Chapter 4
“Bula!” one of the staff members announced the moment I stepped off the bus that had picked a few of us up to bring to the resort. I had chosen to stay at a place called the Likuliku Lagoon Resort in Fiji. I chose to go all out, especially if I knew soon heat would be coming my way. I wanted to spend my last days in luxury. I deserved that shit.
I was done staying at the bottom of the fucking barrel when I could afford more. This thing with the agency had taken over my life, and I asked myself what I had to live for if I was forever in hiding? Hell, I wasn’t looking to build no family or no shit like that, but I at least wanted to experience a moment in my life where I was treated better than shit on the bottom of someone’s shoe.
I gave the attendant a nod and a tight smile. I immediately looked down, then remembered who the fuck I was. I was Knox muthafucking Bolden and hiding was no longer an option. I wanted all the smoke, and I would forever stand behind my principles, so I lifted my chin high and continued walking as another attendant offered me a towel, then asked if I would like something to drink.
I respectfully declined, because although I was on new shit, something in me wouldn’t allow me to take anything from a stranger when I didn’t see with my own eyes how they handled the shit. Any of these people could be paid to kill my ass, so for now, I would pass.
I made my way inside of the resort that was adorned with nice woodworking archways and smiling faces. The lobby wasn’t extremely busy, but the majority of the people who walked by seemed to be couples. I continued toward the check-in desk and provided them with the credentials that VC’s ass had come up with. I almost called and cussed his ass out when I noticed the name he had placed on all of my forms. Brodrick Dick. He thought he was funny. He knew I didn’t have enough time to switch it up, so I just took the name in stride and kept it moving.
The attendant handed me my bungalow key and offered to show me where I was headed. I declined and asked her for a map. I wanted to map out the resort to see where all the open points were here. I knew there were quite a few being so close to the damn water. She smiled and obliged, pointing me in the direction I needed to go.
I glanced down at the map as I walked in the direction she pointed me in. Less than a few minutes later, I collided with a small frame. I cursed as I bent down to help her pick up her bags and the drink that had now spilled all over her white dress that clung to every curve of her body. She was still looking down, trying to pick up her things, but the curly brownish red mass that covered her face smelled of fresh vanilla with a hint of mint.
“I apologize, ma’am. I can replace all of this,” I said as she finally brushed her hair from her face.
My words were now stuck in my throat. I had come across many beautiful women in my way of life, but this woman was nothing that could be replicated. Baby came from the original mold of what a woman was supposed to look and feel like. Her eyes were like deep pools of bourbon, the kind that would have me spilling every secret my soul held. Her full lips were lined in that brown lip combination that many women did these days, but I was sure her ass had originated it. I could tell by the way her mouth had turned upside down at the sight of me that she was a firecracker.
I was intrigued immediately, and I shouldn’t have been, especially when I knew I was on a death mission. One that I knew would only end with my life in exchange.
“I would love to say it’s okay, but it’s not. What were you doing?” she asked with a frown.
I smirked, intrigued by her temper. Why was it always the women less than five feet and five inches tall that always had attitude for days? I straightened up, not wanting to piss her off more. I held the things I had picked up from the ground and handed them to her.
“It was truly an accident. I was trying to find my room on this map. Like I said, I can replace anything that’s broken. I’m not trying to ruin your time here.” I tried to reason.
She released a breath, then closed her eyes for a minute.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry for being grouchy. This is my first time doing a trip like this. I just want everything to go perfectly and according to my plan.”
I nodded. I remembered the days when a plan was the thing of my entire existence. Broken plans were why my life was in shambles now, but I didn’t plan on telling her that. Something about this woman made me want to find anything to say to keep her talking, though. Her voice felt like a symphony, providing automatic calming effects. Yeah, I needed to stay far away from her.
“I can understand that. Well, how much to replace the dress? Let me at least do that, and you can use the money for something to take home from your trip. Not saying you need my money, but I just don’t feel right fucking up the start to your trip,” I told her.
“I can’t let you pay for this dress. It was an accident, but next time we run into each other—and I just happen to be reaching for my wallet after dinner—don’t be surprised if I look at you expectantly to return the favor.”
I laughed for the first time in what felt like years. The shit was shocking, even to my ears. I cleared my throat and smirked in her direction.
“I hear you Ms….?” I asked with my hand outstretched.
She finally gave me a smile back and placed her small manicured hand into mine.
“Just Skye. No Ms. I’m not that old.” She left her sentence off, waiting for me to give her my name.
I opened my mouth, then closed it. For the first time in my career of juggling aliases, I hesitated. Something about her made me want to tell her my real name—Knox, not whatever fake identity I was supposed to use. But that thought alone was exactly why I needed to stay away from this woman. Her safety depended on my distance.
“Brodrick,” I replied.
She lifted her brow and craned her head to the side. She openly checked me out from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet before meeting my eyes again.
