Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
Moana rolled off her surfboard, letting the cool water roll over her body, coating it with the salty crystals that had been her way of life for years before she’d taken off to Nashville. She broke the sea’s surface, finding her footing, and snagged the apparatus representing her youth. She raced toward shore, glancing right, then left, laughing as she tossed her surfboard to the sand and fell onto her stomach with a grunt. “God, that felt so good, but I’m going to pay for it tomorrow morning with aching muscles like an eighty-year-old.”
“Now you’re being dramatic,” Dahlia said as she brought herself to a sitting position on top of her board. “It will be more like a seventy-year-old.”
Emery rolled to her back and stretched her arms and legs. “Do you remember how we used to start every day like this?”
“Those were the days.” Mia laughed. “The alarm went off this morning, and I almost texted you bitches to cancel so I could sleep another hour. I’m too old for this shit.”
“I bet if that sexy SEAL woke you up at the crack of dawn for anything, you’d be game.” Emery pushed herself to a sitting position and sat cross-legged in the sand, fiddling with the edge of her wetsuit.
“Can’t say I’d say no to Carter about anything.” Mia smiled, but it wasn’t a full one. “I just wish I knew if he was going to re-enlist or not. Stay here or have to go back to the mainland.”
“Is he being cagey about it?” Emery asked.
“No.” Mia shook her head. “It’s a team thing, and there are outside forces that he can’t discuss. All having to do with the reason that brought him and the guys to Big Island.” Mia leaned back, stretching out her legs, crossing her ankles, and staring out at the rising sun. “Carter has been as forthcoming as he possibly can and I know he’s leaning toward not signing them. But again, it’s a team thing. I get it. Those four are like family. They’re brothers. It’s just…” She let out a short chuckle. “I love him.”
“Tell us something we don’t know,” Dahlia said.
Moana wrung out her long, thick braid. She’d been so grateful for Bowie’s texts throughout the night, even though he’d opted not to stop by. He mentioned a late-evening meeting with Waylen and needing a few hours of shut-eye and who was she to demand he come over and release her tension.
However, he had told her all that he learned, which was almost nothing, except for one thing.
There’d been a man hanging around Kalena. A possible doctor or nurse. Bowie didn’t have a handle on who he was yet, but as soon as he did, Bowie would be all over that.
Or he’d send Mano, since Bowie mentioned something about training back at the Brotherhood Protectors ranch most of the day.
Shit. The poor man was out half the night searching for clues. This was after an eleven-hour flight back from Nashville, and she had no idea how he slept on the plane. She’d been too busy being a brat because she couldn’t handle her own emotions.
Or fears.
“Earth to Moana.” Emery kicked her ankle. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just thinking about my sister.”
“Have you told Bowie she’s really your biological mother?” Mia cocked her head. “That might be helpful.”
“I’m sure Waylen and Mano have already done that for me and Bowie’s just either waiting for me to give up the intel or looking for the right angle to get it out of me.” She fiddled with the end of her braid. She needed to tell Bowie the truth about her sister, even if he already knew. He should hear her version of the events. How she found out and what she thought the facts might be.
All the ugly horrors.
But she hated talking about it. Resented the lies and the rift it had caused in her family. Most of which had been all her fault. She held that grudge like a badge of honor and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t release it.
“I don’t understand why you keep it a secret.” Emery arched her brow. She did it in perfect cop fashion. As if to say the jig was up and it was time to come clean on all fronts.
Only, Moana had her reasons. To her, they were good ones. And they weren’t just about her and her sister. Or covering up old lies. Or even being embarrassed or ashamed, because Moana was long past all of that.
She no longer cared what anyone on this island thought about her or her family. If she did, she wouldn’t have come back. Hell, she wouldn’t have kept her last name. Moana knew people whispered and judged. Part of her kept the secret for the sake of her parents. The deep Hawaiian shame that came with their eldest daughter having a child out of wedlock at sixteen. Her folks were about as old-fashioned as a couple could be. Hence the lie to cover up the child they couldn’t bring themselves to give up because of their sense of family honor and duty.
