Chapter 4

The next week passedin a whirlwind of romance and sunshine. Secluded beaches, frozen cocktails, award-winning chefs, a silent art auction to benefit the charity, nights tangled in the sheets, and a thrilling helicopter rideflownby Charles Blaubart himself had Bel contemplating asking Eamon to make island trips a regular thing. She wasn't with him for his money, nor did she want him to think she was using him, but vacations like this made up for her normal life when men with drug-laced tattoos tried to blow her up.

"Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?" Eamon asked as he tucked in his polo shirt. His outfit was still all black, but the golf attire had her struggling not to laugh. Polos and dangerous predators were not a complimentary match.

"Hey." He pointed a warning finger at her. "Stop that."

"I didn't laugh," she protested, her voice seconds away from giggling.

"Tell that to your face."

"I'm sorry." She stood up and smoothed his collar. "People associate millionaires with golf, but this isn't your look."

"You can say that again." He captured her hands and pinned them against his chest. "Do you know how hard it is to pretend I can't get a hole in one every time? I can see straight across the green. I can read the wind's speed and know exactly how much power to put behind the swing, but I haveto aimlessly whack the ball so no one catches on. In the first ages of men, I was born and bred to kill, and now I'm awkwardly hitting a mini ball for fun."

"I'm glad I'm not going with you. I'd tease you the entire time."

"Gee thanks, Detective."

"You're welcome." She patted his chest. "And to answer your question, I'll be fine. How awful can a spa day be?"

Drs. FrankVictorsand Charles Blaubart had invited Eamon to play a round of golf with them, and since they were personal guests of Frank's, they felt it was only right that he accepted. The wives had persuaded Bel to join them at the spa, and she'd agreed since MaryVictorshad been the one to ask. That, and she'd never gone to a spa. It wasn't something an NYPD homicide detective did on their days off, so she was eager to experience the hype, and judging by Eamon's expression, she'd been dealt the better afternoon.

"Okay, I'll be back as soon as I can." Eamon kissed her before grabbing his clubs. "Have fun, and text me if you need me."

"Will do, and Eamon?" she called after him. "Do me a favor. Please get at least one hole-in-one. Preferably the hardest one."

"Sure thing, Detective." He winked. "I'll video it for you, too."

The afternoon at the spa had been magical, and Bel sat at their table, practically melting into her seat. The heavenly calm made lunch tolerable, but as the meal came to a close, she found herself checking her phone often. Eamon still wasn't back, and without an excuse to leave the gossiping group, her post-spa blisswas evaporatingfaster than she preferred.

Bel

Dad, can you call me?

She texted her father as Anne pulled her packet of gum out of her bag, and Bel leaned closer to see the label. The blue color was unique, which confused her. She shouldrecognizesuch a distinctive candy, but Anne slipped the package back into her purse before she could read the brand's name. Like at the fundraiser dinner, Anne popped the gum into her mouth before nervously fidgeting with the wrapper until she folded an origami butterfly.Bel had never seen someone fold a gum wrapper so meticulously, but based on her precision, this had beenanervous habitof Anne'sfor years.

Bel's phone vibrated, and she jerked to attention, snatching it off the table as the women all glanced at her cell.

"Hi, Dad," she answered.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Reese asked instead of saying hello.

"Wait, what happened?" she asked. "Sorry, Dad, it's loud in here. Let me leave so I can hear." She pretended to place her fingers over the speaker as she addressed her companions. "Sorry, ladies. It's my father. I have to take this."

The women nodded their understanding, and Bel stood up and collected her bag. She fumbled a moment longer than necessaryso she couldsnap a photo of Anne's origami, and then she exited the restaurant to find an empty lounge chair by the pool.

"Did you just use me to get out of something?" Reese asked.

"When in doubt, call Dad," she answered. "How'sbabyboy?"

"Perfect," he said. "Weactuallyjust got back from the park. He madean absolutemess of himself, so I threw him in the shower. I gave him a bone to apologize, but he passed out halfway through chewing it."

"Aww. Busy day. Thanks for making sure he has fun."

"Of course, sweetheart. And are you okay? Calling me while on your romantic vacation. Is something wrong?"

"Eamon's golfing."

"Oh, so you're bored." Reese chuckled.

"No… okay, a little. I was at lunch with the wives, and I needed an out. Mostof thewomen here are plastic surgeons' spouses or girlfriends, and we're different people. It's hard to get caught up in petty drama and gossip after what I've been through."

"I don't blame you, but this is Eamon's world. He comes from a different background than you. Living in Bajka might hide it, but will this bother you if you two get serious?"

"This isn'treallyEamon's world," Bel said. "He's rich, but not like these people. I won't have to worry if we stay together. Well, sometimes I would when he accepts invitations, but he's pretty reclusive. Most of Bajka still doesn't know what he looks like."

