Chapter 6
Harlan held the key card in front of the lock and waited for the little light to turn green. He held the door open for Storm, allowing her to pass him and enter his room first. He caught a whiff of her scent, something with citrus and salt air. He hadn’t spent enough time enjoying Hawaii’s beaches while he had been here. Storm smelled like a summer afternoon in the sand. She was the tidal wave tumbling over that sand. He should run, but he couldn’t.
He still didn’t know if he should trust her or if bringing her to his room was even a good idea. In other circumstances, he would have run a background check on someone looking for his assistance. He had been approached plenty by personal security agencies in the last six months because of his unique skill set.
This woman with her large vocabulary and unruffled demeanor had snagged his attention. She wasn’t like other women he’d known. She seemed sure of herself and confident. A woman who had risen up in power from the sound of it. He wanted more information. He would dig without her knowing. Get her to tell him more so he could judge whether or not he should continue to help her or dump her on the side of the road.
His eyes burned from the smog and long day. He rolled his head on his neck as he tossed his key on the table. “It’s not much, but it’s clean.”
“There’s only one bed.” Storm turned in circles as if she might find another bed somewhere.
“I like a king-size bed, as you can imagine. And I wasn’t expecting a guest who would need to sleep in an extra bed. I’ll take the floor.” He had slept in worse places. When he finally put his head down, he’d pass out anyway.
But first, he wanted to check in with his sister. It was early in the morning in New Jersey. She would probably be up and waiting to be taken to surgery. Then he needed to find Lane and see if he needed anything. Lane had been vague which was probably a good thing. After that, he would catch a few hours of sleep. When it was time to leave, he didn’t know what he would do with Storm. Part of him believed her story. The other part had seen too much in the world to completely give in to her tale. For whatever reason, she could be lying to him.
She kicked off her shoes and dropped into the chair by the window. He had a view of the pool, but he had pulled the curtains before he left.
“We can share the bed,” she said. “There is no reason for you to sleep on a hotel room floor. I imagine it would be dirty. We can put pillows between us.”
“The floor is fine.” He fought the smile tugging on his lips. She was not only intelligent, but a modern enough woman.
“You don’t have to be so chivalrous. We’re both adults. We can share a bed without having our hands all over each other.” Her eyes grew wide. She must’ve heard her inuendo and that little drop in her professional armor she seemed to hold on to this evening only made her cuter than she already was.
“What’s wrong with treating a woman like a lady? My grandmother raised me right. Besides, who said I don’t want your hands on me?” He waited for the shock to spill across her face which was quickly replaced by a shy smile. He turned away, pleased with himself, and removed his watch but left his revolver in his waistband.
While they drove from the high school to the hotel, she had tugged at the corner of her mouth, swelling that bottom lip more. That little habit ignited more than interest inside him. He needed to take a step back and assess himself. He could be walking into some serious trouble with no line of sight.
“You were raised by your grandmother?” She tucked her legs under her.
His sister would call those wide-legged pants trousers. He wondered what Storm’s legs felt like under those pants. Would her muscles flex under his touch when he ran his hand over her calf? He went to the mini fridge and pulled out a cold water, giving him something else to think about.
“Would you like one?” He held up the bottle.
“No, thank you.”
“My sister and I moved in with her when I was about six and Meg was five.” He could still remember the day like it was yesterday. It had been in February and bitter cold. His grandmother had come to their house and helped them pack their things because they could no longer stay there. Meg had worn a pink coat and dragged her stuffed lamb in the dirt behind her while she held his hand. He had pretended not to be scared for Meg’s sake.
It was a story he might want to share with a special person over dinner, but not tonight in this hotel room. He needed his energy for other things like finding her little tells so he could determine if she was lying about being poisoned and then why she did lie. Or so he could find out that she had been poisoned and he would then help her stay safe.
“What happened to your parents, if I may ask?”
“They passed away.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“No need to be. What about your parents?” Better to turn the conversation toward her. Most people enjoyed talking about themselves. It wasn’t hard to get someone to reveal their past unless they were truly trying to hide it.
“My mother was out of the picture most of my life. It was just my brothers, me, and my father.”
“If you’ll excuse me a second, I actually have to call my sister. I’ll step into the hall.” He did not want to share more than he had. Meg’s story was hers to tell.
“Sure.”
He closed the door behind him and walked to the end of the hall where the window was tucked into a nook and he was away from other hotel rooms. His reflection stared back at him in the window. He ran a hand over his face. The day had worn him out, and it wasn’t over.
