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Joely was sunburned, and still a little tipsy when Mike dropped her off on Baldwin Street, while he found a place to park.
The street festival was in full party mode with the road blocked off on either end. Food trucks lined the sides, and there was a crowd of people that Joely slipped in and out of, while looking for her sister. She was still a little buzzed from the beer, the sun, and the waves. If things didn’t work out, perhaps she could go to Tahiti or Australia. She liked island life.
A local band had set up a make-shift bandstand and started to play covers of top forty songs. She grabbed a beer and danced along, keeping her buzz alive. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a wide pair of shoulders and a nice butt. Joely watched him and he appeared to be alone. When her favorite song came on, it seemed perfectly natural to walk up to the muscled stranger and ask him to dance.
“Aloha,” she said, putting her arm on his large bicep. “You wanna dance?”
The man turned and she nearly dropped her beer. “Holt,” she squeaked when his arm came around her and pulled her in tight. “What are you doing here?”
He frowned at her. “You didn’t know it was me? Why are you asking strange men to dance?”
She wasn’t sure how to answer that and was equally unsure how to get out of his arms now that they were dancing to Zedd’s The Middle, which seemed appropriate to the situation. So, she just went with it, singing and dancing along to the band.
When the song ended and the band went into Meant to Be by Bebe Rexha, Holt hugged her close. This time, she did drop her cup. It was a good thing it was empty. Laying her head on his chest, she closed her eyes and swayed with him. Just for this song, she would pretend that yesterday never happened.
Joely heard his heart beating over the noise of the crowd because it seemed the world had narrowed down to just the two of them.
This, she thought, blinking back tears. I want this.
So naturally, the next song was Something Just Like This by Coldplay and the Chainsmokers.
One more song, she promised herself. One more song to enjoy being held like she mattered. One more song to feel like she deserved to be loved.
Taking a deep breath, she smelled the lime soap he used and the crisp scent of his aftershave. She probably smelled like booze and salt water, but she didn’t care. He didn’t either, if the way he held her was any indication. This was another nice memory to add, if this was going to be her last day in Maui.
The band took a break from playing the soundtrack to her life, and Joely knew she should move out of Holt’s arms. The fuck of it was she just didn’t want to. But people jostled them and she needed to find her sister, so she stepped back first.
“That was nice,” she said. “See ya.”
She shouldn’t have expected to get away so easily. It would have been a nicer memory to have rather than their confrontation last night.
When he leaned down, she froze. Was he going to kiss her? Closing her eyes, Joely parted her lips. But he moved to her ear and said in a low voice. “If you give me all the copies of the blackmail stuff, Timothy said he’ll leave you alone for good.”
Frustration made her sag and shove him. “I’m not the one blackmailing him. Not that you’re going to fucking believe me anyway.”
She successfully pulled out of his grip and darted through the crowd. Of course, he was following her this time when she didn’t want him too.
“Joely, wait.”
She got in line at the empanada truck. If she was going to have to deal with Holt, she was going to make him buy her dinner. Turning her back on him, she stared at the menu.
Did she want the Hana which was chicken, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and asparagus, or did she want the Hookipa which had beef, onions, peppers, olives, onions, and a boiled egg?
Both.
And she was getting a lilikoi shave ice for dessert.
“I’m sorry,” he said when he caught up to her. “I was wrong.”
That hadn’t been what she was expecting to hear. Had anyone in her life ever said that to her?
An older woman ahead of her in line, gave Holt an appreciative once over. “Sistah, when a man who looks like that is apologizing to you, you hear him out.”
“Thank you, Auntie,” Holt said, with a hand over his heart.
The older woman blushed. “And he’s polite too.”
“Five minutes?” Holt said. “And then if you want me to leave you alone, I will.”
Joely looked down at her feet.
“It’s just five minutes,” the woman said. “I’ll even hold your place in line.”
Smiling, Joely looked around to see if she could see her sister. But she didn’t see anyone who looked like her. “All right. I’ll be back,” she said to the woman.
“Honey, I hope not.”