“Hmm, you don’t give me Brodrick vibes, but if your mama named you Brodrick, Ima’ call you Brodrick,” she said then giggled. I didn’t understand the joke, and I was sure the rise of my brows alerted her to that fact. “Please don’t tell me you haven’t seen Coming to America ?” she asked.
I shrugged because doing things like going to a movie or watching a TV show wasn’t a luxury I spent too much time doing, so I hadn’t seen what she was talking about. The way she made it seem was like it was a rite of passage to watch this particular movie.
“Nah, I can’t say I have,” I replied.
I looked down, and her hand was still in mine. I finally released it and immediately missed the feel of it. I slowly backed away from her. Not enough to alert her to me retreating, but enough to get my mind and my second head in one accord.
“Well, If I see you again, I expect to hear all about how much you loved it. I’m sure this place has to have it on the TVs in the rooms. Well, anyway, don’t let me hold you up. It was an experience meeting you, B,” she said.
I smiled and nodded. “You too, Skye.”
I didn’t stay a moment longer and turned to head in the direction the receptionist had pointed me in. I glanced over my shoulder in her direction once more, and baby girl was toting one of the fattest asses I had seen in a minute. I shook my head as I turned back around to get as far away from her as I could.
I finally made it into my villa. I had chosen the beachfront style room instead of the option that was a hut essentially on stilts in water. I wanted something that I could enjoy the lagoon from where I laid my head. I removed my shoes outside the door, then picked them up to make my steps lighter as I stepped inside. I had read up on Fiji in good detail, since I wasn’t the type to watch much TV. I took time to learn keywords in the language to the point where I was practically fluent. I wanted to make sure I was familiar with their culture and how secure their rooms were.
This was something I made sure I did whenever I went anywhere new. I never wanted to be somewhere and they were speaking in a native language about robbing or kidnapping my ass. I had enough problems to add to anything else.
I placed my bag by the door and scoped the place for bugs. I pulled the room apart then practically placed it all back the way I found it once I was certain the space was as safe as it could be. I looked over to my right and noticed the TV on the stand in front of me.
I decided to take a shower and then I would figure out what the hell she was talking about. I was going to find this movie, Coming to America , just in case I ran into her again. I placed my hand against my forehead and reminded myself of the plan to not see her again, but I knew the shit was going to be no good.
THE NEXT DAY…
I lounged in one of the cabanas wearing a hat and shorts—tourist gear I’d picked up to blend in with the beach crowd. Stretching out on the chair, I watched the waves roll onto the shore, forcing myself to relax. Then I heard it—her nervous giggle, followed by that forced, polite laugh women use when uncomfortable. The sound awakened my usual protective instinct, but this time it was different. Mixed with something else, something that made my pulse quicken in a way no target or mission ever had.
“No, thank you, sir. I don’t need a hand.” Her voice was polite but firm as she addressed the guy trailing behind her.
“You seem to be all alone. I just want to give you company.” He moved closer. “If you want, my friends and I will be having a party off the property. You’re more than welcome to come along.”
I sat up from my lounging position and turned toward them. The frown on her face and rigid posture told me everything—she wanted this guy gone. I stood and stretched, making my way over to them. When I reached their spot, I towered over them both, and the guy’s eyes widened as he took in my size.
“Damn, I was wondering what was taking you so long. Thanks for getting her here safely,” I told the unnerved guy.
“I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t realize she was meeting some—someone,” he stuttered.
“Yeah, and oh, she gone pass on whatever you got going on tonight. We got plans,” I said, then wrapped my arms around her shoulders.
She followed suit and wrapped her arms around my waist with a smile. He nodded and practically tripped trying to get away from us. Once he was out of sight, I released my arm from around her shoulder, then walked back to where I had come from. Once I took a seat, she sat beside me on the open chair.
“Thank you so much for doing that. He was not understanding no,” she said.
I finally looked over at her for what seemed like the first time. She wore a hat and a pair of shorts that hugged her hips and thighs. I noticed her right thigh was covered in a large tattoo that appeared to be a panther surrounded by flowers. I smiled, then pointed down at the tattoo.
“I like it. What made you get that?” I asked.
She ran her hand over the tattoo with a smile, then leaned forward.
“Can I tell you a secret?” she asked. I nodded and clasped my hands in front of me. “I honestly got it as a symbol of freedom. You know Panthers are solitary cats. I never imagined it would still match my way of life today,” she responded.
A sense of sadness passed through her eyes, so overwhelming I had to look away. Being alone had never bothered me—it was my normal, my comfort zone. I usually found it strange to spend more time with someone than necessary, but seeing this woman’s pain stirred something in me. I wanted to hunt down whoever had put that heavy burden in her heart. I couldn’t understand how anyone would choose not to be around her.
“You know there’s some benefits of being on your own, right?” I asked as I continued to watch the water rush the shore.
“What’s that besides the obvious?”
I finally turned to face her. “Security, peace, and reliability.”