from his grip and placed it on my lap, feeling uneasy. “I was just trying to help, but you’re reprimanding me like I’m stupid.”
He growled, then sighed. “Look at me.”
I flicked him an annoyed side glance, then kept my gaze on the cars in the parking lot.
“Please.”
I turned and met his gaze. “What?” I didn’t hide my irritation.
A smirk tilted the corners of his lips. How could he smile when he knew I was pissed?
“Sorry for being an asshole, but I’m worried you might put yourself in danger.
If you see him again, please call me immediately.
If he’s truly the criminal we’re looking for, that means he has people around.
They can snatch you up unexpectedly.” He took my hand again, looking stressed. “I care about you.”
“Did something happen today? You seem on edge.”
He considered me for a moment.
“If you want trust between us, then it goes both ways, Kain. I’ll call you if I see anything suspicious. But you need to share information with me too.”
“Someone left me a threat on my windshield.”
“What?” I shifted to face him. “Who?”
“The note says it’s from Hawthorne.”
“The serial killer? He’s alive?”
He nodded. “But I’m not sure if it’s him.
He could be someone pretending to be Hawthorne to distract me.
I doubt the guy buying the bleeding hearts is the one who left me the note.
The timing is off. He can’t be here and in Sturbridge at the same time.
There are a few players here, but all of them could be from one organization. ”
Fear stirred in me on Kain’s behalf. His enemies were getting close, contacting him. What could I do to help him?
We sat in the car in silence with our hands interlaced.
“Let’s not think about the dark stuff.” He squeezed my hand. “Let’s go plan something hopeful.”
We entered Kessler’s Studio and walked past a few construction workers. They greeted him, and he returned the friendly gesture. We came to an open space with a beautiful view of the street.
“I’m thinking a café can go here, along with two other vendors. The renovation would be complete in six months.” He swung our clasped hands. “What do you think? Any thoughts on what I can put here?”
“It’s a beautiful space. Lots of windows for sunlight. A café that offers healthy drinks and food would do well. People love convenience, including me.”
“I was thinking a small booth that sells plants would be nice in here too. People could pick up flowers for their significant others, along with some food before they head home. Maybe you can help me with that?”
My heart soared. Two offers in one day. Was it a sign from the universe telling me to go for it?
Ideas popped into my head. I could see an adorable setup with flowers, an assortment of terrariums and potted plants packaged to entice people. If I were to open it now, I couldn’t afford to hire help, especially with me working at Happy Flowers. More thoughts bubbled into my head.
“Would you consider having your employees manage the area while I supply the flowers? You can purchase the plants from me, or they can be on consignment. We could discuss it later.”
“Anything you want. I want to make it happen.” He pulled me close to him. “So that’s a yes?”
My dream was coming to fruition, and gratitude filled my heart.
“How could I resist such an enticing offer?” I beamed at him.
I needed to sit down and compose a proposal for the booth so Kain could see my plan.
A loud thump boomed from the ceiling, and I glanced up.
“They’re redoing the floors in the yoga and self-defense studios upstairs. Contractors are also updating the carpets on the apartment levels. You’ll be seeing workers coming and going.” Kain took my hand, leading me into his office. The plants I’d moved to the window were doing better now.
He pulled out a chair from his conference table, sat, and yanked me onto his lap.
“What are you doing?” I shrieked, trying to wriggle free, but his thick arm banded around my waist.
“Taking what I want.” A devious smile flashed. “You agreed to three hundred thousand dollars, didn’t you?” He gripped my chin, turning my face toward him. “Don’t tell me you’re backing out now. I’ll be pissed.”
“I was just kidding about the money, you oaf! Let me go!” I pushed at his arm, but he tickled me.
“You smell nice.” He leaned in, pressed his lips to the pulse on my neck, and nibbled. “I’m addicted. I can’t let you go.” He sucked on my skin, sending tingles all over me.
“There are people working here,” I muttered, but then I remembered our hot rendezvous in his training room.
“They’re busy working. No one will come into my office.” He dropped kisses to the column of my neck and the curve of my shoulder, dulling my defenses. “It’s locked. Don’t you remember what happened before?” He dragged an open mouth along my chin and came to my lips.
“Is this something you do often in your office and training rooms?”
“Not until you, gorgeous.” He captured my lower lip and sucked. “We’re branding my office with some late-afternoon nookie.”