Holt slung his arm around Joely’s shoulder and it felt too good for her to shake him off. He led her down the street away from the crowd until the only thing around them was a chicken who was hoping for a handout.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I was on my way back to the ranch. They’re counting on me to finish up the week. Of course, the road is closed until nine, so I decided to get some ono grindz and wish you were with me.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, refusing to be charmed.
Remember, he had considered calling the cops on you.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I’m meeting with someone.”
“Who?”
“None of your business.”
“Are you blackmailing Timothy?”
Joely sighed. “You’re not going to believe me anyway, so why should I tell you.”
“I’ll believe you.”
“You have never believed me,” she said, holding herself tighter.
He sighed and looked over her head. “I know. It’s because you’ve always made me a little suspicious. Like there was something you were hiding. Some secret you were protecting.”
“Lots of them, actually,” she said. “And there’s more than what you know, so I think it’s best that we just go back to being friends.”
Still not looking at her, he nodded. “Sure. If that’s what you want.”
“Is it going to be a problem that the Kincaides have overruled you firing me?”
He gave a half laugh. “Where were you guys today?”
“Hookipa?”
Holt looked at her this time, with a big grin on his face. “How did you do.”
She held up her arms triumphantly. “No scars. No blood.”
“Proud of you.”
Joely blinked back tears. Had anyone ever said that to her before?
“So, if you’re not blackmailing your ex, who is?”
“That’s a good question,” she said. “Could be anyone. I was going to try and find out but you’ve got my computer.”
He winced. “Yeah, not anymore. Timothy smashed it.”
She shrugged. She’d wait until Timothy accessed his bank account and she would deduct the funds out of it once she set up an untraceable way to receive it.
“But he really wants your ALIENWARE computer.”
Nostalgia hit her full force. “Oh man, me too. I loved that rig. When we were still married, he bought it for me. I gave him the exact specs and told him I needed it for college. It was a dream.”
“Where is it now?”
“After he hit me in the head with it a couple of times, I went unconscious. I assumed he destroyed it.”
A muscle worked in Holt’s jaw. “I should have let Tetsuo take care of him.”
She really didn’t want to fall in love with Holt, but when he said things like that it was difficult not to. Her infatuation had turned to lust and was starting to get into the real emotions. That wouldn’t be good for either of them.
Rubbing his arm, Joely said, “Thanks. But you don’t want to get involved in crap like that. You’re above it and that’s how it should be.”
“He thinks you still have that computer and have been using the contents to blackmail him five grand a month since you left.”
Joely snorted. “Yeah, like if I had bank like that I’d be living at Palekaiko instead of busting my ass working there.”
“That’s what I thought,” he nodded.
Narrowing her eyes at him, she said, “Wait. You believe me.”
“Yes, I believe you. But I’m not the one that matters.”
“You matter,” she whispered.
He cupped her face and kissed her on the lips. It was short and sweet. Friends did that, right? “I meant that Timothy has to believe it.”
“He won’t.”
“Shit.”
“Why?”
Holt looked down at the ground. His fists clenched. “He said if he doesn’t get the laptop by tomorrow, he’s going to put a contract out on your life.”
Joely sighed. So much for staying in Maui. “Figures.”
“Is that all you have to say?” Holt glared up at her.
“What are you expecting from me? It’s obvious now that I can’t stay. This island will be the first place his contract killers are going to look. I guess you get your wish after all. Cami will make a good head housekeeper.”
“No, she won’t,” Holt made a face.
“Thanks for that.”
“You’re coming back to the ranch with me.”
“No, I’m not putting you guys in danger.”
“You won’t. Have you forgotten who owns the ranch?”
“No, I know exactly who and what is behind that ranch and I don’t want you to get involved in organized crime, nor do I want to spend my life a prisoner there.”
“It would be just until...”
“Just until what? Tetsuo kills him? Or worse, sends you to do it.” She shook her head emphatically. “No, absolutely not. I won’t allow it.”
“Then what are you going to do?” he said, grabbing her by the upper arms.
She grabbed him back. “The less you know, the better.”
“I can’t accept that.”
“You’re going to have to. I’m not a wounded bird you can nurse back to health and keep in a cage.”
“I don’t want to cage you. Handcuff for a little while, maybe.”