Another part did it for her sister. Whether Kalena felt shame, resentment, or just didn’t care wasn’t even the point. Kalena never changed the narrative and Moana had to respect that as an adult. To the world, they were sisters.
“There’s no reason for you to lie anymore.” Mia took her hand. “At least not from the people helping you find her.”
“Unless you’re worried about finding out who your birth father is,” Emery said.
“That’s always a scary proposition.” Moana had been down this road with her friends before. They’d always been there for her, no matter what. Even when she’d taken off. “I have to admit that’s always been part of why I’ve never searched for him or for those answers. But I also don’t want to hurt my parents or even Kalena.” The latter wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the complete truth either.
There was a part of Moana that feared her sister knew exactly who her father was and kept that from Moana. As if she didn’t want her to know. If it was to protect Moana, then she didn’t want to open that can of worms.
But after dealing with Rosco, perhaps it was a can that needed opening after all.
“Biology doesn’t make for a father,” Dahlia said. “If it turns out Kalena was raped, that’s not a reflection on you. Or her. And that man belongs in prison.”
Moana blew out a puff of air. Deep down, she knew that to be true. “I’ve always worried that Kalena has kept my paternity a big dark secret because she doesn’t want anyone to know. Because maybe she remembers what happened. Maybe she blames herself and it’s this never-ending cycle of drug use. But ever since I’ve come back, and with all this bullshit with Rosco, I’ve got this odd feeling that perhaps it’s been a mistake to brush it under the rug for so long.” She shifted her gaze between her three best friends. The three women who, no matter where in the world any of them had been, had always been the ones who answered a text. Who had picked up the phone. The ones who listened to her cry when no one else would.
These were her ride or die girls.
She swiped a finger across her cheek, snagging a single tear. “No matter how I was brought into this world, I want to know the answers, right there with where the fuck is Kalena.”
“You know I’m doing what I can.” Emery took her hand. “I’ll see what I can learn from around the time you were born.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Moana said.
“Anything for you.” Emery nodded.
“Hey.” Mia jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “Don’t look now, but Bowie’s headed this way with what looks like two mugs of coffee and a bag from Oscar’s.”
Moana glanced at her watch. “Shit. I told him to meet me at my place ten minutes ago. Guess I’m late and if I don’t hurry up, I’ll be late for my first class and there’s nothing worse than dealing with angry teenagers.” She jumped to her feet, snagging her board. “I’ll catch you all later.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Dahlia said.
“Do all the things I would.” Emery laughed. “Please. I’m not getting any.”
“Make sure you use protection.” Mia waved her hand.
“Y’all are so funny.” Moana tucked her board under her arm and jogged toward the picnic table where Bowie had parked himself.
He lifted the paper cup to his lips, sipped, and then smiled and waved.
Her insides tumbled.
How she wished she could be like Mia and risk her heart. Mia had allowed Carter in so deep that she was willing to have it broken into a million pieces if the team were to make the collective decision and re-enlist.
Of course, if that were the case, Mia would follow wherever Carter went. Moana knew that to her core.
But Moana couldn’t do that. She had parents who needed her and a sister, who once she was found, well, that relationship had some nurturing that Moana was going to make sure happened. It would never be a mother-daughter bond, but it would be something.
“So sorry. Totally lost track of time.” She dug her board into the sand and snagged the coffee.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come over last night.”
“I understood.” And she did, but it made for a long night of tossing and turning.
“Strange, awkward question.” Bowie glanced over his shoulder. “But did you notice that guy over there? He looks like the same guy I saw at Ohana’s and walking up your street.”
“The man with the baseball cap?” She covered her eyes. The sun had barely made an appearance, but still, the man was pretty far away. “I can’t say that I recognize him, but I don’t remember seeing him when me and the girls first got here.”
