She playfully pushed him back and hopped off the counter. “You said something about steaks?”
He bowed. “Yes, ma’am. Coming right up.”
“I’ll help.”
“Good, because we might need a salad if the veggies are burned.”
He took the tray of steaks and showed her to the back door, out onto the single concrete step. “This summer, I want to put a deck back here. Maybe get a hot tub.”
Not something he would’ve done if it were just him, but right now he was thinking it was the best idea ever.
She stared up at the towering pines around them, inhaling the crisp mountain air and just taking in the scenery. “It’s beautiful.”
“Yes, it is.”
Her brow furrowed. “Is someone…” She peered at the trees. “There’s someone out there!”
Kira hurried over to stand with him, something he liked a whole lot since she could’ve run into the house instead.
“Stay here.” Luca opened the door far enough that he could grab the gun from the shelf right inside the back door.
Kira ducked behind the grill.
“Check the veggies.” He strode to the tree line, about twenty-five feet since he’d cleared enough space between his cabin and the trees that it made a natural firebreak. The person she’d seen walked toward him on the trail that was the closest route from the road at the bottom of the hill.
It was Dr. Torres, the sleeve of his suit jacket torn and sweat along his hairline. For a man who did cutting-edge research and had real-estate holdings all over the city, he didn’t look boardroom ready right now.
“Can I help you?”
Torres came over, stopping a few feet away. “I was looking for you and Dr. Yassan. Hoping you’d help me.”
“The police are looking for you. We actually thought you’d been kidnapped,” Luca said. “What’s going on?”
“I’m afraid I was backed into a corner and didn’t make the right choice.”
“Is the patient in danger?” Maybe he’d given Francisco Abalos a substance that would kill him.
Torres shook his head. “I would never endanger a patient.” He seemed affronted by the idea. “I’m referring to some business dealings with unscrupulous people in town. This…shadow syndicate.”
Luca said, “You know who they are?”
“I’ve had communication with them. But I can’t talk to anyone except the Marshals, and not without some assurances.” Torres lifted his chin. “If I don’t have that, my life will be in danger.”
Luca nodded. “I understand. I can call Deputy Marshal Butler and have him come here. The two of you can work something out. Does that sound good?”
Torres nodded. “I was hoping you’d be able to connect us. I seem to have misplaced my phone.”
“What happened at your house?”
“I haven’t been back there in days,” Torres said. “I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re referring to. It’s my vices, you see. They get the best of me on occasion, when I need to solve a problem. Or when the ideas in my mind need to quiet down so I can rest.”
Luca motioned to the cabin. “Let’s go inside so you can sit and wait for Butler. I’ll make the call, and you can talk to Kira.”
“Thank you.” Torres nodded. “For your help.”
A week later, Kira finally felt rested enough to speak to Destiny Rousseau. Luca drove, acting like there was nowhere he’d rather be than chauffeuring her around the city so she could see her friends. Acquaintances.
They’d spent long days together, and apart from after that one late evening with their friends, each time, at night, she reluctantly went home. Even if he hadn’t mentioned it, she wondered if they would be one of those couples who had a short engagement. A small wedding, maybe at Wiltmore House, with their closest friends. Jordan could come out and be her bridesmaid, proving that she was wrong about Luca and Kira—they fit. Her friend just needed to see it with her own eyes.