Page 71 of The Layover

“Diego and Eloise—”

The sound of running, and Ariana bursting into the room, cut him off. She had Harmony with her, and both of them looked like they were on the verge of tears.

“Eloise is gone,” Ariana said in a frantic tone that ended in a sob.

24

Raul

I would’ve been furious if I weren’t busy fighting off panic at hearing the words from my worst nightmares. “What do you mean gone?”

“I’m so sorry. I only turned my back for a second, hand to Christ. The girls were playing, and I looked again and she was gone. I’ve looked everywhere, but… God, I’m so sorry.” Ariana’s explanation tumbled out in a rush of Italian and fear.

Shouting at her wouldn’t solve anything, as much as I needed an outlet. “We need to— look again— call the police— get her back— call Diego.” I couldn’t grasp a thought long enough to even speak in one language.

“Harmony, hon.” Carly’s voice was soothing. Maddeningly calm. She crouched in front of the girl. “Did you see where Eloise went?”

Harmony started to cry. “I’m sorry,” she wailed.

I bit the side of my fist to keep my frustration from escaping. Losing control was one thing I shouldn’t do.

“Sweetie.” Carly knelt in front of Harmony. “It’s okay sweetie. You didn’t do anything wrong. Did you see where Eloise went?”

Harmony kept crying, but within moments, Carly had calmed her down.

Too bad I had other things on my mind, or I might be impressed.

“Did you see where Eloise went?” Carly asked again.

I held my breath when Harmony nodded.

“He had pictures on his sleeves.”

Joystick. I showed her my tattoo sleeve. “Like this?”

“Kind of.” Harmony wrinkled her nose. “And he talked like me and Carly.”

As in, he spoke English? Definitely the man who was with Isabella the other day. “Ariana, call the police.” I already had my phone out and was listening to Diego’s line ring.

“Hey. What’s up?” Fortunately he picked up quickly.

I forced my thoughts into enough of a straight line to form a complete sentence. “Before I start, promise me you’ll let me finish before you cut me off.”

“Raul?”

I dragged in a deep breath through my nose. “Eloise is missing, and I think Isabella has her.”

“What?” Diego’s shout echoed in my ear, and I didn’t blame him. “I’m on my way there now.”

“Police will be here soon,” Ariana said behind me.

I relayed the message to Diego.

“Maybe don’t send them this way immediately, in case I need to wash blood off my hands.” Diego’s laugh fell flat.

I didn’t have to ask to confirm he was only half joking. “Sitting in prison for kidnapping, losing her means to travel, will hurt her a lot worse. And if the news gets out…” Her precious career would crash.

“I’m heading over there now.” Diego hung up.

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