“I’d like you to keep better track of your surroundings and note anyone who you see on a regular basis.” Bowie lifted his cell and snapped a picture. “I’m going to see if I can get closer to him when I leave.”
“Don’t freak me out,” she said. “It’s been a while since the four of us went surfing. I forgot how much fun that is and I’m finally relaxing a little, considering all that’s been going on.”
“I’m not a horrible surfer. I mean, I can do it. I’m not great, but there are other things I’d rather do. However, I’m always amazed by anyone who can stand on that thing, whiz across the waves, and not get eaten by a shark. Good on you.” He nodded, chuckling with each bobble of his head. “I like scuba diving. I’ll stick with staying underwater and watching my attacker with fins charge at me instead of him tearing off my limbs before I even see him.”
She lowered her chin. “Seriously? You’re a Navy SEAL and you’re afraid of a few sharks?”
He twisted his body, raising his shirt. “Almost every woman I’ve ever been with asks me about these. You didn’t. I have to admit, I was surprised.”
She leaned closer, curling her fingers over the hem of his T-shirt. She remembered every inch of his body. All the contours of his muscles and she had run her fingers across those jagged… shit… they were teeth marks.
Unlike the bullet holes in his chest.
“You were bit by a shark?” She blinked, examining every scar on his torso. Touching each one as if she were painting his body with a feather. “When?”
“I was seventeen. I was out in the ocean fishing with my old man and my brother. We were actually done for the day and I decided to take a swim. I dove in off the bow. Swam a good distance from the vessel. Next thing I knew, I was swimming for my life. I punched him in the nose while he took me under. He released, my dad and brother got me on board, and that motherfucker got away.” He shrugged. “For the record, I’m not afraid of sharks. I’m utterly terrified of them. But it doesn’t stop me from going in the water. From doing my job. I just don’t go in for shits and giggles.”
“What about fresh water?”
“There are gators in there.” Bowie held up his hand. “And even if there aren’t, there’s something in the water I can’t see. So, unless I’m underneath, with gear, I’m not a big swimmer.”
“That’s weird for a SEAL.”
“Who said SEALs were normal?” He waggled his brows. “And I’m kind of messing with you. I mean, I did get bit by a shark and I don’t like those fucking creatures. But I do swim and I do like it. I’ve even surfed; I just suck at it and I don’t like doing things I’m not very good at.”
“What else aren’t you very good at so I can try to get you to do it?” She hopped up on the table and dug into the bag of food. She found a breakfast sandwich and opened it, letting the rich greasy scent fill her nostrils.
“That, I’m not telling you.” He winked, leaning back. “So, I have some stuff to go over with you.”
No time like the present. “There’s something that I need to tell you that might make all the difference in the world. I should have told you this sooner and maybe it’s a moot point as I’m going to guess Mano and Waylen have already told you that Kalena is actually my mother, not my sister.”
He continued to stare off toward the ocean. There was no hint of anger. No spark of recognition. No burst of animosity.
Just the exact same serious expression he always sported.
“Are you going to be angry if I tell you that I’ve known that since the moment Waylen asked me to help you?”
“Not at you, but at Mano and Waylen, but that’s an entirely different topic,” she said. “For the record, there are a dozen reasons why I’ve chosen not to tell anyone. Some are for me. Some my folks. And some for my sister. I suppose there are even some for a man I don’t even know a single thing about.”
Bowie inched closer. He lifted her chin with his thumb. “You don’t owe me a single explanation, but I am going to ask a few probing questions. I’m only doing so because we have so little to draw on regarding your sister’s disappearance. I have to be at the ranch in two hours. I’ve got field exercises, and then I need a few hours of sleep. After that, I will be pounding the pavement again. But I need to know you will be by your phone, answering more questions, if I have them.”
“Why don’t I come with you tonight?”
“Because I might have you do other things.” He leaned closer, brushing his lips across hers so softly, she barely felt it.
Until he pressed harder.
And harder.