He pulled up Meg’s number and waited as it rang.
“Harlan? You woke me, you jerk.” Meg’s voice, gritty with sleep, still held a hint of humor that lightened his heart.
“Sorry. I thought you might be up by now. How are you feeling?” He leaned against the corner of the nook. Relief almost knocked him on his ass. He needed Meg. He may love and respect his teammates, but his sister was a part of him and understood him in ways no one else ever would.
“I’m fine. You don’t have to keep checking on me. I’m not five, you know.”
He laughed in spite of himself. “I’m the big brother. It’s my job to watch out for you.”
She groaned. “Old news, big Navy SEAL man. This surgery is routine. I’ll be home in a flash.”
“I’m sorry I’m not there.”
“I know. But I’m not alone. Aria was here all night. She took the kids back with her. She’ll be back in a couple of hours. You don’t even have to come. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have to.”
Aria was Meg’s good friend and neighbor. They had met several years ago and clicked. They had children the same age. Aria’s husband was a firefighter and a good guy. Knowing Meg had solid people in her life gave him peace of mind while he traveled the world.
“I’ll be there. I promise. You and me…” He couldn’t finish the sentence.
“We stick together,” she said.
That was the phrase they had spoken to each other when they moved into their grandmother’s house, when they started a new school. What he had told her when someone picked on her and he put a stop to it because they didn’t have parents. He should be there by her side. He never should have come to a retirement party and been arrogant enough to think nothing would get in the way of his flight home. Now he was stuck thousands of miles away with some woman who needed him less than Meg did.
“Har, I love you for wanting to be here. But there isn’t anything you can do. You’ll probably make all the nurses either nervous or want to date you. Come in a few weeks when I’m home and rested. The kids will love to see you then.”
“I’m booked on a flight later today.”
“Cancel it.”
“What?”
“Cancel it. I know what you’re doing out there. I read about the eruption online. Those people displaced from their homes need you more than I do. You need to do what you do best and that’s save people. I don’t need saving, big brother. Not this time.”
“I want to be there. I can help take care of the kids for you. Mow the lawn. Whatever you need.”
“So do it in July when your skills are less needed in Hawaii. I’ll still be here.”
Wasn’t that what he was afraid of? What if she didn’t make it after the surgery? He would never voice that concern and yes, she would most likely be just fine, but what if something bad happened and he wasn’t there?
“I’m coming home.”
“Not today you’re not. I don’t want you here. I know there is at least one person where you are who would benefit more by having you there. Even if it’s Raider or Kian. You’ve been roaming around for months since your retirement like a lost puppy. The answers for you aren’t in New Jersey, taking care of me. Maybe what you’re looking for is right where you are.”
He glanced down the hall to his hotel room. Could Storm truly need his help? He didn’t know.
“You’re stubborn,” he said.
“Not as stubborn as you.”
“I’ll call later to see how everything went. You’re going to be great.”
“I know. Love you, Har Har,” she said, using the name she called him when she was little because she said his name sounded like a laugh.
“Love you.”
She ended the call. He swiped the moisture out of his eyes. He had to believe she would be okay, but if anything happened to her and he was here, he’d never forgive himself. He was going home as soon as he could. She might have her mind made up and she would probably throw him out when she saw him, but he didn’t care. He was the big brother and it was his job to protect her from anything. Hell, if he could perform the surgery himself, he would.
He shot off a text to Lane.
Where are you? Do you still need help? I’m back at the resort.
Lane’s response was quick.
I’m fine for now. Thanks. Get some sleep. I’ll text you again when I need something.
He responded with a thumbs-up, then shoved his phone in his pocket. He had the time now to ask Storm more questions. He wouldn’t allow her to stay in his room if she was making up this story of hers.
Storm lay on her side on top of the bed covers. Her eyes were closed, and she didn’t budge after the door snapped shut. Her chest rose and fell in a smooth rhythm. He couldn’t blame her for falling asleep. He was about ready to collapse too. But that meant their talk would have to wait. He would have to trust her enough to sleep in the room with her.
He pulled his phone back out and sent a text to Raider explaining who Storm was and that she was with him.
Still wanted to let someone know in case I’m wrong for once, he texted.
Raider sent a text back. Roger that. Use a condom.
He shook his head and ignored the dig. Raider could have the last word. Harlan grabbed an extra blanket from the closet and covered her with it. He changed out of his dress pants, hung them in the closet along with his dress shirt, then slipped into some shorts and a tee. As promised, he made a space for himself on the floor and waited for sleep. First thing in the morning, he would talk to Storm.