“God! Ava!”
“He said he wanted to travel,” she says in a rush. “To get away from it all.” Her eyes are imploring. “I couldn’t say no, Landon. Without you, he’s all I have.”
“Ava.” My voice is firm. “You never had me.”
Her eyes fill with tears, but I don’t move. “All those years ago, I thought…we were too young…you had so much work ahead of you… I tried not to mind that you chose your precious hotels over me, but now? Her? What does she—”
I stop her. “Don’t even talk about her.”
“Why? Because she’s so precious to you?”
“Exactly. I love her, and if you want me to help you find Evans and ensure he gets the treatment he needs, you won’t say one more word about her.”
“You can’t—”
My phone trills in my pocket. It’s Rachel. Relief at the interruption makes me accept the connection without thinking. Only after do I consider that it’s not a good time to talk.
“I can’t talk now,” I say softly. “I’ll call you later.”
“I suppose that’s the girlfriend.” Ava’s voice is bitter. Her lips curl. ?
?How like her to somehow interrupt the minute I finally get a moment with you.”
At my glare, she turns her sulky expression back to the window.
“Hello?” Rachel’s voice comes through the phone, full of questions I can’t answer right now.
“I’m here,” I tell her. “I’ll call you later.”
“Who is that?” Her voice is thin. “Who’s there with you?”
I wish I could lie. I wish it was anyone else. “Ava.”
She doesn’t reply. I hear the sudden beep as she ends the call.
Ava is watching me, and the wounded, sad, helpless expression is back. “Landon—” she starts.
“I’ll find Evans,” I tell her in a dry, dismissive tone. “I’ll let you know when I do.”
She pauses. “I know he’s dangerous, and I know why you feel the way you do. He’s my brother, and even I’m afraid of him.”
“Yet you gave him money and didn’t think to let anyone know.”
“I—”
“You should leave now.” I don’t bother to hide how pissed I am. “If you’re so afraid of him, you can stay here for now. Claude will arrange a suite for you.” That’s the best I can offer.
She inhales.
“I’ll show you out.”
Her eyes register hurt and betrayal, but I don’t care. I’m more concerned with what Rachel is thinking.
For the rest of the evening, Rachel doesn’t take my calls. I finally give up and spend a long time on the phone with Jed, discussing what we can do to locate Evans and make sure he can’t get near any of my properties. When I try to reach Rachel again, she still doesn’t answer.
I finally call the hotel and ask to be transferred to her room. That works. When she takes the call, I can tell from her tone that she doesn’t expect it to be me.
By then, I’m frustrated, and it shows in my voice. “Are you avoiding my calls?”