Not wanting to catch a cold, I turned around and quickly walked back inside Frank's shop.

  Back inside, Henry asked what Reese had wanted to discuss. I took a deep breath and explained, “Reese is the guy Graves sent to keep tabs on us. We need to find Jade and her daughter, and we need to do it fast.”

  Henry’s brow furrowed in concern as he looked at me. “Do you have any ideas on where we might find Jade?” he questioned, his voice steady.

  “I don’t know, but I know someone who does,” I replied with a sense of urgency. “Get in the car; we’re heading to Afterlife.”

  We left the warmth of Frank’s shop and climbed back into my car, the engine rumbling to life as I shifted into gear. The streets outside were slick with rain, reflecting the neon lights that flickered from the nearby bars and stores.

  As we drove towards Afterlife, Henry turned to me and asked, “So, what really happened between you and Eva? I know you brushed it off as nothing to worry about, but Max, I’m your best friend, and I’m always here for you.”

  His concern struck a chord with me, and I knew he deserved an honest answer. “You’re right,” I admitted, my voice trailing off for a moment as I recalled the encounter.

  “I was on my way back when the elevator doors slid open, and there she was, stepping out with a gun pointed directly at my face. We went back and forth for a bit, exchanging words, before we finally lowered our weapons. Once our weapons were lowered, she offered for a drink at the bar.”

  I paused; the memory was vivid in my mind. “But once she spotted an opening, she slipped something into my drink when I wasn’t looking. I couldn’t believe she would actually go that far. Still, during our conversation, she let slip some crucial information about Jade—she mentioned that Jade wasn’t at the hotel. If anyone knows where she might be, it’s Eva.”

  We arrived outside Afterlife, the rain continuing to fall in heavy sheets around us. The sound of raindrops hitting the pavement created a rhythmic backdrop as we descended the stairs leading to the entrance. We approached Emmerick, leaning casually against the doorway.

  “Hey,” I called out, my voice barely rising above the patter of rain. “Have you seen Eva at all today?”

  Emmerick looked up, a knowing smile spreading across his face. “Yeah, I’ve seen her; she’s still here, waiting for you. She asked me to give you this.” He reached into his pocket and produced a delicate white handkerchief.

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  I took the handkerchief from him; a delicate wave of sweet raspberries and phlox wafted through the air, their scents intertwining in a fragrant embrace that was unmistakably Eva. The fabric, soft and inviting, seemed to hold the lingering essence of her gentle kisses, each one a whisper of her affection. It felt as though she had left a piece of herself behind, a quiet message that ignited a warm, comforting glow within me, stirring memories of moments shared and emotions felt.

  “Thanks, Emmerick,” I said, tucking the handkerchief carefully into my pocket with a hint of a smile. I steeled myself and stepped inside the bar, the atmosphere instantly enveloping me in its familiar, dim glow.

  We navigated through the soft murmur of conversations and the clinking of glasses, my eyes scanning the room in search of Eva. I knew her well enough to anticipate her preferred spot—somewhere discreet yet strategic, where she could keep an eye on everything and still remain somewhat hidden. As I focused on the crowd, our eyes met across the room.

  “Found her.” I said out loud.

  “Do you want me to go with you?” Henry asked.

  “Just keep an eye out, she’s not likely to do anything stupid in a public place. But if something happens be ready.”

  I walked over to the small table that Eva was sitting at, her hair elegantly twisted up in a knot, strands falling gracefully around her face. She wore a cozy yellow turtleneck sweater that contrasted beautifully with the soft ambiance of the bar, drawing attention to her radiant smile and warm demeanor.

  “Looks like you got my note,” she said, her voice playful, laced with a hint of mischief.

  “I did,” I replied, settling down across from her, curiosity piqued. “You’ve been expecting me?”

  She arched an eyebrow, her gaze unwavering as if trying to untangle the mysteries within me. “You could say that,” she replied cryptically, her eyes boring into mine, making me feel both exposed and entirely seen.

  As we sat in this charged moment, my phone began to vibrate insistently on the table, pulling me from our shared space. I glanced down and saw Karim’s name flashing across the screen.

  “Do you need to take that?” Eva asked, concern flickering briefly in her eyes.

  I hesitated but ultimately answered, the urgency in Karim’s voice cutting through the ambient noise. “What is it, Karim?”

  “Max! I need you to come over right now!” Karim’s tone was frantic.

  “No, I’m busy,” I replied, irritation rising.

  “No! What do you mean, no? Need I remind you that you work for me? Now get the fuck over here; my father’s plane has been delayed and in case you have forgotten we are at war. That’s right war! Now get over here!” His demand was buoyed by desperation.

  I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. “Two things. One, I don’t work for you; I'm a merc. I do jobs for a lot of people. And two, why do I need to be there?”

  “Two things right back at you,” he shot back. “One, you do jobs for me when I ask, and two, I thought we were brothers?”

  In the background, I could hear what sounded like an erotic BD. “What are you watching?”

  “Huh?” I could hear Karim drop the phone and run over to a remote and mute the audio before picking back up the phone. “It’s nothing just a nature documentary...Just get over here.”

  Karim ended the call, leaving me in a swirl of conflicting emotions, my attention flickering back to Eva, whose smile had dimmed slightly, yet her eyes still glimmered with intrigue.