Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
S awyer led Hollis toward Mama’s.
The charming building was nestled in a grove of palm trees, right on a picturesque beach. A hand-carved sign over the door said Mama’s .
“This is so nice,” she said.
He was barely looking at the restaurant. He couldn’t take his gaze off Hollis. She was wearing a slinky, green dress that was perfect for her coloring. The fabric slithered over her body, and the deep V showed off her cleavage, while the hem ended at mid-thigh, showcasing slim legs.
Gorgeous .
“Sawyer?”
She was looking at him expectantly.
“People probably tell you how beautiful you are all the time.”
“I don’t care about people. They say horrible things about me, too. They love to post pictures of me leaving the gym with no makeup, or mid-run showing off some cellulite.” She tossed her hair back.
“You’re beautiful.”
Her lips quirked. “Thank you.”
“Come on.” Just as he took her hand, his cellphone rang. He pulled it out and stilled. “It’s Vander.”
She bit her lip and nodded.
“Vander,” Sawyer said.
“Hi, Sawyer.” Vander’s tone was unhappy.
“You found something.”
“Not enough to get the full picture. My team are discreetly digging, as we don’t want to tip him off, but from what we can tell, Michael Reuben is not a nice guy. He’s got his fingers in plenty of shady dealings.”
“Not surprised,” Sawyer muttered.
“We haven’t uncovered anything on the shipments Hollis heard him mention yet, or the Russian link, but his business dealings are definitely not legal.”
Sawyer released a breath. “Okay, thanks. You’ll keep on it?”
“You know it. You just focus on Hollis.”
His hand tightened on hers, their fingers entwining. That, he had no trouble doing.
As he slid the phone away, she watched him, worry in her eyes.
“That was Vander with an update. Nothing much to report yet, but it looks like Reuben has plenty of shady business dealings.”
She glanced away, and he knew she wasn’t taking in the view.
Sawyer squeezed her fingers. “Vander will keep digging. I’m going to keep you safe.”
“Thanks, Sawyer.”
“For tonight, I want you to not think of it. Just enjoy the good food and good company.”
She pasted on a smile, but he could tell it wasn’t real. He’d get her there. He’d make it his goal for the night.
He pulled her inside.
“Welcome, Sawyer,” the young, handsome host said, with a smile. “The Makana family said you were joining them.”
“Thanks, Luke.” Sawyer ignored the starstruck look the young man shot at Hollis.
It was pure Hawaii inside, and all the doors and windows were thrown open to showcase the view of the beach.
“Oh, it looks fabulous in here,” Hollis said. “And it smells fabulous, too.”
Sizzling sounds came from the kitchen. Across the restaurant, Sawyer spotted a long table where Kiana, Koa, and their family were seated. It was tucked away from the main area of the restaurant.
“Look at the view,” Hollis breathed. The beach did look like paradise.
He led her over to the table. There were hugs and introductions all around. The twins greeted Hollis like a long-lost sister.
“I like your movies, young lady,” an older woman said to Hollis.
“Thank you.”
Sawyer held a chair out for her. Soon, platters of seafood started arriving.
The conversation and cocktails flowed. Sawyer didn’t drink. He wanted to stay alert and protect Hollis, plus he was armed. He wore a holster under his light-weight jacket.
Hollis tried all the dishes.
“These crab cakes are soooo good,” she said.
The twins happily told Hollis about all the ingredients and preparation techniques.
Every time she laughed, it made him feel good. He was glad she was having a good time.
His thoughts turned back to that call with her mother. His gut tightened. How could a parent be so…cool and disinterested? He talked with his mom every week. He didn’t see her as often as he liked, but he knew she was there for him, the same way he was there for her.
She’d tried to spend more time with him when he first left Ghost Ops—when he was raw and angry. He hadn’t always been welcoming, but she never stopped calling.
“I’m so full.” Hollis patted her stomach.
“Finish your drink, then I’ll show you the deck.”
He led her outside, and saw the twins beaming at them. Koa gave him a wink.
The temperature outside had cooled off as the sun was setting. The scent of flowers filled the air. He leaned on the railing, looking at the beach.
“I bet you’ll never want to leave here,” Hollis said.
“It’s become home.” He realized it was true. That fact had crept up on him.
“It’s helped you heal.”
He glanced at her.
“I mean, you haven’t said much, but I get the impression what you did in the military wasn’t always easy.”
“No.”
“Will you tell me about it? One day?”
“Maybe.” He didn’t want her to know the horrible stuff, or his failures.
