Resting his elbows on his desk, Rafe nodded. “The second is Maria Hernandez. She’s engaged to Rocco and was seen at the hospital. The Miami PD are searching for her as we speak.”
A sarcastic laugh that didn’t sound like Natalie at all emerged from her throat. “I guess it was true love on their end back in college.”
Well, she had said they cheated on her, but there was no way Natalie would ever have stuck it out with a bad guy like Rocco for long. She’d have eventually seen his true colors on her own, so it was lucky for her she caught him.
“Maria may be involved,” Rafe said.
For now, Natalie wouldn’t relax until she saw her parents so Galen intended to bring her to the hospital. He stood and held out his hand. “We’ll watch our backs then.”
Rafe rose in a fluid motion and shook. “One more thing. I haven’t located Alison Evermore yet. I have no reason to suspect she’s involved, but I wanted to let you know she’s not anywhere we can find.”
Natalie straightened the collar on her dress. “Her online profile said Tibet.”
Rafe shook her hand next. “Perhaps she’s studying with monks in some remote location? I will let you know what I find out.”
Galen then stated the obvious in case Rafe had anything to say on the matter. “We’ll head to the hospital now.”
“One second.” Rafe held up his finger for them to wait and pulled out his cell phone. He scrolled as he said, “I’ll talk to security but if you know anyone else connected with the Perez family, it might shed some light on why they are targeting you, Natalie.”
Natalie shook her head. “I don’t think I know anyone who does anything like that.”
“Not even Eddie?” Rafe showed a picture on his phone.
Natalie doubled backwards and the color drained from her face. “Wait. That guy lives in my building. I’ve seen him at the pool for years. I know he never seemed to work, but I thought he made money in the stock market or something.”
Rafe nodded like he knew that already but asked, “Have you ever had any conversations with him?”
Natalie met Galen’s gaze like she was searching for answers. She hugged her waist and quietly said, “Hi. How are you? Umm. How’s the pool today? Nothing that pops out as suspicious, though sometimes during the political season, he overstated his extremist opinions.”
Rafe finished his goodbye with a pat on Galen’s shoulder, an unspoken expectation that he would protect Natalie. “Okay, if you think of anything it might help.”
Natalie walked beside him as they left Rafe’s house. Neither said a word as they got into his SUV for Miami General Hospital. Galen drove onto the street when Natalie finally said, “This is a head trip. I’m telling you my life is usually pretty boring.”
The last thing he’d do was worry her. He kept most of what he read in Rafe’s report to himself. “How often do you go to the pool, Natalie?”
She huffed and took a deep breath as she considered, “In the summer, a lot more. You know once Miami hits eighty, we all put on our sweaters.”
Winter in Miami was summer everywhere else. He kept his gaze on the road. “So it’s been at least a month. If you think about any conversation that might now seem strange, Rafe is just a phone call away.”
She swallowed and nodded. “Galen, I’m worried. What if this has nothing to do with you after all?”
He hit the gas slightly as he entered the highway and blood rushed to his head. “Did you think it did?”
“Kind of.” She brushed her hair behind her ears and turned in her seat, closer to him. “We started dating and don’t get me wrong because I love being with you. But suddenly my boring life became crazy and you’re a billionaire from the House of Morgan. Your family is always being discussed in the checkout counter magazines.”
And he’d asked her to join the House of Morgan and to be one of them after their first date. Perhaps this was why she’d hesitated. “Natalie, I can’t stop idle gossip. I hope you understand that.”
She touched his arm. “Of course—I’m not blaming you, I just didn’t know about Rocco and that changes things.”
They didn’t speak for the rest of the trip. He’d have to buy Natalie a ring and propose properly after he won over her parents. He kept his focus on that and nothing else. Galen pulled into the hospital parking lot. “We’re here. Let’s go see your parents.”
She reached for his hand. “Are you upset at me?”
Why? He stared at her blankly. “No, not at all. Let’s go in.”
Color returned to her cheeks. “Thanks.” She looked outside the windows and unfastened her seat belt.
Once Natalie was safe from Rocco, they had every chance to be happy. He’d take her to Paris and anywhere else she’d want to go—she was his number one priority.
