Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
“ S o two iPads, a cellphone, and your wallet?”
“Yes.” The upset woman pressed her hands to her sunburned cheeks. “This is not what we wanted on our dream Maui holiday.”
The woman’s husband wrapped an arm around her. “We thought there was no crime on Maui.”
Sawyer continued taking notes. “The crime rate is low, but unfortunately, with so many tourists visiting the island every year, we do have some crime. Most of it is petty theft.” Especially when tourists like these left their valuables in plain sight on their car seat while they swam at the beach. “Mrs. Elden, we’ll do what we can to track down your things. In the meantime, I suggest you contact your bank and cancel your credit cards.”
“So much stress.” She pulled a face.
Sawyer looked at his notes. “You’re staying in Kapalua, right? Do you know Merriman’s?”
Mr. Elden nodded. “We heard the restaurant has great food and a stunning location right on Kapalua Bay.”
“I know the chef there,” Sawyer said. “Make a reservation for tonight, and I’ll tell him to expect you. He’ll take good care of you and help you forget this unpleasantness.”
Mrs. Elden gave him a watery smile. “That sounds great.”
Her husband nodded. “We’ll do that. Thanks, Deputy Lane.”
“My pleasure. And please, keep any valuables out of sight. Better to lock them in the trunk.”
The couple headed back to their car, while Sawyer climbed into his SUV.
It had been a relatively quiet day at work. His main task had been to help the Maui PD with a drug search. It didn’t matter where you lived, drugs were always a problem. The day had dragged on, because all he could think about was Hollis, and when he’d see her again.
He picked up his radio. “This is Lane.”
“Hi, Sawyer.” Debbie, one of their dispatchers, answered.
“I’m finished with the car break in at Kanaha. I’m clocking off and heading home.”
“Acknowledged. Enjoy your evening.”
Soon, he was driving toward Hollis’s place. He knew he should go home first to change, but he was too eager to see her.
He pulled up next to her car and knocked on the front door. There was no answer. He peered inside, but saw no sign of her. He circled the house. She wasn’t in the pool, but he remembered she’d mentioned that she wanted to go down to the beach for a swim. He smiled. Maybe he’d get to see her in a bikini.
Memories of the bikini she wore last night—the one he’d torn off her—stirred.
He headed onto the sand, hands on his hips, and sunglasses on his face. He walked along, scanning for her.
He saw a guy in a wetsuit and snorkeling mask, but no Hollis. That’s when he spotted her things—towel, flip flops.
He frowned and glanced at the water again. Where was Hollis?
That’s when he realized the guy in the wetsuit looked wrong. He was tense, partly crouched and bent over.
The water churned in front of him.
Fuck . Sawyer’s body tensed. He was holding someone down.
Hollis .
Sawyer ran, sprinting hard across the sand. “Hey!”
At his bellow, the man’s head whipped up. Sawyer couldn’t see much behind the mask.
“Let her go!”
The man dropped Hollis and sprinted out of the water. He ran down the beach away from Sawyer.
The soldier in him wanted to give chase, but Hollis was facedown in the water.
His brain stopped. He charged forward, splashing through knee-deep water to reach her. The next wave brought her closer and he grabbed her.
“Hollis!” He flipped her over.
She coughed.
Thank fuck . She coughed up more seawater, her hair sticking to her face. Her skin was pale.
“Baby.” He lifted her into his arms, then jogged up onto the sand.
He dropped to his knees, holding her close. He looked around again and saw no sign of her attacker. His jaw tightened.
This is my island, asshole. I will find you.
He smoothed Hollis’s hair back from her face. “Are you okay?”
She coughed again and nodded. Tiredly, she leaned against his chest. His uniform was wet, but he didn’t give a shit.
Her hands twisted in the fabric. “I’m okay. Now.” She made a small hiccupping sound. “Sawyer, that man—” Her voice cracked.
“He tried to drown you.”
A sob escaped her.
“Shh, you’re safe now.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. He’d fucking do whatever he needed to do, in order to keep her that way.