He surprised a laugh out of her. “No, we’re just friends. No benefits.”
“I think I could convince you.”
Joely thought he could too.
“Hey, there you are!” Mike called out from behind her.
“Fuck off. We’re having a conversation,” Holt said.
“That’s rude.” Joely turned to Mike and stared. He had his arm around Sammy.
Sammy was dressed like a beach bunny with heart shaped sunglasses and a star-spangled bikini. A large tote bag hung off her shoulder. Joely wondered if her identity was in it.
She took a step towards them, but Sammy held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Samantha Kane. You must be Joely. Mike has told me so much about you.”
Joely took her sister’s hand and shook it. “Yeah, Mike talks about me a lot.”
“You must be Holt,” Samantha said, shaking his hand as well.
“How did you two meet?” Joely asked.
“He rents my BnB from time to time.”
Joely opened her mouth, but Sammy cut her off again.
“It’s never been so clean. Thank you.”
“You live on the island?” Joely said, trying to keep her outrage out of her voice. Why didn’t she contact her before now? Why did she let her stay in the shed instead of inviting her into her home?
“I wish. My job takes me all over the world.”
Yeah, I guess it did.
“I rent a house to a nice family. You stayed in the shed on their property last night.”
“You stayed in a shed last night? I told you to come back to the ranch.”
“Do you think there might have been a reason I didn’t want to go back to the ranch last night?” Joely asked.
“What do you do for a living?” Holt asked Sammy, filling in the awkward silence.
“I’m an expeditor for a worldwide construction company.”
Good cover. Joely nodded.
“Well, it was nice to meet you. I’m sure you and Mike would like to be alone.” Holt put his arm around Joely and walked backwards a few steps.
“Oh shit,” Samantha said, looking over Joely’s head.
“What?” Joely turned and saw Tetsuo and two large men walking towards them.
“Oh shit,” Mike said.
“Yeah,” Holt said. “That about sums it up.”
Tetsuo was practically beaming when he came up to them.
“Samantha, welcome back to the island.”
“Mr. Hojo,” she said respectfully.
“I wasn’t aware you knew my nephews.”
“Your nephews?” she said, flinching away from Mike.
“Unc,” Mike protested. “Why do you got to do shit like that?”
“I wasn’t aware that these men were your nephews,” Samantha said quickly.
“You know him?” Joely said, jerking her thumb at Tetsuo.
“I’ve utilized Ms. Kane’s skills in the past.”
“Huh,” she said. That made sense. Small world.
“Why don’t we get away from the crowds and go back to my ranch?” Tetsuo asked.
“The roads are closed until nine,” Mike said.
“Not to me, they’re not. Now, give your brother the keys to the Jaguar.”
“You boosted the Jag?” Holt cried.
“It’s not boosting if you have the keys,” Mike grumbled digging in his pocket for them.
“It’s boosting if you don’t have permission,” Tetsuo said mildly.
“I don’t think Samantha and I should intrude on your family time.” Joely resisted the urge to bow to Tetsuo. She would have jumped out into traffic, if there was any, to avoid going back to the ranch. She needed to get her sister alone so they could utilize her twenty-four-hour head start to the best of their abilities.
Tetsuo smiled. “I actually have business to discuss with Samantha, so it will be a mix of family time and business. Besides, the paniolos are disappointed that you didn’t cook tonight.”
“They were?” Joely said, feeling a pang of guilt.
“I’m sure all will be forgiven if you make those clam chowder bowls you promised.”
“Do you know everything?” Joely asked.
Holt cleared his throat that sounded like a hidden laugh.
“Knowledge is power, my dear. The four of you take the Jag. Holt is driving,” Tetsuo said loudly to stop any protest from Mike. “I’ll have Alan drive your car up to the ranch.” He snapped his fingers and one of the gentlemen behind him bowed and went in the direction of the parking lot.
Joely looked at Samantha who shrugged.
She shrugged back. Looks like they didn’t have much of a choice. She left a message on Michaela’s voice mail thanking her for the offer of the yacht, but she and Holt had made other plans. The Palekaiko gang would be happy about that. But she was really going to miss the lobster thermidor.