Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
S awyer’s hands gripped the wheel of the truck he’d borrowed from Benny. It was old, but his cousin kept the Toyota Tacoma running smoothly.
They made their way up the winding, scenic road. Here, Maui was all rolling hills and lush volcanic soil, where the locals farmed taro and sweet potatoes.
Hollis had been quiet for most of the drive. He reached over and gave her leg a squeeze.
“You okay?”
She turned her head. “Sort of.” She sent him a small smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll shake it off. I’m just having a little pity party.”
“We’re going to sort this out, Hollis. I won’t let you get hurt.”
She covered his hand with hers. “I’m glad you’re with me.”
Before long, they drove into the area of Kula. “The cottage isn’t far from here,” he told her.
“We’re close to the volcano?”
“Yes, on the western slopes of Haleakala. It’s a massive shield volcano that forms seventy-five percent of the island.” He smiled. “Don’t worry, it hasn’t erupted for over five hundred years.”
She pulled a face. “My luck hasn’t been that great lately, so don’t jinx it.”
“You know, this area is also known for its flowers. It’s where most of the cut flowers used in leis come from.”
“It is beautiful up here.”
They drove for a few more minutes. Sawyer spotted the mailbox, and turned onto a gravel driveway.
“Oh, wow.” She leaned forward. “And I thought Archer’s place had a great view.”
The cottage was perched on the side of the hill. The sweeping views were stunning. Mountains and lush, rolling hills lay before them, and there was a clear view all the way to the ocean.
They climbed out and Sawyer got their bags out of the back. Hollis carried the small bag of food they’d brought from his place. He’d scavenged what he could from his fridge and pantry. It would keep them going for a bit.
He found the key under the potted plant by the door, and unlocked it. The place was simple, with a wood floor and sturdy furniture. It was more like his place than Archer’s.
He set the bags in the bedroom. There was a double bed with a simple, white cover on it.
“The place isn’t fancy,” he warned her.
She stood at the wooden kitchen island, looking out the glass doors past the deck to the hills beyond. She stiffened. “I don’t need fancy. Are you waiting for me to go diva on you? Demand Italian mineral water, or pull that fluffy dog out of my handbag?”
He rested his hands on her shoulders. “No. I know you’re not like that.”
She huffed. “Sorry, I’m acting like a bitch. I’m just?—”
“Stressed and worried.”
“Right.”
He kissed her. “I’m here. Whatever you need.”
“I know. Thank you, Sawyer. I’m going to freshen up, then—” her tone sharpened “—I’m going to dig into Michael Reuben’s life. I’m not going to sit around waiting for his hired assassin to kill me.”
He loved that courage. “We might make a SEAL out of you yet.”
“Hardly. I don’t sleep on the ground, or go camping. I need a real bed and a bathroom. Maybe there is a little diva in me after all.” She disappeared into the bathroom.
Sawyer pulled out one of the laptops. He also needed to do a security sweep of the cottage and set up some cameras he’d brought with him. No one was sneaking up on them.
In the kitchen, he pulled out his bag of coffee and put on the coffee machine. Hollis could have a caffeine hit. He was relieved that they were where no one could find them. Her safety was important to him. He opened some cupboards, and pulled out a mug. Her happiness was also important to him.
She was important to him.
Shit . He stilled. He’d steered clear of letting people get too close for a long time. Watching the people you cared for get hurt or die… It cut too deep.
Damn . He hadn’t even realized how much he’d cut himself off after he’d left Ghost Ops. He’d come to an island in the middle of the ocean. He couldn’t cut himself off more than that.
Luckily, Benny and his family had been a lifeline.
Then Hollis had blasted through his defenses. Without even trying.
Sawyer shook his head. He couldn’t think of that, or his feelings for her, right now. His first priority was getting her safe.
“Oh, coffee. My hero.” She moved up beside him and pressed a kiss to his arm. Then she reached out and poured. “You want one?”
He shook his head. “I’m going outside to do a security sweep.”
She gave him a salute. “Yes, sir.”
“That’s a pretty good salute.”
“I had to learn how to do it properly for a movie. It was a bit part that got cut in the editing phase.” She touched his arm. “Be careful out there.”
He nodded. “I won’t be long.”
Hollis sat at the table in front of the open laptop.
“Use the VPN. We don’t want anyone tracking us here.”
She nodded. “Let’s see what I can dig up.” She cracked her knuckles. “If I can manage not to get distracted by that view.” She nodded at the picture window.
Sawyer left her to it and stepped outside. Instantly, he missed her. He hated having her out of his sight.
