Page 94 of Pallas & Kawehi

He took his hand off of her mouth but kept a hold of her hand in his.

They were both about the same height, so their hands were nearly the same size, but his hold on her was punishing and he'd twisted her arm around to her back. With that awkward position, she couldn't really do much to get away. So she walked.

And hoped.

NICK

It was nice that he'd caught her at an event on base.

He didn't remember much about Kailua town or the area around their house, but he knew the base. He knew how close they were to the water and how far away he could get her away from the crowds.

With all of the security around the areas open to the public, he doubted anyone would see or come to check on them, and given that he'd brought and worn his uniform, he could play off his presence there.

"You know what kind of trouble you've caused me?"

She didn't look at him. She didn't even speak.

Well, he could do something about that.

He gave her hand a squeeze. "Answer me."

"You said to be quiet."

"Well," he snarled in the dark, "we're not going to be near anyone out here. Talk."

"I found out that you were married. I didn't know before I saw the video from the process servers."

"That doesn't do me any good. Charmaine's father is a scary fucker."

Kawehi tensed up and almost stumbled. He pulled up on her hand to keep her moving and she cried out.

"Shut up."

"It hurts." She spoke quietly but he could hear it in her tone.

"Then keep walking. I need to get you to sign something."

"What? What do you think I'm going to sign."

"Charmaine's daddy has some damn good attorneys. They drafted up a document that's going to take care of everything. I just need you to sign it and I'll leave you alone."

Nick saw the light of the moon shining off of the water of Kaneohe Bay and eased up on the pace.

"Out here?" She looked around them. "I'm not signing anything out here."

He swung her around to face him and remembered the last time he'd seen her in the moonlight like this.

Those were happier times.

Easier times.

Before he figured out that life with her wasn't going to be as fun as he was hoping.

"We can go back to the house and sign it there if it makes you happier, but you are signing it."

"Fine, we'll go back to the house, but-"

He saw her eyes look back at the hangar and yanked on her hand, pulling her up against him.

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