She nodded, and didn’t ask any more questions or make demands.
The bullet took him by surprise.
It whizzed past and hit the glass window right behind Hollis, the crack echoing around them.
Then more gunfire ripped through the evening.
Hollis screamed and Sawyer dived. He took her to the ground and covered her body with his. Glass shattered, raining over them.
Ingrained battle mode washed over Sawyer. His senses became more acute, more focused. Protect Hollis. That was all that mattered.
As more shots came, he assessed where the shooter was hiding. The asshole was in some overgrown bushes to the left.
“Stay down,” he warned her.
“Sawyer…” Her voice was shaky, terrified.
“It’ll be all right. Do not move. Understood?”
“Yes.”
He pulled his gun from its holster and rose on one knee. He took aim at the bushes and fired.
The shots stopped, and he heard a grunt.
Sawyer leaped up and over the railing. He fired two more shots in quick succession.
The gunman returned fire and Sawyer dived for cover behind a palm tree. Ducking low, he circled around, moving through the gardens.
The shooting stopped again.
Shit . The shooter had to be making a getaway.
Sawyer abandoned cover, and sprinted, moving in a zigzag pattern. He reached the bushes and found a flattened patch in the vegetation. He looked back and saw that he had a perfect view of the restaurant. There was pandemonium inside.
He searched around, but the asshole was gone.
“ Fuck .” He sprinted out toward the parking lot.
He caught a glimpse of a man leaping into the back of a car. It sped off, tires screeching.
There was more than one of them. Someone had been driving that getaway car.
He headed back to the restaurant, gun resting at his side.
Hollis was crouched behind an outdoor table. He held out a hand to her.
“He’s gone, but I want you inside.” He pulled her in through the door, keeping his body between hers and the outside.
As he walked across the restaurant, he pulled out his cellphone and called dispatch. “Shots fired at Mama’s restaurant in Paia.”
“Shots fired?” The man was Noah, one of their dispatchers.
“Send everyone who’s available.”
“Sure thing, Sawyer.”
He slipped the phone away and looked at Hollis. “You’re staying at my place tonight.”
Hollis was numb by the time Sawyer drove her to his cottage. As he parked and turned off the engine, she stared at her hands resting on her lap.
Thankfully, no one had died at the shooting. One woman had been clipped by a bullet and taken to the medical center, but Sawyer had told her that the woman would be fine. Others had been cut by flying glass. The deputies and police had arrived at the restaurant. People had been panicked and scared. The twins had rushed to check that Hollis and Sawyer were okay. She’d been shaky, pumped full of adrenaline.
All she could think about was those bullets whizzing overhead and Sawyer protecting her with his own body.
She’d stayed with the twins while Sawyer had done his deputy thing. She’d liked watching him work, and he was clearly good at it. Around her, people injured by the glass had been treated by the paramedics. She’d tried to help keep some of the injured calm, and had some smears of blood on her dress.
From people who’d been hurt because of her.
This was her fault.
The shooter was after her.
“Hey, come on, you’re tired,” Sawyer said, jolting her back to the present.
“Someone tried to kill me. Again . I just don’t understand. I barely heard anything at Reuben’s. I don’t even understand what I heard—” her voice cracked. “People could’ve died tonight.”
“Hollis—”
She grabbed the skirt of her dress, holding up a stain. “People were bleeding and hurt.”
“Hold it together, Hollis. You’re strong. None of this is your fault. You’re the victim here. Hold it together until I can work out who’s behind this and stop them.” His tone was dark.
God . Sawyer had run after the shooter. What if he’d gotten shot or killed?
Nausea rose in her throat, and she pushed open the SUV door and stumbled out. She sucked in the night air.
“Hollis?”
Strong arms curled around her, and she leaned into him. He made her feel safe. Cared for.
“Let’s get inside.” He took her hand and tugged her toward the cottage.
It was a standard Hawaiian cottage, painted green with white trim. Neatly trimmed bushes formed the landscaping around the building, and there was a plain, but sturdy, wooden deck. It was simple, but solid and cute.
He led her inside. The inside matched the outside. It was definitely a man’s domain, but neat and tidy. She figured it was the military training.
He nudged her onto a leather sofa that was so comfy it swallowed her up. There was a matching armchair, and a huge TV was mounted to the opposite wall. That didn’t surprise her. She was pretty sure the Y chromosome required you to need the biggest TV you could find.