He lifted her and rose. He stopped, bent down and grabbed her things, then headed up to the house. He set her on a pool lounger while he unlocked the door. She started shivering, despite the warm afternoon.
He lifted her again.
“I can walk,” she said.
“I don’t care.”
He carried her inside and straight to her bedroom, then into her bathroom. He set her on the side of the huge tub while he started the shower running. He set the temperature to hot. Archer’s bathroom was three times the size of Sawyer’s, with glossy cream tiles and giant shower with lots of showerheads.
“Come on, you’re in shock. We need to get you warm.” He helped her up, kicked his wet boots off, then stepped into the shower with her.
“Your uniform?—”
“Will be fine.” He gripped her arms and carefully checked her over. He could see bruises forming on her arms in the shape of the man’s fingers. He locked down the rage burning inside him. “You should see a doctor.”
“I’m okay, Sawyer. I promise. I stopped fighting him to try and get him to let me go. I never swallowed any water.”
Seeing that man pushing her under… Sawyer ground his teeth together. He’d be seeing it in his head for a long time.
He tipped some shampoo into his hand and washed her hair. Then he pulled his wet clothes off, and wrung them out.
He felt her gaze on him. He was glad to see the shock and fear were wearing off.
When they got out, he wrapped a towel around his waist, then wrapped another around her. He dried her off.
“I have a bag with gym clothes in my SUV. I’ll go and get it.”
A flash of fear crossed her face before she hid it. He realized she was scared to be alone.
He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I’ll be right back. I promise.”
When he returned, she was dressed in sleek, fitted pants and a light sweater.
Sawyer quickly changed. When he came back to the living room, she was on the couch, rubbing her arms. He sat down beside her. “You’re safe now.”
She swallowed and nodded. “I don’t understand why someone would do this.”
“Did you know the man who attacked you?”
“No. It was hard to see his face with the mask on, but I’m certain I’d never seen him before.”
“Hollis, I need to call a fellow deputy. Get him to come out and take your statement.”
Her mouth flattened.
“Jesse is a friend. He’ll be discreet. He’s not going to share with anyone that you’re on the island.”
She fiddled with her hair. With damp hair and her bare face, she looked so much younger.
“Hollis, he could attack and hurt somebody else.”
A stricken look crossed her face.” “Okay. Call your friend.”
“Good.” Sawyer squeezed her shoulder. “Then it’s time for you to tell me who you’re hiding from.”
Her mouth firmed into a flat line, but she gave him a small nod.
Still shaken, Hollis tried to get warm. She listened to Sawyer’s deep voice as he spoke on his cellphone.
If Sawyer hadn’t arrived when he did…
A violent shiver wracked her.
“Here.” Sawyer grabbed the throw blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped it around her. He sat down beside her.
“I’m fine,” she tried to reassure him. “I know that I’m okay and safe. This is just some sort of delayed reaction.”
“It’s normal. You had a shock.”
She twisted her hands together.
A second later, he hauled her onto his lap. She threw her arms around him and held on. God, he was so warm. She pressed her face to his strong neck. The warmth of his body seeped into her, and she breathed in his scent. He smelled like her shower gel, and she smiled.
A big hand stroked down her back. “I’ve got you.”
It felt good leaning on someone. Having someone she could depend on. Don’t get used to it, Hols.
“Jesse is on his way,” Sawyer said. “He said he won’t be long.”
She nodded.
“Do you want something to drink? Tea? Whiskey?”
“No, I’m all right.” She lifted her head and met his hazel eyes. “Thanks, Sawyer. For saving me.”
His face darkened. “I’m just sorry I couldn’t catch the bastard.”
She cupped his bearded cheek.
“Now—” his face turned even more serious “—it’s time you tell me what the hell’s going on. My gut is telling me this wasn’t a random attack.”
Her stomach did a sickening twirl. “I need to…move.” She pushed off his lap and paced across the room. She stared out the window, but for once, the view of the ocean didn’t calm her.
