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I scoured for Kiera and saw her browsing the lingerie section.

I waved at the sales associate wearing a black dress. “That’s my girlfriend over there.” I gestured to Kiera, who had moved to another section. “When she checks out, put everything on my account. She’ll refuse, so just tell her I get a discount.”

The sales associate smiled. “Will do, Mr. Navarro.”

“Thank you.” I turned my attention to a group of people walking across the courtyard of my hotel, and my stomach sank at the sight.

I stood up slowly and walked over to the glass panel, trying to see the man with the red shoes. The image brought back a memory from when I’d hidden in a garden and saw two men discussing a crime. I’d googled red shoes many times, trying to find out what company made it, but nothing had ever come up.

Men didn’t usually wear red dress shoes. I couldn’t see his face as other people in the crowd blocked him from my view. Was it the same man I’d seen long ago? Or was this a different man who shared similar tastes?

My grandma would call this unexpected vision an omen. The red shoes had appeared in my life during a time I’d rather forget. Seeing them again signified something.

I sensed a storm coming and prayed I could protect those I loved.

CHAPTERTHIRTY

FORREST

After Kiera finished shopping for clothes and toiletries, we returned to the hotel and she went into her bedroom to organize. I settled into my office and took a moment to gather myself before diving into work. I was behind on a few things, so it was catchup time.

Leaning into my chair, I replayed the day. The urge to protect Kiera had overwhelmed me after the explosion at my farm and the fire at her cabin.

What would have happened if she had been there? Did someone intentionally set the cabin ablaze? But why? Was this associated with the attack at the campground?

Several scenarios burned into my brain. Anxious thoughts sent chemicals to the brain, which activated the immune system’s responses. The psychological immune system was another study that fascinated me. Healing the body wasn’t just about antibodies, platelets, or white blood cells.Stress—the unseen illness—was the trigger for many diseases.

After a few moments, I logged into my computer, checking my emails and saw a message from my medical clinic account with the subject line:About the fire.

I didn’t get many emails from this account because my patients usually logged into the online portal for immediate assistance with nurses and doctors. But I had this email posted under my bio for business purposes.

I hesitated to click on the email with the address, “campingfun000” and the initials H.P. Thelast thing I needed was some fucker infiltrating my computer with a virus. But I plugged the email address into a system to check for authenticity. When it passed the authentication, I opened the email.

It’s Hank. I need to talk to you about the fire.

I replied to the email.Let’s meet up.

The quick response surprised me.Arcade Zone at Silver Field Plaza at 10 p.m. They close at midnight.

I walked over to Kiera’s bedroom, butshe was in the shower. I left a note on top of the laptop I’d given her.

Need to run out for a quick meeting. Will be back shortly.

Don’t wait up. Get some rest.

I took the elevator down to the garage and took one of the hotel’s black SUVs used for miscellaneous things. There was no logo on it, but it had commercial plates. I didn’t want to draw attention to myself with a fancy car, especially at the place I was heading to. An internet search showed it was in a plaza that needed major renovations.

Why hadn’t Hank asked me to call him or meet him at his cabin instead?

CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE

KIERA

I changed into the silky pajama set I’d gotten from Wild Flower, where Forrest had an account and a discount. He’d refused my money when I wanted to pay him and told me to pay him in kisses. I told him each kiss would cost a hundred dollars, but he countered, demanding that each kiss was only a dollar and that I could spend the rest of my life paying him back.

Adorable jerk.

The boutique had men’s clothing, but the majority of the shop was womenswear. I saw a rack full of Natalie’s Momentum line and bought a few of her designs to support her. Not that she needed support from me. Her fashion collection was an international sensation. Stores around the world wanted her clothing in their shops.