Page 39 of Sachie's Hero

Hawk nodded. “He has and will when it comes to the safety of our operatives and clients.”

“Kalea always sings his praises. What is he, some kind of internet hacker?” she asked.

“We prefer computer guru,” Hawk said with a grin. “Can I interest you in scrambled eggs and toast? Ule should have something ready shortly.”

Sachie glanced at the clock on the microwave. “Thanks for the offer, but we need to leave in the next few minutes for the airport.”

“You can take the coffee with you,” Hawk said.

Ule appeared beside them and held out what looked like paper lunch bags. “Ham, egg and cheese breakfast burritos and blueberry muffins. Don’t go away hungry.”

Sachie took the bag and hugged Ule. “Thank you, Ule.”

Teller accepted his bag and shook Ule’s hand. “Thanks, Ule. Your culinary skills never fail to impress.” He turned to Hawk. “Thanks for putting us up for the night. We’ll keep you informed of our progress.”

“If you need backup, don’t hesitate to call,” Hawk reminded him. “With some of the team on Oahu, we can have them where you need them quickly.”

“I have their numbers.” Teller glanced toward Sachie. “Ready?”

She nodded and led the way out of the kitchen to the front door.

“Wait!” a voice called out.

Sachie turned back.

Kalea made her way down the stairs, holding onto the rail. By the time she reached the ground floor, she was shaking her head. “You don’t realize how critical it is to see your feet when descending stairs until you can’t see your feet.” She grimaced. “I just want a hug before you head back to Oahu. I’m sorry the Big Island wasn’t the haven you hoped. I hope you consider coming back after you nail the bastard who’s doing this to you.”

Sachie hugged Kalea. “I’m coming back. There are enough young people on the Big Island who need help to keep me busy, and I kind of like the smaller city and quieter pace.”

“Oh, good,” Kalea said. “I’d love to see you more often, and I want our baby to get to know and love Auntie Sachie as much as we do.”

“I’ll be back,” Sachie repeated. “I want to know your baby as well. I’ve always wanted to be someone’s Auntie.”

Sachie followed Teller out the front door and down the steps to their vehicle. He opened the passenger door and held her coffee and breakfast bag as she climbed in and buckled her seatbelt.

Sachie settled the travel mugs of coffee in the cup holders and took the bags of Chef Ule’s breakfast while Teller rounded the hood and slid into the driver’s seat.

They sipped coffee and ate burritos during the hour-long drive across the island to Kona International Airport, only speaking to comment on the fog in the mountains and the difference in terrain and lush vegetation between the east side of the island and the rugged lava fields of the west.

Though the burrito was amazing, Sachie only ate half of hers, wrapping the rest to eat later when her stomach wasn’t knotted.

“Are you nervous about flying?” Teller asked as they neared the airport.

Sachie sighed. “I shouldn’t be, considering how short the flights are. We’re barely up in the air beforewe’re descending to land. I just think of all the things that could go wrong and that I have no control over. I’m in awe of Kalea’s ability to fly airplanes. I don’t think I could.”

“I spent so much time in military aircraft, I had to learn to be okay with it,” Teller said. “Mostly helicopters, flying in and out of hot zones.”

“I’m sure you were more concerned about the mission ahead or the enemy shooting you down than the actual flight.” Her lips twisted. “Which makes me feel like a big baby being afraid of flying from one island to another; it’s like riding a bus.”

“Some fears can’t be explained away,” Teller said. “I don’t think you’re a baby. I especially didn’t think you were anything but a badass when you flew out of the closet ready to gut me with a butcher knife. That was pretty ballsy.”

Her brow furrowed. “I almost killed you.”

“Almostbeing the keyword. You did good.” Teller nodded. “Had the attacker gotten to you before I did, you might have inflicted serious harm on him. He might have reconsidered any further attacks.”

“Or he could’ve killed me, and you and I wouldn’t be flying to Oahu looking for him,” Sachie said, her tone flat.

Teller cast a frown her way. “Now that’s just negative talk.”

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