Page 80 of Stone
“Grab a couple drinks,” Kekoa suggested. “There’s plenty of food. Akoni went all out this year including a limbo contest.”
“Akoni is Kekoa’s brother, an even more colorful human being,” Stone said casually as we headed to the bar.
“Colorful?” Kekoa asked. “My brother is a full-blown nutcase, but he does throw the best parties on the island.”
Stone chuckled, nodding a few times. “That he does.”
Why did I have a feeling by the way the two men were looking at each other they’d developed a wordless method of communication? And that they weren’t very good actors at hiding something shared between them?
We saddled up to a true tiki bar, the appearance of the oversized structure straight out of a Hawaiian movie. With vivid string lights everywhere, including on several trees and flowering foliage, island music and dozens of torches lit, only the backdrop of the rolling ocean waters and pristine moon could outdo the presentation.
A bartender wearing a tropical shirt greeted us. “What would you like to drink?”
“Oh, I need a Mai Tai to start,” I answered immediately.
“Whiskey, Jonas. You know what I prefer,” Stone added.
“That I do,” Jonas said, tapping the bar as he laughed. “Hard nose all the way. I’ll be right back.”
“I see all the islanders know you well,” I told him. “There is a story that you’re not sharing with me.”
He gave me one of his stern looks, his eyes flickering from amusement. “We all have secrets.”
“Hmmm…”
“I’ll let Akoni know you’re here,” Kekoa said before turning his attention toward me. “I’m glad you got him out of the house. He was becoming a pain in the ass. I mean a hermit. Other than surfing, the boy doesn’t do shit.” He backed away before Stone could physically react.
Grumbling, Stone pulled out his phone, checking his messages and texts. “Some employee you are.”
“Tonight, I’m your friend, bubba. Not that you know how to treat friends.” Kekoa winked and backed away as the drinks were placed in front of us.
“He’s awesome. You’re lucky to have him.”
Stone laughed. “He was the first man I met when I arrived on the island. He ended up being my taxi driver for the day. Showed me all the highlights of the small town, including a few bars. We closed the last one down somewhere after three in the morning. That’s about all I remember, but we’ve been fast friends ever since.”
“You did have a few wild days. It’s good to have friends like that.” I immediately sensed he was antsy. “I thought we were at a party. Who are you expecting to call?”
“Just checking on things.”
“What things, Stone? You’ve been shadowy about what’s going on, constantly checking the security cameras. Did something else happen?”
He put his phone on the bar, turning toward me. “I’m attempting to discover why Matis Garnier is personally targeting you.”
“You’re certain it’s personal.”
“Oh, I’m positive, since detailed notes about kidnapping you were found in his personal belongings at a house Interpol managed to find. He was watching you for weeks.”
“What?” I shrank back.
“Because I’m not privy to the information that was found, the man who orchestrated hiring me isn’t authorized to provide but so many details. What I was told was that Matis was spotted leaving France two days ago.”
I took a deep breath. “On his way here?”
“That remains to be seen. He shouldn’t know where I live.”
“Shouldn’t. You’re worried.”
“That’s why I get paid the big bucks, but make no mistake, I will protect you no matter what it takes.” The vehemence of his words scared me, yet the determination in his eyes was comforting.