She’ll leave you one day.
His chest squeezed painfully. Her life was in LA, and his was here. He wouldn’t do well in the city, and he sure as hell didn’t belong at the glitzy parties and red-carpet premieres of a movie star.
You’re getting ahead of yourself, Lane.
He wandered around the cottage and set up his cameras. They’d alert him to any movement.
Back inside, Hollis was bent over the laptop, her brow furrowed. She didn’t even hear him approach.
“How’s it going?”
She jumped. “You scared me.”
“Sorry, but you should have more situational awareness.”
She waved a hand at him. “I’m going over Vander’s intel on Reuben. The guy’s so shady. Why do so many people work with him?”
“Money and power. It hides the worst of it.”
“Why are some people so horrible?” she murmured.
Those old memories bit at him. “I have no answer for that. But I do know there are good people out there too.”
Her lips quirked. “Over a decade in the movie business made me lose hope.” Her gaze locked with his. “You made me believe again.”
Hollis rubbed her aching eyes. She’d been staring at the screen for way too long. Her computer skills were a little rusty. To be honest, she didn’t spend a lot of time on a computer.
The remnants of dinner sat at the end of the table. Sawyer had brought some fish with them in a cooler bag, and cooked it with a coconut sauce. It had been really good.
She looked over at him. He was on a second laptop, and the glow of the screen made shadows on the dips and hollows of his rugged face.
She got a funny sensation in her stomach. She had feelings for him. She’d never felt so close to someone so quickly before. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as a tickle of nerves skittered through her. She’d only known the man a week, but it felt like far longer.
There was no way he’d like life in LA. She couldn’t imagine him there. She remembered that nightmare he’d had. He’d suffocate in LA. Hell, she liked the city, and sometimes she felt like she was suffocating.
She knew she was setting herself up for heartache.
One day, he’d be gone, and she’d be all alone. Again.
How about you focus on staying alive first, Hols?
“Did you see the photos Vander sent?”
Sawyer’s voice made her jolt.
“No.” She opened the email. “Photos of what?”
She’d been focused on Reuben. Vander’s team had dug up tons of details, and now she knew more about Reuben’s life than she’d ever wanted to.
“Not what, who,” Sawyer said. “Of possible hitmen that took the contract.”
Her belly shriveled to a sharp point. It was still hard to believe Reuben had hired someone to kill her.
Photos appeared on the computer screen. They were all of hard-eyed men, and one woman.
What kind of person killed for money? She clicked through them.
Then a face filled the screen. The man was older, with a long face and a cleft in his chin. His dark hair was threaded with gray. She froze, and just stared.
“Hollis?” The scrape of a chair. Sawyer’s hands rested on her shoulders and squeezed. “You recognize him?”
“Not exactly. I…never got a clear look at the man on the beach. The sun was wrong, and he was shadowed and wearing a mask. But I think I saw this man in Paia. Coming out of a shop wearing a horrible Hawaiian shirt.”
Sawyer cursed. “That’s Joseph Gallant and he’s bad news.”
“The hitman that Vander mentioned. The one who takes souvenirs.” She hated the idea that this man had been creeping around her house, taking her things.
“He’s dangerous because he’s good, and quick, and efficient. I think he’s the man who attacked you on the beach, but keep looking at the photos. I’m thinking there is more than one asshole hunting you. There were definitely at least two people at Mama’s.”
“More than one person out to kill me? You’ve got to be joking.” She shoved her chair back. She couldn’t stay sitting there any longer.
“Hollis—”
“I need… I have no idea what I need.” She took a few steps, her heart beating hard. “I want to punch Michael Reuben in the face. Why does he think he can end my life?” She shook her head. “I’m sick of being anxious and afraid. Worried that someone will attack me.” Or hurt Sawyer. Somehow, she’d gotten very lucky when this man had arrived to turn off her smoke alarm.
“Gorgeous.” He spun her to face him. Then he cupped her jaw and kissed her.
The kiss was slow, and oh, so sexy. With a low moan, she leaned into him. His strong arms closed around her.
“That,” she murmured. “That’s what I needed.”
“You’re not alone in this. I’m right here.”
She hugged him hard. His big hand pressed against her back. A part of her was so afraid to lean on him, to get used to him being there, and that one day she’d wake up, and he’d be gone.
She lifted her head. “Reuben needs to be stopped. Whatever he’s into can’t be good. And the fact that he hired someone to kill me—” she shook her head “—or more than one person… I’m going to take him down.”
Sawyer smiled. “Hell, yeah. We’ll take him down together.”