Page 31 of Beauty and the Beach

As she swayed in his arms to Panini Pua Kea, she began to feel ridiculous about her suspicions that he thought she was a real mermaid. But then he said, “You dance pretty good for someone who spends most of her time with a tail instead of legs.”

That could go either way. He could be making a joke or he could be serious. “I had to take dancing classes as well as acting when I was in school.”

“That was before you were a mermaid.”

Again, that statement could go either way. Ana rested her head on his chest and just enjoyed the movement of his strong body against hers. She was over thinking this. “Do you think we can sneak away?”

“Unless we want to be interrupted, we need to stick around until Hani and Theresa leave.” He stroked down her back and tingles started flying along her nerve endings. Ana deliberately ground her breasts into his chest.

“Although, my door locks and he don’t have to answer it.” He leaned down and brushed a kiss over her lips.

After the song, the couples reluctantly broke apart and headed back to the table.

“Is that your phone?” One of the waiters asked her. “Because it’s been blowing up.”

Looking down at the numbers, Ana groaned. Maud, Don, Maud, Don, Don, Don, Don, Private Caller.

“Shit.”

“Is there a problem?”

“I should see what’s going on.” She gave him a quick kiss and walked out of the immediate area. She called back Maud first, but got voice mail. Ana decided to listen to her voice mail before tackling Don.

“You need to come back and do the night show,” Maud said. Her voice was stuffy and cracked. “I collapsed after the matinee. I’m having a hard time breathing and my chest hurts.”

“Fuck.”

Next message was from Don. “Get your ass back here now. Maud’s in the hospital. She had a seizure. Doctor said it was from the pure oxygen she was breathing before coming in to work.”

Next message. “This isn’t a request.”

Next message. “Where the fuck are you?”

Then the private caller message. “Ms. Simpson, this is Tetsuo Hojo. I’m sending a car to the Palekaiko Beach Resort to pick you up. You are needed for tonight’s show and I regret that you will have to miss the rest of the wedding celebrations.”

Ana felt cold as goosebumps erupted over her arms. She was walking back to the reception when a well-dressed Japanese man strolled over to her. “Your car is waiting,” he said.

“I’ll be right there,” she said, wondering if she could just lose herself in the crowd and deal with it later. She felt bad for Maud, and the show must go on and all that, but this was her first night off in a while and she was really looking forward to spending it with Makoa.

However, the man followed her back to the party. Holt rose from his seat and made a beeline to them. She saw Makoa turn and the smile die off his face. But he wasn’t looking at her, he was looking at the man next to her.

“Uncle, you’re not invited here,” Holt said reasonably and stood in his path, while Ana hurried over to Makoa.

“Hi,” she said breathlessly.

“Is he bothering you?” Makoa said, ominously.

“I’m so so sorry, but I have to go. There’s been an accident and Don needs me.”

A muscle worked in his jaw. “If you’re in trouble, you’re safe here.”

She gave a shaky sigh. “Who is this Tetsuo Hojo?” Ana slung her purse over her arm.

“He’s a Yakuza boss.”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“Japanese mafia. He’s also Holt’s uncle. He’s no good. Why are you involved with him?”

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