“No, Mia,” Milly assured her, her voice firm but kind. “There’s nothing wrong with double-checking your gut instincts. They’re usually trying to let you know something.” She gave Mia a reassuring smile. “I’ll look into him.”
Nolan came back to the table and placed a glass of apple juice in front of Lila.
“Sorry, I had to seem like I was getting something,” he said.
“No problem, I wanted some apple juice,” Lila said, taking a sip. Then she looked up at him. “What did Erika say?”
“A guest paid her to leave a note at the front desk,” Nolan told them, keeping his voice low.
“Did she tell you which guest?” Mia asked before anyone else could.
Nolan nodded and leaned in closer. “Calvin.”
They all refrained from instantly turning toward his table, though Eve realized they all wanted to.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
Eve pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
Unknown number.
She clicked on the message and froze.
Need to talk in private. Don’t alert anyone at your table. Because I have David.
Eve’s breath caught in her throat. Her head lifted, and she glanced around the room, suddenly feeling like a thousand eyes were on her.
A photo appeared. David, unconscious, slumped against what looked like a wall. His head tilted to the side. Blood on his temple.
Another message appeared.
Get up, make an excuse, and walk outside to your car. Drive in the direction I will send you. If you alert anyone... David dies. And just for added measure: Know I have someone watching the rest of your group in the Inn.
Eve swallowed hard.
Her heart was pounding so loudly she was sure everyone at the table could hear it.
“Excuse me,” she said, standing. Her legs felt like jelly, but she forced them to hold her. “It’s the hospital.”
“Is everything alright?” Mia looked at her worriedly.
“Yes,” Eve said, hoping she sounded convincing. Hoping her voice didn’t shake. “I’ll be back shortly.”
She hurried out of the dining room, through the lobby, and out the front entrance.
Her whole body felt like it was shaking.
At the back of her mind, she knew she should alert someone.Hadn’t she seen movies like this?The person who goes alone always makes things worse.
But the picture of David flashed through her mind. Unconscious. Bleeding.
What Milly had told her last night echoed through her brain.
The kind of danger that doesn’t think twice about sending an assassin to eliminate threats.
Eve knew she had to do as they said.
She climbed into her rental car with trembling hands, and she started the engine.