“It started with a stupid party that I didn’t even want to go to.” She turned. Sawyer was sitting there, leaning forward, his hands dangling between his legs, his entire focus on her.
Had anyone ever looked at her like that before? Like he saw her and not the facade of Hollis Stanton, the actress.
“Go on,” he urged.
She took a deep breath. “It was a party at the home of Michael Reuben. My agent said it would look bad to turn down an invite.”
A groove appeared on Sawyer’s brow. “Reuben. The movie producer?”
She nodded. “A powerful and important one. I don’t really like him.”
“Why?”
“No solid reason. He just gives me the creeps.”
“So what happened at his party?”
“I was looking for the powder room and got lost. Down the hall, I could hear him talking with a man. They were talking about shipments and sanctions. I only heard snatches, and then they spoke in Russian.”
“Shipments of what?”
She shrugged a shoulder. “I didn’t hear.”
“Is Reuben Russian?”
“No, he’s from California, but I don’t really know his family history.”
“There are lots of sanctions on Russia at the moment, so any sort of shipments would be illegal.”
She bit her lip. “I know.”
“What happened next?”
“Reuben’s bodyguard heard me and came out. Reuben followed, and I acted tipsy and like I hadn’t heard anything.”
“Did you see the other man? The one Reuben was talking with?
“I didn’t. I hightailed it out of there.” She pressed a hand to her chest.
“That’s not the end of it,” Sawyer said.
She gave a harsh laugh. “No. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t have much information, so I didn’t go to the police. What could I say? I heard some people speak in Russian and mention sanctions? But then over the next week, I felt like someone was watching me anytime I was out in public.” She released a breath. “That’s not unusual, though. People recognize me.”
“Go on.”
“Then, there was a car crash.”
Sawyer cursed. “Were you hurt?”
“No, just shaken. A black SUV crashed into me. They didn’t stop. Just drove off. The police said the car was stolen.” She looked down at the floor. “Then I found a camera…in my bedroom.”
“Jesus.” He rose.
“I freaked out. I felt like I was losing my mind.” She closed her eyes for a second. “Someone was either toying with me, or I was going crazy.”
Sawyer cupped her shoulders. “Your mind is fine, Hollis. I like it a lot.”
She shot him a small smile. “Oh, is that what you like about me?”
“Among other things.” His rugged face turned serious again. “You came to Maui to hide.”
“Yes. I guess I hoped things would blow over. I guess I was wrong. Are you sure it wasn’t just a random attacker?”
“It’s not likely. That kind of thing doesn’t happen around here much, and he didn’t look random.”
Her shoulders sagged.
“Has anything else worried you since you’ve been here?”
“Apart from the hiking trail? No. Wait . My favorite silver bracelet, a gift from my stepdad, and a bottle of perfume are missing. I can’t find them anywhere.”
He stiffened. “Missing from the house?”
Nausea swelled inside her. “Yes. From my bedroom.”
His next curse was very creative.
“I also thought someone was watching me in Paia today, but then I ran into Benny. He was going to warn the nasty actress away from his cousin, but I think he likes me.”
Sawyer grunted. “Benny needs to mind his own business.”
“I thought the sensation of being watched must have been him, or the pesky tourists who snapped some pics of me.” She pulled a face. “They posted them online, by the way.”
“And a few hours later someone tries to kill you.”
Oh, shit . That was bad.
“All these little things, and now someone tried to drown you.” He shook his head. “I don’t like it.”
Hollis felt cold again, like she’d stepped into a freezer. She walked toward him, and he pulled her close. She pressed her cheek to his chest, and heard the steady, solid beat of his heart.
Trust him . Hippie Lavender’s voice echoed in her head.
The rumble of a car’s engine came from outside. She stiffened.
“That’ll be Jesse. Don’t mention Reuben. Just give Jess the details of today’s attack. I need to think about this some more.” His gaze narrowed. “And I definitely need more intel on Michael Reuben.”