eyes narrowed, a weight settling on his chest when he saw her wipe at her cheeks. Was she…crying?
“Listen, G.” Alek’s voice startled him. He was still holding the phone to his ear. “Maybe you should—”
He disconnected the call without a word, adrenaline kicking into his bloodstream as Eva turned to look over her shoulder. Shifting his gaze, he nearly went through the window when he saw a guy loping over to the shadows where she stood.
Completely alone.
At any other time, an unidentified male homing in on a woman like Eva with a look of such interest would be nothing but hunting. This wasn’t any other time. And the guy didn’t look as though he belonged at this benefit any more than a hyena in a tux would.
Had to be Skars.
Despite the few guests strolling nearby, Gabriel broke into a sprint. Quan followed suit and they made for the only exit at the far end of the solarium.
Which had them going in the opposite direction from where Eva was.
FIVE
Thankful the drizzle had stopped, Eva leaned on the railing in the quiet gardens of the hotel and listened to the soft rush high above as a mild breeze feathered through the wet leaves on the trees. Taking a tissue out of her clutch—she’d needed them after all—she dabbed at her eyes, careful not to smear her makeup.
She’d found her mother’s friends sitting at a table near the doors leading out to the terrace and had gladly welcomed the round of hugs as the trio that used to be a quad fawned over her just like her mom used to. She’d sat with them, and had just started to decompress when Corrine Horton—the harmless busybody of the bunch—had zeroed in on the fact that Eva was alone.
“Why didn’t you bring your date to meet us, darling? We wouldn’t have embarrassed you.” Corrine had patted her short, perfectly styled salt-and-pepper hair and smiled in such a way that said they certainly would have.
After admitting that she’d come alone, Danielle had cooed while leaning over to cover Eva’s hand, the chunky ring on her forefinger so heavy Eva was sure it would leave an indent. “Kathryn told us about your…fear.” She whispered the over-enunciated word. “She was so worried about you. She knew why you didn’t date like other girls your age. But, sweetie, you have no idea how much she regretted allowing you to see her pain over your father. Even more, she regretted allowing that pain to affect her so strongly at all. How often, girls,” she put to Corrine and Marilyn, “did Kat say she wished she’d been stronger for Eva?”
“Too often,” Marilyn had confirmed as Corrine nodded in agreement.
“She didn’t want you to be alone, Eva. Yes, she loved that you’re an independent, strong woman, but then, look who raised you,” she’d said with a shimmer in her eye that had caused an ache to form in Eva’s throat. “But she wanted you to be happy. Loved and happy, sweetie. Don’t let what that man did affect your life as negatively as Kathryn allowed it to affect hers.”
It was then Eva had shocked herself by blurting a question she’d never thought to ask them before. “Did she ever tell you his name?”
“Oh, no,” Corrine had shaken her head quickly, bracelets jangling as she waved a finger like a wiper blade. “And it wasn’t like we didn’t ask. But she said telling us would be too dangerous—” She’d checked herself and rushed to clarify. “To her peace of mind. Too painful for her. He’s in the past anyway. It’s time for a fresh start. It’s what Kathryn wanted.”
Having reached her limit at that point, her throat closing tighter and tighter, Eva had quickly excused herself and come out for some air.
Why had Corrine used the word dangerous? she wondered now as she touched the pad of her pinkie on water droplet glimmering on the railing. Seemed a little melodramatic. How could revealing Eva’s father’s name be dangerous? To her mom’s piece of mind? Had she been so fragile where that man was concerned that simply hearing his name would have caused her pain?
God. She truly didn’t understand a love like that…
Her pulse fluttered Gabriel Moore’s image shimmered to life in her mind’s eye. Thank God the ladies hadn’t seen Eva with him earlier. An affluent businessman, handsome, single…they’d have had her married off before she could blink.
Hearing footsteps, she couldn’t smother the hopeful feeling that surfaced as she turned…
But it was just