Slipping his tongue into her mouth, searching for something, though she had no idea what.
Her heart landed with a thump in her big toe before hurtling itself back to the center of her chest where it pounded like a raging wildfire ravaging the forest.
“God, you taste so sweet,” he whispered, pulling back. “I’ve got a lead on this bleeding heart doctor. He’s from Honolulu but works out here a few days a month and Gleason recognized him as being with your sister the time she packed up her stuff and left tent city.”
“Lots of doctors help out with the homeless.” Moana ran her fingers across her lips. It was hard to think clearly. “Though, I would be surprised if my sister was hanging around with one. But only because she doesn’t trust doctors. Never has. According to my parents, she always hated them.”
“Maybe, but Gleason said this man was with your sister,” Bowie said. “I double-checked the timeline. It would have been the day she disappeared.”
“Gleason is a drug addict and his story, according to you, has changed the three times you have spoken to the man.”
“I’m aware.” Bowie nodded. “But Mano and I went through the notes and we have some inconsistent consistencies.”
“That makes no sense at all.” Moana laughed.
“Yeah. I’m running on fumes.” Bowie downed his coffee. “The doctor’s name is Liko Akoni. Does that ring a bell? Can you ask your parents if that’s who was on call at the ER when she was admitted? Or if he was who discharged her after she went through detox?”
“No one called my parents. My sister showed up at their house after spending two weeks going through detox. She said she was willing to surrender her phone, her wallet, anything they wanted as long as she could stay and help out with dad. She gave up all her control, with the exception of going to meetings.”
“Who dropped her off at your parents’ home?” Bowie asked. “How did she get to meetings?”
“They said a car service had brought her to the house.” Moana shrugged. “But I can’t confirm that and as far as her meetings went, at first she got rides from people. A couple of times I let her use my car.”
“And the day she disappeared?”
“She’d gotten a ride from a friend. But we never knew who that was. I was always at work or giving lessons,” Moana said. “When I was at my parents’ house, Kalena wouldn’t give us a chance to meet whoever picked her up. She’d dart off down the driveway. When I confronted her on it, she made a big deal about the person wanting their privacy. She tossed the whole anonymity thing in my face. It’s one of the many reasons I’m so willing to believe she’s using again.”
Bowie nodded. “I’d like you to go through all the files. Go through timelines. Every detail again while I’m playing war games on the ranch. Once I’m done, I’ll drop by before I go out and see what else I can unearth about your sister.”
She palmed his face. “You look like shit.”
“Gee, thanks.” He chuckled. “What are your plans for the day?”
“I’ve got classes, lessons, and then I want to stop by my parents.”
“What time do you think you’ll be home?”
“Probably not until after dinner, but my folks are dying to meet you. They’d love to cook you supper.” She let her hand drop to her side. “You’ve got to eat anyway.”
“All right. Text me the address.” He lowered his chin. “But give me a list of things I can and can’t say. Or things it’s okay for me to know. I don’t want to go and insult your mom or upset your dad.” He pressed his finger against her lips. “Just because he’s had a stroke doesn’t mean he can’t hear what’s being discussed.”
“That is true.”
“I’ll see you later.” He stood. “Are you going to let me spend the night? Or are you still mad at me?”
“I have no idea.”
“I’ll take that as a big fat maybe and pack an overnight bag.”
“I could still tell you to bug off.”
He smiled as he strolled backward toward his vehicle. “You could. And I could be so charming, you won’t be able to resist me.”
“You’re being an egotistical ass.”
“My mother would be so ashamed of me.” He shrugged. “Call or text if you need me. It might take me a few minutes to respond, but understand, it’s not because I’m ignoring you, because I would never.”
“I would hope not.”
He patted his chest. “You’re killing me.” He turned on his heel and jogged toward his Jeep. He climbed behind the steering wheel and waved.
Damn. He could have asked her to slip behind a tree for a quickie, and she would have.
And she didn’t believe in quickies or outdoor sex.
But maybe she should.