Chapter 8 #3
Once he was suitably dressed, he dug in his dive bag, located his dive watch, snorkel and mask. He’d use the regulator and tanks Leilani was to provide, but he liked his watch. Angel had one like it, too. They’d be able to perform basic communications between them while underwater.
After checking the battery charge, he slipped the watch onto his wrist and emerged from the bedroom, carrying his snorkel and mask.
Kimo had pulled her hair up and tucked it beneath the floppy hat, hiding it completely.
The beach cover-up hung open, revealing a bright red bikini that complemented her dark, Hawaiian skin tones.
Yes, he’d seen her naked in the dark reflection on the hospital monitor, but seeing her gorgeous body peeking through the cover-up, her luscious breasts pushed up by the bikini top...
Rex’s groin tightened. “Uh.” He cleared his throat. “Great disguise.”
As Kimo’s gaze swept over him head to toe, Rex moved his mask to cover that part of him that was having a purely involuntary reaction to her.
Kimo’s widened, and she blinked, grinning. “You look like a pineapple plantation and a neon green paint factory exploded on you.”
“Thanks,” he grimaced. “I thought it looked touristy.”
“It looks something,” she said. “You bought that outfit?”
“In my defense, the guys pranked me.”
Kimo walked around him, studying his choice of beachwear. “I gotta hear this.”
“I was invited to a Christmas party at the Swaying Palms Resort, where Devlin’s woman, Kiana, worked.”
“Kiana’s my friend. I was invited to that party, too, but couldn’t make it at the last minute because I came down with the flu.”
“You didn’t miss anything. They’d told me it was mandatory to wear an ugly Hawaiian outfit as there would be a contest, the Hawaiian version of an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest. I showed up in this with matching neon green flipflops and neon green-rimmed sunglasses.”
Her brow furrowed. “I thought the dress code for that event was business casual and cocktail attire.”
His lips twisted. “It was.”
Kimo laughed. “Now, I have to get copies of the pictures from Kiana. That’s hilarious.”
He grimaced. “Maybe to you and my supposed friends.”
“What have you done to prank them back?” she asked as she headed for the door.
“Nothing, yet. Still working on it.” He grabbed his keys, sunglasses and a neon green fisherman’s hat from a hook on the wall. He plunked the hat on his head and opened the door. “Let me check the parking lot first.”
She nodded, her floppy hat bobbing.
Rex stepped out in his outlandish getup, scanned the parking area and the bushes and trees surrounding it. Nothing moved in the shadows. No different cars had arrived in the lot since he’d parked. “All clear,” he said and turned to take her hand. “But stay close to me.”
Kimo frowned. “Do you think we’re being stalked?”
“I’d rather act like we’re being followed than be surprised,” he said.
Kimo poked her head, floppy hat and all, out the door, looked right, then left and finally stepped out. She let him slip an arm around her and hustle her out to his truck, up and in. Once she was in her seat, she scrunched low until her head barely showed through the window.
Rex rounded to the driver’s side and slipped in behind the wheel. He didn’t say anything as he drove out of the parking lot and onto the road leading to the marina at Lahaina.
“Turn here,” Kimo said. “We can zigzag through the streets in case anyone is following us. Maybe even turn around and head back a couple of streets before we continue to Lahaina.”
Rex’s lips quirked. “I like the way you think.”
“I have to admit,” she said. “The fact that if something happens to us before we find the camera affects what happens to Alana scares me even more. I’m glad I have you to protect me—for Alana’s sake.”
“And yours,” he added softly. Once on the highway, heading for Lahaina, Rex checked the rearview mirror.
Kimo turned in her seat as well. “I don’t see anyone following us.”
“Same.” He hadn’t had time to call his father while they’d been in his apartment.
He wanted to ask if he knew anything about Marcus Holte.
He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the one number he’d saved but hadn’t used in thirteen years.
He’d only saved it so that he’d know who it belonged to when, or if, it ever came across on his screen.
That way, he could ignore the call and get on with his life as usual.
When his team had decided to come to Hawaii, he’d balked. He’d joined the Army to leave the islands and his father behind. Being back had been difficult at first. It took him a while to realize he didn’t have to see the man or interact with him, especially since he was on Oahu and Rex was on Maui.
Sure, he might have assignments that would take him to Oahu. With a population of nearly one million people and many more tourists, the chances of running into the man were slim to none.
If not for Kimo and her friend Alana, Rex wouldn’t bother to call his father. For them, he’d call. His father might know more about Holte Maritime Group, and in particular, Marcus Holte.
The phone rang three times before a gruff voice answered, “Who the hell’s calling and who gave you this number?”
Rex drew in a deep breath and pushed the past behind him. He needed answers.