Page 22 of Lost Treasure

“I sort of haveto. Out of clothing. I just wanted to get safe for a night, andtoday, I really need to rest, and I can do that best off my feet.Plus, I need painkillers, stat.”

She pulled herphone out again, went for her rideshare app, stepped away from thequiet Kekoa, and wobbled to the nearby bench.

She didn’t sit.She held onto the back of the bench. Alohi came over to her, andshe saw their limo was waiting for them. “We can take youhome.”

“No. I am sureyou had a schedule today. I am Shroedinger’s beta right now. Notmyself. Not yours. Definitely not Kekoa’s. If he scowls any harder,my skin is going to fall off. I am sorry that my mark matches his.I don’t want to be an inconvenience, and I have already given himPTSD.”

Kekoa scowledharder.

“Oh. Here’s myride. If I don’t hear from you by the end of the week, I know thatsomething went weird at the lab.”

She movedcarefully to the rideshare, who got out to open her door. She slidin carefully. The door was closed, the address confirmed, and theywere away.

* * * *

Alohi looked at hismate. “Why did we let her go?”

“I have heraddress. If she needs to be home to rest, she needs to be home torest.”

They walked totheir car and got in. Alohi looked at Kekoa. “What’s reallywrong?”

Kekoa’s eyeswere watery. “I ordered them to hurt her and then stood there andlet them do it.”

Alohi held himas Kekoa struggled with regret. “She told us, but she’s a stranger.There is no reason for us to trust her.”

Kekoaswallowed. “Except there is no reason not to trust her. Well, thereis one. She’s gorgeous, graceful, and has a sense of humour.”

Alohi leanedback and looked Kekoa in the eye. “Those are reasons not to trusther?”

“You know how Ifeel about pretty women.” He exhaled and shuddered.

“Yes, yes, allvipers. How many of them turn into gorgeous gold statues?” He heldKekoa’s head between his hands.

“None. Do youthink she will come with us?”

Alohi nodded.“I think she will. She has been taught about the marks and thematches they make. What we can do today is get her some things thatshe will find helpful.”

“Likewhat?”

Alohi leanedout and called to the driver. “Can we stop at the nearest sexshop?”

The driversaid, “Nearest or best?”

Alohi nodded.“Best.”

“It’s an extratwenty minutes.”

“Fine. Let’sgo.”

Alohi went backto Kekoa and grinned.

“Alo, where arewe going?”

“To get hersome presents for when she arrives on the island and maybe for theflight.”

Alohi looked athis mate and said, “Trust me. I have both your interests and hersfirmly in mind, and I want to see if I can make your credit cardcry. It’s a goal of mine.”

Kekoa cracked aslight smile. “Are you planning on buying her her ownaircraft?”

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