Kira had left her hair long and curled it, since that was a style Luca hadn’t seen on her before. Not that she had dressed up for him. But the fact she knew he was coming shortly had her making doubly sure that her curls would stay in place for the whole evening.
Destiny glanced her way as she approached, smiling at Kira. “I’m so glad you came.” She gave Kira a kiss on the cheek.
“I am as well.” Kira held the other woman’s hands. “How are you doing with everything? I’m surprised you didn’t cancel the event after everything that has happened this week.”
“There’s nothing I can do for Ralph tonight. And he would be so disappointed if he found out I canceled the event.”
The woman had been sitting at her husband’s bedside for days now, holding vigil, hoping that he would wake up. Destiny was right that there wasn’t much she could do. Taking a break from the hospital might be a good thing, if this was the kind of event that was planned to the level that there wasn’t much left to do except show up.
Destiny squeezed her hands, then let go. “The show must go on and all that.”
“Did the police have any idea who it might’ve been that tried to hurt Ralph?” She didn’t want to mention attempted murder or shadowy crime syndicates, just in case someone overheard. Plus, she wanted to know what Destiny knew—or was willing to admit she knew.
Destiny shook her head. “I’m so grateful that you figured out what he’d been given. You might have saved his life.”
Such as it was. “I do regret that I didn’t manage to do that before he lapsed into a coma.” They had no idea when, or if, Ralph would wake up. “I’ll be praying for him to make a full recovery.”
Destiny’s brow crinkled. “I’m not really the praying kind.”
“Then it’s good that you have someone like me in your life to do that for you.”
However Destiny felt about prayer or faith in a loving God, Kira could ask for favor in the situation. For God to heal Ralph and for Destiny’s heart to be softened toward the Lord.
When there wasn’t much else for her to do that would help in this situation, she could at least do that.
“If there’s anything you need tonight, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Destiny smiled. “Does that mean you’re agreeing to come on the board of the foundation?”
“I’m still making my decision. I have a busy schedule at the hospital, and I want to ensure I have the time it requires to devote to it. But I’m here to help if you need it.”
“You’re so sweet.” Destiny’s attention snagged on something over Kira’s shoulder. “I have to go check on something with the staff. If you’ll excuse me?”
“Of course.” Kira nodded.
Destiny wandered off, and the server brought Kira’s soda water to her. She watched the other woman chat with people. Exchanging pleasantries as she made her way to the young woman in the gray suit, holding a tablet, an earpiece in her ear.
As the two talked, Kira decided it was silly to investigate at this point. After everything that had happened this week, and the fact someone had tried to murder Ralph twice, it was obvious that they weren’t the ones in charge of the Shadow Syndicate. Otherwise, they would be far too powerful for people to come after them.
Anyone in charge of the criminal organization was going to take steps to protect themselves. Destiny and Ralph just seemed far too vulnerable.
What Kira should be doing was encouraging Luca to figure out who was trying to kill Ralph. More likely that person was the head of the Shadow Syndicate. Trying to take out a threat to their business: Ralph. And maybe Jenkins also. For whatever reason, whoever was in charge of the Shadow Syndicate wanted them both silenced—permanently.
After all, pointing the finger at Ralph and setting him up as the one behind the land grab and then murdering both men wrote a specific narrative. If they were implicated and dead, then in the end, no one would ever learn the truth. The people behind the Shadow Syndicate would remain anonymous.
“Kira?” The voice was low and rough.
She knew that voice.
She glanced over her shoulder, then turned to Luca. And yes, she made sure that the move looked good.
His eyes flared.
She caught a glance of his suit and the way it fit him. Definitely a custom fit. Something Italian for sure. Her cheeks heated, and she was pretty certain her eyes flared as well. “You were right about the suit.”
She hadn’t imagined anyone could be this handsome. The guy was gorgeous, with his dark hair tied back neatly and his beard trim. He could be a movie star. But Luca chose instead to live a humble life, not drawing attention to himself. Working to make the world safer for the people he loved.
She stepped toward him, and he closed the distance between them.