“It’s time we got more intel.” His jaw was tight as he yanked his phone out. Then he cursed.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I’ve got eleven missed calls from Vander.” He put the phone to his ear. “Vander.” He paused. “A gunman shot at Hollis in a crowded restaurant tonight. It was a fucking mess.” A pause. “She’s fine. No one else was hurt badly, just minor injuries.” Sawyer pressed a hand to the back of his neck. “What?”
The sharp tone made Hollis jerk. What now?
“Okay.” He sat beside her and put the phone on the coffee table.
Her belly tied itself in knots.
“It’s on speaker,” he said.
“Hollis, I’m Vander Norcross,” a deep, authoritative voice said.
He sounded like a man who was used to having his orders followed. She cleared her throat. “Hi. I’ve heard of you. Your company has a good reputation.”
“I’m sorry to be talking under these circumstances.”
“I’m sorry these circumstances even exist.”
Sawyer took her hand and squeezed.
“So, Sawyer told you that we’re looking into Michael Reuben.”
Her belly flip-flopped. “Yes. Thanks for helping.”
“It gets worse. Sawyer, it was why I was trying to call you. But I was too late.”
Sawyer tensed. “Go on.”
“Someone’s put a hit out on Hollis.”
Sawyer cursed.
A hit? She blinked. The words didn’t make sense, almost as if they were a foreign language.
“Reuben,” Sawyer said.
“In all likelihood. We’re trying to link him to it.” Vander blew out a breath. “The print you sent me…I spoke with a contact at Interpol. It belongs to a contract killer by the name of Gallant. He’s experienced, semi-retired, and just takes a few lucrative jobs. He’s also meticulous.”
“The shooting tonight was not meticulous,” Sawyer growled. “I’ve heard of Gallant. He had quite the reputation in his day.”
“The shooting doesn’t sound like him. He prefers up-close and quiet.”
“Like the attack on the beach,” Sawyer said grimly.
“Yes. It’s said he likes to take souvenirs.”
“Oh my God,” Hollis breathed. “My favorite bracelet went missing, and a bottle of my perfume.”
“That’s more Gallant’s style,” Vander said.
“He was in my house?” She curled her legs up to her chest.
Anger tightened Sawyer’s face, and he looked like he wanted to hit someone.
“But the shooting, it isn’t his style,” Vander continued. “Could be that someone else is also after a paycheck.”
“Some tourists posted photos of Hollis online,” Sawyer said. “It’s public knowledge that she’s here.”
“Shit.” Vander was quiet for a second. “We’ll keep digging. Meanwhile, you keep your head down.”
Sawyer scraped a hand through his hair. “Vander, I think it’s time to send backup.”
“I’m already a step ahead of you. Park got out three months ago.”
“He did?”
She assumed Park was another Ghost Ops buddy of Sawyer’s.
“I never thought he’d leave,” Sawyer murmured. “He’s almost as good as you with those creepy, on-point instincts.”
“He got injured. He bought an isolated cabin in Alaska.”
Sawyer frowned. “Hell. Is he okay?”
“Physically, yes. The rest of it, not yet, but he will be.”
“I’m not sure sitting alone in the Alaskan wilderness brooding will help.”
“I know, that’s why I’m sending him to help you in Hawaii.”
Sawyer nodded. “Okay. Good.”
“Keep it tight, Sawyer. Whoever is after Hollis, you’re better than all of them. Hollis, you can trust Sawyer to keep you safe.”
“Thanks,” she whispered.
“If I get anything else, I’ll call.”
“Thanks, Vander.” Sawyer leaned forward and ended the call.
“I should leave Hawaii,” she said.
“What?” His brow creased.
“I put people in danger tonight.” She rose and threw her arms in the air. “I need to hide somewhere else.” Where could she go? Tahiti? The Colombian jungle? An Italian monastery?
“You’re not going anywhere,” he growled as he gripped her shoulders. “I told you, I need to know where you are to protect you.”
She lifted her chin. “And what if you get hurt?”
“Better than you getting hurt.”
“No, it’s not. Not to me.”
“It’s not going to happen.” He yanked her against him and kissed her.
It turned hot, desperate, both of them straining against each other. His hand moved across her face, and she felt a lance of pain. She winced.
He pulled back. “What’s wrong?” He frowned. “Hell, there’s blood on your shoulder. It isn’t transfer. Shit . There’s glass in your neck.”
“Really?” She lifted a hand, but he caught her wrist. “I didn’t even feel it.”
“Probably the adrenaline. You’ll feel it soon. We need to clean this.”