"Okay, as long as you're comfortable with your future with him… if you think you have a future?" her dad said. "You've only been dating for about two months, so I wouldn't normally ask, but you were never the daughter to bring home a guy. You dated, but I never met them, yet I've met this man multiple times. He feels different."

"He is."

"So, is this relationship for fun, or do you see him sticking around?"

"He's coming to Thanksgiving Dinner, remember?" she said as a waiter walked past with chilled cocktails. Bel nodded at him, and he handed her a Mai Tai.

"Your sisters are going to interrogate that poor man," Reese laughed. "You never brought your dates home, and now they're meeting your boyfriend for the first time during a family holiday. I feel bad for him."

"He'll be fine. There isn't much he's afraid of."

"I don't doubt that. He's intimidating… which is why I have to ask. I would be an awful parent if I didn't. I don't get intimidated easily, and while I like Eamon, something about him is unnerving. But, I'm also not blind. That man worships the ground you walk on, and when you were in the hospital after the Darling case, he watched over you, refusing to sleep. I've never seen anyone look at you like that except for Cerberus, and if a man looks at you the same as your dog, he must be in love. I can't hate someone who adores my daughter, but now that you've spent time alone with him, how do you feel about your relationship? Are you safe? Happy?Optimisticabout your future? Because if you're anything less than one hundred percent certain, say the word, and I'll come get you."

"In truth, he does make me nervous," Bel answered, and she could practically feel her father's panic through the cell connection. "Not like that, so don't worry," she clarified. "I'm embarrassed to admit it because logic tells me I shouldn't feel so strongly about him this quickly, but I can't help it. He makes me nervous because I think he's the last man I'll ever date. Hehas the power tobreak my heart, and if he leaves me, I'll never be the same."

"Has he given you a reason to think he'll leave?" her dad asked.

"No," Bel chuckled as Eamon's constant request that she live with him played through her memory. "Not at all. It's a ‘me' thing. I've never felt like this about another person, so it scares me. I was okay on my own. I was content to be single, but now, I never want to live apart from this man. Is that even normal?"

"I don't know if it happens to everyone, but when I met your mother, my life instantly changed. One date, and I knew there was no going back, so you aren't crazy. I experienced everything you're feeling and then some."

"I love how much you loved Mom," Bel said. "It's why I get nervous. I assumed I'd never find what you had, and Eamon is forcing me to reconsider that stance."

"That's a good thing, sweetheart. Go slow, listen to your instincts, and if he's the one, there's no need to worry about your timeline. Everyone is different. Not one of your sisters had a similar relationship. Some dated for years, and some married so fast they gave me whiplash, but when you know, you know. Justmake sureit's your heart and not your emotions telling you he's your future."

"Thanks, Dad." She sipped on her drink, the rapidly melting ice watering it down. "I needed to hear that. I want what you and Mom had, so thanks for making me feel less crazy."

"You aren't crazy. You're a beautiful woman who deserves the world. Your life has beeninupheaval lately, and I want you to be happy. I want you to find someone who'll love and protect you and never leave your side. If Eamon's that man, I'm thrilled. Something tells me he knows how to take care of you."

"You can say that again." Her phone vibrated, and she pulled it away from her ear to see a text from Eamon saying he was on his way back. "Eamon's done golfing, so I'm going to go. Kiss Cerberus for me?"

"You know I will. I took a lot of videos at the park. I'll send them to you."

"Yes, please. I miss him." She placed her watery Mai Tai on the table and stood up. "I miss you too."

"Love you, baby girl. Say hi to Eamon for me."

"Love you too, Dad." Bel hung up, her chest significantly lighter. Since she wasn't one for dating, she'd never had cause to bring up romance to her father, but she was glad she had. He was the smartest and most reasonable person she knew, and if he supported her relationship, it was safe to let herself fall.

Eager to see Eamon, she angled toward their bungalow, but as she stepped onto the palm tree-lined path, a man rounded a bend in the walkway and plowed into her. She stumbled, almost crashing to the pavement, but he reached out with lightning speed and caught her biceps.

"I'm sorry. I didn't see you. Are you all right?" he asked as he steadied her.

"I'm fine." She brushed her hands over her sundress and offered him a polite smile. He was a handsome brunette in his thirties, but not one she recognized. She'd encountered many of the same vacationers on this path since it was the only lane to the bungalows, but this man was a stranger.

"Good, I would've hated myself if I'd hurt such a lovely creature." He bowed his head slightly, and she unconsciously dipped hers in response. "Have a nice day, Mia Cara."

"You too." Bel started to lift her gaze as he sidestepped her, but the flash of gold on his shoes froze her where she stood. Chains. There were golden chains on his loafers, exactly like the strangerwho'd kissedher hand when she'd first arrived on the island.

"Mia Cara," she whispered as she whirled around. He'd called her Mia Cara, just like the man in the lobby, and before she realized she was moving, she was racing down the path after him.