Throughout the entire tale, I kept an eye on Maisy. I wanted her to know everything, but she’d had enough violence and pain in her life. I didn’t want to add to that. And regardless of how much he deserved it, one could argue that my shoving a gun up Kayl’s ass was rape. Would she condemn me for that?
Holly hadn’t. She’d laughed. But it wasn’t her opinion I was after.
I was more relieved than I could express that Maisy neverlooked away from me, never scowled or reacted negatively. She even gave me a nod of approval when I was done. Fuck, I loved that woman.
It was Mako who asked, “Where is Kalea now? Is she all right?”
“She’s processing,” Aloiki answered. “I offered to move her here if she wished, but she said she’d think about it.”
At that, Maisy’s eyebrows lifted. I shrugged, feeling a bit guilty that I hadn’t given her a head’s up about that.
Neo sniffled. “Kahoku was like a father to me, and we killed him.”
Spirit reached over and wrapped an arm around them. “We were lied to, and the evidence was too great to ignore.”
“That doesn’t make it right!” Neo cried out, wiping frantically at their eyes.
“It doesn’t,” Aloiki agreed sternly. “Kayl wanted to bring chaos into our lives, and he succeeded. We don’t know what he lied to us about even on his deathbed, including that Rory may still be alive. Kahoku’s organization has been in tatters in the month since we attacked his home. I don’t know who took command, but will find out and try to make peace. I will not have a war on our island that costs our people their lives.” He turned towards me. “While you’re on the Mainland, seek out Okalani. Last I heard, she’s going to school there. You were the one who discovered the treachery and killed the man who framed her father. Hopefully you’ll be able to express our condolences.”
Fuck. I forgot about Okalani. I’d never met Kahoku’s daughter, but many of the others in the room had.
I acknowledged the order solemnly. To Neo, I asked, “Send me the info, shoots?”
Their chin trembling as they fought to hold their composure, Neo nodded.
Letting out a long sigh, the room still heavy with tension, Iasked, “Now, who’s willing to babysit while Maisy and I are gone?” When the twins’ hands shot up, I couldn’t shout, “No!” fast enough.
The heatof the sun on my back roused me the next morning. Sea-green eyes met mine, and I wondered if there would ever be a day in my life where I wouldn’t wake up fearing that her presence was nothing more than a sadistic dream. I didn’t want to blink and risk her vanishing on me.
Not much had changed since the first night I slept by her. Except there was a lump of four year old that separated us rather than a pillow. I lifted the sheets slightly to check for signs of life, and realized my left arm was being held hostage by Samantha’s face, and that there was a fair amount of drool making my tattoos shine.
I brought the sheet back down, choosing to ignore my predicament rather than acknowledge it.
Maisy had a hand over her mouth in a failed attempt to stifle her laughter.
“We’re going to need to talk about this soon,” I said, indicating the lump between us. “As adorable as she is, I want to make love to mywahinewithout child endangerment charges being brought against me.”
I fucking loved making this woman blush. “Yourwa-ee-nee,” she struggled to pronounce, “wants you to make love to her too. How about we have a serious discussion when we get back about getting her own room and bed?”
“Really?” I asked, a bit skeptical. “I don’t want to push you if you’re not ready.”
But she shook her head. “No, I discussed it with Dr. Akamuyesterday. She agrees that some separation will do both of us good.” I had a suspicion that the only reason Maisy even agreed with Dr. Akamu was because it would benefitSamanthatoo. If it was just for her own good, I’d likely have to get very creative with lovemaking locations. “She thinks we’re going away just the two of us for a week trip.”
Her blush hinted that she implied this was a romantic trip to her therapist. I had every intention of not making a liar out of her. Fuck her on the plane, go kidnap and torture her parents, make love under the stars, track down and maim each of her tutors… I had plans to make this an all-inclusive trip.
Since we wanted no trace of our entry into the Mainland, we were using one of my contacts’ less reputable forms of transportation. While that meant avoiding the long lines and busyness of airports, it also meant we were limited on our departure schedule. We had most of today before we had to be at the pier.
Samantha knew of our departure. We took her out for dinner last night, explaining that she would be staying with Unko Saga while we were gone and would only be a phone call away at all times. And all we’d gotten back was an inquiry of whether she could still go swimming while we were gone.
I wanted to give Maisy closure. I just hated that it meant we had to leave Samantha for an unknown amount of time to get it for her. I would have gone myself, but she deserved to be there, and more than that, she’d earned that right. It was only a testament to her mental strong will that the conditioning she’d been subjected to for most of her life hadn’t affected her more.
I reached across the lump between us to run my fingers through her brunette locks. “How about we try to jump in the shower before this one gets up?”
But Maisy shook her head. “We’re leaving her tonight. I don’t want to leave her just yet.”
I understood, but damn my dick was disappointed. “Whateveryou need,” I agreed. “Why don’t we take her down to the beach or the park today? Bring a picnic and make today all about the three of us.”
Maisy’s eyes lit up. “I’d love that,” she smiled.