Page 83 of Stone
“What the fuck did you say to her?”
“You’re in a cranky mood again. What the fuck, bro?” He settled next to me at the bar, turning his attention to the insanity on the dance floor.
I wasn’t certain how to answer him. “Did you ever have the feeling the house of cards you built was about to face a fucking tornado?”
He chuckled. “A bit philosophical today. Aren’t you?”
“This isn’t being philosophical. It’s being realistic. It’s too fucking quiet. Everything is hanging in the air and it pisses me off.” I could feel the storm brewing and it was driving me crazy.
“Just about everything pisses you off. Except for that woman getting ready to slide under that pole right over there.”
“Are you kidding me?” I snapped. “She’s frustrating as hell because she refuses to follow my orders. She’s determined to ignore the danger when she was almost killed by some assholes. She’s rearranged my life and refuses to allow me to stay in a bad mood.”
Kekoa sucked in his breath before bursting out laughing. “You, my friend, have it bad for her. Even worse than what you felt a thousand years ago.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Why are you lying to yourself? What am I saying? You’re both lying to the person inside. I only hope you’re not lying to each other.”
There wasn’t enough whiskey on the planet to keep me listening to dating advice. “Since when did you become the relationship expert?”
He shrugged. “You forget I was the shoulder you sobbed on.”
“First of all, I don’t sob.” Now I regretted telling him anything.
“Just be real with her. You want her in your life, Stone.”
“Yeah, but I’m not good for her.”
“I disagree. The two of you are like Hawaiian magic together. You’re too hard on yourself, bro.”
“Not nearly hard enough.” He knew enough about what I’d agreed to all those years ago and that the subject was now off limits. I’d spilled my guts during a down time only days after arriving on the island, purchasing a house sight unseen because I’d recently buried my parents and felt like some fucking lost puppy dog.
Not my finest hour. I took a sip of my whiskey, enjoying the smooth taste. The loud cheering and laughter as the limbo dancer fell on his ass barely registered. I only had eyes for the woman next in line. She never stopped impressing me, even when she was pressing every single button.
“As I said, you’re being too hard on yourself. She’s digging you, man. You love her. A match made in heaven.”
I snorted. “I wouldn’t know anything about love.”
“From what you’ve told me, that lady taught you about love. Just don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
“No gift horse. Just…”
“Just everything you’ve been pining away for. What did Akoni tell you?”
“That a flight came in late with questionable passengers, two from England, but as far as he could tell, they’re just tourists.”
“But you don’t buy it.”
“Nope. I need to find the connection from Matis to Bradford Vale. Whatever I’m missing could cost Dani her life.”
Kekoa rubbed his chin. “Wow. You’re really worried. Did you ever stop to think maybe you’re looking at the situation the wrong way?”
“Meaning what?”
“You think this is about Vice President Vale’s position in the White House. While he’s been a harsh critic of every revolutionary group, he’s not so far out there a man like Matis should take notice. Maybe this has more to do with the vice president’s past.”
“A Frenchman and a guy born and raised in Virginia? That’s difficult to swallow.” But he did have a point. I’d searched the internet for every foreign affairs opinion Vale had issued over the years, finding nothing useful, at least nothing that would push Matis into creating such a powerful enemy.
